2agaz0r3 DALI byDasign: The DAL protocal and digit ighting techrclogy DaLt by Design ‘hams > lean about dal DALI Explained aur INTRODUCTION wancdalbyesign usa hint ‘About J|_DALT | Produets || Projects Design inks introduction otal dimming eating the communication network sales wring ‘texte two-way communication -Schediulod switching to meet eneray codes buyer beware hlaher component cast, but net necessarily higher Installed cost ‘more sophisticated programming and commissioning the DALE protocol proprietary oratocols DALI is an open standard bolasts dipenng songs proarammed-start controle senttalizad and ical control lntearation with LMS and 8a sample applications conference room Dimming of fuorescent lighting offers significant benefits in terms of supporting vsual needs with good lighting, Siving Users control oftheir own lighting, and energy savings. The advent of digital dimming offers a new Sption wen clear advantages over tradkional analog dimming Digital dining can be used almost anywhere that analog dimming can be used, for the same purposes: visual reeds, personal contol, daylight harvesting, schedulng and other control strategies. I luorescent dimming f= Gesrable fora given appleation, cigtal dimming can offer distinct advantages related to inteligence,flexbilty and two-way communteaton It's particularly well suted for ‘+ Eneray management applications such 2s scheduled automate shutoff to mest energy codes, caylight harvesting, due to the abilty to more economically set up very smallcontral zones aroune the dayignt aperture, and scheduling wa's central computer, which allows ed Shedding, demand savings and potential utity incentives + Supermariets, some retallspaces and siralar appicatons with frequent merchandise or layout changes. + Smalland open ofices where users are given dimming Control over thelr awn lighting as part of strategy to increase worker satafaction + Conference rooms, dassrooms, training rooms and similar spaces that require diferent ighting seancs for multiple types of use! + Larger instaiations with multiple buildings, where feedback on ighting component status can facitate more efficent ighting maintenance Why DALI? In any dimming system, the ballasts and controllers must be able to speak and hear the same language. In the case of cigital dimming systems, this language f either proprietary—that s, unigue to.a pertcular ‘manufacturer and, allowed) otrer adopters—or an open standard: the Digital Accressable Lighting Interface (Dali) protocol OAL, onginaly part of Europe's Standard 60929, has been a NEMA Standard (243-2004) the United States since 2004 When examining whether to use DAL! fora fuorescent dimming installation, one must fest assess the pros wt2a0a2013 orerraL DIMMING ‘creating the communication network simplited wiring wancdalbyesign usa hint DALI byDesign: The DAL protocol and digit lighting techrclogy and cons of digital control, and then weigh the pros and cons of DALI as the communication protocal shat enables the digital components to talkto each other elu to top of page, ‘Tne HVAC industry began embracing Direct Digtal Controls (DDC) in the early 1990s. With digta electronic ballasts, nis technology fs row ava lable for lighting. Digital dimming offers a number of clear advantages compared te analog cimming. These advantages are + Simottied wiring 5 High degree of granulanty of control accuracy (‘lexbilty) + Easy reconfiguring of control zones without rewring + Twolmay communication (some cigtal balasts) In digital dieing system, a single set of contro! wires form a low-voltage control bus—sometines (eapproprately) called 2 oop, Compatible ballasts and controls (up to a total of 64 devices—with each ballast having its own unique stored Sddress) connect to this bus in arder to provide control signal interaction, For larger installations, rule, Buses can be networked to proper scale The control Bus pravices two-way communication; ballasts can both respond to commands and realy to queries Control options include centralized systems (a personal computer ar building automation system) as wellas local controls such as manual dimmers, occupancy sensors and photosensors. ‘Tne ballasts and controls connacted to the same bus can be assigned to up to 16 layers (groups or zones) of controls and scenes in the same space, and later reconfigured, ve programing, 7 u [ar acim | 1A OnLine it! contra wate. rap corny of Leviton A single pair of