Track Lighting and Compact Fluorescents

I’m often asked if our tradition two and three wire track heads are compatible with compact fluorescents. The answer is yes, as long as the CFL isn't hanging out of the can and drawing the eye to the glare.

Incandescent track heads will handle compact fluorescents but the challenge is getting something that fits, AND throws the light out of the can. Even though the CFL manufacturers name the CFL’s reflector floods BR30, BR40, PAR38 we all know that the CFL versions are larger than the incandescent/halogen versions due to the necessary ballast.

Spiral CFL’s fit nicely into traditional type track heads but will trap the light inside of the can reducing the illumination and performance of the CFL. When using CFL’s in track lighting try to fit a CFL that has a reflector, pushing the useable light out of the can.

I’m often asked what the difference is between two wire and three wire track and track heads.
Simple; most two wire track and track heads are Juno compatible, the second largest track lighting manufacture in the world, and most three wire track and track heads are Halo compatible, the largest track and track lighting manufacture in the world.

If you are ditching your existing track heads and intend on buying new track heads to install in you existing track system make sure you gather all possible information on your system before making the purchase.