DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is a digital control protocol that lets you address, group, and monitor individual fixtures over a simple two-wire bus.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Digital, addressable |
| Capacity | Up to 64 devices per line |
| Features | Groups, scenes, status feedback |
| Standard | DALI-2 for interoperability |
| Bus | Two wires, polarity-insensitive |
Why DALI
Unlike 0-10V, DALI talks to each fixture by address, so you can reconfigure zones in software without rewiring. It also reports status back, like lamp failures.
DALI-2 tightened the standard for cross-vendor compatibility, making mixed-manufacturer systems more reliable.
See the Control Protocol Comparison and the DMX Dimming Guide.
How DALI dimming works
DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is a two-way digital control protocol for lighting. Unlike simple analog 0–10V dimming, DALI gives each driver a unique address, so individual fixtures or groups can be controlled, regrouped, and dimmed in software without rewiring — and fixtures can report status back, such as a lamp failure. That addressability makes DALI well suited to offices, schools, and larger commercial spaces that need zones, scenes, and daylight or occupancy control. The DALI line carries control data and runs alongside mains power to drivers, which must themselves be DALI-compatible. For a single room or simple dimming, 0–10V or phase dimming is simpler; DALI earns its place where flexible, granular control matters.