Track Lighting Components

Track

• The track in track lighting is simply the method of conducting power to each of the lights in the system. It always requires two conductors to power lights. Sometimes the conductors are hidden within a plastic or metal track or rail. Occasionally the conductors are completely independent of each other in an attempt to enhance the aesthetics of the system.

Fixtures

• Fixtures are the part of a track lighting system that holds the lamp. Fixtures, like almost every other part of track lights, come in line voltage and low-voltage styles. Of all the diversity in track lighting systems, the greatest lies in the fixtures themselves. Single fixtures range in price from a few dollars to more than a thousand dollars.

Hardware

• Track lighting hardware is the collection of parts that fasten the track to the ceiling or wall and attach multiple tracks together. While some tracks mount directly to the ceiling, some tracks are made to hang in the air and require special hardware. Tracks can be attached to each other in multiple ways. Simple extensions allow for longer tracks, while bends or curves allow tracks to follow the contours of a hallway.

Lamps

• Lamps for track lighting exist in many forms. For track lighting systems that use line voltage, most of the fixtures have a standard light bulb socket. This allows the use of typical household light bulbs in any of the color options available. Low-voltage lighting systems use a special 12-volt socket for their fixtures. These 12-volt lamps are a little harder to find, and you may need to go to a specialty store. Choose your lamps based on your desired brightness and color.

Transformers

• Line voltage systems do not require a transformer. The line wires are simply spliced to the track wires inside a junction box above the ceiling. Low-voltage lighting systems need to convert the 120-volt line to the 12 volts usable by the rails in the track. This is accomplished using a step-down transformer. The transformer is spliced to the line voltage on one side, and to the 12-volt lines on the other. All splices should be inside a junction box, the enclosure for the transformer.