Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about architectural lighting, including product selection, technical specifications, installation, OEM customization, ordering, warranty and after-sales support.

Frequently Asked Questions about architectural lighting, featuring low voltage track lighting, linear lighting and pendant lighting systems.

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The correct voltage cannot be selected from room type alone. The decision should be based on the electrical load and the way the magnetic track system will be installed and controlled.

Prepare the following information:

1. A track layout or ceiling drawing showing every track run and connection.
2. The length of each powered track circuit—not only the total project length.
3. The quantity, model and wattage of every luminaire on each circuit.
4. The proposed position and capacity of each power supply.
5. The dimming or control method, such as on/off, DALI, 0–10V or another project-specific system.
6. Installation details, including recessed, surface-mounted or suspended track and any site wiring limitations.
7. Whether 24V is required because of an existing power or control system.
8. Any planned future expansion or possibility of adding more luminaires.

Artdon uses this information to calculate total wattage and current per circuit, review the track and component limits, consider voltage drop and confirm the required safety margin.

As a general direction, 24V may suit compact layouts with controlled loads and compatible existing infrastructure. 48V is normally more flexible for longer layouts, more luminaires, higher wattage and future expansion. The final recommendation should always follow the complete project configuration rather than a general voltage preference.
Not by changing only the power supply. A voltage conversion must be treated as a complete system change.

A 24V powered track circuit requires a compatible 24V power supply, 24V luminaires and compatible dimming or control equipment. A 48V luminaire should not be expected to operate correctly from a 24V supply, and a 24V luminaire must not be connected to a 48V powered circuit. The voltage rating of the luminaires, drivers, controllers and other electrical components must all match.

The project load must also be recalculated. When the same total wattage is changed from 48V to 24V, the circuit current approximately doubles. For example, 200W draws about 4.17A at 48V but about 8.33A at 24V. A layout that is acceptable at 48V may therefore approach or exceed a component limit at 24V, depending on the track, power supply, connectors, wiring and safety margin. Voltage drop may also become more significant.

The physical track profile alone is not enough to confirm compatibility. Artdon needs to check the exact track version, conductive components, luminaires, feeds, power supplies, controls and layout.

If a project must use 24V because of existing site conditions, send the current electrical specification and proposed lighting schedule before ordering. Artdon can determine which components must change and whether the revised load remains practical.
The main risk is not lower brightness. It is the higher current required to deliver the same power. A 24V circuit draws approximately twice the current of a 48V circuit for an identical lighting load.

Higher current can make the system reach its current limit sooner and increases the importance of track length, conductor size, connectors, feed position and voltage drop. If the project is not calculated correctly, possible results include insufficient power capacity, excessive voltage drop, uneven brightness at the far end of the track, unstable dimming, overloaded connectors or wiring, additional power supplies and rework after installation. A 24V layout may also leave less capacity for adding luminaires later.

This does not mean that 24V is unsafe or unsuitable. A correctly designed 24V system can be reliable for compact, lower-load applications. The risk increases when 24V is selected simply because a 24V power supply is already available, without checking the complete magnetic track system.

Choose 48V when the layout has more luminaires, higher total wattage, longer or more complex track runs, or a strong possibility of future expansion. Consider 24V when the track is compact, the load is controlled and all luminaires, power supplies and controls are designed for 24V.

The safest decision comes from calculating each powered circuit and confirming the complete component combination before production or installation.
Start with the total luminaire wattage, then convert that wattage into circuit current.

Step 1: Multiply the number of luminaires by the wattage of each luminaire. For example, 15 luminaires × 10W = 150W total load.

Step 2: Divide the total load by the system voltage. At 24V, 150W ÷ 24V = approximately 6.25A. At 48V, the same 150W load draws approximately 3.13A.

Step 3: Compare the calculated current with every relevant system limit—not only the track rating. Artdon’s 20-series magnetic track is rated at 10A, giving a theoretical electrical value of 240W at 24V. However, 240W must not be treated as the recommended operating load. The final limit may be lower because the power supply, connectors, feeder cables, track joints, wiring and voltage drop must all be considered with an appropriate safety margin.

Longer tracks and loads concentrated far from the power supply require additional attention. A project may need a different feed position, separate circuits or a 48V system even when the simple wattage calculation appears acceptable.

For a reliable check, provide the track drawing, individual track lengths, luminaire models and quantities, wattage, driver location and dimming method. Artdon can calculate each powered circuit instead of relying on one total project wattage.
Short answer: it can be, but only when the complete project load is suitable. A 24V system is not automatically too weak; the limitation is that it requires twice the current of a 48V system to deliver the same power.

