If you are looking for a stylish, simple and functional light fixture to brighten up your space, you may have seen something called ” no main light design” mentioned. In fact, It is the magnetic track lighting. Magnetic track lighting is becoming increasingly popular, and many people are now using magnetic track light fixtures in their homes and offices.
In this article, we will look at what magnetic track light is, where it is used primarily, what parts it consists of, how to buy the right magnetic light system for you, how the magnetic track lights are installed, some Frequently Asked Questions about magnetic track lights, and what the most popular magnetic light fixtures are.
What is magnetic track light? How does it work?
Magnetic track lighting is the most recent lighting solution. Magnets are installed in the lighting modules, and iron sheets are installed on the aluminum track. The lighting modules are magnetically attached to the track, making them easy to install, disassemble, and move by hand without using tools. The magnetic track lamp system comprises aluminum tracks, magnetic led lamps, and various accessories. Then the entire track lighting system will be powered by the transformer from AC110-220V to DC48V.
The magnetic track lighting system has limitless possibilities due to the variety of aluminum tracks, connections, mounting types, lighting modules, and control options. As a result, the magnetic lighting system is an all-in-one solution for even the most demanding architects, interior designers and lighting designers. It is a safe lighting system that is ideal for do-it-yourself projects.
Where are magnetic track lights mainly used?
Magnetic track lights are primarily used for home lighting, such as in the living room, dining room, bedroom, and kitchen, and they can be designed into different shapes to make your home look stylish and modern. We can also use it for commercial lighting in stores, art galleries, supermarkets, etc.
What are the components of a magnetic track lighting system?
The entire magnetic lighting system consists of 3 parts – magnetic track, magnetic luminaires and accessories. Let’s take a closer look at the key points of each part.
Magnetic track
- Width sizes: 15mm, 20mm and 35mm available,
- Length optional： 500mm, 1000mm, 1500mm, 2000mm, 3000mm, can be customized.
- Installation types: Recessed, Surface mounted, Suspended, Trimless. (Trimless is a particular recessed profile for plaster walls and ceilings.)
- Profiles finish and color: Matte Black/ Matte White are available.
Common Accessories
The entire magnetic system is mainly connected by 3 types of accessories;
- Adapters: Power input adapter, L shape adapter, I shape adapter
- Connectors: Vertical L connector, Horizontal L connector, I connector.
- Power supply: DC48V external driver or Built-in power supply (integrated)
Magnetic Luminaires
The regular magnetic luminaires on the market include linear floodlights, grille spotlights, foldable spotlights, spotlights and pendants. Each luminaire is modular in design and can be added, installed, removed and moved at will on the track. Their individual features are as follows.
| Name | Watt | Dimension | Beam Angle | Application |
| Magnetic Linear Floodlights | 10w, 18w, 36w | Length:L230/L458/L915*15mm Length:L230/L458/L915*15mm Length:L300/L600/L1200*34mm | 120° | General lighting |
| Magnetic Grille Spotlights | 12w, 18w, 24w | Length:L230/L345/L458*15mm Length:L110/L220/L330/L440*22mm Length:L135/L270/L405*34mm | 24°. | Accent lighting |
| Magnetic Foldable spotlights | 12w | Size:L112/L25*16mm Size:L112/L25*22mm Size:L137/L270*34mm | 24° | Accent lighting |
| Spotlights | 7w | Size:Φ35*80mm/Φ42*100mm Size:Φ45*100mm/Φ60*130mm/Φ60*150mm Size:Φ45*100mm/Φ60*130mm/Φ60*150mm | 15°, 24°, 36° | Accent lighting |
| Pendants | 7w | Φ30*300mm Φ40*300mm | 24° | Accent lighting |
Luminaires Photos:
How to Choose a Magnetic Track Lighting?
The ideal magnetic track lighting system should be reliable, not easily deformed, easy to install, and compatible with most of the luminaires on the market.
