DALI Sensors and other input devices

DALI Sensors and other input devices

Input devices are one of the two main types of control device; the other type are application controllers. 

Input devices are fairly simple devices that provide information to the lighting-control system. Sensors provide information, such as light levels or movement, to enable automated control, while other devices such as push-buttons, sliders and rotary controls allow users to make adjustments. 

Technical details

Input devices are multi-master, meaning that multiple devices can share use of the DALI bus.

Input devices are normally used in event-driven mode, but they can also operate by polling or by periodic transmission. 

Up to 32 “instances” can be in the same product (using one address)

• An example is a sensor consisting of an occupancy sensor (303) and a light sensor (304)

Optional “feedback” feature can be used to control LED indicators on each instance, for example on push-buttons.

DALI-2 certification of input devices

Input devices including sensors were added to the DALI-2 certification program in May 2019. 

All DALI-2 certified products are listed in the Product Database

As control devices, all DALI-2 input devices implement Parts 101 and 103 of IEC 62386. In addition, one or more of the following Parts are implemented:

Background:

• May 20: Input devices added to DALI-2 certification program
• May 22: First DALI-2 input device is certified by Zencontrol
• May 30: First certified DALI-2 sensors and other input devices added to Product Database
• June 27, 2019 (Press Release): DALI-2 certification of sensors and input devices is now underway

Input devices by type