Can I install track lighting through an outlet?

Question

I want to install track lighting in my apartment. Unfortunately, we don't have an overhead fixture; I have an outlet on the ground that's controlled by the light switch, made for standing lamps and such.

Are there track lights out there that work like a lamp, that can be connected by an outlet? I'm willing to put up with the power cable, I'd just have it hugging the corners.

Answer 1

I was told at Menards that almost any light an be turned into a plug in light.  They sell a cord for like $15 or less.  It just gets wired to the light wiring.  You would have to look at where the wiring goes into the lights you would want and if it would work out to put a plug on it.

Answer 2

Yes, you can install track lighting and plug it into the wall, but it will take some work. You may also want to check local ordinances to make sure your hookup meets code. Depending on where you live, Romex may need to be enclosed in metal conduit.

You can purchase Romex wiring and connect one end to the track lighting and the other end to a plug using electric caps (you ought to be able to find the wiring, plug, & caps at any Home Improvement store- the track lighting may come with caps). I would recommend using a three-pronged plug so that your fixture is grounded. Make sure that you wire the plug and the track light correctly (black-to-black, white-to-white, & green-to-green, or however your track lighting states). Your black wire should carry the current, white be neutral, and green should be ground. Be careful how you attach the Romex to the walls/ceiling, as you do not want to pierce it with a staple (or you could end up causing a short or a charged staple).

There are other light fixtures that are similar to track lighting that come preassembled and plug into the wall. You may want to look into pole lights as an alternative.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Well, three answers and not a right one. There are live end plugs that you can get to plug into the end of the track and then plug directly into a socket. no fuss, no muss. any decent lighting store,h**l even the big box stores might carry them. If you need to switch the cord you can get a in line switch for that too. Life is so simple when you can get the right answer.

Answer 4

yes, you will have to wire the track lighting right into the back of the outlet.

Answer 5

Yeah but they are very hard to find. What I would suggest to you is to get a normal track light and get normal house wire(used for the electrical in the wall). Then buy a junction box (http://img.alibaba.com/photo/11147813/Ju...

and s***w it in a stud in the cieling, once done attach the wire that you have to the wire of the fixture in the junction box ( black on black, white on white, green to copper). Then run the wire across the cieling down your wall. They sell little plugs that you can buy to attach to open wiring so you can plug in (http://www.drillspot.com/pimages/186/186...

then just attach your wiring to your plug and plug it in.

Also if you wan to hide your wiring, they sell wire coverings that you place over the wire and you can paint them aswell.