control wires, which form the bus, connect the ballasts and controls directly, which simplifies twieng in spaces wth multile contra! zones by reducing the number of homerun, ‘Te level of skied labor is reduced because there is no need to pull wire according to @ zoning schedule. Each ballast on the ceult is wired the same. There are no switch legs or three-way travelers, In adetion, dimming Control panels/madules are not needed to contralbght output. Instead, digtal systems use a small bower Supply connectea to the bus Digital ballasts can be wired into the lighting system using Class 1 or Class 2 wiring methods according to the National Eleciical Code (NEC). Digital ballasts may use a Class I-rated Seconductor cable thal uses ane hot (Wve), one neutral, one ground and two polarty-insensitve control wires, allrouted together inthe same ondult Tels also possible to installthe ballasts anc controls as a Class > Installation, n which case the control Wires must be routed separate from the power wires. Check withthe ballast and controls manufacturers linether ther products are rated for Class 7 instalation. el contater are reqred in thr ezanpl,ceatng wing camplexty If the yatem mant be chnge inthe far een rea raphe Dist! ptwerk wing seme Al ballet re connected to the te ed an snoiyng he wig rece Resning ‘nding contra ar sno ingle: rope eourteny azaoaza Aexiitty ‘Scheduled switching buyer beware higher component ast, but not necessary Migher instaled cast ‘more sophisticated programming and ‘commissionng wanedalbyesign usta rn DALI byDasign: The DAL protocal and digit ighting techrclogy When configuring a fuoreseent dimming system, the designer must specy control zonesthat Is, a fixture or group of ixtures that ae controled simultaneausly by a single controler. For example, in @ daylight harvesting Seenario with windows, tne designer may place ighting creuts paral to the window, and set up each creut asa separate contral zone ‘The smaller the control zones, the more granularity, or Nexibilty, can be achieved, and along with higher energy savings. But cost also increases. Digital ghting contro! provides the ultimate i fexbilty. When using analog dimming systems, the smatest zone isa branch crcult With a cigtal system, zoning is Implemented using sofware, Indepandent af creuts, Using individual ballast addresses stored In memory. Because each ballast is indivicvally addressable, control zones can be estabshed that are as small as a single ballast or ight fixture, Ballasts of fhcures ean siso be Grouped to provide up to 16 layers of cantrols/scenes. ‘This enables: Highly granular and responsive control 5 anllty o generate a wide variety of zones and scenes in any controled space + bitty to acaptto changes overtime and even De completely reconfigured without rewiring For large installations, individual buses can be networked for the control of hundreds or even thousands of ballasts Final, the digital ballast induces a microprocessor that functions as storage (ballast address, intensity Settings, fade rate), receiver (contra signals) and sender (Intensity, lamp/oalast status) of algal info mation. Dal instructions such as GoToScane and SetMax are sent to the ballast, utlizing the data stored ints Imscrocnip memory. But the ballast is not omy “smart, can also “talk back,” As the control bus enables two-way communication, the algal ballast can not only receive commends, but respond wth maintenance and energy Info mation Such fs the status of the ballast and lamps. This enables the Ighting system operator to query ballasts for energy usage (using feedback such as IntenstySetting), which ean be used for a varety of purposes from energy savings verfeation to Bencamarking to billing intemal departments or tenants incividualy for thelr lighting usage. I also enables the operator to query ballasts for lamp and ballast falure (querying for @ response such as BadLarro), which can improve the efficency of lighting maintenance and imgreve customer sarvies from the faailles department Lighting automation is now mandated in most ofthe United States, With the adoption ofthe ASHRAE/IES 90.1 1999 modal energy code by the U.S. Department of Energy as the minimum national stancard, @ masorty of State energy codes require automatic shut-off alighting n commercial builings lorger than 8,000 34. S2e, with few exceptions ‘Automatic shut-off can be provided by occupancy sensors and programmable time scheduling