What is DALI?

DALI stands for Digital Addressable Lighting Interface. In simple terms, it is a lighting control system that provides a single link or connection where light sources can be managed. These light sources all conform to DALI systems because they are designed based on the IEC 60929 and IEC 62386  international standards.

These lighting devices or sources could be sensors, ballasts and touchscreens.

For lighting within a space to be considered good and appropriate, it has to be adjustable and flexible. This is because throughout the day our lighting needs varies depending on what we are doing.

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The Benefits of DALI Lighting Control Systems

A lighting control system is simply a network of connections that gives you full command over all the lighting systems in a house or a building. Defining lighting control systems is not complete without saying that they are intelligent – most lighting control systems today are designed that way.

Being intelligent means that the lighting control system manages even the rhythm and the amount of light according to your needs and preferences. For example, when you, or a visitor pulls into your drive, and the lighting control system detects movement, the light fixtures at the entrance to your home, or driveway can come on. Or if you have a certain time of the day when you like to read or study in your library, you can schedule the control system to turn the lights on at that specific time.

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Benefits of A DALI System

DALI systems have more function than typical switch and dimming systems. These include:

Energy Efficiency

 

DALI systems can be automated and provide efficient energy savings. Lighting tasks can be scheduled when they are needed.

 

For instance, lighting in a building can be set to come on at the start of a working day and programmed to go off slowly during closing hours. This will efficiently reduce energy consumption. In fact, according to research carried out by Pacific Northwest National Library, “shutting off a portion of a building’s lighting during peak demand loads, can save up to 5-15% of energy.”

 

Easy Configuration and Modification

 

In DALI systems, modifications are very easy and changes can be made in a cost-effective manner. The way the fixtures, devices and ballasts are controlled is independent of the wiring.

 

Control

 

DALI lighting control systems allow individual and grouped control of lighting in a building. Each lighting can be dimmed to any desired level, or can be increased when movement is detected.

 

In essence, you can take up to 64 devices wire them all together, and yet control them in different groups or subgroups. In analog lighting control systems, you would have to wire these devices separately. You can also group a number of devices into a single unit and control them to perform an action together.

 

Low Maintenance Costs

 

Lighting systems have to be regularly maintained.  In terms of cost and time, maintenance is a primary concern for consumers and building owners. DALI lighting control systems, when used with computers and software, can transmit critical information about faults and failures. When done correctly, the exact origin of the fault can be detected.

 

Because this lighting control system communicates in a bi-directional manner, information and functionality about the whole DALI system can be directly obtained. Any issue can be resolved very quickly. In huge projects like high-rise buildings, huge complexes or university campuses, this can be exceptionally beneficial.

 

Dimming

 

Dimming is essential to accommodate various tasks or events held in places like conference rooms, offices, auditoriums, bedrooms, classrooms, bars and clubs. DALI lighting control systems make dimming easy.

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