Track Lighting To Living Room

You can point track lights in different directions as needed.

Track lighting consists of several lights tied into a single circuit, with the light fixtures in a straight line attached to a track. Track lighting is often found in a large room, such as a living room, because it can provide more light that a single light fixture can. A do-it-yourself homeowner with intermediate skills can install the track lighting himself, but anyone who's not comfortable doing electrical work should hire help.

Instructions

1. Switch off power to the existing ceiling fixture at your home's main electrical box. Go into the living room and test the circuit by turning the light switch on and off.

2. Unscrew the existing light fixture and slowly lower it from the ceiling. If the fixture is heavy, get some assistance with this. Untwist the plastic connector caps that attach the wires leading from the electrical box to the wires leading from the light fixture and test bare wire with a voltage tester to make sure that the power is off. Untwist the wires.

3. Attach the wire-in connector to the wires leading from the ceiling. The wire-in connector plugs into the track and provides electricity for the lights. Connect the black wire to the black wire and the white wire to the white wire, twisting them together with the plastic connector caps.

4. Attach the green or bare grounding wire to the mounting plate if the plate is metal; otherwise, attach it to the junction box in the ceiling.

5. Slide the wire-in connector through the hole in the mounting plate and screw the mounting plate to the ceiling.

6. Locate and mark the ceiling joists with a stud finder.

7. Draw a faint line on the ceiling to mark the path of the track. Place it over the mounting plate and keep it parallel to the nearest wall.

8. Hold the track against the ceiling over the mounting plate with the help of an assistant and screw the track to the mounting plate. Drive screws through the track and into the ceiling joists to secure the track to the ceiling.

9. Connect the wire-in connector to the end of the track, following the manufacturer's instructions for the model you purchased. Place the cover over the connector.

10. Mount the light fixtures, following the manufacturer's instructions for the model you purchased.

Tags: mounting plate, wire-in connector, leading from, light fixture, wires leading, wires leading from