DALI
Digital Addressable Lighting Interface
One controller equals more control.
DALI, or Digital Addressable Lighting Interface, is a dimming protocol originally developed in the U.S as a successor to traditional dimming. DALI is a two-way communication system that brings digital technology to lighting & LA Lounge has been at the forefront of utilising this system in residential projects in Australia.
Why DALI?
More cost effective than traditional automation systems.
Just one DALI triple Universe controller is the equivalent to 24 leading/trailing edge dimmers
Full control of individual or grouped lights
DALI dimming is increasingly being recognised as offering the smoothest dimming curve available for LED lighting with dimming from 100 – 0 % with no flickering.
Easy configuration & reconfiguration for changing circumstances
Increased energy savings due to dimming parameters 256 dimming settings and control capabilities
Flicker free; not affected by hot water signal.
Flexibility throughout the building phase. DALI allows you to add or remove lights easily during the build by simply wiring from the nearest light and not running cables back to the board as in a traditional home.
Simple 1.5 mm T&E/1.5 Twin, no special control cable, no polarity, no termination and no segregation.
How does an electrician wire a DALI system?
For light fittings that have a DALI driver integrated such as downlights, a simple way to wire is called a DALI loop. This is a 1.5mm2 T & E and 1.5mm2 twin, looped to each light in the DALI universe.
A DALI universe can consist of up to 64 lights or devices (60 light/device max per universe recommended). For fittings which do not have an integral DALI driver, a run of 1.5mm2 twin or low voltage cable should be wired back to a location where you have a DALI loop ie at an access panel. A simple loop of Cat 5 or control cable is then taken to the switches from your DALI Universe Controller – see diagram.
DALI loops and CAT5 loops for switches are wired in a ring circuit with only one end connected. In DALI systems we design, typically each DALI driver integrated light point requires 2 x quick connect surface sockets. Our DALI controllers come with a 3 Pin and 2 Pin Plug for easy connection to the Dali loop.
As mentioned, each Dali controller can have up to 64 lights or devices on each universe. It is important to note that the 64 item maximum per universe includes any DALI addressable and programmable devices on the universe i.e. downlights, pendants, controllers for constant current, AC controller and Dali relays etc.
In all, Dali is easy to wire, very flexible, cost efficient and can be controlled by wall switches, tablets or for easy convenience, your smart phone.
For fittings without integrated DALI drivers (ie 03), run the DALI loop to an access panel location where all associated DALI controllers can be installed. Each DALI component is counted in the 6LJ device allowable DALI universe total. DALI loops are wired as ring circuits so that if in the case that more than 6LJ devices are connected the loop may be cut into 2 separate universes. Also if there is an electrical short circuit in the cable run, it is possible to back feed the circuit from the unused terminated end of the loop.
