DALI For Buildings

Using DALI in Buildings

The DALI Protocol is designed for a small collection of DALI devices (up to 64) but the DALI protocol can be used through out an entire building by linking multiple DALI networks.

DALI NETWORK

A DALI network is a collection of up to 64 devices on a single bus. The DALI devices on the bus can be controlled as a group or individually. Only a DALI controller connected to the same network can control the associated DALI devices.

MULTIPLE DALI NETWORKS

Because DALI is limited to 64 devices per network, a control system is required to link more than one DALI network together. Depending on the design of the control system unlimited numbers of DALI networks can be connected together allowing for easy control of building lighting.

Note: TCP/IP or Ethernet is Maco lightings preferred choice for connecting multiple DALI networks together, as its fast, efficient and can even use a shared communication backbone. Preference is given to Ethernet, as the combination of DALI & Ethernet can provide almost every option or control available on other system, Also these other systems ( like KNX or Backnet) tend to require both DALI and Ethernet to preform the same tasks. By using Ethernet & DALI properly removes the need to wedge a third protocol in between two perfectly suitable and capable systems, and thus reduces complexity and overall cost of the system.

DESIGN AND LAYOUT OF A BUILDING

As each DALI network is limited to a maximum of 64 devices, it is common that more than one DALI bus will be required on each floor. Commonly, floors are broken into a number of different sections containing up to 64 DALI devices. Each section is then wired back to the communications room located on the same floor.

Design Hint: Try to group physical rooms onto the same DALI bus to reduce the complexity of the installation and to allow easier control

As a DALI device is galvanically isolated, each DALI device can be supplied from a different electrical supply circuit or even a different phase. This means that wiring a DALI bus does not have to take into account the layout of internal subdivisions.

Typically the DALI control system will have a connection box located on each floor to reduce the required wiring. As DALI is only defined up to the connection to the control system, any other connections that may be required to connect each floor together becomes the responsibility of the control systems manufacturer who may choose a number of methods to connect the networks together.

Design Hint:For True DALI compatibility try to choose a control system which allows for other DALI controllers to be placed on the DALI Bus. This will allow for the greatest capability and can lower the future costs when change occurs. { this is referred to as a multi-master DALI system}