ULIGHT — MODEL TB-U
The ULIGHT TB-U is a 20×6 mm low-voltage DC power track that carries power along retail shelves so magnetic LED bars can be placed, moved, or replaced anywhere on the run. Its copper conductors are rated up to 15 A, with single-feed runs recommended at 8 A via the TB-U-CTP connector. Voltage follows the connected bars and driver (typically 12V or 24V DC), and the driver is purchased separately. It suits fixture manufacturers and shop fit-out contractors wiring gondola shelves, display cabinets, and store fixtures.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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What Is a DC Power Track System?
A DC power track is a slim conductive rail mounted along a shelf or fixture that distributes low-voltage DC power across its full length. Instead of wiring each light fixture individually, the track is powered once from a driver, and magnetic LED bars draw power at any point along the rail. The ULIGHT TB-U is a 20×6 mm track designed for retail shelving, display cabinets, and store fixtures.
Unlike fixed point-wiring, a track system lets installers add, move, or remove LED bars after installation without rewiring. This is why fixture manufacturers and shop fit-out contractors use it for gondola shelving and display cabinets where the lighting layout may change between product resets or store refreshes.
How Does the TB-U Power Magnetic LED Bars?
The TB-U carries low-voltage DC current along two copper contact strips inside the profile. A magnetic LED bar placed onto the track is held against the contact area by its magnetic backing, and the bar’s contacts complete the low-voltage circuit — so the bar lights up wherever it is positioned along the run. To reposition a bar, it is lifted off and placed at a new point; no tools or rewiring are needed.
The track does not set the voltage. Voltage follows the connected LED bars and driver — typically 12V or 24V DC — so the same track works with either system.
Power always flows in one direction: AC mains → DC driver → TB-U track → LED bars. The track only ever carries low-voltage DC from the driver, so it must never be wired directly to AC mains. A driver sized to the load is always required between the mains supply and the track.
Power enters the track through the TB-U-CTP connector (track-to-power-supply, 18 AWG, 8 A) from a DC driver; individual bars can be fed through a TB-U-CTL connector (track-to-LED, 22 AWG, 3 A) where a direct feed is needed. The track is polarised — the positive and negative sides must be matched when wiring, as reversing polarity will leave bars unlit or risk damage.
Why Does the TB-U Show 15 A and 8 A?
The 15 A and 8 A figures describe two different things, and the difference is the key to designing a TB-U circuit. The 15 A is the capacity of the copper rail itself; the 8 A is the recommended current for a single power feed, set by the TB-U-CTP connector’s 18 AWG VDE lead and confirmed through repeated in-house testing. Designing to 8 A per feed gives a deliberate safety margin rather than running the rail at its ceiling.
| Rating | Meaning | Related part | Practical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 A | Copper rail body capacity | TB-U track | Track capacity reference |
| 8 A per feed (recommended) | Safe single-end power input | TB-U-CTP, 18 AWG VDE | Recommended design value |
| 3 A per connector | Single LED bar direct feed | TB-U-CTL, 22 AWG | Connect one LED bar |
In power terms, one 8 A feed supports up to about 96 W at 12V or 192 W at 24V. Final driver sizing should include headroom and be confirmed against the total LED bar wattage, track layout, and project wiring.
The TB-U is a passive DC power track — it does not set the system voltage itself. The working voltage is determined by the connected LED bars and the external driver, typically 12V or 24V DC. It must not be connected directly to mains voltage.
For most retail shelving the 8 A figure is not a constraint. A standard shelf carries one track of 1–2 m, and the bars on it draw far less than 8 A. As a guide, one 8 A feed supports the following length of 1010 bar:
| Voltage | 1010 bar current | Bar length per 8 A feed |
|---|---|---|
| 24V DC | ~0.42 A/m | up to ~19 m |
| 12V DC | ~0.92 A/m | up to ~8.7 m |
Because a typical shelf run is only 1–2 m, one single-feed track covers it with wide margin, and 24V runs carry roughly twice the bar length of 12V at the same current. For long continuous gondola runs, the recommended approach is to split the layout into sections — one independently powered track per shelf or section — rather than forcing a single track beyond its feed limit.
What Are the Full Specifications of the TB-U?
