Track light: what is the design of luminaires on tracks, types, pros and installation rules

In modern country houses, apartments, shopping and entertainment centers and offices, efficient lighting is provided by various sources of artificial light. Track lights were also able to find their niche in the system, mobile structures are installed in kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms, photo studios, shops, on the streets. Thanks to the movable elements, you can create an unusual interior design, illuminate every corner of the room.

Appearance and features

The lighting market offers a huge selection of products of various shapes, sizes, colors. They differ in the type of installation and design, scope, luminescence intensity, but find lighting equipment, able to combine economy, practicality, ease of use and presentable appearance, quite hard. Track lamps, eye-catching with their uniqueness, can be a striking example of universal devices.

The electrical installation system is represented by various details and numerous artificial light sources.

Track constructions consist of the following basic elements:

• busbar (track), which serves as a frame, a power source and a reliable base for fixing light bulbs at a certain distance, in one position or another, direction;
• lighting devices (lamps with shades, visually reminiscent of small spotlights), which can have a variety of shapes and sizes;
• connecting parts (connectors, which are similar in shape to the letter G, T, X), allowing to create a full-fledged track structure of any complexity from several busbars;
• elements for fixing lighting equipment on the track, and busbar trunking on the wall, ceiling (brackets, bowls, suspension parts, screws, etc.) );
• switches and dimmers mounted in a common track lighting system.

The track is often made of a durable aluminum profile, inside which there are copper busbars, separated by insulators. In addition to the main structural elements, the set of accessories can be supplemented with a transformer to help regulate the voltage. A feature of the track lighting system is the ability to change the height of the suspension, the angle of inclination and the location of individual lamps.

Scope of application

Economical track artificial light sources are professional devices that perform not only the function of lighting, but also carry a decorative load. Mobile and original lighting equipment is used in shopping and entertainment centers, industrial buildings, cottages, private houses, offices, studio apartments, in summer cottages. In addition, such lighting systems can be seen in:

• sales areas, which allows you to draw the attention of buyers to the product;
• restaurants, bars, cafeterias;
• exhibition centers;
• museums, cinemas and other cultural and entertainment establishments.

The versatility of track lighting has brought these systems to the ranks of the most popular devices of our time. Luminaires on bus ducts harmoniously fit into the interior of bedrooms, bathrooms, children's rooms, and guest rooms. Often, such systems can be seen on the street as illumination of facades, garden elements. Such designs differ from standard track ones in resistance to mechanical damage and moisture.

Advantages and disadvantages

Track lighting technology has become so popular due to the many advantages and versatility of the design. It was especially popular due to its maneuverability and the ability to form directional lighting, which allows you to place the right accents in the room, zone spacious rooms or studio apartments. Other advantages of busbar luminaires include:

• Multifunctionality, simplicity and laconic design.
• Simplicity of operation and maintenance.
• Possibility of visual expansion of the space of rooms with small quadrature.
• Installation of the track system on any ceiling surface and height.
• Quickness of assembly of component parts.
• Strength and durability of structures.
• Possibility to install luminaires with different designs on one track.
• Swivel mechanisms moving in different directions.
• Economical energy consumption due to the ability to enable and disable individual sections of the system.
• Universal design of the track and accessories that will harmoniously fit into the interior, made in the style of loft, classic, provence, modern, art deco, hi-tech, etc.

Among the advantages of bus lighting systems are also noiselessness, minimal electromagnetic radiation, low risks of overheating of bulbs. Track lights also have some disadvantages, for example, the high cost of devices and parts.

Product classification

Lighting devices differing in shape, color and size have several classifications. First of all, they can differ in the type of conductive busbar trunking (one, two, three-phase, mini-tracks 12 V). The number of connected bulbs divides bus lighting systems into single, double and triple.

In addition, there is a classification according to the type of light sources. The most common option is considered to be devices with LED lamps, which are economical and soft glow. They are suitable for residential installations.

The cheapest models are recognized as products with halogen bulbs. This factor allows them to be installed in spacious rooms, for example, in sales areas or in production. Lighting technology with fluorescent and metal halide lamps is often used to equip shop windows, exhibition centers (illuminating exhibits).

Selection rules

Busbar light sources should be selected based on some important factors. First of all, you need to pay attention to the type of installed devices, the power of the lighting equipment, indicated in watts, and the supply voltage, indicated in volts. The second important point is the number of phases, light sources and color temperature.

An important factor is the angle of diffusion of lighting, brightness and color transmission of bulbs, luminous flux. Despite the variety of types of structures, attention should be paid to the method of attachment. Connoisseurs of aesthetics or people who want to choose devices that fit perfectly into the interior style, you need to take a closer look at the design of the shades.

The last important factor is pricing. Domestic manufacturers and manufacturers of neighboring countries offer a large selection of stylish, beautiful, practical lighting equipment at affordable prices. Imported products from Germany, France, Italy, Finland will cost a little more.

Installation features

Track lighting products are often sold as a complete set, so there is no need to purchase additional items, which greatly simplifies the installation process. Installation of luminaires is simple, quick and easy. The whole procedure can be conditionally divided into several stages:

1. Power outage in a house, apartment, industrial or other building where the bus lighting system will be installed.
2. Fastening the frame on a vertical, horizontal, inclined surface using special clamps (brackets, cables, hanging chains).
3. Leading of cables to the ends of the track.
4. Connection of luminaire contacts to a common system.
5. Phase detection using special color coding.
6. Insulation of joints.
7. Installation of the lighting devices themselves (with proper installation, a characteristic click will be heard).
8. Adjustment of light sources in the desired direction, setting the required angle of inclination.

Although such a scheme is considered universal, it may still differ depending on the type design, therefore, before installation, you must carefully study the instructions attached to the track lamps.

Track lighting is a versatile device, which will be the ideal main or additional light source in a spacious house, miniature apartment, large entertainment center or trading floor. Universal designs will harmoniously fit into any interior, will help to divide the room of any square into zones, place the necessary light accents or draw the attention of buyers to the product. Multifunctional systems will allow everyone to competently organize efficient and high-quality lighting.