What Is LED Track Lighting?

LED track lighting is a system of small, individual spotlights mounted on a track that uses LED technology. This type of lighting is available in a wide variety of sizes and finishes. LED technology uses less energy than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, and lasts for a longer number of hours, which ultimately requires less replacing. The initial purchase cost for this design, however, is generally more expensive than those which use fluorescent bulbs.

Track lighting features small, individual light fixtures that are set along one frame that has been mounted against a flat surface such as a wall or ceiling. These lights are often movable along the frame, allowing users to slide them to one side or another to fit the layout and lighting needs of an individual room or space. The individual suspended lights, which tend to resemble small spot lights, may also be repositioned to focus on different areas of the room within their set locations. The track may be finished in black, chrome, brushed nickel, or oil rubbed bronze to compliment any type of decor.

The term LED stands for light emitting diodes. Light is created across a small surface space by the movement of many electrons inside a semiconductor. The semiconductor is typically formed in two layers: one negative inner layer and one positive outer layer. When electricity is directed to the semiconductor, the electrons stored inside the negative inner layer jump to the positive outer layer, emitting light as they move which shines through small holes designed into the positive layer. When used in LED track lighting, these small diodes are designed in one layer across the flat surface of a spot light type bulb that is often one inch (2.54 centimeters) or smaller in diameter.

LED track lighting uses less energy than standard incandescent or fluorescent track bulbs bulbs emitting the same amount of light. The light output produced by one incandescent light bulb can be mirrored by an LED light using 12.5% of the required energy. The LED lighting will also last between 50 and 100 times longer than that same incandescent bulb.

This type of technology tends to come with a more expensive purchase price than track lighting made from other lighting sources, such as fluorescent and compact bulbs. The individual bulbs that are used in LED track lighting may cost up to 20 times that of a similar incandescent bulb. Each track often uses between four and six bulbs. Some designs allow users to remove several lights if necessary. Savings can be achieved, however, in the long term because the bulbs will need less frequent replacing than their more inefficient counterparts.