What is Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI)?

Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) is a two-way communications protocol that’s used to provide control over, and communication between the components in a lighting system.

With a wide range of DALI-enabled lighting systems, it’s essential to be familiar with the variety the market has to offer. DALI is an open protocol that can be used by any manufacturer, easy to install, and is widely recognised as the global standard for lighting control.

With the 240V DALI, the interface is built into the driver, while with the 12V DALI, the interface is an actual wiring system with computers, etc, that are similar to Cbus and Dynalite.

240V DALI

You will need a hard active to each lighting fitting, and a hard active at the switch. You will need an SDI from the switch to run around each bank of light fitting to act as the switch wire.

You should have the following terminals at the lights: Active, Neutral, D1 and D2.

Active is the hard active, D1 is the SDI and D2 is the neutral again of the hard active (just looped from the neutral terminal.

You will need a Clipsal 30MBPR or equal alternative. Wired up as per normal switch mech. A short press turns the lights on, another short press turns the light off, long press to dim, etc.

If you have already wired the lights with a twin and earth from the switch and no SDI. Best solution is to get an SDI to the light fittings and hook it in with the hard active at the switch. Same wiring sequence as above, but SDI inactive and the active of the twin and earth in D1.

1-10V DALI

You will need to have a constant power at the light fittings and switch the lights through the 1-10V channel so will need to pull a twin active around to each of the banks of lights you are switching.

Whichever system you choose to use, DALI has its advantages. Every light is connected for dimming and you can group lights in any configuration without changes to cabling. In addition to that, you dim any light to any output in a smooth and stable manner.

It’s advised to use a DALI Converter for a more accurate reading一but it’s better to have a trained technician to re-configure the settings to avoid unnecessary additional costs when installed wrong.

**This only serves as a guide and Decrolux takes no responsibility for wiring installation – this is the responsibility of a qualified electrician**