Common Mistakes When Choosing Track Lighting (and How to Avoid Them)

Track lighting is a flexible and stylish solution for both residential and commercial applications. However, we often see that people encounter the same issues when choosing their track system. Think of too few light points, incorrect beam angles, or an incompatible dimmer.

To avoid disappointment, we have listed the most common mistakes and provided practical tips to help you avoid them.

1. Choosing the Wrong Beam Angle

Mistake: Choosing the wrong beam angle can result in insufficient lighting or excessive light dispersion in a space.

• Too narrow a beam: This creates a small illuminated area, potentially leading to dark zones in the room.
• Too wide a beam: The light is too dispersed, reducing intensity and failing to properly highlight key objects.

How to avoid this?
Determine in advance whether you need accent lighting, task lighting, or general lighting. Use:

• 10-25° for accent lighting (e.g., paintings, display cases).
• 30-45° for functional lighting (workspaces, tables).
• 50° or more for general lighting.
• Zoom Spots for maximum flexibility, allowing the beam to be adjusted.

2. Too Few Light Points

Mistake: Many people install too few spotlights on their track, leading to uneven light distribution.

• This results in dark corners in the room.
• For shops and offices, this may mean that products or workspaces are insufficiently lit.

How to avoid this?

• Follow the rule of thumb: at least one spotlight per 75-100 cm of track.
• For higher ceilings (>3m), you may need to use additional spots or more powerful light sources.
• Combine wide beams for general lighting with narrow beams for accents.

Read more:How to Choose the Right Beam Angle?

3. Choosing Between 1-Phase and 3-Phase Track Lighting Incorrectly

Mistake: A common mistake is choosing 1-phase track lighting for a commercial application that requires more flexibility.

• 1-phase track lighting: All spotlights switch on simultaneously.
• 3-phase track lighting: Multiple lighting groups can be controlled separately.

How to avoid this?

• Choose 1-phase track lighting for homes and smaller projects where simple operation is sufficient.
• Opt for 3-phase track lighting for shops, showrooms, and offices, where different zones need to be switched or dimmed separately.

Read more:What is the Difference Between 1-Phase and 3-Phase Track Lighting?

4. Using the Wrong Dimmer

Mistake: Not all dimmers work with track lighting or specific LED spotlights. This can result in:

• Flickering lights
• Annoying humming sounds from dimmers
• Limited dimming range

How to avoid this?

• Check whether your dimmer is suitable for trailing edge dimming, as most LED lamps are compatible with this type.
• Use a compatible LED dimmer that matches the power requirements of your track lighting.
• Opt for smart dimmable spotlights if you want to control them via an app or voice command.

Read more:LED Lighting with a Dimmer

5. Installing Track Lighting Without Planning

Mistake: Without a proper lighting plan, tracks and spotlights may be incorrectly positioned, leading to shadows or insufficient lighting.

How to avoid this?

• First, determine where light is needed. Strategically distribute the track lighting throughout the space.
• Create a sketch of the room and identify the optimal locations for light points.
• Test the positioning with a temporary setup before final installation.

6. Not Considering Ceiling Height

Mistake: A ceiling that is too low or too high without the appropriate spotlights can make lighting ineffective.

• For low ceilings (<2.5m): Overly powerful spotlights or narrow beams may cause glare.
• For high ceilings (>3m): Too wide a beam may result in insufficient lighting on the floor or workspace.

How to avoid this?

• For low ceilings: Use track spotlights with a wide beam and lower wattage (e.g., 5-10W).
• For high ceilings: Use spotlights with a narrower beam or opt for more powerful LED fixtures (15W+).

7. Not Thinking About Expandability

Mistake: Some people choose a track that is too short and later realize that expanding it is difficult.

How to avoid this?

• For 1-phase track lighting:Tracks are available in 1m and 2m, and expanding requires additional connectors.
• For 3-phase track lighting:Tracks are available in 1m, 2m, 3m, and 4m, reducing the need for connectors.

Choose a modular system so you can expand easily without a complete replacement.

Conclusion: How to Avoid These Mistakes?

• Choose the right beam angle: narrow (accent), medium (functional), or wide (general).
• Ensure you have sufficient light points per track and consider ceiling height.
• Determine in advance whether 1-phase or 3-phase track lighting is best suited for your application.
• Use a compatible LED dimmer to prevent flickering and buzzing.
• Plan ahead where the tracks will be installed and test the setup before final installation.
• Opt for an expandable track system to allow for future adjustments.

At Qub Track Lighting, we are happy to help you make the right choice. Browse our collection or contact us for personalized advice.

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