Installing Track Lights

Shut off power to the circuit and remove the existing light fixture. Splice the mounting plate leads to the house wires -- green to ground, white to white, and black to black. Fold the wires up into the box. Screw the mounting plate snugly to the box.

If necessary, cut pieces of track to length. To cut a track, hold it firmly. If you use a vice, take care not to bend the metal. Cut with a hacksaw. Support the waste side of the piece when nearing the end of a cut so it does not fall and bend the track.

With a helper holding one end of the track, push the track up against the mounting plate. Secure it by tightening the setscrews.

With a helper holding one end of the track, measure at two points along the track so it runs parallel to the nearest wall. If the track configuration includes any 90-degree angles, use a framing square to mark a guideline.

Locate joists with a stud finder. Drive a screw into every joist the track crosses. If the track parallels the joists, drill holes every 16 inches, tap in plastic anchors, and drive screws into the anchors.

If the track turns a corner, slide the fitting onto the installed track. Slide the next piece onto the connector, measure to see that it runs parallel to the nearest wall, and anchor it to the ceiling.

Once all the track is installed, attach the end caps. Push the live-end connector plug into the track; twist it to make contact with both contacts in the track. Attach the canopy cover.

Insert the plug of a lamp into the track and twist to tighten. To move a lamp along the track, loosen it first -- do not force it while it is still attached.

Restore power and test. If a lamp does not function, remove it and twist it back on again. Once it functions, adjust the lamp to direct the light where needed.

Track fittings allow you to form different shapes. A flexible fitting turns to most any angle. With each fitting you use, make sure the exposed ends of all the tracks have end caps, or the track will not energize.

The live-end connector supplies power to the track, which carries power to the lamps. Another type of mounting plate has a plug, which inserts into the track to supply power.

With various lamp directions and types of bulbs, track lighting can supply general illumination, task lighting, or accent lighting.

Cylinder and bell lamps partially hide the bulb, while gimbal rings let them hang out. Low-voltage halogen lamps use less energy but are expensive and become hot when they're on.