Installing dimmable track lighting without house wiring

     I recently renovated my home office to go to a standing desk configuration and simultaneously change the look, which I'd had for almost 12 years.

One of the items I wanted was track lighting so I could could have the flexibility to point task lighting exactly where I wanted it and add or subtract lighting to suit me.

My home office (a converted bedroom) doesn't have pre-installed lighting fixtures on the walls where I wanted my track lights, and installing them would be expensive and too permanent should I want to sell the house, so I decided to create my own.

An added plus would be the ability to place dimmer switches exactly where I wanted them rather than having to walk over to the door every time I wanted to adjust lighting levels.

Following is a description of how I made my own outlet-powered custom dimmable track lighting.

Step 1 Materials & tools

Materials:

• track lighting kit   (or purchase track, lights, track power connector and wire nuts separately)
• light bulbs suitable for selected lights (don't use CFL bulbs unless the package specifically notes it's OK for dimmer use)
• 16 gauge 3-conductor extension cord (15' will work for most)
• dimmer (I chose a sliding dimmer in black which also has an on\off switch)
• "handy box" electrical box (1/2" knockouts)
• 1/2" screw-in connector for flexible metal conduit (You can also use the kind that clamp the wires, but I liked the appearance of this one better)
• toggle bolts or drywall anchors
• switch cover plate
• mineral spirits
• paper towels
• spray paint

Power notes:

• Track lighting kit selected here is has no stated rating but a quick web search found recommendation of no more than one light per foot of track up to 38 lights per circuit - almost 20 amps - standard household lighting breaker size
• 16 gauge 3-conductor cord selected here is rated for up to 13 amps
• Dimmer selected here is rated for 600 watts - about 5.45 amps at 110VAC. In other words the dimmer is the main limiting factor here and household dimmers have built-in overload protection so we're safe in this regard

Tools:

• level
• #2 Philips screwdriver
• pencil
• wire stripper
• wire cutters
• ladder or step stool

Comments

[DIY Dave]

Thanks for the instructable. The lights look great! I might do something like this.

[ChrysN]

Nice, I like the idea of having the dimmer box right on the desk.