DALI

DALI stands for "Digital Addressable Lighting Interface" and is a standard for the digital data transmission between components of a lighting system. DALI was developed at the beginning of the 21st century and has largely replaced the 1-10 V technology in buildings. The objective was the creation of an easy to use interface in a system with low component costs.

DALI originally arrived in international standardisation as Appendix E4 of DIN EN 60929. In the course of further development and implementation of further functions, DALI today is currently described in the DIN EN 62386 series of standards.

The successful DALI protocol is being extended and expanded. DALI is becoming even more reliable under the name DALI-2. All products carrying the DALI-2 logo have been tested according to the IEC 62386 standard. The power DALI push-button controller TW is also certified according to DALI-2.

Note

The device works as a DALI-2 single master and may not be combined with other DALI controls.

DALI-2 offers the following advantages when used with operating devices and bus power supplies:

DALI provides the following functions and options:

• Switching and dimming from various places
• Control gear elements with different designs and from different manufacturers show the same dimming behaviour
• Standardised dimming characteristic curves for adaptation to the sensitivity of the human eye
• Selection between linear and logarithmic dimming behaviour
• Switching process is relocated to the electronic ballast (EVG) (no more wear in the relay, no dimensioning of switching currents is necessary, no separate contactors)
• Scene control
• Targeted approach or start-up of values
• coordinated fading between scenes
• Individual, group or central control
• White point can be configured during operation ("tunable white", TW)
• Colour control

DALI is particularly suitable for multi-purpose rooms or office rooms or open plan offices and training or presentation rooms and production halls.

DALI INSTALLATION RULES

Note the following for the installation of a DALI system:

• DALI is FELV (functional(ly) extra low voltage; .
• No special data cables have to be used. For example, an NYM cable can be used.
• The same installation rules as for high-voltage installations are applicable for the cable installation of the DALI control cables.
• DALI control cables and mains power cables may be under the same protective cover or drawn into the same tube.
• With a 5-core cable, a protective earth conductor and neutral conductor must be present.
• The connected nodes may be connected to any phases.

The DALI device wiring can be undertaken in various ways. A terminating resistor is not required.
Example 1: wiring in series

Example 2: star wiring

Example 3: mixed connection

The cable length between control unit and the furthest away node must not exceed 300 metres.