Astro Lighting Track System and Spots

Track lighting is a system that involves installing multiple lights from a single live feed. The lights are fitted onto a track which allows for high levels of versatility. It is this adaptability in this system which allows the user to retain complete control of the lighting scheme. Track lighting is great when you want to run a multitude of lights through a building that is not full of standard, square rooms but something a bit more unconventional. For example, they are perfect for shop displays or a uniquely shaped art installation spaces. Track lighting is an efficient way to illuminate either commercial or residential spaces. In this article, we will run you through most of the things you need to know about track lighting, in particular focusing on the Astro Lighting track system. The assembly of a track lighting scheme 1. The Track Track lighting has two main parts. One section is the track, which is wired to the power and supplies the conductors for the lamp heads. This is the part that’s fixed to the ceiling or wall, and has the opening positioned down or out. This 1000mm Astro Track is a great example of a 1m track which is connectable to many other parts of the overall system. A standard track will run straight and is directly attached to a wall or ceiling surface. They come with 90-degree angle connector parts that enable the track lighting system to make turns. The Astro 1993 White corner connector is one such item we sell here at Sparks. They also come with a ceiling outlet connection piece and couplets that connect two straight pieces together. Finally, there is a ‘dead-end’ piece which safely caps the track where it comes to an end; we sell these components at Sparks also. 2. The Heads / Spotlights Heads or track spotlights are lamp-holding fixtures, each with two metal tabs which connect to the power running through the track. Those tab pieces also lock the head to the track and secure it firmly in place. The most common lighting heads on a track lighting system are canisters that hold one reflector flood light bulb. They are aimed wherever the user wishes to disperse light. There are other options from the canisters, such as ‘alternative’ track lighting heads. The most common alternative heads are ‘pendant’ style fixtures. These come in many different colours, shapes and sizes. Many hold a single light bulb inside an open shade, but some take more than one light bulb, for example, a mini-chandelier. Astro’s modern take on the track lighting scheme Astro has designed a range of track spots and accessories which can be easily placed along the track to change the mood and appearance of a scene. Installation is a breeze with Astro track lights. They have a simple twist and lock mechanism which releases and fixes the spotlights to the track. This results in an easy way to alter the positioning without the need for rewiring or re-installation. Both GU10 and LED variants are available for this track lighting system, and the finish of the track comes in either a matt black or a white finish (at least for now). If you are using a GU10 lamp then the scheme offers a versatile fitting that allows for interchangeable lamps. The ‘Can’ range on offer from Astro comes in various sizes and uses the latest LED modules. Therefore, it does not require an additional driver, as everything you need is integrated into the spotlight. Specifications you should know about Astro track lighting before installation Astro has worked hard to ensure their track lighting system is convenient and safe to use. However, you must read the following specifications before you begin installing. All of their track spotlights, track pieces and connectors are Class I, meaning they rely on an earth wire for protection and that the earth continuity must be followed through the track circuit. When your track pieces arrive, it is important to follow the earth connection and ensure it is wired correctly, otherwise, the circuit will not function. There is a visible groove that will make this more obvious when installing. The Astro track system is single phase, so all lights on the track are controlled together by one circuit. They will be switched on / off and dimmed simultaneously. Track pieces may be cut down to a desirable length using a metal cutting blade. The cut must be made perpendicular to the track for the connections to fit. Astro’s online configurator will give you more detailed information about this. There is a maximum power (W) per track circuit that you will need to conform to. Once you have exceeded this power, you will need to add a central live connector or end the circuit. The maximum power (W) value is 3120W @ 240V (UK). Please refer to this article from Astro if you would like more information on the wattage allowance when adding new luminaires to the tracking scheme. Lastly, Astro’s track system is for ceiling use only. We hope this article has shone a light on any questions you may have had about track lighting, especially the Astro Track Lighting system. It is a great lighting solution for both commercial and residential settings, and Astro’s range is easy-to-use and adaptable.

