Lighting Controls
DALI-2 certification supports interoperability & sustainability
The DALI Alliance is strengthening its focus on the DALI-2 product certification program, including D4i, aſter ending registration of DALI version-1 control gear.
O
ffering something different from competitors is a compelling business strategy. However, in some cases it’s best for everyone to follow a standard, while still leaving room for innovation. Lighting control is no exception. With global standards, lighting projects can be future-proofed, with no vendor lock-in, and customers benefit from long-term confidence in the supply chain. With compatible devices available from multiple sources, there’s no need to throw away existing systems and start again when you want to make changes – saving money, and reducing environmental impact. For many years, lighting-control systems have been using the standardised Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI®) protocol, managed by the DALI Alliance. Based on the open, global IEC 62386 standard, the organisation operates the DALI-2 and D4i certification programs to boost levels of cross- vendor interoperability.
Today, there are two certification programs: the main DALI-2 program which is based on the latest version of the DALI protocol, and D4i, which enables smart, connected luminaires. All are based on the DALI protocol for communication between lighting-control devices.
Supporting lighting project design The first role of certification is to indicate that the product complies with the relevant specifications and to ensure that all the DALI features are implemented correctly. Certified products are built on a standardised platform, but of course there is plenty of scope for manufacturers to differentiate. The DALI Alliance creates and maintains test procedures, which are used by member companies and test houses to test their products. These detailed and comprehensive tests are designed to provide high confidence of interoperability with other DALI-2 or D4i devices.
As a critical part of the process, the DALI Alliance verifies the test results, and certifies products that have passed. All certified products are listed on the DALI Alliance website, to provide traceability and enable customers to check if a product is certified. Successful certification also means that products can carry a DALI-2 or D4i logo, to make it easier for customers to see which products are interoperable. This standardisation and certification process has created an ecosystem of lighting-control products from multiple vendors, so customers aren’t dependent on a single supplier, or locked into a
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proprietary technology. This gives customers more choice, and encourages competition amongst vendors, thus improving products. This proven long-term interoperability also improves sustainability and reduces wastage. When you want to upgrade a lighting installation with new components and features, there’s no need for a complete retrofit, as could be necessary with proprietary systems. Alternative products can be found if original components are not available or no longer supported. Existing systems can be easily extended, with the freedom to choose from any supplier offering DALI-certified components.
DALI-2
DALI-2 certification builds confidence in the interoperability of DALI-based devices from different manufacturers. As a standardised platform, DALI-2 mitigates concerns around proprietary technologies and vendor lock-in, and enables future-proof luminaire and system designs for sustainable lighting.
Driven by the DALI Alliance and building on the requirements of the international IEC 62386 standard, DALI-2 certification requires rigorous product testing. The test results are independently verified by the DALI Alliance. In contrast, DALI version-1 testing was less detailed and relied on self-declaration, without requiring third-party verification of test results. DALI-2 certification is now available for all control gear types in common use, including those for colour control and self- contained emergency lighting. DALI-2 also includes a broad range of additional features such as storage
and reporting of luminaire, energy and diagnostics data.
“DALI-2 certification has matured sufficiently that we no longer see the need to offer a registration scheme for DALI version-1 control gear,” said Paul Drosihn, DALI Alliance general manager. “We encourage all users to look for the DALI-2 or D4i logos, which confirm that the product is certified by the DALI Alliance and is fully compliant with the relevant specifications.”
DALI version-1 registration was only available for control gear, while DALI-2 certification also includes bus power supplies, and control devices such as application controllers, sensors and other input devices. DALI-2 certification has established an ecosystem of interoperable products, which are all listed in the online Product Database. This contains over 2,300 DALI-2 products, including more than 1,800 DALI-2 control gear, along with over 1,600 DALI version-1 control gear. The DALI version1 products will remain in the database, and trademark use will continue to be allowed.
www.dali-alliance.org
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