A recessed light or downlight (also pot light in Canadian English, sometimes can light (for

canister light) in American English) is a light fixture that is installed into a hollow opening in a
ceiling. When installed it appears to have light shining from a hole in the ceiling, concentrating
the light in a downward direction as a broad floodlight or narrow spotlight.

Different types of recessed lighting in a warehouse.

"Pot light" or "canister light" implies the hole is circular and the lighting fixture is cylindrical,
like a pot or canister.

There are three parts to a recessed lighting fixture: housing, trim and bulb. The trim is the visible
portion of the light. It is the insert that is seen when looking up into the fixture, and also includes
the thin lining around the edge of the light. The housing is the fixture itself that is installed inside
the ceiling and contains the lamp holder. There are many different types of bulbs that can be
inserted into recessed lighting fixtures, with the amount of heat generated by the bulb being a
unique consideration.

Contents
 1 History
 2 Advantages
 3 Types of housing
 4 Trim styles
 5 Bulb types
 6 References

History
The earliest recessed lights were developed in the 1950s by Ivan Kirlin of the Kirlin Company,
Detroit, Michigan.[1]

Advantages
Recessed lighting offers the advantages of being a hidden light source and energy efficiency.
However, the tradeoff is that they are relatively permanent and may be unflattering.[2]
Types of housing
In North America, UL 1598 recessed housings generally fall into one of four categories.

1. IC or “insulation contact” rated new construction housings are attached to the ceiling
supports before the ceiling surface is installed. If the area above the ceiling is accessible
these fixtures may also be installed from within the attic space. IC housings must be
installed wherever insulation will be in direct contact with the housing.
2. Non-IC rated new construction housings are used in the same situations as the IC rated
new construction housings, only they require that there be no contact with insulation and
at least 3 in (7.6 cm) spacing from insulation. These housings are typically rated up to
150 watts.
3. IC rated remodel housings are used in existing ceilings where insulation will be present
and in contact with the fixture.
4. Non-IC rated remodel housings are used for existing ceilings where, ideally, no insulation
is present. However, these also require that there be no contact with insulation and at
least 3 in (7.6 cm) spacing from insulation. Sloped-ceiling housings are available for both
insulated and non-insulated ceilings that are vaulted.

The main feature of the housing is designed to ensure that no flammable materials come into
contact with the hot lighting fixture. Badly-housed downlights can be a fire hazard, though all
newer ones contain a self-resetting thermal switch for safety.

The housings come in various sizes based on the diameter of the circular opening where the lamp
is installed. The most commonly used sizes are 4, 5 and 6 inches in diameter, with 4 inch IC New
Construction units less readily available at present. Smaller housings (2 and 3 inch) are also
available for specialized uses.

The housing can also be "Air Tight", which means it will not allow air to escape into the ceiling
or attic, thus reducing both heating and cooling costs.

IEC 60598 has two classifications.

1. Luminaires for recessing into ceilings with thermal insulating matting covering the
luminaire.
2. Luminaires for recessing into ceilings but not suitable for covering with thermal
insulating material.

Trim styles
Recessed lighting styles have evolved with more manufacturers creating quality trims for a
variety of applications. Recessed lighting trim usually comes in the standard baffle[disambiguation
needed]
in black or white, which is the most popular.[citation needed] They are made to absorb extra
light and create a crisp architectural appearance.
There are cone trims which produce a low-brightness aperture. Multipliers are offered which are
designed to control the omnidirectional light from "A" style incandescent light bulbs and
compact fluorescents.

Lens trim is designed to provide a diffused light and protect the lamp. Lensed trims are normally
found in wet locations.

The luminous trims combine the diffused quality of lensed trim but with an open down light
component.

Adjustable trim allows for the adjustment of the light whether it is eyeball style, which protrudes
from the trim or gimbal ring style, which adjusts inside the recess. These lights allow for full
versatility.[3]

Lastly, there are the wall-washer trims, which are designed to eliminate the often seen "scalloped
light effect".

Bulb types
There are two types of bulbs for recessed lighting: directional and diffuse. Directional
lamps (R, BR, PAR, MR) contain reflectors that direct and control the light. Diffuse lamps
(A, S, PS, G) control light Trim Size

The trim is the visible part of the light, therefore it should reflect your style and the application
for which it is gong to be used. First you need to pick the size. Recessed lighting trims come in
multiple sizes ranging from 1" to 6" in diameter. The size of the trim is a personal preference;
however, larger sized trims are able to produce broader amounts of light. Obviously, smaller
trims are less conspicuous and are hence often seen to be more modern and architecturally
desirable. Again, while the trim size can be based on your aesthetic, some common applications
include:

 6" trims are still the mainstay for general residential downlight and wall wash illumination, due
to their ability to accommodate a wide range of lamps, wattages, and efficient optics.
 5" trims have become popular for task lighting and even general lighting in smaller scale
settings.
 4" line voltage trims are useful for task and accent lighting with short throw distances and/or
lower light level requirements, such as over a bar or counter.
  4" low voltage MR16 trims have become the choice for inconspicuous yet powerful precision
accent lighting.

Trim Style

After you have decided on the size, it is important to understand the style of trim you want. The
appropriate style is largely based on the application and the desired effect you are going for:

 Baffle Trims are the most popular choice of all recessed lighting trims. They are the perfect
choice for use in living spaces such as living rooms, dining rooms, dens, bedrooms, etc. These
trims feature large uniform grooves which are designed to absorb excess light. Baffles help to
reduce glare and are typically offered in two color choices, black or white. Black baffles reduce
the most amount of glare from the bulb, while white baffles help to reduce or eliminate the
appearance of dark holes in the ceiling.
 Reflector Trims are the preferred choice for use in kitchens, very high ceilings and commercial
applications. Reflector trims use a highly polished smooth interior trim to maximize the amount
of light produced from the bulb. These trims are available with multiple tints which can aid in
either obscuring the bulb from view, or warming the room.
 Adjustable Trims are used in a variety of applications. They can be used in general lighting, task
lighting, accent lighting and wall washing. These types of trims allow the bulb to "float" in the
housing and give the user the ability to position the bulb to reach a desired area. A benefit to
using adjustable trims is that the housing can be installed off center and the trim can
compensate for the housings position and still accomplish the desired lighting technique.
 Lensed Trims are designed to protect the bulb and the interior of the housing from moisture or
taking direct hits of water. They are the preferred choice for use in bathrooms, showers, eave
lighting and in closets.

 Wall Washed Trims are combinations of a directional reflector and a light "scoop" direct light
toward the wall. Most scoop wall washers utilize A-lamp or CFL lamps. Higher wattage
commercial style scoop wall washers utilize R/BR Lamps. Scoop wall wash trims are generally
spaced 20"- 30" from the wall and 20"- 30" apart.
 Decorative Trims have become very popular over the last few years. They combine the ability to
provide a pleasing look on the ceiling while utilizing a powerful and efficient low voltage halogen
bulb.

distribution through their omnidirectional light.