devices. According to tne California Energy Comvnssion, scheduled automatic shuto" can generate 515% eneroy savings With 0-L0VDC dinering, the ballasts are connected with control wires; the controller can dim, but not switch the lights. To achleve ON/OFF switching, the power wiring would have ta be reconnected to mateh the dimming reais, With DALI-based cigtal lghting, any ballast or group of balasts on the network can be given an ON/OFF or DIM command without rewiring the Circus, This enables compliance with prevallng enerey code requirements for automatic shutof*in controled spaces without the need fora cantrol panel with @ seneduling function. The higher level of capabilties from aigkal control systems often entails tradeatts In cost and complexity. Digital ballasts and controls typically present a higher component cost largely due to power supply/router Fequirements, but they can present 2 wer instalee coat due to a reducion in ving labor for group and Scene control, and the removal af the need for dimmer modules/contral panels in larger installations Digital control also presents more sophisticated programming when centralized systems are used, and requires on-site feta commissioning, which should be factored inte the design specication so that the Spraprate party is aware and can bid on this portion of te installation, During the start-up phase, a database of ballast addrosses, with physical locations and the control device that bperates them, needs to be cfeatee anc then maintained when che layout of the space changes. It may Be ‘advisable to involve the elents IT staff in the creation and maintenance of the eatabase, elu to top of page,2a0a2013 Proprietary protocols DALE isan open ‘standard BALLASTS AND CONTROLS, batiasts imming range programmed start controls centralized and local ‘contrat wancdalbyesign usa hint DALI byDesign: The DAL praca and digit lighting techrclogy nce ene designer azoes to mplement a aigial control stracegy, a primary cnoke 's wnetner nese aevices Should communicate using a proprietary protocal or DALI, which la stancard apen protocol ‘Tne agvantage of a proprietary protocols thatthe complete control system can be furnished by a single manufacturer, which has tested all components to eneure Interaperabilty and supports the entire system on the job: Tre disadvantage is that the owner ted te a single manufacturer, which Imits choles ané potentially sacrifices economy. ALL isa royalty-free, non-proprietary, two-way, open and interoperable digital protocol and a standaré in the United States ane Europe (European Standard 60929, NEMA 243-2004). Currently in the U.S, DALI consists ofa sat of commands to and from ballasts within a defined data structure ‘and speeiied elecirzal characteristics. The acvantages of DALI are that I + Provides true Interchangeabilty across ballasts and controls. Multiple manufacturers can be involved in system, instead of being tied to a single supplier, using DALI as an open plaorm. This can result in lower costs, ensures future avaiabilty, and enables the system designerta select product functions from one manufacturer and combine them with products from other manufacturers, «+ Provides stancardized ballast performance, For example, DALI defines light output for alllevels of dimming signals. DALI ensures consistent dinning performance accoss alldinming ballasts regardless of ‘pe or manufacturer, currently not achievable witn analog dimming methods such as 0-1OVDe. Retum to top of page Asan open standard, DALI is supported by five major U.S, electronic ballast manufacturers and a growing umber of controls manufacturers, which offer DALIcompatible products DaLI-compatible uorescent dimmable electronic ballasts are currently available in + Universal input voltage (120VAC to 277VAC) Sone: two three- arid four-lamp models for TS lamps + One'and tworlamp models for CFL, 73 and TSHO lamps ‘Digital ballasts are avaliable that provide a dimming range of 100% to 2%, uilzing a logarthmic dimming ‘The lverse-square dimming curve is used for better control ofthe lighting intensity in response to the human Derception of brightness Digital ballasts utilize programmec-start technology to maximize lam service Ife, highly sutable for frequently Switched applications such as nstalations with aecupency sensors. DALI based digital control systems can include all cantrols that woulé normally be used for multi-scene flusrescent cimming, such