Buy enough rails of the right length. Plan T, X and corner connectors. Decide between end feed-in or centre feed-in. Install a switch component for separate control of individual lighting areas by remote control.
No, track systems are not the easiest way to illuminate a living space. But the most individual type of lighting and if you know your way around a bit and don't shy away from a ladder, folding rule, pencil and drill, you can easily have a lot of fun planning and installing it. This guide is intended to point you in the right direction.
The reward for your efforts: lighting that ...
The reason why you opt for a track system instead of ceiling lights is usually always the same: you only have one power connection available on the ceiling. And you want to use this one to illuminate a room in a "complex" way.
"Complex" means that you want to create different lighting areas, e.g. as in the picture above the kitchen table and also beautiful picture lighting on the wall. However, "complex" can also mean that you want to illuminate an angled room properly when a normal ceiling light leaves far too many dark areas.
This means "complex" in private living space.
Rail systems are used much more frequently in the commercial sector. Because here "complex" is rather standard. In shops, for example, the spotlights, spotlights and pendants, which can be repositioned flexibly at any time, are used to illuminate the changing product range in museums.
For all private and commercial applications, it is the high flexibility of the rail system (even after installation) that makes the difference.
High-voltage track systems are connected to the normal mains current of 230 volts. As there is no transformer, there is also no minimum load. This means that additional luminaires can be added (largely) without any problems and without overloading the track system. Low-voltage track systems work with 12 volts. To achieve this, a transformer is required. However, with low-voltage track systems, care must be taken to ensure that the transformer is loaded correctly.
You can now switch any smart home light on and off, change the light colour, dim it and customise the light overall using a remote control or smartphone.
And if track systems are the most flexible of all lighting systems, it should work here too, right?
Correct. Using the URail track system from Paulmann as an example, all you need is the remote control that goes with the system and a switch component upstream of a specific section of the track system. The section behind it can then be controlled by remote control. Of course, you can also place the switch at the beginning of the entire system, in which case the whole system can be operated at the touch of a button.
Compatible lights must be attached to a track system - that much is clear! However, you can find out which lights are compatible with which in our categories conveniently sorted by system. The URail system from Paulmann, for example, can be fitted with spots, pendant luminaires, flat light panels, fabric shade pendant luminaires, downlights and more.
You may already notice how your creativity is stimulated. Imagine, for example, a spotlight that specifically illuminates your armchair in a corner of the room. A small pendant light for the side table next to it, where you place your coffee. Several downlights that provide basic brightness in the room.
For all these variations, you would normally need several power connections on the ceiling and wall. With a rail system, however, you only need one single power connection for all this.
A recommendation to start with: Consult an electrical specialist. We will show you just how complex such a system can be (depending on your wishes and requirements) using the URail system from Paulmann as an example. Step by step you would proceed roughly as follows:
The strike-through prices correspond to the manufacturer's RRP.
All prices include 20% VAT, delivery costs excluded.