| Track lighting is simple to install yet offers great | | | | that you use the right Plug Set and remember that |
| flexibility to change the configuration at any time. | | | | you will still need a Live End Connector. |
| Whether you already have a track installed and want | | | | The corded solution may not look as clean as a |
| to update the look, or whether you want to install | | | | junction box connection, but you will not need an |
| new track lighting, we can help. | | | | electrician to install it. |
| Four Steps to Designing a Track Lighting Installation | | | | Step 3: Choose Your Lamps After you have decided |
| Step 1: Pick a Track Standard The foundation of any | | | | between, L, H, or J and have designed your track |
| track lighting system is the track itself. The track is | | | | layout, you will need to make sure that you buy |
| the part that attaches to the ceiling or wall and it's | | | | track fixtures that fit your track. Track fixtures |
| what the light fixtures are affixed to. It's important | | | | come in two main types: low voltage and line voltage. |
| to keep in mind that not all track lights (fixtures) fit all | | | | Line voltage is the raw voltage that you will find in |
| track types. There are three standards and a bunch | | | | standard outlets and junction boxes - 120 volts in the |
| of proprietary systems. The three standards were | | | | US. Low Voltage Fixtures, which consume less |
| developed by the early manufacturers of track | | | | electricity and provide a whiter light than Line Voltage |
| lighting (Halo, Juno and Lightolier), and we carry | | | | Fixtures, use 12 volt power and therefore require a |
| fixtures that are compatible with all three systems. | | | | transformer to convert the raw 120V to the desired |
| We refer to each by the first letter of each | | | | 12V. This transformer is a rectangular block about 4" |
| company's name. There are other track systems out | | | | long that serves as both the base of the fixture and |
| there that are not compatible with the above | | | | the connection to the track, and comes as an integral |
| standards; these tend to be the cheap systems of | | | | part of any Low Voltage Track Fixture we sell. |
| flimsy construction that are carried by the home | | | | Since the conversion from 120V to 12V happens on |
| improvement chains. Besides the low quality of the | | | | the fixture itself, the track remains at the line |
| manufacturing, these track lighting systems defeat | | | | voltage, meaning you could theoretically have both |
| the purpose of track lighting by taking away the | | | | Low Voltage and Line Voltage fixtures on the same |
| flexibility: once you buy a proprietary system, you | | | | track, though few people choose to do this. You can |
| are forever restricted to track light fixtures made by | | | | have a large number of fixtures on a track; this |
| the same company. To avoid problems, we | | | | number is dictated by the total wattage of the |
| recommend you pick one of the standards, H, J, or | | | | fixtures you plan to use. |
| L, and stick with it. You will ALWAYS need to buy | | | | Step 4: Pick Your Bulbs Bulbs differ in the diameter |
| fixtures and accessories that are of the same | | | | and brightness of the light that they create. |
| standard. | | | | There are spot lights which create a focused bright |
| Step 2: Layout and Power After you've decided | | | | light for illuminating specific things or places such as a |
| where you want to install track lighting, there are a | | | | picture, piece of art or workspace. Many Low |
| range of track lengths and connectors at your | | | | Voltage Fixtures use MR 16 and MR 11 bulbs. We |
| disposal to let you create the ideal layout (see more | | | | provide a description of the beam angle produced by |
| information on connectors below); once you have | | | | each bulb in order for you to determine which bulb |
| the parts, you'll find that they connect easily, kind of | | | | you want. Large beam angles (25 and up) are floods. |
| like an erector set. One of the most important | | | | Smaller beam angles (under 25) are spots. Combining |
| considerations is the need to bring electrical power to | | | | floods and spots enables you to light both specific |
| your track lighting. There are two main methods: a | | | | objects and general areas from the same track. The |
| power supply attached to a junction box or a power | | | | Line Voltage Fixtures use a variety of bulbs; |
| cord from the track to a standard electrical outlet. In | | | | however, we don't carry these bulbs because we |
| order to connect the track to the junction box with | | | | consider them too fragile to ship. |
| a connector, you can either use a Floating Canopy | | | | Other Features That's is all you need to put together |
| Connector (if you need power anywhere along the | | | | a professional track lighting set-up. |
| length of the track, excluding the ends) or a Live End | | | | There are numerous ways that you can now modify |
| Connector (if you need power at an end of the | | | | or accessorize your track lighting. Here are some |
| track). You may need to use a Canopy Plate to | | | | ideas: Track Suspension Kits - These kits allow you |
| completely cover the junction box underneath the | | | | to hang the track from the ceiling. |
| Live End Connector. Using either a Floating Canopy | | | | This looks great in exposed high ceiling environments |
| Connector or a Live End Connector will create the | | | | like lofts or creative spaces. |
| finished designer look that you seek in | | | | Connectors - You can connect tracks together into |
| professionally-designed interiors. | | | | straight lines ninety-degree turns or any angle for |
| However, if you do not have an existing junction box | | | | that matter. You can create closed loops and boxes |
| in your ceiling, you will need the services of an | | | | without short circuits by using dead connectors. |
| electrician to position one for you. If you want an | | | | Special Lenses - You can use special lenses to change |
| easier approach, you can also use a Plug and Cord | | | | the shape of the light (honeycomb louver spread lens |
| Set [for L-series][for H- and J-series] to connect a | | | | beam elongating lens) or the color (color lenses, color |
| Live End Connector to a plug on a wall. Make sure | | | | dichoric lenses). |