Do I need to purchase OneTrack and OneTrack Backbone parts separately?
Yes. OneTrack and OneTrack Backbone parts are sold and shipped separately.
What kind of hardware can I use to mount OneTrack Backbone?
OneTrack Backbone is compatible with all hardware suitable for use with standard U-channel such as Unistrut.
Are there any OneTrack parts that are not compatible with OneTrack Backbone?
OneTrack Backbone is not compatible with OneTrack hanging hardware, such as wire rope or threaded rod kits. There are no Backbone housings for Current Limiters or Flex Couplers, but these devices may be used in a OneTrack Backbone system if aesthetically
acceptable and properly installed.
How do I feed power and data into a OneTrack system?
Power and data can be fed into a OneTrack system at any track coupler point. This includes end feeds, current-limiting feeds, and L-/ I- / T- / X-couplers. The NEC requires terminating Class 1 power and Class 2 data wiring in separate couplers as there
are no internal voltage barriers. You may terminate power and data in the same feed or coupler only if you are using the data bus to carry DALI or 0-10 V control signals on Class 1 installation wiring. DMX installation wiring must be Belden 9729 or
equivalent; OneTrack feed and coupler components are not compatible for terminating Category cable.
How do I make sure I have the right parts to make my OneTrack System work?
ETC has created multiple documents to assist in laying out OneTrack systems.
ETC’s Bluebeam icon block library provides OneTrack by ETC and OneTrack Backbone CAD blocks that are easy to work with and provide clear visual confirmation
of the data path and part numbers to assist in system layout. The ETC OneTrack Parts List.DWG file provides complete dimensions and part numbers for individual system components. The OneTrack by ETC and OneTrack Backbone System Planning and Installation Manual provides examples for how to plan DMX paths for systems of varying complexity. These documents and more can be found here.
How do I make sure I have the right combination of OneTrack Backbone and OneTrack
parts in my system?
OneTrack Backbone Housings and Coupler Housings support any variant of their respective OneTrack components. For example, any OneTrack T-coupler will fit into the OneTrack Backbone T-Coupler Housing. If you are bringing power or data into a coupler, select
the Backbone Coupler Housing with Pull Box to provide additional space for attaching conduit and storing cable service loops. A complete list of OneTrack Backbone parts and dimensions can be found in either the OneTrack
Backbone Installation Guide or the OneTrack System Planning and Installation
Guide.
How
do OneTrack and OneTrack Backbone parts fit together?
Lengths of OneTrack slide into OneTrack Backbone and are then secured in place with set screws that ship with OneTrack Backbone. Screws should mount through the pre-punched holes in the top of the OneTrack Backbone.
OneTrack Backbone Feed and Coupler Housings do not directly attach to OneTrack feed or coupler accessories, the accessories are supported by the OneTrack mounted within the Backbone. Coupler Housings provide structural support for the OneTrack Backbone
system, as well as improved wiring installation support when power or data are being fed into the coupler.
What benefit does OneTrack Backbone provide to a OneTrack system?
OneTrack Backbone provides a means for utilizing larger theatrical-style fixtures for high-bay or specialty-lighting applications where flexible fixture location and the smaller, cleaner look of track is preferable for the aesthetic of a space over a
traditional connector strip. In addition, Backbone allows for more robust structural attachment with far fewer attachment points regardless of whether larger fixtures are required.
How do I use non-track fixtures with OneTrack Backbone?
Hanger Brackets that mount to the top channel of OneTrack Backbone and attach to the fixture yoke are available for fixtures up to 100 lbs. (Note: Fixture hanger brackets are not intended for use with automated fixtures.) A version of the Hanger Brackets
with tamper-proof hardware is available for fixtures providing emergency lighting.
Fixture Hanger Brackets are used in conjunction with Pigtail Adapters to bring power and data from OneTrack to the fixture. Pigtail adapters are available with the following combinations of 20” pigtails: powerCON and 5-pin XLR, TRUE1 TOP and 5-pin XLR,
and TRUE1 TOP only (for use with fixtures that have integrated wireless DMX receivers).
Is OneTrack Compatible with DataTrack?
No. OneTrack track sections, feeds, couplers, adapters, and mounting accessories are mechanically incompatible with DataTrack track sections, feeds, couplers, adapters, and mounting accessories.
Is OneTrack by ETC compatible with DataTrack?
No. You cannot use luminaires or pigtails with OneTrack adapters on DataTrack, nor can you use luminaires or pigtails with DataTrack adapters on OneTrack.
How is OneTrack by ETC physically different from DataTrack?
OneTrack by ETC is slightly narrower and taller than DataTrack and the track and coupler components use a keying system to ensure that circuit wiring remains consistent throughout a track system. In addition, the low voltage conductors inside OneTrack run along the middle of the inside of the track on each side rather than along one side of the bottom of the track.
Is OneTrack Backbone compatible with DataTrack or DataTrack Backbone?
No. The extrusion is different to account for the variance in track height and width, and we have updated the way that the track is secured within the Backbone to eliminate hardware interfering with the mounting of adapters when the track is in use.
What do I do if I want to daisychain a DMX circuit from one length of OneTrack into another?
Because it is not permissible to terminate power and DMX circuits in the same OneTrack coupler or feed assembly, your best approach will be to use an I-coupler to bring power into the middle of each length of track and then use end feeds to bring DMX into one track section and out to the next. Do not forget to add a DMX Terminator assembly to the end of the last section of track.