How monorail lighting works
Monorail lighting fixtures are powered from current running
through the exposed metallic rail itself. A closer look at a piece of monorail
will reveal that it’s really two small metallic rails with a thin piece of
insulating connector between. Although the connectors along the rail may look
like a single piece of metal, they actually connect to both the top and the
bottom of the rail to carry power to the fixtures and the power source.
Obviously, carrying line voltage electricity along exposed
rails such as this would be dangerous. Not surprisingly, the evolution of
monorail lighting is closely tied to the growth in low voltage lighting…that
is, until recently.
How to speak monorail
Monorail systems are comprised of many different components.
Each component described below comes in a variety of options allowing limitless
installation options.
Standoff
– a piece of hardware used to physically support the monorail lighting system from the
ceiling. They are either rigid or
adjustable. Rigid standoffs are commonly used to support systems mounted close
to a flat ceiling although, with special hardware, they may be used to mount
monorail systems to vaulted ceilings. Adjustable standoffs are vertical supports
comprised of thin aircraft
cable attached to both the ceiling and the rail. Adjustable standoffs are commonly
used for irregular ceilings or in situations requiring the monorail lighting
system to be suspended a significant distance from the ceiling.
Powerfeed
– often similar to standoffs, powerfeed components support the monorail system while carrying
power from the transformer or power source to the rail itself. For a clean
look, these components are typically designed to look exactly like a standoff
or, in the case of adjustable standoffs, they are discreet flexible power
cables.
Stem
– an optional extension (typically
between 2 and 24 inches) on a monorail lighting fixture that allows the fixture
to hang below the monorail. It is often useful to hang track heads below a
monorail run when the ceilings are unusually high. Stems are common to many
light fixtures…they are mentioned here to clearly differentiate them from
standoffs.
Surface mount transformer
– a transformer, typically housed in a stylish enclosure,
attached directly to a power junction box in a ceiling. Surface mount
transformers are more common than remote transformers due to their ease of
installation during remodeling projects.
Remote mount transformer
– a transformer, within a metallic housing designed to meet fire code, designed
to be mounted in a remote location such as a nearby closet or within the wall
itself. Remote mount transformers
provide a very clean look and are typically used when installing lighting in a
new construction project where access behind walls is available.
Lamp
– another word for light bulb.
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