Magnetic track systems: what they're good for and what they're not

In recent years, the 48-volt magnetic track has become one of the most popular solutions in residential projects. Rightly so: it can be rearranged without tools, the luminaires can be swapped or added at any time, and the track itself can be concealed.

What it's good for

It works best where the use of the space isn't final yet: an open living room and kitchen, a gallery, a showroom, an office. A single track can carry spots, linear lights, pendants and wall washers, all running from the same power supply. If the sofa or the dining table moves later, the light follows with a single motion.

The recessed and drywall-integrated versions run completely flush with the ceiling, so they don't visually weigh on the space. The surface-mounted and suspended versions can be installed afterward too, the latter even in a rental apartment.

What it's not for

It doesn't belong in wet rooms: most systems are IP20, so they can't go above a shower or outdoors. With very high ceilings, a 48-volt system won't have enough power: above four to five meters, a 230-volt three-circuit track or a dedicated luminaire is the right answer.

It's also not worth it if the layout of the space is final and the lighting needs are simple. In a bedroom, two well-placed recessed spots and a reading lamp cost less and do the same job.

The most common design mistake

The location of the power supply has to be decided before the finishes go on. A 150-250 watt power supply isn't small, it needs ventilation, and it has to stay accessible, because it's the component most likely to fail. Afterward, this is the hardest mistake to fix: I've seen a power supply walled in.

The other common oversight is power reserve. It's worth fitting a power supply 20-30 percent larger than the calculated demand, so there's room to expand later. That's exactly the flexibility people choose a magnetic track for.