DALI. Ingeniously simple.

S i m p ly ingenious.
DALI – the simple, versatile
digital lighting solution
DALI is an international standard created specifically for digital lighting control.

DALI provides a single interface for all electronically controlled light sources in an easy-to-install and versatile system.

DALI provides almost unlimited scalability of lighting control systems.

DALI is cost-effective through energy-savings and is easy to manage.

Created by Europe’s leading lighting manufacturers, DALI is firmly established all over the world.

OSRAM GmbH
DALI’s benefits at a glance

International standard
❚ Interchangeability of different
manufacturers’ equipment
❚ Designed specifically for commercial
and architectural lighting
❚ Future-proof
Cost-effectiveness
❚ Intelligent lighting management (maximis- management systems
ing service life and saving energy)
❚ Low installation costs (simple
wiring, fewer and low-cost components)
❚ Low maintenance costs
Simple planning and installation
❚ Single-cable solution (no additional
bus cable required)
❚ Simple wiring (no observance of polarity, ❚ Individual status reporting and
any topology)
❚ Flexible lighting design
Versatility
❚ Freely addressable DALI operating
devices for scalable lighting scenes (from
workplace to room, to floor, to building)
❚ Lighting group configuration and recon-
figuration by software (no hard-wiring
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and rewiring)
❚ Interoperability with building
Digital system
❚ Distributed intelligence (no external
switching relays, local storage of
up to 16 lighting scenes on one DALI
operating device)
❚ Automated functions (e.g. sensor-
controlled dimming and switching)
system monitoring

AIDA Cruises
Benefits for architects
The interaction of architecture and light
brings buildings to life. By offering
architects complete freedom of choice,
DALI systems give them the means to
turn a vision into reality.
Mix and match
DALI is an international standard. All major
manufacturers offer DALI-compliant
lighting control devices which are available
for all kinds of light sources. Architects
can thus combine lighting solutions from
multiple manufacturers and use different
types of luminaires in one installation, giving
themselves total artistic freedom.
Scene-based lighting
Using different lighting scenes, the mood
and function of rooms or areas of a building,
or even the character of a building itself,
can be changed at the touch of a button.
Meeting people’s needs
Good lighting meets the visual, emotional
and biological needs of the people using a
building.
Optimum conditions can be created by means
of automated dimming and switching, using
daylight and occupancy sensors, for example.
Svetoservise
Benefits for specifiers

DALI provides an unbeatable combination of

Cost-effective
DALI saves time – and money – when
specifying a lighting system. With fewer
workplaces, rooms, floors and buildings. As
an internationally established standard, DALI
cost-effectiveness, versatility and simplicity.
is interoperable with all building management
systems. Lighting scenes can therefore be
configured, reconfigured, saved and called
up again on a central computer, meeting
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components and simple wiring, DALI lighting changing requirements with total flexibility
control systems offer intelligent scene-based throughout the system’s life.
lighting management at low cost. And since
the luminaires are grouped using software Simple and intelligent
instead of hard-wiring, changes can be DALI provides a single interface for all types
made at any point up to the commissioning of electronic control gear (ECG) and lighting
stage purely by reprogramming, without the control devices. Light fittings from any
expense of redesigning or rewiring. manufacturer and of any load type can be used
in one installation, as long as they are fitted
Versatile with DALI ECG, thus removing the constraints
DALI replaces inflexible 1-10V analogue created by proprietary systems.
systems. Distributed intelligence ensures DALI is easy to use. Thanks to local lighting
flexible control of individual luminaires, intelligence of the ECG, fewer controls are
light groups and networks. Luminaires necessary for changing lighting scenes and
can be freely assigned to different groups even first-time users can quickly learn to
to create flexible lighting scenes for operate groups of lights.

OSRAM GmbH
Benefits for installers
and electrical contractors
As a single-cable digital system, DALI is not Digital means simple and flexible
Using a digital system, there is no need to
only easy to install, but also extremely cost-
effective, saving both time and resources. wire luminaires in groups. The system is
simply programmed and, if requirements
change, it can be reprogrammed, thus
Wiring made simple avoiding costly rewiring.
Wiring is done using only a standard mains- Switching relays are unnecessary because
rated 5-core cable that handles power switching is done locally by the ballasts
supply and DALI communications, so no themselves.
separate bus cable or special tools are DALI can easily be integrated into a building
required. management system by means of a simple
Since the polarity of the wiring need not be gateway interface.
observed and offering complete freedom Testing, fault-finding and commissioning
of topology, DALI avoids the wiring errors are simplified and time is saved thanks
common with 1-10V systems. to central monitoring of luminaire status.

Verkatehdas

Andreas Kelm, Darmstadt

Benefits for building owners
and facility managers
DALI advanced lighting control systems
offer a wide range of benefits, including cost
effectiveness, sustainability, ease of use,
central monitoring and occupant-comfort.
Cost-effectiveness
DALI keeps running costs low through
intelligent management of lamps and
ballasts (i.e. dimming and switching), thus
maximising their service life, saving energy
and reducing replacement costs.
Sustainability
DALI represents a sustainable investment.
It is versatile and scalable enough to
accommodate any changes in room uses
and lighting requirements throughout the
life of the building.
Ease of use
DALI lighting systems are easy to operate and comfort features, such as dimming and
provide a high degree of convenience. They
can be configured flexibly for task-related
Photo Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International
lighting scenes, permitting multiple use of
rooms. They can also be reconfigured without
rewiring when tenancies change, for example.
The digital system permits extensive automa-
tion of lighting using daylight sensors, time
controls and occupancy sensors.
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Central monitoring
DALI’s 2-way digital communications feature
system monitoring, status feedback and
fault reporting, thus reducing maintenance
costs, and enabling lighting groups to be
reconfigured centrally. DALI can therefore
be integrated as a sub-system in the building
management system.
Occupant comfort
Occupants enjoy a pleasant working environ-
ment due both to the ease with which they
can change lighting scenes and to automated
switching in response to ambient light levels
and occupancy.
The members of the DALI association employ the
registered DALI trademark to underline the compatibility
of their products with the DALI standard
For more information on DALI please contact
your luminaire or control device manufacturer
or refer to the DALI manual, which is published
by the DALI Activity Group and is also
available online at:

Activity Group DALI

of ZVEI e. V., Electrical Luminaires Association
Lyoner Str. 9, 60528 Frankfurt am Main
Telephone: +49 69 6 302 350
Telefax: +49 69 6 302 400
E-Mail: DALI@zvei.org
Internet: www.dali-ag.org