This is a general guide designed to help you create a TECH Two-Circuit MonoRail system.
Before you begin, you will need a rough plan of the lighting required for your project or a list
of the pieces your client has requested.
 Process overview
- Use this guide to help you select the appropriate system, elements, and options for your job.
- Use the hyperlinks contained on this page to determine the exact part numbers of the TECH
Lighting products required for the project
 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF GUIDE FOR BULDING A 2-CIRCUIT MONORAIL SYSTEM
Checklist:
- Transformer
- Power Feed Canopy
- Power Extenders
- Isolating Connectors
- Standoffs (one for every three feet of run)
- Two-Circuit MonoRail
- End Caps
- Elements
- Accessories and Optical Controls (available on each product)
- Lamps - if not included with elements, lamps must not exceed maximum wattage of element
or accessory
- Make sure all finishes match and computer numbers end with Z (Antique Bronze),
C (Chrome), G (Gold) or (S) Satin Nickel.
STEP ONE: DESIGN YOUR TWO-CIRCUIT MONORAIL SYSTEM
The first step in designing your Two-Circuit MonoRail system is to determine what it is you are trying to light. You’ll need to decide where the heads, pendants, or functional art should be installed to put light where you want it, and which elements will be controlled by each circuit. The placement of the conductor metal set screw on the Two-Circuit MonoRail Freejack Connector determines which circuit is controlling the head or pendant. See Low-Voltage Fixtures for thumbnails of all available fixtures. Refer to the indicated spec sheets for detailed specifications, including lamp type and maximum wattage. Choose your fixtures then add accessories if desired. We offer a broad range of colorful and decorative accessories and functional optical controls.
A. ELEMENTS (Pendants, Heads and Functional Art):
1. Choose elements from TECH Lighting Low Voltage elements.
2. Click here to choose part number(s) for low-voltage elements.
3. Choose Accessories and Optical Controls, if desired. Accessories and Optical Controls
are available on each model, where applicable.
4. Choose lamps, 12 volt, that do not exceed maximum wattage of element or accessory.
B. FINISH:
Choose finish of system and make sure all components are specified as such.
C. DRAWING:
Draw in your Two-Circuit MonoRail run. Remember, Two-Circuit MonoRail can be shaped by
hand to follow architectural details or to create an organic shape. Factory pre-bent shapes are
also offered in several configurations. Your run should be placed so that it runs directly beneath
the junction box with the surface transformer or power feed canopy and intersects the locations
of all the heads and pendants. Add a pair of end caps to each end of the run for an elegant
finishing touch.
D. LENGTH:
1. Measure length of Two-Circuit MonoRail run.
2. Click here to choose quantity and length of MonoRail required.
3. Specify one pair of End Caps for each open end of run. Click here for End Caps.
4. Determine number of Standoffs, one for every three feet of run. Click here for Standoffs.
5. Does the run include a sharp angle or turn? If so, specify a Flexible Connector to make the
turn. Click here for Flexible Connectors.
STEP TWO: ADD POWER AND HARDWARE TO COMPLETE THE SYSTEM
A. TRANSFORMER:
1. Add up the wattages of the lamps you'll be using on the system: this will help you select a
transformer. A remote transformer with power feed canopy provides the cleanest look, but
the remote transformer must be installed in an accessable, remote location. Two-Circuit
MonoRail transformers come prewired with either two or four 120 Volt input lines to allow for
independent switching of circuits. 24 Volt transformers cannot be used with Two-Circuit
MonoRail.
2. Click here to choose a Remote Transformer:
a. Magnetic or electronic
b. 12 volt
c. *Output wattage
d. Single or dual-feed
3. Click here to choose a Power Feed Canopy, single or dual feed.
OR
SURFACE TRANSFORMER:
4. Add up the wattages of the lamps you'll be using on the system: this will help you select a
transformer. A surface transformer simply mounts to a junction box. Two-Circuit
MonoRail transformers come prewired with either two or four 120 Volt input lines to allow for
independent switching of circuits. 24 Volt transformers cannot be used with Two-Circuit
MonoRail.
5. Click here to choose a Surface Transfomer:
a. Magnetic or electronic
b. 12 volt
c. *Output wattage
d. Single or dual-feed
*Wattage of the transformer must meet or exceed wattage of lamps calculated previously.
6. If powering system with more than one transformer, add Isolating Connectors to isolate the
feeds from each other. Click here for Isolating Connectors.
7. If dropping system a distance below ceiling, add one Power Extender to each power feed
(add two when using dual-feed). Click here for Power Extenders.
B. MOUNTING:
1. Determine how far from the ceiling you want the system to drop. Power feed canopies place
the rail two inches from the ceiling; Two-Circuit MonoRail surface transformers place the
rail six inches from the ceiling. If this drop is shorter than you require, you'll need to add a
power extender to your canopy or surface transformer. Click here for Power Extenders.
The maximum standard drop for Two-Circuit MonoRail is eight feet.
2. Next, add standoffs that match the drop of your power feed to support the system.
Adjustable Standoffs provide a clean, elegant look. Click here for Adjustable Standoff.
Choose rigid standoffs for curvy runs, or runs with mulitiple glass pendants. You'll need one
standoff for every three feet of Two-Circuit MonoRail. The power feed counts as a support,
so begin adding standoffs three feet from the power feed. Click here to select Standoffs with
Connector that match the drop of the Surface Transformer or Power Feed. Refer to Length
section above for quantity.
3. Is the ceiling vaulted? If so, click here to add one Power Vault Adapter for each power feed
(add two when using dual-feed).
4. Then specify one Standoff Vault Adapter for each Standoff. Click here for Standoff Vault
Adapter.
Note: Power Extenders and standoffs are field-cuttable, so it's easy to achieve a custom drop length.
D. CHECKLIST:
Make sure your bill of materials include:
- Transformer
- Power Feed Canopy
- Power Extender
- Isolating Connectors
- Standoffs (one for every three feet of run)
- Two-Circuit MonoRail
- End Caps
- Elements
- Accessories and Optical Controls (available on each product)
- Lamps - if not included with elements, lamps must not exceed maximum wattage of element
or accessory
- Make sure all finishes match and computer numbers end with Z (Antique Bronze), C (Chrome), G (Gold) or (S) Satin Nickel.
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