Technical notes, queries & updates

What is the maximum length of DALI cable?

The recommended maximum distance between any two devices on a DALI bus is 300m, when using 1.5 sq.mm (15 AWG) cable and a total maximum bus power supply current of 250mA. The two wires should be adjacent.

The total bus cable may be more than 300m, provided this rule for maximum distance is maintained. As an example, having the application controller and bus power supply in the centre of a star, with each branch being 100m from the application controller, gives a maximum of 200m between any two devices.

However, if this example is taken to an extreme, other effects such as cable capacitance become important. The total cable length where this can cause problems depends on the cable type, but is likely to be much more than 300m.