Track lighting is a decorative and efficient way to brighten almost any space in your home. But before you purchase a track lighting system, it is essential to understand the four primary components of all track lighting systems, to ensure that your track lights are not only stylish but safe as well.

1. Tracks The track is the rail that is affixed directly to the ceiling or suspended from ceiling mounts. Some tracks can be bent by hand to create a custom look for your space. Other tracks can be rerouted only at specified track junctions, often in the form of a "T" or an "H" arrangement. Tracks vary from model to model, and not all tracks accommodate every light fixture. For a safe and secure mounting, purchase fixtures and tracks from the same lighting company, and double check specifications to make sure that they are compatible before purchasing. This will also ensure that the colors and finishes of both fixtures and tracks complement each other perfectly.

White Six-Foot Track

2. Power Supplies
The power supply is the way in which your lighting will be attached to the electricity of your home. There are two types of power supplies that can accommodate track lighting:
a. standard electrical outlets
b. electrical junction boxes

Incandescent Recessed Light Housing

Affixing track lights into a standard electrical outlet is simple. After you mount your track lights, plug the attached electric cord into the nearest electrical outlet. Keep in mind that although this type of installation is fast and easy, it might not appear as attractive as tracks lights installed through an electrical junction box.

To create a cleaner, more elegant look, consider installing your track lighting into an electrical junction box located on or near the ceiling. A live-end connector or a floating canopy box is typically used to connect the track to the electrical junction box. A live-end connector provides electricity to the ends of the track. A canopy box is necessary if you want to provide power to the entire length of the track.

In either case, using an electrical junction box will limit the amount of wires that are exposed at the connection point, creating a classier and more sophisticated look. Although track lighting can often be installed easily into an existing junction box, it is recommended to call an electrician if you want to move your power supply or if you are at all uncomfortable doing the electrical work yourself.

3. Light Fixtures The fixture is the most noticeable component of track lighting that must be selected. There are a large variety of track light finishes to choose from including polished brass, chrome, white, black, eurotech, and more. Track lighting fixtures are available in two different voltages: line-voltage track lights which use standard 120v electricity, and low-voltage track lights, which use 12v and often require a transformer to reduce the voltage. Line-voltage track lights are generally less expensive to purchase, but require more electricity to run. Low-voltage lights often cost more but consume considerably less electricity to run.

Feather Blue Glass

4. Light Bulbs
Once you have selected your tracks, power supply and light fixtures, you can begin to consider your light bulb options. Light bulbs vary in diameter and in their brightness. Flood lights, which have a wide beam angle, are ideal for illuminating large spaces and providing general background lighting. Spot lights, which provide a comparatively smaller beam angle, are perfect for highlighting specific places, such as artwork or decorative design detail in your home. Track lighting is wonderful because it allows you to combine both spot lights and flood lights on the same track, so that you can achieve many different lighting effects with one attractive lighting arrangement.

Looking for more, check out our Track lighting Buying Guide.