Which Track Lighting To Use?

Wholesale Lighting > Track Lighting > Which Track Lighting To Use?

Which Track Lighting
Low Voltage (LV) 12 volts versus Mains Voltage (HV) 240 volts

The advantage of low voltage 12v LV Lighting versus 240v mains voltage is a thicker filament. The larger filament means they are more robust, give a better quality of light and give more light per watt than 240v bulbs (even accounting for a 10% waste of energy by the transformer). As the element is not coiled and with a ‘soft start’ function built into the transformers, bulb life is both longer and more predictable than 240v downlights.

The advantage of 240v lighting is the lower initial cost - no transformers to buy or to fit.

Track lighting limitations

For all its merits, track lighting does have limitations. One limitation is that, typically, every fixture on a given piece of track is on a single circuit and thus must be controlled together. Thus, it is impossible to dim one or more fixtures independently of the others. If you need to switch individual fittings on and off, choose our HV 3 Circuit track!

HV (High Voltage) 3 Circuit track allows fixtures to be isolated into groups and controlled independently. Often, this is used to switch pendants separately from track heads

attached to the same run of track. It should be noted that the point of power (the junction box to which the system will be installed) must be wired appropriately to allow independent control of two groups of fixtures.

Installing track systems

Track lighting systems are not difficult to install. For those comfortable working with electricity, the systems may typically be installed in a couple of hours. For those not comfortable with such projects, any experienced electrician should be able to install a track system of any standard quickly and easily. Track lighting offers an extremely versatile and stylish way to add accent and task lighting to almost any space.

Track

Track lighting track is commonly available in silver/grey, black or white and typically ships in 1 and 2 metre segments. These segments may be cut if they are too long or joined together with connectors to form longer track runs.

Track systems that must turn for any reason should be configured with ‘L’, ‘T’ or even ‘X’ connectors accordingly.

Mains (HV) voltage Track Heads

‘Track heads’ are the common spotlight fixtures designed to be attached directly to the track to cast light in any direction. Track heads that use standard, 240 volt bulbs are referred to as 'HV'. Although these fixtures are often quite large, they produce ample light and are very affordable.

Low Voltage Track Heads

Low voltage track heads are rapidly growing in popularity. These heads require a transformer that converts power to a level that allows the use of smaller low-voltage halogen lamps. This results in much smaller fixtures that unobtrusively produce precision accent lighting. Low voltage track heads also consume less power than larger line-voltage styles.

Pendants

Fixtures that hang below the track lighting system on a flexible cable are called pendants. Pendants are used to provide both light and color accents. Although pendants are often installed individually without using a track system they may also be easily snapped in to a track system.

Ceiling Suspension

Some track systems can be attached directly to the ceiling. In spaces with very high ceilings or exposed ductwork, it may be desirable to suspend the track system below the mounting surface. All track systems may be configured with standoffs of various lengths that will accomplish this quickly and cleanly.

Suspension Stems

Although less common than suspension standoffs, track lighting fixture heights may also be adjusted using suspension stems. Stems and standoffs are different in that standoffs attach between the track and the ceiling to suspend the entire track while stems attach between the track and the fixture to suspend an individual fixture below the track.

Power

All track lighting systems must draw power from somewhere. The component that attaches to both the track system and the power outlet or junction box in a room is called the Feed-In.

Wholesale Lighting > Track Lighting > Which Track Lighting To Use?

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