For example, a 150W lighting load draws approximately 6.25A at 24V but only 3.13A at 48V. Artdon’s 20-series magnetic track is rated at 10A, so the theoretical calculation is 240W at 24V and 480W at 48V. These figures are electrical reference values, not recommended operating loads. The actual allowable load also depends on the power supply, connectors, wiring, track layout, voltage drop, installation conditions and a suitable safety margin.

A 24V magnetic system may work well for a compact display, furniture installation, short track layout or project with limited luminaires. For longer layouts, higher wattage, many luminaires or future expansion, 48V normally provides more capacity and flexibility.

To confirm whether 24V is powerful enough, send Artdon the track length and layout, luminaire quantity, wattage per luminaire, power-supply position, control method and expansion requirements. We can then estimate the total current and identify whether 24V is practical or whether 48V would reduce project risk.
To determine whether the heat is normal or indicates a potential problem, please provide the product model, input voltage, operating time, ambient temperature, installation method and available temperature measurements.
The following information will help us evaluate the situation accurately:
Product model and wattage;
Photographs of the luminaire and its installation;
Input voltage;
How long the luminaire had been operating;
Ambient temperature;
Whether the luminaire is recessed, surface-mounted or track-mounted;
Whether insulation or other objects are obstructing ventilation;
Measurement equipment and measurement locations;
Measured Tc temperatures of the LED module and driver;
Any flickering, automatic shutdown, unusual smell, discolouration or change in brightness.
A statement such as “the luminaire feels very hot” does not usually provide enough information to determine whether the product is operating normally.
Yes. However, LED lifetime is primarily affected by the actual operating temperatures of the LED module and driver—not simply by how hot the housing feels when touched.
If critical components operate above their permitted temperatures for extended periods, the following may occur:
Faster LED lumen depreciation;
Accelerated ageing of driver components;
Reduced light output;
Changes in colour temperature or colour consistency;
Higher risk of premature failure.
If the measured Tc temperatures of the LED module and driver remain within the manufacturer’s specified limits, a housing that feels hot does not automatically indicate an abnormal product lifetime.
Lifetime should be evaluated using the component temperatures, ambient temperature, drive current, installation conditions and relevant lifetime data.
A recessed luminaire usually has less air circulation around it and may be affected by ceiling cavities, thermal insulation and heat from nearby equipment. Its operating temperature may therefore be higher than that of an equivalent luminaire installed in an open position.
Factors that may affect the temperature of a recessed luminaire include:
The size of the ceiling cavity;
The presence of thermal insulation;
Clearance between the luminaire and building materials;
Air circulation inside the ceiling;
The distance between the driver and LED module;
Ambient temperature inside the ceiling cavity.
Thermal testing should therefore reproduce the intended installation conditions as closely as possible. Testing a recessed luminaire on an open table may not represent its actual operating temperature after installation.
Always follow the product instructions regarding installation clearance, ventilation and contact with insulation materials.
An LED luminaire should operate until it reaches thermal stability before the final temperature is recorded. A test lasting only a few minutes is usually insufficient to determine whether the luminaire is overheating.
After the luminaire is switched on, its temperature gradually rises. The time required to stabilise depends on factors such as:
Power;
Luminaire size;
Housing material;
Thermal design;
Installation method;
Ambient temperature.
A proper test should include the following steps:
Install the luminaire in its actual or representative operating position.
Apply the specified input voltage.
Record the ambient temperature.
Attach thermocouples to the designated measurement points.
Operate the luminaire and record temperatures at regular intervals.
Record the final results only after the temperatures have stabilised.
A short test may show the initial temperature rise, but it does not represent the luminaire’s final operating temperature.
Not necessarily. A rise in surface temperature shows that some heat has reached the luminaire housing, but good thermal management also requires that this heat be released effectively from the housing into the surrounding environment.
The complete heat-transfer path is:
LED heat source → LED module → thermal interface → housing or heat sink → surrounding air
If the first part of the thermal path works effectively, the housing will become warm. However, heat may still accumulate if:
The heat-dissipating surface is too small;
Air circulation is restricted;
The ambient temperature is too high;
The luminaire is installed in an enclosed space.
Thermal performance should therefore be evaluated using:
LED-module and driver Tc temperatures;
Housing surface temperature;
Ambient temperature;
Input power;
Installation conditions;
Final temperatures after thermal stability.
A hot housing alone does not prove that heat dissipation is good. A cool housing alone does not prove that the luminaire is safer.
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