Brighten up your home life by installing track lighting

Track lighting is beautiful and functional. It can add drama to any room by allowing you to direct the light where you want it.

A variety of heads and lamps let you control the shape and intensity of the light beam.

It also adapts easily to modifications in room layout and add-ons are possible.

Here are simple steps for installing track lighting in your home.

Step one: Power off.

Turn off electrical power to the ceiling light. Use a neon tester to confirm power is off, especially if there is more than one set of wires in the ceiling outlet.

Remove the existing light fixture and disconnect wires carefully so the exposed ends do not touch each other.

Step two: Wire live end.

Insert live end into the track and tighten the setscrew to secure it. Attach the mounting bracket to the live end.

Secure a short black wire (pigtail) to the brass screw, the white pigtail to the silver screw and the green (or bare) pigtail to the green grounding screw.

Step three: Locate/drill mounting holes.

Position the track to mark mounting holes on the ceiling and drill 5/8ins diameter holes for toggle bolts as directed.

If you happen to hit framing while drilling, use a screw instead of a toggle bolt at that location.

Step four: Mount track to ceiling.

With toggle bolts installed through track mounting, lift track to ceiling.

Insert toggle wings into the mounting holes you drilled but do not tighten them yet.

Step five: Connect to house wiring.

Twist wire connectors on to the matching coloured house and pigtail wires to lock them together.

Secure the mounting plate to the ceiling box with the screws provided, and tighten toggle bolts.

Step six: Install heads. Snap or twist track heads into the track.

There is a groove in the head that must correspond with a ridge in one side of the track to ensure proper polarity.

Next, restore power. Adjust the position and angle of heads to direct light where you want it.

Henry Durham is the assistant general manager at Gorham’s, St. John’s Road, Pembroke. Ask him or any of the staff in-store for further advice about DIY projects and the necessary tools and materials. You can also log on to www.gorhams-ltd.com.