The Inspiration Behind Line8 Power Tracks

Numerous people have asked me; what’s the inspiration behind the Line8 Power Track and what makes it stand out among other power tracks and the conventional power socket?

The power track concept takes its inspiration from the simple and common track light. The track light is a common fitting seen in many retail shops and even homes. With a simple track installed on the ceiling, we can now add, reposition and remove lighting points as and when we like. This is exceptionally useful when it’s difficult to plan the number of spotlights you need and where you need them during the renovation phase as the placement of subjects that need lighting.

The power track is a very similar invention in solving a very similar problem. The difference that we’re talking about electrical sockets here instead of spotlights. The features that separate these two products will be their safety and electrical load capability. This week I will touch on the safety aspect of the design and I will share more about the innovations behind the electrical load capability next week.

Safety

It is not easy to put a finger inside a track light as it is typically mounted on the ceiling; away from children and itchy hands. The power track different. It is typically mounted where it is accessible. Accessible for us to plug in, switch on and off and also to children and itchy hands.

To add, the electrical socket market is a lot more regulated with very specific safety standards and safety requirements since it has to safeguard against accidents, electrocutions, and misuse.

Line8 made the leap by inventing the TRS safety technology which is made possible by two actively grounded conductor strips flanking the openings of the power track that grounds everything that comes into contact with the opening of the power track.

Grounded means that if there's any leakage of electricity, it will be neutralized to ground instead of passing through the body of the person. This acts as an electrical shield for the person. It is The Faraday’s Cage Theory. Just that instead of putting the person in a cage, the power track is put in a grounded cage instead.

The two shiny metal strips on the opening of the Line8 track not only highlight and accentuate the design. It is also there to act as the Faraday’s Cage inspired electrical shield. This grounded shield will cage up all the components inside the power track which then shields the outside from any electrical leakage.

The Significance

The electrical shield in a power track is a fundamental technology. It is a required feature before any power track is placed within access to its users, children, and itchy hands. In fact, most competing power track brands are not designed by electrical engineers. Without understanding the importance of this, many have omitted this critical feature from their products entirely. Whatever safety feature they have claimed, having a grounded shield is one of the most basic protections a power track can have — and it is rarely designed in from the start.

Line8, a locally founded R&D and Engineering Company develops and manufactures the Line8 Power Track System. Our products have proven to be innovative and aesthetically pleasing in many of our customer's homes locally and overseas.

Learn more at : www.line8.com.sg

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a power track need more safety engineering than a track light?

A track light is typically mounted on the ceiling, out of reach of children. A power track is mounted where it needs to be accessible — for plugging in and switching on and off — which means it is also within reach of children and curious fingers. That accessibility is why the electrical socket market is far more tightly regulated than lighting, and why grounding the opening of the track is essential rather than optional.

What is the grounded shield in a Line8 power track?

It is Line8's TRS safety technology: two actively grounded conductor strips flank the opening of the track and ground anything that comes into contact with it. This is inspired by Faraday's Cage principle — instead of enclosing a person in a grounded cage, the power track itself is caged, so any electrical leakage inside is neutralised to ground rather than passing through a person's body.

How does grounding actually stop an electric shock?

If there is any leakage of electricity, a grounded path gives it a route to ground that is far easier to follow than through a person's body, neutralising the leakage before it can cause a shock. In a Line8 track, the two grounded metal strips at the opening act as that shield, containing the components inside the track and protecting whatever touches the opening from outside.