Track lighting, of course! Track lighting offers the opportunity to much
better control the mood and emphasis of a room’s lighting. With so many
colors and styles, it is just as beautiful as it is functional. 

If wiring through a junction box would tax your electrical skills past their
limit, track lighting kits are available that simply plug in to the wall.
They can’t be beat for ease of installation, but they do not look as
professional and unobtrusive as those that are actually mounted through the
ceiling.

If you are ready for installation that is a little more challenging, follow
these easy steps to mount track lighting and give Junior’s pièce de
résistance the attention it deserves!

*       Materials Needed 
*       Drill / screwdriver 
*       Electrical cable and tape 
*       Ladder or stepstool 
*       Long-nose or electrician’s pliers 
*       Neon tester / voltage meter 
*       Tape measure 
*       Toggle bolts 
*       Track light kit 
*       Wire nuts 

Installation Procedure 

1.      various colors of lights change the lighting effectsTurn off the
power. Turn off electrical power to appropriate junction box through the
breaker box or service panel. Ensure that the circuit is dead with a neon
tester or voltage meter. Once you are certain the power is off, remove the
existing fixture and carefully disconnect wires, keeping exposed ends
separate from each other.
2.      Wire the live end. Put live end into the track and secure it by
tightening the setscrew. Attach the live end to the mounting bracket. Use
pigtail leads to finish wiring the live end. “Pigtail” leads are short wires
connected to terminals. Wire nuts are then used to connect the pigtail leads
to the home wiring. Secure the black pigtail lead to the brass screw, the
white pigtail to the silver screw, and the green (or bare) pigtail to the
green grounding screw.
3.      Lay out the track location. Decide on track location based on the
existing junction box and which areas you’d like the lights to bring focus
to. You can purchase fittings for Ts or angles; but double check that the
fittings you want are offered by the manufacturer of your chosen track light
system. 
4.      Mark mounting holes to indicate position. Ensure the track runs
parallel to a wall by measuring out an equal distance from the wall to
either end of the track. Remember to place tracks an appropriate distance
(at least 6") from potentially flammable materials. On the marked places,
drill holes for toggle bolts or screws.
5.      Mount the track. Place circuit and fixture wires in junction box and
install the mounting plate on the box. Snap the track into place on the
junction box by following instructions provided for your specific track
lighting system. 
6.      Put toggle bolts/screws through new track mounting and lift the
track to the ceiling. (Recruit helpers’ beforehand if the track if very
heavy or unwieldy.) Into the mounting holes, insert toggle wings but do not
tighten. Attach any fittings (Ts or angles) and additional track sections
desired, and insert end pieces at the end of the completed track.
7.      Insert the electrical adapter into the track and twist to attach it.
Install the cover over the mounting plate assembly and adapter. Place
fixtures into the track and twist to secure.
8.      Screw in appropriate bulbs as recommended by the manufacturer.
9.      Make connections to house wiring. Twist wire connectors onto the
matching colored house and pigtail wires to lock them together. Secure the
mounting plate to the ceiling box with the screws provided. Tighten toggle
bolts/screws.
10.     Apply the finishing touches. Turn the power back on and test the
lights. If they fail, turn off and double check the current with a neon
tester or voltage meter. Also check your work for missing connections. 

Once power has been restored, adjust head angle and position to shine light
where you want it. For added versatility, consider purchasing a dimmer to
make subtle changes in the strength of the lighting. Relax and enjoy your
next dinner party when Junior’s masterpiece is lavishly complimented, thanks
to the superior showcasing.

  

 

 



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