DALI (Digital Addressing Lighting Interface) is an international, non-proprietary lighting protocol for controlling luminaires. Thanks to its great flexibility and numerous implementation possibilities, it has become the benchmark for ensuring the interchangeability and interoperability of equipment from different manufacturers.
This protocol is transmitted via a two-wire, non-polarized digital communication bus, which is not sensitive to electrical interference. It allows individual components (power supplies, detectors, etc.) to be addressed, enabling individual or grouped dimming according to external parameters (presence, brightness, etc.). The information flow is bidirectional, providing feedback on the correct operation and dimming level of the luminaires. Luminaires can be connected to management systems using standard 5-conductor cable (potential-free, polarity-free, unshielded, with no terminating resistors).
DALI dimming offers almost unlimited lighting control possibilities, but the costs and complexity of implementation vary according to the required result. The choice of the right components depends on the intended application, so the need for a lighting management profile must be precisely defined beforehand.
Simple control #
The luminaires are controlled by a simple device such as a DALI rotary switch or a light sensor. In this case, the DALI protocol is used in a limited way, i.e. it is non-addressable and monodirectional. All products behave in the same way, and the number of connected products depends on the manufacturer (usually ≤25).This solution is ideal for managing a single room.
Basic controller control #
This type of control uses an unaddressed controller to control a number of luminaire groups using sensors (presence, brightness, etc.) or switches according to pre-programmed scenarios. No programming is required; the only thing to watch out for is the wiring. In this case, all luminaires behave identically, and no feedback is possible (broadcast use). The number of luminaires (generally ≤ 64), luminaire groups, sensors and switches depends on the manufacturer.
Expert controller control #
This system not only offers extensive monitoring functions (individual addressing, status indication, etc.), but also the ability to program lighting scenes and lighting effects that are perfectly tailored to specific tasks or locations. Groups or scenes can be modified at will, for example, if a room is reallocated, without having to physically intervene on the installation.) Compatible with home automation systems and BMS / BMS, via “building” protocol gateways (LON, KNX…), this solution is perfectly suited to the management of complex buildings, from both a cost and functionality point of view.
Limits #
A DALI bus can manage 64 addresses, 16 groups and 16 scenes (or control scenarios); beyond this, a router is required to link the different buses. For wiring, a maximum distance of 300 m must be maintained between the power supply and the last luminaire (for 1.5 mm2 conductors).
Our DALI power supplies #
Demanding by nature, we are aware of the most frequent faults found in dimmable installations: untimely fluctuations in light levels, unpleasant flickering. That’s why we’ve selected power supplies with linear amplitude dimming. This technology guarantees optimal, flicker-free and silent operation over a range of 1 to 100%, according to a logarithmic curve adapted to the sensitivity of the human eye. The dimming level is perfectly maintained, even in the event of mains power fluctuations.