There are many different components included in the entire magnetic track lighting system, so are you concerned about how to choose these components? Here I will give you the buying guide and show you how to avoid the pitfalls.
Step 1: Confirm the design and layout of the entire magnetic track light system.
Normally, there are about 5 designs for the entire lighting system: I-shape, parallel line shape, L-shape, U-shape, square shape, and free form.
I-shape: It is suitable for living room, dining room, kitchen, study.
L-shape. It is suitable for use in corridor, living room, checkroom.
U-shape. It is mainly used for living room
.
Square shape. It is suitable for living room and office.
There is another kind of ceiling and wall free splicing shape, this is very design sense.
Step 2. Choose magnetic track
The track is the most important accessory of the magnetic track light system, it provides luminaires fixed and powered, and it consists of an aluminium profile + power supply wire + magnetic suction device.
According to the installation way, there are 4 magnetic track lighting styles, recessed magnetic track, Trimless magnetic track, Surface mounted and Suspension magnetic track.
Surface-mounted. Easy to install, no cut-out required. It is suitable for ceilings without suspended ceilings or when the floor height is relatively short and does not want suspended ceilings.
Suspention installation. Mainly used in places where there is no ceiling, such as supermarkets, offices, etc.
Recessed installation-Popular way, it is suitable for the owners who have not yet started the suspended ceiling.
Trimless recessed installation. It is Suitable for houses with existing suspended ceilings
Step 3. Choose the magnetic light.
Generally, the beam angle of the linear light is 120 °, used for general lighting, other models are about 24 ° / 30 °, used for accent lighting
Here are some regular magnetic light features and instructions for your reference.
Linear Floodlight
meet the basic lighting needs
mainly used as ambient lighting, the beam angle is usually 110 degrees,
the longer the length, the more power.
Grille spotlight
Grille light is a kind of spotlight, with an anti-glare effect, can seem like a strip of spotlights, the light spot will be wider, especially suitable for lighting a wide range of paintings.
Folded grille spotlight
Adjustable angle, especially suitable for illuminating the wall paintings. Recommended using 36 degrees instead of a flood module as ambient lighting, which can avoid glare.
Track spotlight
High color rendering index and high luminous efficiency
Highlight the key decorative areas.
Pendant line
Ambient light,the sense of beauty
Dining room / bar / bedside
The pendant light is a hanging spotlight, you can adjust the height of the light by adjusting the length of the pendant line, the drop line light is good for neutral lighting, can make the space more layered, and can be used for the side table, and dining table lighting.
For all Magnetic luminaries, the following color temperature are available:
Step 4. Choose accessories
After you have confirmed the design layout of the whole magnetic track system, you will know the conductive module or connectors required.
Step 5. Choose the power driver
There are two power supply models provided, built-in driver and External driver.
48V built-in driver. It is the same as the luminaire and snaps directly onto the track. It is especially suitable for environments where there is no place to hide the driver, and it is relatively easier to maintain. Especially hanging or surface-mounted magnetic tracks. Available in 100W and 200W power.
External driver. Mainly suitable for recessed installations. External drivers are much better in quality than internal drivers. Meanwell power supply can provide 100W 200W 350W. The external power supply is suitable for placing in the air outlet of the air conditioner or special maintenance port for future maintenance, repair or replacement.
When choosing the driver, the total power of the luminaries can not exceed 80% of the driver power. If wants to add more luminaries in future, remember to set aside more power.
For example, in one magnetic track light system, there are 2 floodlights 12W, 1 grille spotlight 10W, 1 pendant line light 8W, and 2 folding grille 12W, a total of 68W, then you need to select a power supply of more than 85w.
Installation Guide-How to install magnetic track lights?
Generally, we have four kinds of magnetic track, corresponding to four different installation ways, they are:
Surface-mounted. Easy to install, no cut-out required. It is suitable for ceilings without suspended ceilings or when the floor height is relatively short and does not want suspended ceilings.
Suspension installation. It is perfect for dining rooms, meeting offices, etc.
