Understanding and applying the new standard connectors for indoor & outdoor LED-based lighting
is now also an International Electrotechnical Commission standard (IEC 62386). DALI- 2 adds many new commands and features. While DALI-1 only included control modes, DALI- 2 covers control devices such as application controllers and input devices (e.g., sensors), as well as bus power supplies. It is focused on the interoperability of products from different vendors and is supported by the DALI-2
certification program to confirm product compatibility with the specifications (Figure 4). As with all comprehensive standards, DALI-2 is complicated. In brief, a single pair of wires acts as the bus, and each device on a DALI network can be addressed individually. The bus is used for both signals and power and is supported by a power supply that provides up
to 250 milliamperes (mA) at 16 volts DC (typical). The standard supports devices powered by the AC line or a DC rail. While there are various standards that define extra-low voltage (ELV), the IEC defines an ELV device or circuit as one in which the electrical potential between electrical conductor and Earth (ground) does not exceed 50 volts AC or 120 volts DC. The DALI
Figure 4: The DALI-2 standard takes the needs of LEDs into greater consideration than DALI-1 and also adds new commands and updates. (Image source: DALI Alliance)
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