Magnetic track systems: flexible lighting for any interior

What is a magnetic track system?

A magnetic track system is a low-voltage rail, usually 48V, carrying fittings that are held on by magnets. There is no tool, no wiring at the fitting and no fixed position: a spotlight lifts off and goes back on somewhere else in a second. That is the whole idea, and it is why these systems suit rooms whose use changes over time.

Why they have caught on

Flexibility. Once the track is up, the lighting scheme is no longer fixed. Move a sofa, rearrange a shop display, hang a new picture, and the light follows - without an electrician and without patching the ceiling.

Simple installation. The rail is surface-mounted, recessed or suspended, and everything after that clips on by hand.

A clean, minimal look

Magnetic track is deliberately understated. The rail reads as a line in the ceiling rather than as a piece of equipment, and in a recessed installation it disappears almost entirely. Where a conventional scheme scatters visible fittings around a room, a track keeps everything on one axis.

What goes on the track

• Spotlights - for directional and accent light: a picture, a worktop, a display shelf.
• Linear modules - for even, general light along a run, in place of a ceiling fitting.
• Pendant modules - a hanging light drawing power from the same track; useful over a dining table or a counter.
• Wall washers - for grazing a wall with light instead of pointing at it.

Why choose a 48V system from AVA Lighting

• Straightforward installation - the rail goes up quickly and the fittings need no wiring of their own.
• Materials that last - anodised aluminium bodies and proper drivers rather than the cheapest available.
• Range - a wide choice of fittings and accessories, so one system covers a whole home.
• Safety - 48V is extra-low voltage, considerably safer to work with than mains.
• Running costs - LED throughout, which shows up over the years rather than on the first bill.

Installation and upkeep

Fitting a magnetic track takes three steps:

1. Mount the aluminium rail on the ceiling or the wall, or recess it into plasterboard.
2. Connect the rail to its driver and the driver to the mains - the rail itself runs at 48V DC.
3. Place the fittings; the magnets hold them and make the electrical contact at the same time.

Upkeep is equally simple. A fitting lifts off for cleaning or replacement, and the rest of the system carries on working while it is off.

One thing worth knowing before you buy: 24V and 48V systems are not compatible with one another. The rail, the driver and the fittings all have to be the same voltage. 48V allows more powerful fittings and longer runs, which is why it is the usual choice for larger rooms; 24V is often enough at home and works out cheaper.