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Track Lighting 101 (part 1)

In the history of lighting design, few concepts have proven so useful, practical and adaptable as to grow in popularity for decades. Track lighting is one of these ideas. Although few people desire to be experts on the topic, a basic understanding of how these systems work will prove useful to anyone considering lighting solutions. This article is intended to provide just such an understanding.

This article covers traditional track systems which should not be confused with monorail lighting or cable lighting.

When to use track lighting
- Consider track systems when adjustable lighting is required. If the focal points in the area to be illuminated move often, track may be a good solution for you. Classic examples of shifting focal points are restaurant tables and art on walls, but almost any room without built-in furnishings is a candidate.

- Use track lighting primarily for accent and task lighting rather than general illumination. Linear lighting systems are rarely suitable to illuminate an entire room. Most spaces require a balance of general, ambient illumination, task and accent lighting…linear systems are best used for task and accent purposes.

- These lighting systems are also a good choice if the space to be illuminated has few points of power. Another reason any linear lighting system is so practical is that it allows many track lighting fixtures to be powered from a single junction box. When remodeling, track is often an easy way to add more light to the space without requiring installation of more ceiling junction boxes by an electrician.

How track lighting works
Track systems are really quite simple. The image above shows a side view of a typical installation with several common types of fixtures. Note that the system is attached to the ceiling with toggle bolts inserted directly through the track itself. Ideally, bolts will be placed into studs, but the light weight of most of the systems will typically allow them to be installed into sheetrock or plaster as well. Above the ceiling on the left is a four inch junction box. A standard component, these boxes serve as a common mounting point for a wide variety of ceiling fixtures.

When planning an installation where the system will be attached directly to the ceiling, remember that the track must run directly beneath a junction box where it will connect to power via a power feed canopy. Canopy is a term for the connecting component that attractively covers the point of power (the junction box) while also making the physical connection from the junction box wiring to the track itself. Floating canopies may be installed at any point along the track while other power connecting hardware (such as the common ‘live end’ connector) must be installed at the end of a track run.

Finally, the fixtures themselves simply snap in. The image above includes line and low voltage track lighting fixtures as discussed in part 2.