How to Replace a Ceiling Light with Track Lighting Part 1

Replacing a ceiling light with track lighting is quite an easy task that you can do on your own. Track lights can add a modern look to any house, but you do not need a professional to install them for you. Follow the simple steps to replace any ceiling light with track lighting.

Step 1 – Switch of the Power Supply

Turn off the power to the ceiling light you want to replace. Once the power is turned off, use a circuit tester to make sure that there is no current passing through the wires. Otherwise, switch off the power to the entire house to ensure that all the wires are dead.

Step 2 – Remove the Old Ceiling Light

Hold the ceiling light from the bottom, and use a screwdriver to detach all the screws that hold the light to the ceiling. Bring the light a few inches down from the ceiling and unscrew the wire nuts that connect it to the wires that come out of the ceiling.  Remove the old ceiling light.

Step 3 – Inspect the Components of Track Lighting Kit

Open the track lighting kit and view the components to get an idea of how the components fit with each other. This helps to make the task of installing the track lighting easier.

Step 4 – Mark the Position and Drill Holes

Hold the track light fixture against the ceiling exactly how you want it to be installed. Mark the points where there are holes drilled in the track. Use a drill to make holes at the points already marked.

Step 5– Remove Insulation from Wires of Track Light

On the track light that is to be installed, you’ll find 3 wires with insulation: neutral wires with white insulation, hot wire with black insulation and ground wire with green insulation. Use wire cutters to cut½-inch off the insulation from each of the 3 wires.

Step 6 - Connect the Wires

Connect the corresponding wires of the track light with that of the ceiling: connect black wire of the track light to the black of the ceiling wires, white to white and green to green. Twist each wire with the corresponding wire, and use wire connectors on each pair. Push the wires back into the ceiling.

Step 7 – Install the Track Light

Attach the mounting bracket to the hole in the ceiling. Tightly screw the mounting screws. Now place the track as per the holes already drilled, and fasten the track by attaching the toggle bolts through the track to the holes in the ceiling. Toggle bolts have wings that open up as they are pushed into the ceiling. This helps in holding the track tight in place securely. 

Finally, slide the light heads on the track to adjust the position of the lights. Switch on the power supply and turn on the lights to check if their positioning is fine. Make adjustments if necessary.  If the track lights are working fine, cover the mounting bracket to complete installation.