Why DALI?

Benefits of using DALI

DALI offers several particluar benefits comparing to other lighting control systems. DALI offers easy planning, lower costs and interoperability. It is the most flexible and reliable control system for innovative lighting solutions. DALI provides many benefits to lighting control, including:

DALI is a global standard

Due to the growth of LED, the increasing demand for energy saving and growing awareness of lighting control systems, DALI has become more important than ever before. Today, with almost 160 international members, DALI is a global, international standard for professional digital lighting and therefore worldwide registered trademark.

Devices complying with the standard are interoperable at the DALI level, allowing devices from multiple manufacturers to operate correctly within the same DALI system.

DALI enables total control

Compared to a fixed output installation, the dimming and individual control capability provided by DALI enables considerable energy savings. In combination with dimmable drivers, presence and daylight sensors, energy savings of up to 80 per cent can be achieved. If the operation of the lighting is to be rearranged or regrouped, the costs per circuit in a fixed output system could be four times higher than those in a DALI system. The ability to send queries and obtain replies – two-way communication – can greatly reduce maintenance costs. For example, DALI allows automatic testing and reporting of monthly function tests of emergency lighting. In addition, energy consumption and lamp condition can be checked for each luminaire, very easily and at no additional cost.

DALI creates potential for connectivity

The DALI protocol includes definitions of commands, reactions of devices to these commands, and requirements for devices. Wireless can be used in a DALI system – for example by using an interface (gateway) between the wireless devices such as buttons and sensors, and the DALI network. This can provide the convenience of wireless together with the reliability and low cost of wired connections to luminaires. Interfaces to many protocols are available, and more are still being added. Examples include TCP/ IP, BACnet and KNX. The standard states that the DALI protocol is designed to sit below the level of a building management system.

Simplicity & Robustness

In the simplest systems, no configuration is required. Devices can work “out of the box”.

Separate control cables are not required for each device – a simple 2-wire cable can be used to connect together all the DALI devices in a system. Daisy-chain and spurs are allowed. Bus-powered devices can be powered from the same 2-wire DALI cable that carries the communications information.

The digital protocol allows robust communication even with low-cost cable, and with most devices being polarity insensitive, mistakes in wiring are reduced.

Scalability & Flexibility

A small system could comprise of a single luminaire with control gear to drive the lamp, and a control device such as a sensor. In larger systems, each DALI system can become a subnet of a building-wide network and connect with a BMS (Building Management System).

Re-configuration of the DALI devices avoids the need to move devices or touch the wiring when the use of space in a building is changed.

Energy and cost-saving

With dimming control of individual light sources, as well as control systems that could include presence detectors, light sensors and scheduling, use of the lighting can be optimised for energy saving.

Implementing DALI in products is low-cost. With luminaires widely available with DALI capability, and DALI control device standardisation coming soon, direct control from DALI controls to luminaires avoids the need to convert between other protocols.