Natwerk Designs

How to install new track lighting and light fixture.?

My husband and I have never installed any type of light fixture before. We just bought a house with a large kitchen. There is only one celing fan in the middle. We would like to put track lighting in by the stove and prep area and some sort of celing fixture over the kitchen table. Is it very complicated to install new fixtures? It always looks easy on HGTV, but I know those are professionals.

Public Comments

1. A couple of questions first. By the stove and the kitchen table do you have existing ceiling light fixtiures in place? If so then you can remove them and put the track lighting it and wire it to the existing fixtures. Thepower at the circuit breaker box HAS to be shut off for this acitivity. If there are no boxes then it is quite a bit more involved. You have to run wires, install switches, drill holes and be prepared to patch up the ceiling drywall board. Eric
2. Yes, it can be done all from one ceiling box, but there are problems. I would be concerned about voltage drop and amperage draw. It sounds like an older home. Nobody would put just one ceiling box in a modern kitchen. I'm betting that the ceiling fan isn't on a dedicated circuit. I don't know how many lights you are going to run, but you could easily overload that circuit if you try to light it like a modern kitchen. Well, anyway, despite those problems, you could do it. Track lighting is basically a semi-exposed rail system that comes with lots of fittings. There are Ls, Ts, and Xs. These fittings go on the ends of the tracks and you can go in any direction you please. I would be a little concerned with the total length of the system and the number of lights you are trying to power, but in theory you could run that stuff all over your kitchen and plug a light in anywhere you wanted it. Plan an installation, including all fixtures, all fittings, and the total length of the run then call a qualified electrician to inspect your wires for capacity to handle it. He doesn't have to install it, but you are going to need a consult. --EDIT-- One other thing that you may not have thought about. If you can run off just that one box, all the lights will either be on or off. There is no independent bank control. If you want the light on over the sink, the lights in the breakfast nook will be on too.