Knowledge Classroom | The main differences between DALI version 1 and DALI-2
DALI: Digital Addressable Lighting Interface. As an industry standard protocol for bidirectional digital communication, DALI plays a crucial role in the field of intelligent lighting control systems. With the continuous advancement of technology, the latest protocol currently available is DALI-2.
In the following content, we will explore in detail the main differences between DALI-2 and DALI version 1.
① Overview of DALI Protocol
DALI protocol: DALI is an industry standard protocol for bidirectional digital communication between lighting control devices, following the IEC 62386 international standard and the specifications of the DALI Alliance.
DALI version 1: The old version of the DALI protocol mainly covers control devices. Excluding bus power supply, control devices, and input devices (such as sensors).
DALI-2: The latest version of the authentication program improved based on the DALI protocol, created and maintained by DiiA (DALI Alliance).
② Changes in DALI-2 compared to DALI version 1
·Expansion of control devices (IEC62386, adding section 103 on input devices).
·New commands/features, including the new ‘Extend Gradient Time’ (extending the gradient time from 0.1 seconds to 16 minutes).
·Correct the error.
·Improve quality and increase testing content.
·More precise electrical requirements to reduce the risk of malfunctions.
·Provide more detailed explanations to reduce the risk of misunderstandings.
·Readjust the specifications and provide a detailed description of the dedicated system.
③Comparison of universality
DALI version 1: Limited to testing control devices (such as LED drivers) and does not require result verification.
DALI-2: The testing program is more detailed and comprehensive, and improvements will be made based on newly discovered issues. The test results will be validated by the DALI Alliance to ensure interoperability between products from multiple suppliers. DALI-2 focuses on compatibility and interoperability between products.
④Mixing of DALI version 1 and DALI-2
1.Using DALI-2 control device in the old system: DALI-2 can be backward compatible without any problems.
2.Mixing DALI version 1 control device and DALI-2 application controller: Firstly, it is necessary to verify whether the DALI version 1 control device can pass the test. After testing, there will be no problems during use, but the new features of DALI-2 cannot be used.
3.In any case, the DALI-2 controller and eD controller must not be mixed on the same DALI line, as the DALI sensor (eD controller) is not specified and will not be recognized by the application controller.
⑤The benefits of DALI-2 for controlling devices
1.Expanded device types and application scope: By defining new types such as application controllers and input devices, DALI-2 greatly enriches the functionality and application scenarios of DALI systems. Application controllers are capable of performing complex operations such as device addressing. And input devices such as sensors can collect environmental data in real time, enhancing the interactivity and intelligence level of the system.
2.Supporting flexible architecture modes: The DALI-2 system is compatible with both single host and multi host architectures, meeting the needs of projects of different scales. The single host architecture simplifies the wiring and management of small systems, while the multi host architecture effectively improves the scalability and management efficiency of large systems by introducing sub hosts.
3.Simplified device management and maintenance: DALI-2 treats addressing and grouping as two independent operations, simplifying the device management process. Users can easily control individual devices with precision, and also conveniently combine multiple devices into logical groups for unified management, reducing maintenance difficulty and improving management efficiency.
⑥FAQ
Q: Can I still use the DALI version 1 logo now?
A: Products that have already registered for DALI version 1 can be found on the DALI official website. Currently, DiiA has stopped registering DALI version 1 products.
Q: How can I check if a product has been certified with DALI-2?
A: The DALI official website will list every product that has passed DALI-2 certification. Products that do not appear in the list have not passed DALI-2 certification.
Q: What products can use the DALI-2 logo?
A: The DALI-2 logo can only be used by DiiA members on products that have successfully completed the DALI-2 certification process. All DALI-2 certified products are listed in the product database on the DiiA website. In addition, according to the DiiA trademark guidelines, DiiA community members have the right to use the DALI-2 logo on lighting fixtures containing DALI-2 certified devices.