DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is a lighting control protocol and is the industry standard for the customization, management, and control of lighting systems. Initially developed in Europe in the late ’90s, this protocol is defined according to the IEC 62386 standard. One of the main advantages of DALI is that each lighting fixture or lighting group can be controlled separately.

Key Features

• Digital Addressability: Each lighting unit (lamp, LED panel, etc.) has an address, allowing for complex lighting scenarios and settings to be easily programmed.
• Two-Way Communication: Not only does it send control signals, but it can also receive feedback from lighting units.
• Flexibility: Compatible with various types of lighting sources (e.g., fluorescent, LED, halogen).
• Energy Efficiency: DALI can easily program scenarios that save energy.

System Components

• Control Unit: The main control board, the user interface.
• DALI Bus: Provides communication between the control unit and lighting units.
• Lighting Units: Lamps, LEDs, drivers, etc.
• Sensors and Actuators: Motion sensors, timers, dimmers (devices adjusting light levels), etc.

How Does It Work?

1. The control unit sends a signal to a lamp with a specific address over the DALI bus.
2. The signal can trigger various actions such as adjusting the brightness, turning on, or turning off the lamp.
3. After executing the desired action, the lamp or other lighting units send back status information to the control unit.

Areas of Use

DALI is especially preferred in places with complex lighting needs, such as large buildings, offices, shopping malls, hotels, and industrial facilities.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• Flexible and customizable
• Energy efficient
• Two-way communication

Disadvantages

• Cost: Generally more expensive than simple lighting solutions.
• Complexity: The system can be complex and may require professional installation.

DALI is a very powerful and flexible lighting control system, especially when combined with smart building systems and IoT (Internet of Things) solutions.