Lightolier Calculite Evolution Non-IC Frame-In Kit Recessed Incandescent Downlight Housing for Dry or Plaster Ceilings

Description

Condition: New, open-box / no retail box. Fixture has not been described as installed or used. Original packaging is not included. Reflector trim, socket harness, lamp, and any accessories not specifically shown or listed should be considered not included.

Detailed Description

The Lightolier Calculite Evolution Non-IC Frame-In Kit is a professional recessed downlight housing designed for permanent ceiling installation in commercial, institutional, hospitality, retail, and high-end residential applications. It uses a steel housing with a removable aluminum top cover for service access and a die-cast aluminum mounting frame that supports installation in either drywall or plaster ceilings.

The Non-IC designation is critical: this housing is not rated for direct contact with thermal insulation. Insulation must be kept at least 3 inches away from the fixture sides and wiring compartments, and insulation must not be installed above the fixture in a way that traps heat.

The fixture is intended for a wired electrical installation and uses a reflector trim assembly that provides the socket and power harness. Precision steel retaining springs secure the reflector trim to the mounting frame, allowing quick installation without separate trim fasteners.

This frame-in kit also includes a galvanized steel junction box designed for through-branch circuit wiring and accessible from both inside and outside the fixture. The hinged exterior junction-box door provides wide service access, while internal keyed snap-in connectors simplify connection to the compatible power and socket harness.

Main Specifications

Features

• Professional recessed frame-in housing
• Part of the Lightolier Calculite Evolution family
• Non-IC construction
• Steel housing with durable matte black finish
• Removable aluminum top cover
• Top access for service and installation
• Die-cast aluminum ceiling mounting frame
• Suitable for drywall ceilings
• Suitable for plaster ceilings
• Precision steel reflector-retaining springs
• Tool-less reflector trim installation
• Adjustable galvanized steel mounting brackets
• Brackets can be adjusted from inside or outside the fixture
• Keyed snap-in electrical connectors
• Quick-connect internal plug
• Galvanized steel junction box
• Junction box accessible from both sides
• Hinged exterior junction-box door
• Designed for branch-circuit feed-through applications
• Suitable for damp-location installations
• Compatible with matching Calculite reflector trim and harness assemblies
• Intended for permanent hardwired installation

Non-IC Installation Requirement

Because this unit is Non-IC rated, it requires an open-air clearance zone around the housing.

Important requirements include:

• Keep insulation at least 3 inches away from the housing.
• Keep insulation at least 3 inches away from wiring compartments.
• Do not cover the fixture with insulation.
• Do not install insulation above the fixture in a way that traps heat.
• Maintain adequate free-air circulation around the housing.
• Do not use in an insulated ceiling cavity unless the required clearance can be maintained.

This is a major compatibility consideration. If the ceiling cavity is fully insulated and direct insulation contact is unavoidable, an IC-rated recessed housing should be used instead.

Mounting Frame and Ceiling Installation

The die-cast aluminum mounting frame is designed to provide a rigid, accurate opening for the final reflector trim. It can be used in both:

• Drywall ceilings
• Plaster ceilings

The galvanized steel mounting brackets allow the installer to position and level the fixture before the finished ceiling surface is completed. Their inside/outside accessibility is particularly useful during rough-in work, where framing access may be limited.

Reflector Trim Retention

The fixture uses precision-tooled steel retaining springs to secure the reflector trim to the mounting frame.

Advantages include:

• Faster trim installation
• No separate screws required for trim retention
• Easier maintenance
• Secure alignment
• Reduced installation time
• Cleaner finished appearance

The socket and power harness are typically supplied with the matching reflector trim rather than with the frame-in housing itself.

Electrical Connection

The housing incorporates keyed snap-in connectors intended to accept the compatible power and socket harnesses supplied with the reflector trim.

This arrangement provides:

• Faster electrical connection
• Reduced chance of incorrect connection
• Easier trim replacement
• Simplified service access
• Cleaner internal wiring

The internal cover also includes a snap-in plug for quick connection to the power harness.

Junction Box

The galvanized steel junction box is designed for commercial-grade branch wiring.

Key junction-box features include:

• UL-listed construction
• Capacity for up to eight No. 12 AWG, 90°C conductors
• Through-branch circuit capability
• Access from inside the fixture
• Access from outside the fixture
• Hinged exterior door
• Wide opening for easier wiring
• Suitable for rough-in electrical work

This makes the fixture particularly useful in larger lighting layouts where multiple recessed fixtures are connected along the same branch circuit.

Applications

The Calculite Evolution frame-in kit is suitable for:

• Commercial offices
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Retail stores
• Museums
• Galleries
• Conference rooms
• Reception areas
• Corridors
• Lobbies
• Hospitality spaces
• High-end residential interiors
• Restaurants and dining rooms
• Institutional buildings
• Libraries
• Schools
• Municipal facilities
• Damp interior locations
• Covered areas where the fixture remains protected from direct water exposure

Spheres of Application

Commercial Lighting

This fixture is well suited to architectural downlighting where a clean recessed appearance and replaceable reflector system are desired.

