Track Lighting Layout & Wiring

1. Decide where the track is to be located. You can simplify the wire fishing process by devising a plan that places the track along the wall with the switch. CAUTION: Turn off power to the switch before proceeding.
2. To determine if you are dealing with an end-of-the-run switch, unscrew the switch plate and pull the switch out of the wall. An end-of-the-run wall switch has two wires hot and neutral (normally black and white, respectively) - connected to terminal screws . Assume the switch also has a ground wire attached to a screw that is fastened to the switch box. When the inspection is complete, leave the switch just the way it is and leave the power off.
   CAUTION: Don't touch wires or terminal screws before using a circuit tester to make certain the switch is dead.
3. Using a tape measure, measure out from the e wall no less than 12" and no more than 24" . Make a reference mark every 12" or so along the ceiling. Then draw a straight line to connect the reference marks. It's along this line that the track will be hung.
4. Hold a junction box on the ceiling at the spot where the end cap of the track will fall and use a pencil to draw an outline of the box perimeter on the ceiling. The end cap is the part of the track to which wires are connected. It usually comes as a separate component in the track lighting kit.
   Make sure that the spot selected for the junction box falls between joists, which can be found with a stud locator. If a joist is in the way, shift the position for the track the few inches that are needed to provide the necessary space.
5. Knock a hole in the gypsum wallboard where the junction box is to go, and use a keyhole saw to cut out the opening for the box. If the ceiling is plaster and lath, a 1 " chisel and hammer must be used to cut a channel in the plaster; then, use a keyhole saw to cut away the lath between the two joists. Widen the opening for the junction box.
   CAUTION: Wear eye protection when cutting gypsum wallboard or plaster.
6. If working with gypsum wallboard, attach the junction box to an adjustable hanger bar. Then screw the bar to the joists from the attic side so the junction box falls in the hole. If working with plaster, screw the junction box to an offset hanger bar and screw the bar to the bottom of the joists from the room side.

WIRING:

1. Use a hammer and awl to knock out a plug in the top of the switch box.
2. Run a fish tape up through the hole in the switch box until a helper hollers down that the tape has reached the attic.
3. Strip the insulation from the ends of the Romex cable. Don't skimp on the length of the cable; better that it be too long than not long enough.
4. Drop one end of the Romex cable down through the junction box in the ceiling.
5. Tape the other end of the Romex cable to the fish tape in the attic. Then, at the switch, draw the fish tape in the attic. Then, at the switch, draw the fish tape and cable into the switch box. Untape the two. Next, the Romex cable wires must be connected to the switch as described in steps 6 to 9.
6. Unscrew the neutral (usually white) wire from the switch terminal screw. Attach the black wire of the Romex cable to this screw.
7. Make sure that the ends of the disconnected neutral wire and of the Romex white (neutral) wire are straight and meet evenly when held next to each other. If they aren't, use lines man pliers to correct them. Holding the two side by side, connect the wires together with a twist-on connector.
   NOTE: Unless the instructions accompanying the wire connectors say differently, do not twist the wires together before installing the wire connector. Turning the wire connector as tightly as possible will insure a secure and proper connection.
8. Disconnect the ground (green or bare copper) wire by loosening the screw from the switch box. Wrap a pigtail wire around the screw and tighten it.
9. Connect the removed ground wire, the installed pigtail wire, and the green or bare copper wire of the Romex cable with a wire connector by following the instructions above.
   CAUTION: Do not restore power and do not put the switch back into the switch box as yet.