DALI

DALI is an open lighting control protocol (EN 60929 Annex E4) that allows for the remote switching and dimming of individual luminaires. Any 2-core polarity independent cable is connected from fitting to fitting using a free topology (star, daisy-chain, etc). The DALI signal is immune to mains interference and the DALI pair can be installed alongside mains wiring.



Commands can be sent down the control cable to individual luminaires, or groups of luminaires, to switch them on or off and/or to dim them. DALI compliant luminaires are able to report status information (ECG errors/ lamp errors) back up to the next level control system (KNX).

Furthermore, EN60925 specifies the use of DALI for emergency test and monitoring. This results in the installer only having to wire the same 5 cores to each fitting (L,N,E & DALI pair) – regardless of whether the luminaire is normal or emergency. No switched live cables, no special communication cable, no changeover relays – clean and simple. The ensuing savings in installation and maintenance are significant.

Up to 64 DALI devices (i.e fittings) can be connected on a single DALI bus. As a result, when used in isolation DALI is fairly limited system. However, KNX can be used to join up as many DALI worlds as necessary.