Recessed installation: Popular way, it is suitable for owners who have not yet started the suspended ceiling.
Trimless recessed installation. It is suitable for houses with existing suspended ceilings
Video of installation guide:
Important Things You Need to Know(Guide to Avoid Pitfalls)
1.Drop Ceiling High
If you choose to use recessed magnetic rails, you need to leave 5-7 cm of space when install a drop ceiling.
2. Magnetic Rail Thickness
The thickness of the magnetic track must be thick enough
From production to transportation to installation and then to installation of lights, the Magnetic rail must be subjected to collisions and pressure many times, If magnetic rail is too thin, it will be deformed before installation, and it will not be able to conduct electricity when installed.
If it is too thin, it is easy to be squeezed and deformed when it is installed on the ceiling. When the lamp is squeezed, the magnetic attraction cannot absorb the bottom iron, and it will easily fall from the ceiling and hit people. This is a very big safety hazard.
There are generally 1.4mm, 1.5mm, 1.6mm, 1.8mm, 2.0mm, 2.2mm thickness on the market, and 2.0 or above is recommended.
3. Flat, purple copper on the track rail are recommended.
Flat copper with large contact area, to ensure stable contact between luminaire and rail。
Purple copper，to ensure high conductive efficiency.
Flat Copper VS Round Copper
Frequently Asked Questions for Magnetic Track Lighting
What are the benefits of magnetic track lights?
The biggest advantage of the magnetic track light is its safety. Using 48V voltage.
The light can be disassembled and installed at any time when the power is turned on, and it is very convenient to install the light without tools.
Another benefit of magnetic lighting is that you can add many light fixtures to the track.
Magnetic tracks do not require a pre-determined number of fixtures, so you can add lighting whenever necessary.
Many people will worry about a question, will the magnetic lamp fall off? Is it safe?
The answer is: no.
The working principle of the magnetic track light is that the magnet on the magnetic track light is attracted to the iron sheet of the track.
Under normal circumstances, it will not fall off due to the attractive force of the magnet.
But over time, or under special circumstances, such as high temperature, vibration, electromagnetic induction, etc., the magnetic force of the magnet may diminish.
In other words, magnets have the possibility of demagnetization. But we choose RuFeB magnets, which have an extremely low magnetic loss, almost negligible, and long service life.
Are your tracks compatible with magnetic light fixtures of other suppliers?
Yes, our magnetic track is compatible with most of the light fixtures from other suppliers. We have 3 standard track widths: 35mm, 20mm and 15mm, and they can work with the corresponding width of the luminaire.
What is the best distance between the luminaire and the wall?
We recommend that the lamps are about 50cm from the wall, but of course, this has to be decided according to your specific needs and environment.
Are there any disadvantages to the magnetic lamp?
Compared with ordinary track lights, the price of magnetic track lights is more expensive.
Taking a 30 square meter hall as an example, using ordinary track lights and traditional lights, the cost is about 300-700 USD, while magnetic track light is generally 400-1000 USD. Since the magnetic track can be equipped with lights according to the needs, it is relatively easy to control the budget.
Magnetic track is a relatively new lighting product.
The installer may not have experience in installing similar products, and there may be installation errors, so early communication is very important.
To Conclude:
Magnetic track lighting system consists of an aluminum track in which the LED lighting modules are placed.
The lighting modules are magnetically attached to the track, making them easy to install by hand without using tools, and the transformer powers the entire track lighting system from AC110-220V to DC48V.
Because of the system’s low voltage, lighting modules can be installed and moved even when the power is turned on.
The magnetic track lighting system has limitless possibilities due to the variety of aluminium tracks, connections, mounting types, lighting modules, and control options. As a result, the magnetic lighting system is an all-in-one solution for even the most demanding architects, interior designers and lighting designers.
If you have any questions or ideas about magnetic track lighting, please feel free to contact iLightin team and let’s figure out the best solution together.➔
