Track lighting lets a store or restaurant move light to the merchandise instead of moving the merchandise to the light. This guide covers how a 3 wire track run goes together, when to hang a head on a pendant instead, how selectable wattage and color temperature help with the energy code, and which StarLake track heads and parts we list. The product numbers below come from the StarLake TL04 spec sheet or StarLake's own TL02 product page.
How a track run goes together
StarLake's TL02 product page lists three wire, single loop track installation; check the TL04 adapter options on its sheet. A run is built from a few parts, each shown on the TL04 spec sheet:
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Track, 4 ft or 8 ft | The rail the heads snap into |
| Live end conduit connector or floating canopy feed | Brings power into the run, from conduit or from a ceiling box |
| L, T and X connectors | Turn corners and branch the run |
| Flexible connector | Joins two lengths at an angle the rigid connectors do not cover |
| End cap | Closes the far end of the run |
| Suspension kit | Hangs the track below the ceiling |
Per the TL04 sheet, a head is installed by snapping it into the track and rotating it 90 degrees to lock it, then aiming it. Before installing the rail system, the sheet says to cut off the spring tab on one side of the ground wire connector and connect it to the track's ground copper wire. Have a licensed electrician do the install.
Track head, canopy pendant or track pendant
The TL04 sheet lists canopy pendant and track pendant versions as other installation methods. Here is how they differ:
| Mounting | Where it fits |
|---|---|
| Head on track | Rows of displays where you expect to add, move or re aim heads |
| Track pendant | High ceilings where the track stays up and a head hangs lower over a table or display |
| Canopy pendant | A single point of light from a ceiling box, with no track |
Wattage, color and the energy code
The TL04 comes in two selectable wattage versions: 20, 15 or 10W, and 30, 25 or 20W. Color temperature is selectable at 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K or 5000K, with 90+ CRI and a 3 step MacAdam ellipse. The head pivots up to 90 degrees either way vertically, and the beam is zoomable.
Wattage matters for code. Per the ASHRAE Journal summary of lighting changes in 90.1 (2022), the 2022 edition counts line voltage track at the specified wattage of its heads, but not less than 10 watts per linear foot, or at the rating of a permanent current limiter on the track if that is lower. Earlier editions used 30 watts per linear foot. Track fed by a transformer or driver is counted at that device's rated wattage instead. Setting heads to a lower wattage helps the fixture schedule stay inside the lighting power allowance. See selectable wattage and CCT and the LED color temperature guide.
Track heads and parts we list
| Product | From StarLake's data | Price |
|---|---|---|
| TL04 track head, white or black | 30, 25 or 20W selectable; 2700K to 5000K selectable; 90+ CRI (sheet) | $63.00 |
| TL04 track head, triac dimming, white or black | 20, 15 or 10W selectable; 2700K to 5000K selectable; 90+ CRI (same sheet) | $46.50 |
| TL04 track pendant, white or black | 20, 15 or 10W selectable; track head pendant version (same sheet) | $49.00 |
| TL04 canopy pendant, white or black | 20, 15 or 10W selectable; canopy pendant version (same sheet) | $49.00 |
| TL02 track head, 36 degree, white | 30, 25 or 20W selectable; 2700K to 5000K selectable; 36 degree beam (StarLake TL02 product page) | $49.00 |
| 3 wire track, 4 ft black, 4 ft white | 4 ft track length (same TL04 sheet) | $16.50 |
| 3 wire track, 8 ft black, 8 ft white | 8 ft track length (same TL04 sheet) | $33.00 |
| Live end conduit connector, black or white | Feeds the run from conduit | $6.50 |
| Floating canopy feed, black or white | Feeds the run from a ceiling box | $10.75 |
| End cap, black or white | Closes the run | $0.75 |
| Suspension kit, black or white | Hangs the track | $2.50 |
L, T, X, mini and flexible connectors are in the specialty collection. We leave lumen output, input voltage and exact beam range out of this table because StarLake's sheet and product pages list different values; confirm them with us on the quote. For the rest of the line, see our StarLake LED lighting overview.
Planning checklist
- Track type: confirm 3 wire, single loop track and the adapter style before mixing heads into an existing run.
- Layout: mark each run, its feed point, corners and end caps on the plan.
- Heads: count heads per run and pick the wattage setting for each.
- Code: count line voltage track at the specified head wattage, but not less than 10 watts per linear foot, or at a current limiter rating if lower, under ASHRAE 90.1 (2022), or as your adopted code requires.
- Light level: check targets in foot candle requirements by space type.
- Dimming: choose triac dimming versions where the space is on a dimmer.
- Paperwork: keep the spec sheet with the submittal. See how to read an LED spec sheet.
Common questions
What kind of track do StarLake TL02 and TL04 heads use?
StarLake's TL02 product page lists three wire, single loop track installation. The TL04 sheet lists one adapter as standard and a second adapter type sold separately, so check it against your existing track.
Can I change the wattage of a TL04 track head?
Yes. Per the StarLake TL04 spec sheet, the 20W version selects 20, 15 or 10W and the 30W version selects 30, 25 or 20W.
What color temperatures does the TL04 offer?
The spec sheet lists 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K and 5000K, selectable, with 90+ CRI and a 3 step MacAdam ellipse.
How does the energy code count track lighting?
Per the ASHRAE Journal summary of 90.1 (2022), line voltage track is counted at the specified wattage of its heads, but not less than 10 watts per linear foot, or at a current limiter rating if that is lower. Track fed by a transformer or driver is counted at that device's rated wattage. Confirm which edition your jurisdiction has adopted.
When should I use a pendant instead of a track head?
Use a track pendant when the track stays at a high ceiling and the light needs to hang lower, and a canopy pendant for a single point of light from a ceiling box with no track.
Send your track layout for a job quote. Questions? Contact us or call (845) 681 2684.
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