All applications of track lighting at a glance
By Floris / February 20, 2024
Track lighting is a modern and flexible choice to illuminate various spaces, whether they are home interiors, offices, or commercial environments.
The concept revolves around a flexible track system that supports spotlights and other fixtures, giving you the freedom to customize lighting to your specific needs and preferences.
Dimming track lighting
Adjusting track lighting to your needs is easy and works similar to dimming a standard lamp. You first need to make sure you have a dimmer connected to the light point you want to connect the track to. Next, it is important that the light sources you screw into the lamps are actually dimmable. This is not always the case
It may happen that your lamps in the track start flashing as soon as they are connected to the dimmer; this can have several causes. Most problems occur because the dimmer connected is often too powerful or too weak for the track system, especially if you have many lamps hanging from the track. Should the lights start flashing, it is advisable to reduce the number of lamps connected to the dimmer or install a heavier dimmer that can handle the load.
Furthermore, checking the wiring and connections between the lamps and the dimmer can also be helpful. Loose or damaged connections can cause the current not to be distributed evenly, which can result in blinking bulbs.
If none of the above steps solve the problem, it is advisable to call in a professional electrician to diagnose and fix the problem.
Dimming without a dimmer
If you do not own a dimmer, or are looking for another way to dim your track lighting anyway, it is also possible to work with smart lighting. The technology of smart lighting is often incorporated into the light sources themselves. This allows you to use your smartphone to control the lights in the track individually, or even as a group. This is ideal if you have a more elaborate track that shines over several parts of the room. For example, consider a track in the kitchen where you want pendant lights above the bar and spotlights on the kitchen countertop. If you have a traditional dimmer, you control the rail as a whole. With smart lamps, you can adjust each lamp individually to the mood you want.
Are there any middle power supplies for the rail?
Of course, it can happen that the track you want to hang doesn't quite match the light point in the ceiling. In most cases, the light point is in the middle of the room, which is precisely where you don't need it when it comes to track lighting. Fortunately, there are several options to make this work anyway:
- Getting rid of the cables at the back
It is possible to lay the track over the light point and extend the cables coming from the ceiling using a terminal block and extra cable. This cable can be neatly hidden in the space at the back of the track. This allows you to hang the track wherever you want, as long as it crosses the light point. - A center power supply
The track lighting power supply can be connected either in the middle of the rails or at the ends, depending on the specific rail system you use and the installation requirements. Some track systems are designed to connect the power supply in the middle, while others are specifically designed for power at the ends. With lamp lights, both options are possible, but the rail comes standard with an end power supply. - Working with a cable tray
It is also possible to work with a traditional cable tray. This is a simple, inexpensive option available in almost any hardware store. You extend the cables from your light point to the desired point to connect the rails there.