as preset controls, as long as they are rated a ‘compatible with Dal Theyaan be used oprate wha DAL! compat gal ates aeaeae ree aa ee ee eee or ; meee epee z= Oia contol are aso cormpatte wth switching devices such a8 occpancy o Shien Shar detese toe as photanenaane — with 2 digital control scheme, the designer can implement automation strategies such as scheduled dimmingzaoaza Integration with CMS and @aS SAMPLE wancdalbyesign usa hint DALI byDasign: The DAL proocal and digit lighting techrclogy froma central PC for centralized control while enabling occupant control and overnde va local interfaces such 85 preset controler or occupant PCs. ‘Gee startnahvs (ALDy Sepy coments 2 wes Ietwoonlisalbes ons Tower, ON OFF coca oa Adair vansiteo RS. 25019 a . Dele tus For bra Feianeusia rutile 2A, Igri ses, he tarda curpanatis ney beuses ‘aed y camectra tote aes ra etre Day ct oceupancy sero fan serch eonesoae he ngs DAL bse gta coer yer enable sane cto nd multiple every management ratele though sine pac, ete bulls “The dighal lighting network can be connected to a lighting automation oF buléing automation system for integration with ther lighting or Dulding systems Fora DALI-based digital control system to communicate with @ non-DALI lighting control system, or a BAS ‘operating using another protocol such as BACnet or LonWorks, a translator evice calec a gateway, is required to erable these systems to communicate with each other a, Return to top of page Below are two applications, a conference room and a lecture hall Digital system In @ conference room, Components include (2) 2xF3278 dimming ballasts (FL-2) (2) 2er2878 dimming ballasts (61-2) (@) 1xCFa2eW dimming dataszaoaza ASSESSMENT wancdalbyesign usa hint DALI byDesign: The DAL protocol and digit lighting techrclogy (gj eecrronienabgen amming moauies (M4) (G} waltmounted s-scene recall controller (SC) (2) handheld programmable remote (HH). G2) power supp (3) In this space, ight levels can be controlled so that the side of the room where presentations occur can receive more of less ilumination depending on the media used, Halogen accent lights highlight pictures on two of the valle ‘The 4-scene walkmounted controler is used at the entrance, The handheld remote fs used for zone programming as wellas programming scenes and recall \With 16 lght sources in this room, most of them can be established as its own zone for a very high degree of Nlexbity and control resolution, Digital system Ina lecture hall phi coutany f Univers LigtingTechragne Components incude (28) 2x¢3278 dimming ballasts (6) 2xCFMa2W dimming ballasts (2) caling-mountea IR sensar kt 2) watkmounted on/off, uidown controls (2) Randneld programmable remote contre G@) power supply 1n this space, control ones can be establshed so that dung AYV presentations, the hts near the ront of the hall ean be dimmed wile the ights inthe rear can be set at nigher level Aa-scane hancheld emote Is used with the celing sensor for dimming control Controls at the doors provide both on/otf and up/down contr. The programmable remote is used for programming ang is then stored only with access to authorized users. Retum to top of page Digital cinming is not forall applications, but i offers clear advantages in applications where fhuorescent ‘inning fe beth well-suited and desired, As demand for ftuorescent dimming inereases, s0 wile demand for Gigtal dimming increase as a control method that offers distnet bene, Digital cimming allows software configuration of lighting oroups, presets matching the ighting to the space usage, and integrated energy management functions2a0a2013 DALI byDasign: The DAL proocal and digit lighting techrclogy Digital systems can be configured as large netwarked systems requiring commissioning and training, of as simple stand-alone room preset Gimming controls requiring *0 special tools or PCS. ‘As an open standard used with digital systeme, OALI enables true interchangeabilty among vendor products ‘and standardized performance across manufacturers. ‘Although digital systems can present a higher component cost, labor savings resulting from simpified wirng can resuit In a lower installed cost compared te O-LOVDC dimming > ‘And atthough digital dimming is new, and a ttle diferent, much of the equipment and methods willbe familar to esigners and installers of O- TGVBC dimming systems. In several important ways, installation fs actually simpler. wancdalbyesign usa hint co