Can I mount a "ceiling mount" light fixture on a wall instead?
December 14, 2015 6:44 PM Subscribe
Bought an LED light fixture. Only now noticed the instructions say "must be mounted on ceiling". Can I mount it on a wall anyway?
It's this one. Some wall mount fixture are not rated for ceiling mounts because their parts are not made to withstand heat flowing up at the mount — but this is the opposite situation, so I would think that if it can take the heat on a ceiling, a wall configuration would be less taxing. And it's completely sealed: there are no holes for air ventilation, so doesn't seem that mounting it at a 90 degree angle could change how heated air escapes (because there is no escape). And it's all plastic except the circuit board on which the LED diodes are mounted inside, so presumably the plastic can already take the heat.
Does anyone know of a danger in mounting it on a wall?
It's this one. Some wall mount fixture are not rated for ceiling mounts because their parts are not made to withstand heat flowing up at the mount — but this is the opposite situation, so I would think that if it can take the heat on a ceiling, a wall configuration would be less taxing. And it's completely sealed: there are no holes for air ventilation, so doesn't seem that mounting it at a 90 degree angle could change how heated air escapes (because there is no escape). And it's all plastic except the circuit board on which the LED diodes are mounted inside, so presumably the plastic can already take the heat.
Does anyone know of a danger in mounting it on a wall?
there is generally some kind of strong support and lined metal box on ceiling mounts, so that's what they think is needed for that lamp.
posted by TenaciousB at 6:56 PM on December 14, 2015
posted by TenaciousB at 6:56 PM on December 14, 2015
Response by poster: Regarding weight: this thing is extremely lightweight ... oh, but wait, now that you mention it, it is still heavier than a light bulb, and one of the mounting options is to screw it into a socket. So it could be that the heavier-than-light-bulb weight on a wall-mounted socket might exceed the specs for some sockets. Hmmmm....
posted by StrawberryPie at 7:04 PM on December 14, 2015
posted by StrawberryPie at 7:04 PM on December 14, 2015
I'd try it. Its positioning mechanism might only work to level it if it's hung vertically, so you might have to tweak something to get it to stay flush to the wall, but I (random internet stranger) would bet that heat-wise, it is ok.
posted by Dashy at 7:09 PM on December 14, 2015
posted by Dashy at 7:09 PM on December 14, 2015
Do you have a wall box with the right hole pattern?
These are designed to hang from an electrical box. There are assumptions about which direction gravity will be pulling (straight down on glass as opposed to rotating out, straight down on mounting screws instead of in shear). But if it's all plastic, and it's light, and it's not an incandescent fixture, it's pretty low risk.
It's also possible that the labeling is specifying ceiling mount as opposed to on a desk or something, because it is wired in place with wire nuts instead of a plug.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:11 PM on December 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
These are designed to hang from an electrical box. There are assumptions about which direction gravity will be pulling (straight down on glass as opposed to rotating out, straight down on mounting screws instead of in shear). But if it's all plastic, and it's light, and it's not an incandescent fixture, it's pretty low risk.
It's also possible that the labeling is specifying ceiling mount as opposed to on a desk or something, because it is wired in place with wire nuts instead of a plug.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:11 PM on December 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: "Ceiling Mount" for a UL rating can relate to the amount of damage it can take and not expose wiring. If you are putting it high enough on the wall and someone will not be able to strike it easily, it should be no problem at all. Think of the wall as an oddly-oriented ceiling.
posted by nickggully at 7:53 PM on December 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by nickggully at 7:53 PM on December 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: There are two issues:
The first is the electronics may be exposed to localized heat if wall mounted that would reduce the life of the fixture.
The second is the the fixture may only be listed for ceiling mounting and in theory if the fixture was to cause a fire while being wall mounted your insurance may not cover you.
Personally I doubt either of these things will actually happen; the restriction was just to save the manufacturer money by only paying the listing labs for ceiling mounting.
TenaciousB: "there is generally some kind of strong support and lined metal box on ceiling mounts"
Lots of cheap ass plastic boxes in ceilings. A fan rated (IE: heavy weight supporting) box will be stamped as such and if it isn't it is only designed for a light weight fixture.
posted by Mitheral at 7:56 PM on December 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
The first is the electronics may be exposed to localized heat if wall mounted that would reduce the life of the fixture.
The second is the the fixture may only be listed for ceiling mounting and in theory if the fixture was to cause a fire while being wall mounted your insurance may not cover you.
Personally I doubt either of these things will actually happen; the restriction was just to save the manufacturer money by only paying the listing labs for ceiling mounting.
TenaciousB: "there is generally some kind of strong support and lined metal box on ceiling mounts"
Lots of cheap ass plastic boxes in ceilings. A fan rated (IE: heavy weight supporting) box will be stamped as such and if it isn't it is only designed for a light weight fixture.
posted by Mitheral at 7:56 PM on December 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by BillMcMurdo at 6:53 PM on December 14, 2015