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I just replaced the light bulb in the recessed light and it is working.

I noticed this strange object.

object

What is it ?

isherwood
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Traveler
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    Temperature sensor/fuse(?) What type of light bulb is it for? – crip659 Jun 12 '22 at 22:36
  • @crip659 so once it triggers does it reset or needs to be replaced ? – Traveler Jun 12 '22 at 22:41
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    Unknown, some do some need replacement. Could be something also. – crip659 Jun 12 '22 at 22:47
  • @crip659 make that an answer and I will give you the well deserved credit. I do not need to know about UAL and Underwriters, just it is a thermal protection switch. – Traveler Jun 12 '22 at 23:37
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    I was just guessing, @Gil gave a much better answer, including why it had to be there, which I did not know. – crip659 Jun 12 '22 at 23:54
  • I liked your guess better than lecture on Underwriters rules electrician refusal and so on. Just simple and clean answer I was looking for, it is a thermal protection. Go do it – Traveler Jun 12 '22 at 23:59

1 Answers1

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That thermal device is a a requirement, for the recessed fixture to have Underwriters Laboratory approval. Without that approval, qualified electricians will not install them. UL states for approval a recessed fixture must have a thermal protection device built into them. I have seen two types, thermal fuses which when blow needs to be replaced or the fixture replaced. The other which most recessed fixtures have is like a thermal disk on an electric heating appliance, it snaps open then when it cools down it snaps closed. I do not know what the trip temperature is but the manufacturer determined if it gets hotter then this device the fixture becomes unsafe and a potential fire hazard. I believe this type of protection is required in all appliances etc that get hot such as coffee makers.

jsotola
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Gil
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    It does not look like it is easy to replace, so hopefully it resets. – crip659 Jun 12 '22 at 22:49
  • You can take a blow dryer with the heat off and cool it that way to force it to reset but I would expect by now it has cooled. Try a smaller lamp. – Gil Jun 12 '22 at 23:00
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    OP said the light works, just did not know what the little box was for. – crip659 Jun 12 '22 at 23:10