What is magnetic track lighting and how is it installed? 48 V driver sizing, recessed or surface mounting and parts list

Short answer: Magnetic track is a slim track profile running on 48 V DC; fittings hold on by magnet and can be clipped on, removed and slid along without tools. An installation has four parts: the track profile (recessed, surface or under-panel), a driver that converts mains to 48 V, a power feed that supplies the track, and corner and inline connectors that join the sections. The driver is sized at the total fitting wattage plus at least 20%. Recessed track is built into a plasterboard ceiling while it is being made; surface track is screwed to an existing ceiling. Draw your run in our magnetic track planner to see the track, connector and driver list with prices instantly.

How does magnetic track work?

Mains voltage (220–240 V) is reduced to 48 V DC by a driver and fed into the track through a power feed. The conductors inside the track carry 48 V along their whole length; the magnetic body of each fitting provides both the mechanical hold and the electrical contact. Track and fittings are extra-low voltage (Class III); the mains side of the driver should still be connected by an electrician.

We compare it with track spotlights in magnetic track or track spotlights; this guide covers installation step by step.

Track profiles by mounting type

The Lamptime magnetic system has four track profiles, all in 1, 2 and 3 m lengths, black or white, IP20:

• Recessed (MA53 and MA55, 70.5 × 42.7 mm): built into a plasterboard ceiling, leaving a clean line of light flush with the ceiling. The neatest look; plan it while the ceiling is being built. The two profiles differ in their edge design; choose from the product images.
• Surface-mounted (MA51, 27.3 × 52.2 mm): screwed straight to an existing ceiling; the easiest way to add magnetic lighting without building work.
• Under-panel (MA52, 65.3 × 48.4 mm): fixed beneath suspended ceiling panels without cutting the ceiling. A circular corner piece (Ø600 mm) allows curved runs.
• Suspended: hung from the ceiling with a pendant connector and suspension kit; for high ceilings, kitchen islands and meeting tables.

Depending on the profile, connectors include corner, inside corner, outside corner, T and cross. Drivers, power feed, cable, flexible and T inline connectors and suspension parts are in the MA50 accessory set. The circular ML60 and ML70 systems come with their own ring track.

Planning the run

1. Choose the shape: straight, two parallel runs, L, U, square or rectangle.
2. Cover each side with track lengths: 3 m sections first for the fewest joints, then a 2 or 1 m piece.
3. Count the connectors: one inline connector per straight joint; at each corner a corner connector plus a corner power connector to carry power round it; one power feed per driver and per separate run.
4. Choose the fittings and add up their wattage.
5. Choose the driver.

Example: a 4 m straight run needs one 3 m and one 1 m track, one inline connector and one power feed. An L-shaped run of 3 m + 2 m uses a 3 m and a 2 m track, one corner connector, one corner power connector and one power feed. If the dimensions do not match the track lengths exactly, we settle the solution at the design stage.

Driver sizing: 20% headroom

Size the driver at the total wattage of the fittings plus at least 20%: the driver does not run at full load, stays cooler and leaves room to add fittings later. The Lamptime MA50 range includes 150 W and 250 W 48 V DC drivers.

Example: 4 × ML30 Ø55 spots (18 W) and 2 × ML10 900 mm linear fittings (36 W): 72 + 72 = 144 W. 144 × 1.2 = 172.8 W, so one 250 W or two 150 W drivers. If the total exceeds one driver, the run is split and each driver feeds through its own power feed.

The drivers are long and slim (150 W: 325 × 22.5 × 43 mm; 250 W: 390 × 22.5 × 43 mm) and sit in the ceiling void. Place them near an access hatch so they can be reached if needed. Cable length and cross-section between driver and track follow the manufacturer's manual: at 48 V the current for the same power is much higher than at mains voltage, and long thin cables cause voltage drop.

Installation steps (recessed track)

1. Mark the run on the ceiling and decide where the driver and access hatch go.
2. Run the supply cable to the driver position and the driver output cable to where the power feed will be.
3. With the plasterer, fix the track profile to the ceiling framework before the ceiling is closed; the boards are brought up to the edge of the profile.
4. Fill and paint the profile edges without soiling the inside channel.
5. Fit the inline and corner connectors and connect the power feed.
6. Connect the mains side of the driver to the lighting circuit; check every connection and the polarity (+/−) before switching on.
7. Clip the fittings on and slide them into position.

For surface and under-panel track, steps 3 and 4 are replaced by fixing the track to the ceiling with plugs and screws; the driver goes in the ceiling void, a nearby cabinet or another hidden spot.

Which fitting where?

• Diffused linear (ML10: 300/600/900 mm, 12/24/36 W; ML11 tiltable): soft general light for living rooms, kitchens and offices.
• Linear with lenses (ML20: 120–690 mm, 6–36 W, 38°; ML21 tiltable): more directional light over worktops and desks.
• Spot (ML30: Ø35 8 W and Ø55 18 W; ML31 Ø82 12 W; ML32 square with lenses 8 W; 38°): accents on artwork, shelves and displays.
• Diffused spot (ML34: Ø90, Ø120 and Ø140, 10–20 W): broad, soft ceiling light.
• Pendants (ML40: 200/300/400 mm, 10 W; ML41 tulip, ML42 globe, ML43) and glass globe ML33: kitchen islands, dining tables and decorative light.

The fittings run on 48 V DC, have CRI above 80 and come in 2700–6500 K; many have a DALI-driver version. For dimming, plan DALI models together with a suitable DALI control. Work out the room's lighting need with lumens, watts and colour temperature; for purely indirect light see how to make cove lighting.

Plan it with the planner

In ENGN's magnetic track planner you enter the room size and run shape and choose the fittings; a 3D view, track sections, connectors and a driver list with 20% headroom are produced automatically. The list goes into the basket in one click, or you can request a quote. We can also plan the system with you in our store in Bursa, Turkey.

• → Magnetic track planner: draw in 3D, see the parts list and price
• → Magnetic track lighting
• → Lamptime MA53 recessed magnetic track
• → Lamptime MA51 surface-mounted magnetic track
• → Lamptime MA52 under-panel magnetic track
• → Lamptime MA50 48 V drivers and connection accessories
• → Lamptime ML30 magnetic track spotlight
• → Our lighting store in Bursa