UL requirements for outdoor yard light
UL requirements for outdoor yard light
(OP)
Hi: My yard light is a Metal Halide type made by Cooper (but from China). It has a plastic truncated cone lense under an aluminum "bonnet" that make up the main enclosure for the bulb.. The instructions call for placing a plastic disc type lense at the bottom of this enclosure.
This light fixture is roughly identical to one that was there before, by Cooper also, but a mercury vapor light bulb. That older mercury vapor fixture had no bottom disc lense as this current one has, but otherwise was practically identical to the the current fixture.
When I asked Cooper was this bottom plastic disc part needed (due to this fixture becoming filled up at the bottom of the enclosure with bugs), they say it is needed to keep the UL rating.
The did not say it was needed for any reason other than that UL rating.
The only reason I can think of for needing that bottom enclosure is for stormy weather to keep moisture droplets from hitting the bulb itself, which sits well up in the enclosure. The older mercury vapor fixture never was bothered by storms for the 10 years it was used.
This light is only 70 watt rating and the older mercury vapor bulb was 175 watts.
Any thoughts?
This light fixture is roughly identical to one that was there before, by Cooper also, but a mercury vapor light bulb. That older mercury vapor fixture had no bottom disc lense as this current one has, but otherwise was practically identical to the the current fixture.
When I asked Cooper was this bottom plastic disc part needed (due to this fixture becoming filled up at the bottom of the enclosure with bugs), they say it is needed to keep the UL rating.
The did not say it was needed for any reason other than that UL rating.
The only reason I can think of for needing that bottom enclosure is for stormy weather to keep moisture droplets from hitting the bulb itself, which sits well up in the enclosure. The older mercury vapor fixture never was bothered by storms for the 10 years it was used.
This light is only 70 watt rating and the older mercury vapor bulb was 175 watts.
Any thoughts?





RE: UL requirements for outdoor yard light
Perhaps if the unit gets rain blown up in it, or birds nest in it, this could result in a fire?
I would think that the bottom cover would reduce or eliminate the bug issue.
It could also be needed to get the most out of those 70W.
Personally I'd use it until something else demonstrates not having would be better.
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: UL requirements for outdoor yard light
But do not take that as an endorsement to go ahead and ASS-U-Me you can do without. Keith's points are still very valid.
"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe." -- Abraham Lincoln
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: UL requirements for outdoor yard light
RE: UL requirements for outdoor yard light
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: UL requirements for outdoor yard light