Lighting plays a central role when it comes to enhancing the aesthetic of your home. With the right tone, colour and temperature of lighting you can create a warm and welcoming mood in your home.However, proper utilisation and placement of lighting are often overlooked, which in turn leads to a bad lighting situation. Bad lighting downplays the beauty of your interior and creates a bland setting. Lighting has three basic types that are essential in improving the mood of a room; ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Task and accent lighting are more specific in their purpose while ambient lighting provides the overall illumination of a room. A suitable lighting scheme will utilise these three types of lighting for enhanced aesthetics. But the most important of them is ambient lighting, which shouldn’t be taken for granted.Here is our guide about what ambient lighting is and how you can create it at your home or any other setting.What is Ambient Lighting?Ambient lighting is commonly known as general lighting. Ambient lighting usually comes from the primary source of light in a certain room. It sets the tone for the rest of the lighting in a room. Apart from providing illumination in the room, it also creates a sense of depth with a welcoming atmosphere.In essence, ambient lighting provides a foundational level of illumination that allows you to see and navigate around a room. Ambient lighting does not give too much glare and is relaxing to the human eye.Therefore, a central source of it for every room is essential to achieve an excellent lighting scheme. The right source of ambient lighting will need a strategy in choosing which lights to use and where to place them in a room.Ambient lighting can be provided by installing basic lighting fixtures such as chandeliers, track lights, recessed lights, and wall or ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures. There are many ways to set the right balance of ambient lighting and it comes down to the room you are trying to illuminate. In certain settings such as a laundry room, the primary source of lighting can also serve as task lighting.The main purpose of ambient lighting is to create a cosy, relaxing environment that isn’t taxing on the eyes. How To Create Ambient Lighting?Down below we have compiled a list of factors that need to be considered when choosing ambient lighting for rooms in your home.Choosing The Location For LightingWhen choosing the location to install your light fixtures, you will have to evaluate the room when it is dark. You can start by turning off the lights one by one until you reach the least possible illumination without losing visibility. Now take note of areas that need to be accented.These spaces often include pathways, reading areas, fireplaces, coffee tables, bookshelves, seating areas, and plants. You can use task and accent lighting to illuminate these spaces.Buy Azumi table Light at SparksWhile selecting the location to install your light fixtures make sure that they provide a balanced illumination throughout the room. Lighting just one corner of a large room will make it unbalanced. On the other hand, installing lights in every corner of the room will result in too much glare which is not comfortable at all.The best way to achieve balance is to install lights in the front space of a room. Use a lamp or other accent lights to illuminate the back corners and bring them in sync with the other parts of the room.Choosing The Type Of Lighting While creating ambient lighting you will also have to choose the type of light fixtures ideal for your needs. The size and the amount of light a fixture can provide are also something you have to consider. If you’re looking to stick with a single brand that caters for a variety of lighting fixtures, check out the UK's premier designer and producer of contemporary lighting, Astro Lighting.Choosing The Light IntensityThe right light intensity can be chosen according to the setting of your room. While doing so you will have to choose the right colour temperature of light. You can create a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere with the right colour temperature. In order to do so you should choose warm white LED lights or strips to have a cosy yellow glow that is pleasing to the eyes of occupants.The temperature or warmth of a light is measured in Kelvins. It ranges between 2000K to 6000K, with the former having a flame white colour while the latter having a cool white colour. The optimal range is between 2000K and 3000K varying between flame white and warm white. This kind of lighting is great for creating a cosy atmosphere around seating and living areas while still offering enough illumination for people to be able to perform basic tasks.Another thing you should keep an eye on is the colour rendering index (CRI) of the light fixtures you are installing. The CRI of a light source refers to its ability to show the actual colours of various objects in comparison to a natural light source such as sunlight.It's measured on a scale from 0–100, with 0 being a poor CRI and 100 being the best.For homes and residential buildings, we recommend a CRI of at least 80 or above to make things practical.Choosing The Right Look Although the major part of an ambient lighting scheme consists of chandeliers, track lights, recessed lights, and wall or ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures. You will also need accent lighting pieces to get a more balanced aesthetic. So while choosing these accent lighting pieces you should consider them as part of the room's decor and complement your furnishings. Lamps with neutral tones are the best option but if you want a dimmer scheme you can choose darker colour shades.There are many different brands to choose from when pairing the right aesthetic and lighting conditions. A favourite of ours here at SparksDirect.co.uk is Astro Lighting.This modern British brand is known for its stylish wall lights and downlights, and thanks to its great quality and unique design, it creates the perfect atmosphere in your home.Buy Ginestra 400 PendantsUsing Dimmers During the day the atmosphere and mood of your space can be quite different from what it will be at night. So it is important to have lighting that can change accordingly. Using dimmable lighting can be a perfect solution for this. You can brighten them during the day and dim them according to your need in the latter half of the day.Final ThoughtsGetting the right balance of ambient lighting can be very technical for ordinary people considering how many factors you have to consider. However, with a little bit of research and planning when installing light fixtures you can change the aesthetic of your room and make the mood more relaxed and comfortable.Take a look at some of our favourite lighting fixtures to perfect the ambient lighting in your home today!