About DALI

Digital Addressable Lighting Interface

Foundations

DALI was developed by all the leading Electronic Control Gear (ECG) manufacturers who came together to define the functions of a DALI-ECG and a load conforming to DALI within a lighting system.

DALI was created in the form of an industry standard in order to satisfy all the demands placed on modern lighting controls. Above all, it includes a facility for receiving feedback from the ECGs concerning their current state and also for storing certain scenario values in an ECG.

Standards

DALI is a protocol set out in the technical standard IEC 60929.

It is a bi-directional, digital protocol developed by lighting manufacturers for the control of light source levels. The initial application was for control of fluorescent lamps, both linear and compact. This has been expanded to control of additional light sources such as HID (High Intensity Discharge - Xenon), LED (Light-emitting Diode), incandescent, and to include other sensors so that complete DALI control systems can be built.

The DALI protocol has been added to IEC 60929, and will be incorporated into an ANSI C82 standard. In addition, both IEC and ANSI are working on extending the DALI system to include other products such as occupant sensors and daylight sensors.

DALI and 0-10V

Using DALI it is possible to combine easy installation using existing 0-10 V interfaces with the comfort of intelligent lighting control. This means that DALI closes the gap between previous 0-10 V technology and expensive bus systems.

0-10V control systems use a low voltage control mechanism to the Ballasts. For example 0V = off and 10V = full on. Voltages in between equate to dimming levels. These systems provide an advantage over conventional On/Off switches and dimmers in that power supplies are separated from control signals. This allowed lighting control systems to be built.

DALI uses digital signals and features two way communication. It is much easier to set up lighting groups and controls as each device in a DALI system is separately addressed. It can also reduce cable runs and simplify installation.

The DALI interface for Electronic Control Gear (ECG) makes it possible to control the device digitally and benefit from the functionality. This means that an ECG device designed to conform to this standard is able to carry out the commands issued by a control device. DALI has been designed primarily for use with lighting systems. The functionality of every DALI ECG within a lighting system exceeds by far any previous analog 0-10V interfaces.

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