DALI system

LedStore luminaires compatible with the DALI scheme

In short, all LedStore luminaires with a replaceable transformer can also be added to the DALI scheme. For example, LedStore CCT spots, panels, ceilings and strips can be both spare lampable and dimmable in a DALI system by selecting the appropriate DALI transformers and buttons.

Where are DALI lighting systems used?

DALI is a lighting technology that can be modified and is reasonably priced. This type of centralised lighting system is most often used in large commercial premises (e.g. the daylight and night lighting can be programmed separately). DALI is mostly used in companies and large institutions. It is also increasingly used in more prestigious homes in the private sector. In the home, for example, for dimming LED strip lighting or if you want LED panels and indirect light for a particular stored space.

What is DALI dimming?

DALI dimming uses a digital protocol to communicate between the lighting controller and the lights themselves. This allows precise control of the brightness and shade of individual lights or groups of lights, as well as the storage and recall of pre-programmed lighting conditions. DALI dimming systems typically consist of a DALI controller that emits cascades and DALI-compatible lights that can receive and respond to these cascades. DALI works best when it is designed and built from the ground up. This is because two control wires are needed to run between the devices.

What are the components of DALI?

DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) dimming is a lighting control system. It consists of a number of key components, including

DALI master: these devices act as the hub of the system and are responsible for assigning the cascades to the lights. They are usually connected to a user interface, such as a wall-mounted touch panel or a sub-phone application that allows users to set lighting levels.

DALI transformers or controllers: these devices are responsible for controlling the power to the lights and are usually installed in the luminaires themselves. They receive commands from the DALI controller and control the light output, the light arm or the emergency light mode accordingly. e.g. DALI dimmer.

DALI sensors: these devices are used to measure the ambient lighting level in a room and can be used to automatically adjust lighting levels to ensure optimum performance and energy efficiency. They can be integrated into a DALI controller or installed as stand-alone devices.

DALI power supply: a DALI power supply is a device that feeds power into the DALI control system. It is a separate component that is connected to the DALI controller and the lights.

DALI communication cables: these are a pair of cables that connect the different components of the DALI system.

What is a DALI bus (DALI BUS)?

In a DALI system, ALL devices and the power supply to the system are connected to a two-wire bus and share information. This 2-wire system is the nervous system of the lighting system. It sends and receives all signals from the controller to the luminaires and back. So from the device controller or software you always know the status of the device. The DALI board must be powered to enable the board to transmit information to the devices. It uses about 16V. These devices are called DALI power relays or in many cases the DALI master also acts as a power supply for the signal cables.

How are DALI lighting systems wired?

DALI transmits digital signals over a wire with only two wires. The cables can be either positively or negatively polarised. Most control devices work with both. DALI systems can be wired using standard five-wire cabling, so no special protection is needed.

As no wiring groups are required in a DALI system, all wires can be connected in parallel with the control gear. This is a significant change compared to traditional lighting systems, as the commands sent from the controller contain all the information needed to switch on, dim and change the arm. The DALI software can be set to work with the selected system and the selected access point. The system has the advantage of flexibility. A variety of lighting scenarios and programs can be built into the outlet without changing the physical wiring.

DALI 2.0

DALI2 (2020) is the latest version of the DALI protocol, which builds on and improves the original DALI protocol.

One of the main differences between DALI and DALI2 is the number of devices that can be connected to a single system. The original DALI protocol allows up to 64 devices, while DALI2 allows up to 512 devices. This means that DALI2 can control a larger number of lights and other devices in a single system.

Another difference is in functionality. DALI2 offers additional features such as lighting scenes, CCT lighting and RGB lighting. DALI2 also offers better support for sensors and other devices, allowing for more advanced control and automation.

In terms of security, DALI2 also offers enhanced security features such as secure firmware updates, secure key exchange and encryption of communications. This makes DALI2 more resistant to hacking and other security threats.

Overall, DALI2 is an improvement over the original DALI protocol, offering more advanced features, greater scalability and improved security. It is also backwards compatible with DALI, so devices using the original DALI protocol can still be used in a DALI2 system.