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | TB-U DC Power Track |
| Profile size | 20 × 6 mm |
| Material | PVC body + copper conductors (standard, UL94 V0 flame rating); PC available on request for higher heat resistance and impact strength |
| Track conductor rating | Up to 15 A |
| Recommended single-feed current | 8 A (TB-U-CTP power connector, 18 AWG VDE lead) |
| Voltage | Follows connected LED bars and driver (e.g. 12V or 24V DC) |
| Standard lengths | 1 m / 1.5 m / 2 m |
| Custom length | Available on request |
| Body colour | White / Black (standard); Silver / Grey (on request) |
| Mounting backing | Magnetic strip / 3M adhesive tape / no backing (clip) |
| Power input | Low-voltage DC via TB-U-CTP connector |
| Certification | CE, RoHS (Europe); cETL (US & Canada) |
| MOQ | No minimum order quantity |
| Sample lead time | 3–5 working days |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Order code example: TB-U-W-C-100 = U-type power track, white body, magnetic backing, 100 cm length. Colour codes: W (white), B (black), G (grey). Backing codes include C (magnetic strip), 3M (adhesive tape), and N (no backing, for clip mounting). Length codes: 100 / 150 / 200 cm. Foam-adhesive backing is also available — confirm the code with ULIGHT when ordering.
Which Connectors and Drivers Does the TB-U Use?
The TB-U system uses a small set of matched accessories, grouped by what they do. Understanding the three groups makes it easy to specify exactly what a project needs:
- Power connectors — feed power into the track and to bars: TB-U-CTP (track to power supply) and TB-U-CTL (track to a bar directly).
- Track joiners — link tracks into longer runs: TB-U-BTB (seamless butt joint) and TB-U-CTC (jumper cable for a custom gap between tracks).
- Fixing parts — hold the track and keep contact reliable: TB-U-MC (screw-fixed mounting clip) and TB-U-LIP (locking clip for the feed head).
Each connector has a defined current rating, so a layout is planned around the 8 A single-feed limit and the 3 A per-bar feed:
| Accessory | Group | Function | Wire | Max current |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TB-U-CTP | Power | Track to power supply (driver); standard lead 1 m, custom length available | 18 AWG (VDE) | 8 A |
| TB-U-CTL | Power | Track to LED bar; standard lead 0.5 m, custom length available | 22 AWG | 3 A |
| TB-U-BTB | Joiner | Track-to-track, seamless butt joint | — | — |
| TB-U-CTC | Joiner | Track-to-track with jumper cable, custom spacing | — | — |
| TB-U-MC | Fixing | Screw-fixed mounting clip (third mounting method) | — | — |
| TB-U-LIP | Fixing | Locking clip — secures the feed head against rotation for reliable contact | — | — |
The TB-U is powered by a separate DC driver, selected to match the total load on the run — the driver is ordered separately, not bundled with the track. ULIGHT supplies drivers, controllers, and dimmers within the same product system, so the track, LED bars, connectors, and power supply can all be sourced from one manufacturer. Driver sizing depends on the number and wattage of bars on each run and is confirmed per project.
How Is the TB-U Installed on Different Shelving?
The TB-U mounts to a shelf by its backing, with four methods covering the main fixture materials. The standard backing is a magnetic strip; the others are selected when magnet mounting is not suitable.
Because installation is mechanical (magnet, tape, or screw-fixed clip) rather than recessed, the TB-U can be fitted to existing shelving without machining the fixture. The track is positioned along the shelf, powered from one end via the TB-U-CTP connector, and the LED bars are then placed onto the live track. At the feed end, a TB-U-LIP locking clip secures the feed head so it cannot rotate out of position — this keeps the power contact reliable. One LIP at the power-feed end is normally enough.
What Is the TB-U Made Of?
The standard TB-U uses a PVC body with copper conductors. PVC is rated UL94 V0 — the highest flame-retardancy class in that standard — which makes it well suited to retail, public-space, and display environments where fire safety matters. It is also dimensionally stable, easy to mould, and cost-effective. Its main trade-off is a lower temperature ceiling (around 60 °C) and reduced impact strength at low temperatures.
For projects with higher temperature or impact demands, the body can be produced in PC (polycarbonate) at roughly 50% higher cost. The two materials suit different priorities, as shown below.
- UL94 V0 — highest flame rating
- Dimensionally stable, easy to mould
- Cost-effective
- Heat ceiling ~60 °C; brittle at low temp
- Heat resistance to ~120 °C
- High impact strength
- ~50% higher cost
- Standard flame rating UL94 V1–V2
Because the conductors are copper and the load is low-voltage DC, the outer surfaces of the track are non-live at mains potential, which is one reason the system suits open retail shelving and display fixtures.
Which LED Bars Are Compatible With the TB-U?
