MEBS6019 Extra-Low-Voltage Electrical

Systems in Buildings

Lecture X Lighting Control Systems

Dr Sam K.H. LAM

Tel: 28578401
Email: khlam@eee.hku.hk

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

The University of Hong Kong

1
Lighting Control Basics

2
 Why Lighting Control?

Source of image: Hong Kong

SAR Electrical & Mechanical
Services Department (EMSD),
Hong Kong Energy End-use
Data , 2015

Lighting is often the second largest electrical load in buildings.

According to an IEA study (2006), global grid-based electricity
consumption for lighting was about 2650 TWh in 2005, which
was an equivalent of 19% of total global electricity consumption.
3
 Visual comfort
Visual comfort is NOT a state of neutral perception of the
interior environment.
Aspects such as daylighting, glare, luminance ratios, light
intensity and contact to the outside have their influences
on our perception of visual comfort.
To fulfill the requirements of visual comfort and energy
efficiency, lighting control strategies and lighting control
systems are applied to:
Providing the right amount of light (measured by illuminance
of a surface, lux)
Providing that amount of light where its needed (local control)
Providing that amount of light when its needed (timing
control)
4
Understand the lighting control needs
Define the following factors beforehand:
1. The lighting needs (level of illumination, ambience, etc.)
2. The task zone/area (position, size, disposition, etc.)
3. The occupation time
4. The control needs of the user
E.g., in a school, an On/Off system coupled with
daylight dimming may be adequate but in some
offices, you may need to go further by integrating more
advanced techniques.
Advanced control requires elements such as electronic
dimmable ballasts and dimming control units.
5
 Efficacy of lamps
Luminous flux is the rate at which light energy flows from the
source. It is measured in lumen, abbreviated as lm. The units
'lumen' and 'watt' have the same dimension as they both
represent energy per unit time. By definition, 1 lumen is the
luminous flux of a source which is emitting monochromatic,
radiation of frequency 540 GHz (555 nm) and whose radiant flux is
1/683 W.
Power input of a lamp is measured in watts (W). Generally, larger
power lamps of a given type produce more lumens per watt than
smaller sizes of the same type of lamp. The number of lumens per
watt (lm/W) of a lamp is termed its efficacy.
Efficacy is one of the most common parameters adopted to
compare the effectiveness of different models of the same type of
lamp; or different types of lamps.
6
Source: EMSD,
Code of Practice
for Energy
Efficiency of
Lighting
Installations,
http://www.emsd.
gov.hk/filemanag
er/en/content_72
4/lightingcop_200
7.pdf

7
 Luminous efficacy
Category Type Overall
luminous efficacy (lm/W)
100200 W tungsten incandescent (230 V) 13.815.2
100200500 W tungsten glass halogen (230 V) 16.717.619.8
Incandescent
540100 W tungsten incandescent (120 V) 512.617.5
LV tungsten quartz halogen (1224 V) 24
4.1 W LED lamp (120 V) 58.582.9
5.4 W LED screw base lamp (100 V 50/60 Hz) 101.9
Light-emitting diode
7 W LED PAR20 (120 V) 28.6
8.7 W LED screw base lamp (120 V) 6993.1
low pressure mercury-vapour gas-discharge
lamp with fluorescence as T12 tube with 60
magnetic ballast
Fluorescent
932 W compact fluorescent (with ballast) 4675
T8 tube with electronic ballast 80100
T5 tube 70104.2
metal halide lamp 65115
Gas discharge high pressure sodium lamp 85150
low pressure sodium lamp 100200
8
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luminous_efficacy
 Lighting Power Density

Source: EMSD, Code of

Practice for Energy
Efficiency of Lighting
Installations,
http://www.emsd.gov.hk/filem
anager/en/content_724/lighti
ngcop_2007.pdf

