Solorail™ System
1. Is your low voltage SOLORAIL™ system UL listed?
Yes. It is UL & CUL listed for both the United States and Canada.
2. What components do I need to build a complete SOLORAIL™ system?
The basic components of a SOLORAIL™ system are as follows:
Transformer
Power feed
Rail & connectors
Rail Stand-off supports
Fixtures / Pendants
QUICK CONNECT™ (Adapters) (LM-QADPs)
3. What is the capacity of SOLORAIL™?
Monorail is rated at 25 amps: this means a 12-volt system has a maximum capacity of 300 watts. A 24-volt system has a maximum capacity of 600 watts.
4. What if I need more wattage?
You can use more than one power feed. Utilizing multiple power feeds between non-conductive I-connectors (I-DEC) gives you the appearance of one continuous run. Each section can then have up to 300W at 12V (or 600W at 24V).
5. How long can I make a SOLORAIL™ system?
There are two considerations, capacity and voltage drop. In terms of capacity it can have as many power feeds as is necessary to support the wattage. In terms of voltage it is limited to the distance power can travel through the rail. See page 163 in WAC Lighting’s main catalog for the corresponding voltage drop chart.
6. When powering from a remote transformer, what gauge of wire should I use between the transformer and the power feed?
A minimum 10-AWG wire should be used. Heavier gauge wire is needed if the transformer is not within close proximity to the power feed. See page 163 in current WAC Lighting’s catalog for the corresponding voltage drop chart.
7. When I installed a dimmer on my SOLORAIL™ System, the transformer started to buzz, what can I do about it?
Check that you have the correct dimmer switch for the type of transformer you are using (i.e. electronic low voltage dimmer with a electronic transformer, low voltage magnetic dimmer with a magnetic transformer). An integral de-buzzing coil is included with all of our surface mounted magnetic transformers. However an additional in-line de-buzzing coil
(model# LM-DBC12XXX-XXX) between the dimmer and transformer is available to further reduce buzzing.
8. How does the SOLORAIL™ attach to the ceiling?
The most common method is by rigid standoffs which are available in various lengths. We recommend 3 supports for an 8ft section of rail however a tightly curved rail may require more. We offer two variations of standoffs, one to fit on standard
T-bar grid ceilings, and one to fit sloped ceilings. Additional cables are available 96” in length and are easily adjustable to shorter lengths.
9. Are the rigid standoffs field-cuttable?
Yes. The standoffs may be easily cut to custom lengths. The standard sizes range from 3“ to 5 ¾” and additional rods are available up to 48”.
10. Can I get longer standoffs?
Longer standoffs are accomplished by using a coupler to join two rods together. We offer 12”, 24”, 36” and 48” rods.
11. Can I field cut the SOLORAIL™?
Yes. The monorail can be cut to any desired length. Additional end-caps may be purchased as needed.
12. Can we order rail in pre-curved sections?
Yes. SOLORAIL™ is generally shipped in straight tubes and is easily bent in the field. There are a series of 18” long sections in 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° angles available.
WAC also offers a bending machine (model number – HM-BM) used to make smooth, consistent bends. For small radius bends, clamp onto work benches or flat surfaces up to 2” max. For the cleanest and smoothest bend, work rail over a round object. Work to progressively smaller radiuses. Minimum radius is 12”.
13. Can the pendant socket sets be field-shortened?
Yes. Socket sets are supplied in 6-foot lengths and may be cut to a desired length. Follow the instructions supplied with the socket set when field shortening.
14. Can sockets be ordered in longer than 6-foot lengths?
Yes. Socket sets can be ordered separately at 12-foot lengths. You can contact your distributor or call our Lighting Specialists at 800.526.2588 for assistance.
15. Your surface mount transformers seem heavy. Can it be attached to a standard fixture box?
They are designed to go on 4” junction boxes, but the box must be braced securely to the joists to support the weight of the transformer.
16. Do you have a kit that comes with all the basic components?
Yes, we have kits such as (LM-SK-150E) that include the basic system components. You may then select a complete element kit to finish the system or mix and match track heads and pendants to meet your individual needs. See page 166 of current WAC Lighting’s main catalog for more ordering information.
