The existing DALI ballast protocol cannot accommodate control devices such as wall switches, photosensors and occupancy sensors. Therefore, compatibility is not guaranteed between various manufacturers’ DALI control devices. This negates the possibility of implementing multi-vendor solutions for DALI lighting projects.

Product Description: NEMA, in partnership with the California Energy Commission, has authored an expanded DALI protocol that includes definitions and required functionality for standard DALI control devices. Manufacturers now have an open source protocol to follow when designing a DALI compliant control device. This standardization allows compatibility among DALI devices offered by multiple manufacturers.

• Compatibility of DALI products from multiple manufacturers
• System Performance: Monitoring and diagnostics down to the ballast level
• Peak Demand Savings: Built in demand response capability
• Energy Savings: Occupancy sensing, daylighting, and electronic ballasts with 1% dimming capability
• Long-term Cost Savings: Reconfigurability of lighting system without the need for rewiring or new equipment
• Increased Productivity: Individual user control of workspace lighting

DALI XP demonstration at CLTC

Status: Proof-of-concept DALI XP lighting systems, including DALI XP compliant occupancy and photosensors, have been built and installed at CLTC. Additional demonstrations are planned for two classrooms on the UC Davis main campus. These demonstrations will seek to test, refine and qualify the new NEMA DALI protocol in real world applications. The DALI XP protocol is expected to receive NEMA approval in late 2008.

Applications: Commercial, retail, institutional, industrial

References

• LightFair Project Brief

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