How do you connect a three-circuit track?

A three-circuit track carries three separate circuits in one profile, so you can switch or dim the spots on it in three groups. You connect it at a single feed point with five conductors: three phases, neutral and earth. You then assign each spot a circuit by clicking it into the track in the right position.

Single-circuit or three-circuit: where the difference sits

On a single-circuit track everything hangs on one circuit. All the spots come on together and go off together. That is the cheap and most common variant, and enough for most homes.

On a three-circuit track there are three separate circuits in the profile. So you can use three switches or three dimmers on one track. Useful above a long kitchen, or in a living room where you want different spots during the day than in the evening.

The adapters are not interchangeable: a three-circuit spot does not fit a single-circuit track and vice versa. So look carefully at what you order.

What we carry per system

For three-circuit:

• Sento three-circuit surface spot — GU10, matt black, €14.95
• Sento three-circuit pendant — GU10, €22.95
• Vetra three-circuit track spot — CCT dimmable, 10/20/30W, 2,700 lumens, €42.95

For single-circuit: the Rilo (€14.95), Velmo (€43.95), Vando (€37.95) and the Mivo surface spot (€10.95).

The connection step by step

1. Switch off the circuit at the fuse box, not just the light switch. Check with a voltage tester that nothing is live.
2. Mount the track to the ceiling. Watch the orientation: a three-circuit track is not symmetrical, there is a marking on one side.
3. Connect the feed block. Earth to the earth terminal, neutral to N, and the three phases to L1, L2 and L3. If only one phase comes out of your ceiling, connect it to L1 and leave L2 and L3 empty — you can then only use the track as single-circuit.
4. Fit the end cap at the other end. It is not decorative: it closes off the conductors.
5. Click the spots in. On the adapter there is a small switch or marking for choosing L1, L2 or L3. Set that before you twist it into the track.

Where it usually goes wrong

Putting all three phases on one circuit. If you want to switch the three circuits separately, L1, L2 and L3 each have to come from their own switch or dimmer. Connect them all to the same wire and you have bought an expensive single-circuit track.

The second stumbling block is the adapter position. A spot set to L2 while you have only connected L1 simply does not work — and that looks like a faulty spot.

Dimming on a track

If you want to dim, the same rule applies as everywhere: the spot needs a dimmable driver and the dimmer has to match it. The Vetra is CCT dimmable and switchable between 10, 20 and 30 watts. With GU10 track spots it depends on the lamp you put in. See the dimmer guide.

Have it connected if you are unsure

A track feed with three phases is not a job to learn on the fly. If you are not certain which conductors come out of your ceiling, have an electrician do it. The track hardware itself then simply clicks together.

The track spots and pendants are with the surface-mounted spotlights and the pendant lights.