Saturday, October 15, 2011

Track Lighting - The Most Flexible Lighting Solution

By David Stakes


The concept of track lighting started in the theater and moved to museums, galleries and commercial spaces once the concept was proven. The appearance of track lighting in domestic spaces is more popular now manufacturers are offering smaller, lighting and more aesthetically pleasing track lighting systems. Should you consider track lighting in your space? Read on and discover for yourself.

Track lighting evolved from the need to have adjustable lighting without having to remodel the fabric of the building at each change. In the theater lanterns are hung on a rail and electrical flex supplies the power. On all but the most basic theater track lights control flex is connected to each lantern to enable additional functions to be automated including movement and specific control of the light output, its lenses and color filters.

Light fixtures will then makes use of the track for both mechanized support and electric network making installation very simple. Nevertheless the real strength of track lighting is the opportunity to move lights quickly to new positions, switch them off separately, and also having the ability to improve or lower the amount of lights on the track whenever they want. So understanding the flexibility of track devices should we take into account the downsides? There are a few issues with track lights. Track lighting can't be identified as being distinct, even the smaller light and airy track system have all the features on show.

So knowing the flexibility of track systems should we consider the drawbacks? There are some issues with track lighting. Track lighting cannot be described as being discrete, even the smaller light and airy track system have everything on show. There is no mystery about a track light system. Equally one track system cannot be used everywhere so different designs of track solution are required for different purposes and this can make it confusing for the consumer. Here we highlight the main differences.

Voltage

Track lighting can be divided into 2 types; low voltage and mains voltage. On the whole reduced voltage track systems are typically smaller than mains tracks. Low voltage track programs use a transformer to transform mains power in low voltage supply, typically 12 volts. Because of the higher current on low voltage tracks the maximum amount lighting which you can use is fixed by the output of the transformer. Most often the maximum load is 300 watts. Mains track systems can handle a greater load because current is lower. By example a 10 amp mains track can usually tackle a load of 2300 watts so many more track lights can be used on a mains track.

Design and style

Lighting tracks could be rigid, semi-rigid or fully flexible and under tension. Some track lights can span large distances with out intermediate supports, some can be utilized on walls and ceilings and a few can be utilized inverted for up-lighting ceilings and spaces. For that reason flexibility track lighting is usually used in unusual areas where the usage of regular ceiling fixed lights are impossible or unwanted.

So with such a choice of track lights it can be difficult for any consumer, designer or designer to create a process but lighting expert are available to guide you through the design or might be able to design, price and designate the track lighting to your space.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment