How to Decide How Much Track Lighting I Need

Determine If Lighting An Entire Room or Accenting A Particular Object

• 1

  Determine if the lighting is for a basic purpose, such as lighting a room, or to accent a particular object. Generally, about three lights are used on an average size track, but there is no set minimum or maximum. The number of fixtures usually depends on the size of a room or the intended aesthetic.

• 2

  Measure the ceiling height for basic room lighting. The lights should be mounted on the ceiling and pointed downward. To be most effective, the track for the lights should be placed two to three feet from the nearest wall for ceilings up to nine feet, and three to four feet from the nearest wall if the ceilings are between nine and 11 feet. The lights should be placed the same distance apart from each other as the track is from the wall.

• 3

  Select a lighting source. According to Pegasus Associates, incandescent, PAR halogen, MR 16 halogen, fluorescent and metal halide bulbs are all viable options. Fluorescent, however, uses electricity more efficiently than halogen, but halogen is best for accent lighting.

• 4

  Use this formula for spacing the fixtures for accent lighting: S = D x 0.55, as it measures the distance (D) from the ceiling straight down the wall to the middle of the object being lit. If the distance from the ceiling to the object is four feet (4 x 0.55), then the light fixtures should be spaced 2.2 feet from the wall (S), roughly two feet and three inches. Position the fixture at a 30 degree angle.

• 5

  Choose your bulbs. According to Form Plus Function, bulbs vary in the diameter and brightness of the light that they emit. Most low voltage fixtures use halogen MR 16 and MR 11 bulbs. Determine the brightness levels by selecting the wattage -- the higher the brighter -- and beam spread type needed. Large beam angles, 25 degrees and up, are "floods" while smaller beam angles, under 25 degrees, are "spots."