The Different Types of Track Lighting at Your Disposal
Track lighting is a very effective way to brighten a room up while adding an aesthetic touch at the same time. Not only will you be able to switch on multiple lights from a single panel, but these track lights can be as simple or as artistic as you want them to be.
But did you know that there are a lot of different types of track lighting systems out there? If you want to learn how to make the most out of track lights, then you will definitely want to learn about these different types:
Single & 2-Circuit Track Lighting
Some track lights allow you to turn them on or off from the convenience of a single switch. These types of track lights are called single circuit track lights, wherein all the lights are connected to a single circuit or panel. This is pretty convenient for track lights with a specific purpose in mind, like lighting up a gallery for an instance.
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2-circuit track lights, however, adds an extra circuit. This allows you to manipulate two distinct sets of track lights as you see fit by separately controlling the two circuits in one run of track. For example, you could turn on the track heads while having the pendant lights turned off on the track (see picture above)
Rail & Cable Tracks
Certain track lights rest on a solid bar of metal. These rail tracks are extremely solid; providing a stable platform for larger and more cumbersome lights to be placed vertically, horizontally or diagonally. The stability of these rails also make them ideal for positioning track lights that need to be pointed at a certain direction, like spot lights.
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Cable tracks, on the other hand, allow track lights to be suspended from the ceiling. This gives track lights a chandelier-like feel to a room, which can be very useful if you have a high ceiling and nothing to put up there. This can also be useful if you want to position multiple track lights to light up one object from multiple points – perfect for large centerpieces.
Line Voltage & Low Voltage Track Lighting
The main difference between line and low voltage track lights is not brightness or intensity but voltage and options. Line voltage track lights are large and light up a relatively larger area than their low voltage counterparts. They are also less expensive because a transformer is not needed. The low voltage track lights, on the other hand, require less power to run and shed light on a smaller, more focused area (12 volts vs. 120 volts).
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Each has its own unique function. Because line voltage track lights can cover a larger area, they then become ideal for lighting up larger spaces. This is why line voltage track lights are generally used in commercial settings. Low voltage track lights can be used to focus light on smaller gallery pieces, like paintings or statues.
Different track lighting fixtures
The lights themselves differ by design, but there are at least three basic designs. You have track heads that direct light on one very specific location, making them ideal for highlighting objects. You have pendant lights that shed light downwards, which can light up an entire room like a regular light bulb. You have wall washers that shed light on an entire wall for a nice ambient effect.
Tags: line voltage track lighting, low voltage track lighting, Pendant Lights, single circuit, spot lights, track heads, track lighting, two circuit