17. What material is the rail made of?
SOLORAIL™ is composed of two solid copper conductors separated by a plastic insulator.
18. How does power enter the SOLORAIL™?
Through a power feed adapter. A power feed adapter is a two-piece assembly that clamps around the rail and energizes conductors. It is included in all surface mount transformers. Power feed canopies cover a junction box and are used with remote transformers. There are variations to mount from walls and a cable power wire for sloped ceilings.
19. How do I know whether to go with a 12 or 24 volt system?
This isn’t an easy question to answer, please read the following scenario:
Project: You are the counter person at a lighting showroom. Your customer would like to use a rail system in their kitchen. They need 6 spotlights and three pendants over an island. It will be a 15-foot run. Where do you begin to plan out this system?
The thought process is essentially this: How many watts will all the fixtures total?
How long of a run?
Given the run length and wattage load, which power supply makes more sense - the 12 or the 24-volt?
Given the maximum 300 watts for 12 volts and 600 watts for 24 volts, which power supply makes more sense?
For example, if all the fixtures in the above scenario are 50 watts, you’ll be working with a total of 450 watts. A 12-volt system could be considered because the run is 15 feet. However, due to its maximum wattage of not more than 300 watts per run, this rail would have to be divided into two separate runs with two power feed sources.
In this scenario a 24-volt system would be more economical. The maximum wattage is now 600 watts and only one power feed and transformer are necessary. This will also give you a cleaner look. The homeowner has to be made aware that it’s a 24-volt system and that replacement lamps are not as common as 12-volt lamps.
Lets assume you are going to do a 24-volt installation with a 600w remote magnetic transformer, this might be the project parts list:
- Six Quick Connect™ fixtures QF-194-CH
- Six shades G116-CH
- Six MR16 lamps 24V, 50 W MR16-EXN-24V-G
- Three Quick Connect™ pendant shades QP524-TQ/CH
- Nine Quick Connect™ adapters LM-QADP-CH
- Two 8ft Solorail™s LM-T8-CH
- One “I” connector LM-I-CH
- One power feed canopy LM-CPC-CH
- Approximately five ceiling standoffs LM-X3-CH
-
One remote 24V, 600W transformer SRT-600M-24V
20. How do I lay out the SOLORAIL™ and how do I install it on to the ceiling?
Lay out your SOLORAIL™ on a workspace before you install it on the ceiling. Mark the location of standoff supports. If rail cannot be raised, use a plumb line or laser to mark location of standoff supports. For dry wall, drill holes and install ceiling anchors (supplied) through standoff bases then to ceiling.
21. What is a ‘QUICK CONNECT™’ Element?
“Elements” are a series of low voltage fixtures or pendants that connect to a QUICK CONNECT™ Adapter (Jack). The adapter then attaches to the rail to provide a simple connection for the elements. The advantage of this system is the ability to easily use any of the over 300 low voltage QUICK CONNECT™ Elements on the SOLORAIL™ system. The QUICK CONNECT™ feature allows the same elements to be used on other systems, such as FLEXRAIL1™, FLEXRAIL2™, DUORAIL™, MONOPOINTS and MULTIPOINTS, conventional 120V track, and the LINEAR™ Track System.
22. Is your QUICK CONNECT™ compatible with other systems?
Yes. Our QUICK CONNECT™ male end will fit into some other manufacturer’s systems.
Contact your WAC Lighting Specialist for compatibility information.
23. Can we install the QUICK CONNECT™ fixtures while the rail is powered?
No. The system must be powered off before attaching any fixtures.
24. Can the QUICK CONNECT™ fixtures be field-cut?
The fixtures on rods have socket wires running through the centers and cannot be cut.
25. How is Solorail™ sustainable?
The SOLORAIL™ utilizes LEDme® pendants and fixtures featuring state-of-the-art LED technology pendants and low voltage halogen elements. The SOLORAIL™ System has a Five-Year Warranty and is responsibly produced in the WAC clean, zero landfill manufacturing campus.