Common uses include:

• General ambient lighting
• Accent lighting
• Perimeter lighting
• Display lighting
• Lobby illumination
• Corridor lighting
• Hospitality lighting

Retail and Gallery Lighting

Depending on the selected reflector and lamp, the fixture may be used for:

• Merchandise illumination
• Art display lighting
• Wall washing
• Highlighting architectural features
• Focused accent lighting

Hospitality

It can be used in:

• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Lounges
• Bars
• Reception spaces
• Dining areas
• Public corridors

Residential

Where permitted by code and ceiling construction, it may be used in:

• Living rooms
• Dining rooms
• Kitchens
• Hallways
• Foyers
• Home offices
• Covered damp areas

Advantages

• Heavy-duty architectural-grade construction
• Die-cast mounting frame
• Convenient top access
• Accessible junction box
• Hinged junction-box door
• Quick-connect electrical system
• Tool-less trim retention
• Adjustable mounting brackets
• Suitable for drywall or plaster
• Damp-location rated
• Can support through-branch wiring
• Designed for professional lighting installations
• Compatible with interchangeable reflector trim assemblies
• Good serviceability after installation

Limitations

• Non-IC housing
• Requires 3-inch insulation clearance
• Cannot be buried under insulation
• Not suitable for direct insulation contact
• Requires matching trim and harness
• Lamp is not included unless specifically stated
• Reflector trim is not included unless specifically stated
• Installation requires hardwired electrical work
• Exact lamp wattage depends on the selected compatible trim/socket configuration
• Ceiling cavity must have sufficient depth and ventilation
• Should be installed by a qualified electrician in accordance with applicable electrical codes

Installation Notes

Before installation, verify:

• Exact Lightolier model number
• Ceiling cutout size
• Ceiling depth
• Required trim diameter
• Required lamp type
• Maximum lamp wattage
• Reflector-trim compatibility
• Branch-circuit voltage
• Junction-box fill calculations
• Required insulation clearance
• Local electrical-code requirements
• Damp-location suitability for the actual installation

If the ceiling contains insulation, the installer must create and maintain the required 3-inch clearance around the fixture.

Cross-Referenced Models

No exact frame-in kit model number beyond the Lightolier Calculite Evolution Non-IC family was supplied, so a precise OEM cross-reference cannot be established from the available description alone.

Useful identification terms include:

• Lightolier Calculite Evolution Non-IC Frame-In Kit
• Lightolier Calculite recessed housing
• Calculite incandescent frame-in housing
• Lightolier non-IC recessed downlight
• Calculite plaster ceiling frame
• Calculite drywall frame-in kit
• Lightolier architectural recessed housing

If a label on the housing provides a catalog number, series number, reflector size, or lamp rating, that information can be used to identify the exact compatible trim and socket assembly.

Comparable Products

Comparable product families include:

• Philips Lightolier Calculite recessed housings
• Halo commercial recessed housings
• Juno architectural recessed downlights
• Lithonia Lighting recessed commercial housings
• Prescolite architectural downlights
• Gotham recessed downlight housings
• Cooper Lighting commercial recessed frame-in kits

Comparable units should be checked for:

• IC versus Non-IC rating
• Aperture size
• Lamp type
• Maximum wattage
• Ceiling thickness
• Trim compatibility
• Housing depth
• Junction-box capacity
• Damp-location rating
• Mounting-bar design

Compatible Larger System

This frame-in kit is only one part of the complete recessed lighting assembly. A finished installation generally requires:

• Frame-in housing
• Compatible reflector trim
• Socket harness
• Power harness
• Correct lamp
• Ceiling opening
• Branch-circuit wiring
• Mounting supports
• Grounding conductor
• Junction-box connections

Depending on the Calculite configuration, reflector options may provide different beam distributions, apertures, finishes, and lamp positions.

Related

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Common Requests:

1. Lightolier Calculite Evolution Non-IC frame-in kit for recessed incandescent downlight installation
2. New Lightolier recessed lighting housing for drywall or plaster ceiling without box
3. Calculite architectural recessed housing with junction box and adjustable mounting brackets
4. Non-IC Lightolier ceiling downlight frame requiring 3-inch insulation clearance
5. Commercial recessed incandescent frame-in kit with tool-less reflector trim mounting

Trademark Disclaimer

Lightolier®, Calculite®, Philips®, Halo®, Juno®, Lithonia Lighting®, Prescolite®, Gotham®, Cooper Lighting®, and any other manufacturer or product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. They are used solely for product identification, comparison, compatibility reference, and informational purposes and do not imply affiliation, sponsorship, authorization, or endorsement.