Track Lighting is Versatile and Highly Configurable

Track lighting runs on metal tracks along ceilings and walls and that is where it gets its name. Light heads or lamps are attached to this track. The malleability of these metal tracks is an advantage to homeowners who want to install their lighting systems for the first time or reconfigure their existing ones.

In track lighting systems you can focus the light on any object that you want to highlight. A variable number of light fixtures can be installed along the track where electric current will flow. You can easily change the positioning of the tracks; in addition you can create a single track if that is all that you require or you can have multiple tracks if you want more light. You can add more tracks at any time and point the lights in different directions.

How Interchangeable Are System Components?

You have to be careful that all of the parts that you wish to interchange are made by the same company, or the manufacturer may not honor their product guarantee.

However, purchasing a system made under the Halo, Juno, or Lightolier standards will allow you to use components from different makes if they are all under the same standard. Replacement parts of a track system must also be of the same standard.

Note that light bulbs are an exception, as they can be made by different manufacturers and still be able to be mixed and matched with the other components.

Being able to use components from different manufacturers is a great advantage because you can choose from a wider range of models with different colors and features.

Connecting Your Lights

There are different track sizes and electrical connections to suit every room. One thing you need to be very clear about is where to position your track lights. This is needed for reasons of beauty and practicality.

You can feed your track lights to an electrical outlet or a connector, although plugging into a wall outlet may be unsightly. Using an electrical connector that is hidden in your ceiling is definitely a cleaner way to do it, though it may require a bit more work.