Form Plus Function

When you look at cable lighting with its exposed wires it’s natural to be somewhat leery and question the safety of this kind of a system.

Looks really great, but can you really  LEAVE it up there like that? What happens if the parakeet lands on it? Or how do I exchange the bulb without getting electrocuted?

Having encountered questions like this for many years and relied on what I read in the helpful manuals by Tech Lighting (AND my own hands-on-experience : No, it doesn’t even hurt if you touch the wires while the lights are on; I tried it.) I wanted to have a more precise response.

I therefore went to the website of US patents and found this: “Track lighting using line voltage must have guards to prevent the user from touching the conductors, whereas in low voltage track lighting the track is often open and unprotected because there is no danger of electric shock. A variety of low voltage track lighting, termed cable lighting, comprises two, parallel conductors in the shape of metal wires or cables which are mounted several inches apart strung out between anchor points in walls or ceilings and at one end connected to a low voltage transformer. In most cable systems the cables support light fixtures via contact organs which rest upon the cables or are attached to them by means of of some kind of clamping device.” (http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5340322/description.html)

“There is no danger of electric shock”. That’s it. Of course you have to be careful like around anything with electricity, but since the 110V household current is stepped down to 12V through the transformer there is actually not enough current running through the wires to cause any harm to you – or your parakeet (if he stays on one wire and doesn’t get cocky and tries to straddle both wires. That might wake him up!)

In 1988 Tech Lighting started by manufacturing a cable lighting system (Kable Lite), the first of its kind in the US.

What actually began as a Chicago lighting showroom even further back, in 1983, has now evolved into an industry leading manufacturer with nationwide distribution. Since then they have kept expanding their product lines and are now up to an impressive amount of 12 different systems from  MonoRail to T-Trak. They also launched two new brands Tiella and Wilmette, each with a different customer in mind.

Tiella started out as the low budget, no-frills version of the MonoRail and Kable Lite systems, and was sold exclusively through big box stores. After some years the Tiella line expanded and it was opened up to be sold everywhere. It now offers a nice alternative to the more expensive Tech Lighting brand systems. If you have a simple, straightforward job without “custom ” requirements Tiella could be a great choice for you.

Wilmette Lighting Company offers the ultimate blend of classic design elements from aeras like Victorian, Craftsman, Arts and Crafts with cutting-edge technology, making it possible to incorporate solutions like Monorail into more traditional surroundings. A creative partnership with Halopane Glasshas made it possible for Tech Lighting’s sister company Wilmette to incorporate the beautiful prismatic glass into their collection.
A new collection of extraordinary recessed light fixtures, Elements, was introduced a couple of years ago and we immediately used them in a wonderful residential project in Santa Fe. I hope to have photos soon!

Over the years, Tech Lighting has primarily become renowned for their low-voltage track lighting systems, such as MonoRail and Kable Lite and for their line voltage bendable rail system T-Trak.
Although each low voltage system has its unique look and application, all work in the same way. A transformer converts standard voltage to a safe-to-the-touch 12 or 24 volts. Conductors, rail, cable, or wire provide structure and carry power. Hardware components place the system where you want it. A large variety of  heads, pendants, and functional art fixtures provide illumination.

In addition to their systems, Tech Lighting has added chandeliers and ceiling fixtures, picture lights, and a large selection of display and exhibit fixtures. All feature the technical excellence and style Tech Lighting is recognized for.

Trying to get a great photo of a cable lighting system is a challenge!
But that’s actually the point: Cable lighting is designed to be unobtrusive and disappear in space. Especially in spaces with very high ceilings this type of low voltage system is a true life-saver.

At my own house I had a different kind of dilemma: In our traditional pueblo style adobe with a  large living area  it was difficult to add light to the center.  We didn’t want anything too overpowering, and even though we love contemporary furnishings most contemporary light fixtures looked out of place against our massive vigas (beams) and rough sawn lumber ceiling.

As the owner of Form + Function I have the privilege that I do get to play around with different lighting options and I decided to give cable lighting a chance.

It worked!! The result was what I had hoped for: nobody notices where the light actually comes from. With the use of copper Lil Wok shields on Pivot fixtures the heads virtually disappear against the honey-colored wood. The cables themselves are practically  invisible too.

At Form + Function we carry Tech Lighting Kable Lite. There are several brands out there, but we love the flexibility of this system, since it accepts most fixtures from all the other Tech Lighting systems.