The TB-U is a DC power track, so it works with ULIGHT’s low-voltage DC magnetic LED bars. A single track can carry different DC bar models along the same run as long as the total current stays within the feed limit. Compatible bars include the 1010 slim magnetic LED bar, as well as the 1010 PLUS, 1310 anti-glare, 1108 low-heat, 2511 high-power, and 1705 ultra-thin bars within the magnetic shelf lighting system. The 1709 AC-direct bar is not compatible, because it runs on AC mains and does not use a DC track.
Because the bars and track come from the same system, fixture manufacturers can mix bar types — for example anti-glare bars at the shelf front and standard bars deeper in the cabinet — on one powered track. To learn how the track, bars, and drivers work together, see the magnetic shelf lighting system overview.
What Certifications Does the TB-U Carry?
Certification availability depends on the selected configuration and destination market. ULIGHT provides compliance documents for confirmed sample or project orders.
| Certification | Market |
|---|---|
| CE | European markets |
| RoHS | European markets |
| cETL | United States and Canada |
Specific test reports and compliance paperwork are available upon request based on destination market and order confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The copper conductors are rated up to 15 A, but a single-feed run is limited to 8 A by the input lead. As a guide, one 8 A feed supports up to ~19 m of 1010 bars at 24V or ~8.7 m at 12V. A typical 1–2 m shelf run stays well within this, so one track per shelf is the standard setup. ULIGHT confirms bar count and driver size against your specific layout.
The track itself sets no voltage. It carries whatever low-voltage DC the connected LED bars and driver use — typically 12V or 24V. The same track works with either, so voltage is decided by the bars and driver you choose, not by the track.
For a standard shelf (1–2 m), one single-feed track is more than enough. For long continuous gondola runs, the recommended approach is to split the layout into sections with one independently powered track per shelf or section, rather than pushing a single track beyond its 8 A feed limit. This matches how retail fixtures are normally wired.
Yes. Magnetic LED bars attach to the live track by magnetic contact and can be lifted off and repositioned anywhere along the run without tools or rewiring. This is the main reason the system is used for shelving that changes between product resets.
The standard track uses a PVC body with copper conductors, rated UL94 V0 — the highest flame class in that standard — with a temperature ceiling around 60 °C. For projects needing higher heat resistance (~120 °C) or impact strength, the body can be produced in PC at roughly 50% higher cost, though standard PC carries a lower flame rating (V1–V2). The choice depends on whether fire rating or temperature/impact matters more. Body colours are white and black (standard), silver and grey (on request).
Standard lengths are 1 m, 1.5 m, and 2 m. Custom lengths are available on request. Multiple tracks can be joined with the TB-U-BTB connector for a seamless butt joint, or with the TB-U-CTC jumper connector when a custom gap between tracks is needed.
The TB-U mounts four ways. The standard backing is a magnetic strip for metal shelves; 3M adhesive tape is used for glass cabinets and smooth surfaces; foam adhesive tape suits rough or textured surfaces; and for wood or any surface where adhesive will not hold, the TB-U-MC clip is screwed to the fixture and then holds the track. The method is chosen to suit the shelf material.
There is no minimum order quantity. Sample lead time is 3–5 working days. The TB-U carries a 5-year warranty. Drivers, controllers, and dimmers are ordered separately and sized to the project.
Yes. The track is polarised, so the positive and negative sides must be matched when connecting the power feed and the LED bars. Reversing polarity will leave the bars unlit or risk damage, so check orientation when wiring the TB-U-CTP feed and seating each bar.
The TB-U-CTP power lead is 1 m as standard and the TB-U-CTL lamp lead is 0.5 m as standard; both can be made to a custom length on request. The TB-U-CTL can either be fitted with a male terminal that mates with the LED bar’s female end, or connected directly to the LED bar. A range of connector terminals is available, and a specific terminal type can be supplied to your specification.
Choose by priority. Standard PVC is rated UL94 V0 (highest flame class) and is cost-effective, but its temperature ceiling is around 60 °C. PC withstands about 120 °C and has higher impact strength, at roughly 50% more cost, but a lower standard flame rating (V1–V2). PVC suits most retail shelf projects; PC suits high-temperature or impact-sensitive environments.
Send the shelf length, body colour, surface type (metal / glass / rough / wood), the LED bar models you plan to use, the total bar wattage, system voltage (12V or 24V), and whether you need a driver. ULIGHT will confirm track length, backing, connectors, and driver sizing for your layout.
Request a Sample or Get a Quote
Tell us your shelf dimensions and bar models — ULIGHT will confirm track length, connectors, and driver sizing for your project.
Get a QuoteRelated: 1010 Slim Magnetic LED Bar · Magnetic Shelf Lighting System