9
 Lighting Power Density (Contd)
It is calculated by:
Total power consumption of lighting fittings inside the room /
total floor area
It is the INPUT power to the luminaire circuits to be
calculated, but not the rated power of the lamps!
The input power is denoted as Circuit Wattage for lighting
fitting = [No. of Lamps] x [Nominal Lamp Wattage] + [Total
Controlgear Loss]
E.g. for a for a lighting fitting fixed with 3 tubular fluorescent
lamps each at 35W, the total Circuit Wattage would be:
3 x 35W + 18W = 123W
There could easily be 15% error if you forget about the
control gear losses! 10
 European standards
LPD is a rough indicator for the lighting design. There are international
standards targeting a more precise regulation on the energy use of
lighting.
The European Standard EN 15193 Energy performance of buildings
Energy requirements for lighting establishes the requirements on The
Lighting Energy Numeric Indicator (LENI)
= Annual Energy consumption of lights / Total area (kWh/m2/year)
The annual lighting energy is calculated by:
= [Pn x Fc x {(tD x Fo x FD) + (tN x Fo ) } + {Ppc x [ty- (tD + tN )] + (Pem x te) } ]
/ 1000 kWh where

Pn = total luminaire power in a zone [W] ; FC = constant illuminance factor;

tp = time when parasitic power is used [h]; tD = time for daylight usage [h] ;
tN = time for non-daylight usage [h]; FD = daylight dependency factor; Fo = occupancy factor;
Ppc = parasitic power in a zone (which generally means standby losses) [W];
ty = time in a standard year (8760 h);
Pem = total installed charging power for emergency lighting luminaires in a zone [W];
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te = emergency lighting charging time [h]
 Implication of Lighting Energy
Numeric Indicator
The reduction of energy consumption is possible by
working on the different elements of the equations, for
example:
The installed power can be reduced by using low higher
efficacy light sources and efficient control gear (electronic
ballasts, electronic DC transformer, etc.).
Daylight dimming can lead to an important reduction of the
energy consumption by adjusting the light flux smartly
according to the daylight level.
Operating hours can be reduced by adjusting lighting according
to predicted or real occupation strategies and the amount of
working hours. In fact, only a fraction of a buildings lighting
system is required at any given time. Lights frequently are left
on in unoccupied places where there is no need for lighting. 12
 Interior lighting control
If a lighting installation is designed for operation by occupants of a
space, the lighting control points should be located at positions
that are easily accessible to the occupants.
For any space that is classified as an open plan office, a cellular
office or a drawing office, the minimum number of lighting control
points for that office space (according to EMSD CoP) is:

Lighting control points are defined as the quantity of on/off

switches or equivalents assigned to a device used to control
13
luminaires or individual lamps within luminaires.
 Lighting control strategies
Lighting
Control

Automatic Manual
control control

Presence Daylight Time Local Group

control linked control switching switching

Acoustic On/Off Constant Time Programmed

photocell lux switch controller
dimming
Movement
detector

Dynamic
Ultrasonic Infrared infrared
14
Predicted occupancy control strategy
(Time control)
The Predicted Occupancy Control Strategy (POCS) is used
to reduce the operating hours of the lighting installation.
Energy is saved by turning lighting on and off on a preset
daily time schedule. Schedules usually vary on a daily
basis according the building occupancy. By automatically
turning off lights at a preset time, the systems assist
building facility managers to avoid having the lighting be on
during unoccupied hours, mainly at night and at weekends.
Different schedules can be programmed for different areas
of the building based on the occupant needs.
It is further sub-divided into time switch and programmed
controller.
15
 Time scheduling control strategy
Time scheduling control strategy (Time Switch) enables
switching on or off automatically based on time schedules and
occupancy patterns for different zones. Twenty-four hour
timers allow the occupants to set certain times for lighting.
The timer is set to switch lighting on during occupancy.
Measurements have shown that the best energy efficient
solutions are combining the use of a cut off system with a
manual switch on system; potential gains are between 10
and 15% (without daylight) and can be up to 50% for extreme
cases.
This strategy is used most widely in applications where
building occupancy patterns are predictable and follow daily
and weekly schedules like classrooms, meeting rooms and
offices.
16
 Time scheduling control strategy

Power of
lamps

Time
17
 Dawn control strategy
Dawn control strategy is one type of predicted occupancy
strategy based on sunrise and sunset time which can be
calculated for every building location.
Light is switched on automatically when it gets dark, and off
when there is enough daylight.
This control type is very efficient for outdoor applications
like atriums with good daylight availability or for glazed
corridors.
If the on and off hours can be provided by a scheduler, it is
called the programmed controller.
Alternatively, the on and off hours can be provided by an
outdoor daylight sensor the On/Off photocell.

18
 Dawn control strategy

Power of
lamps

Time
19
 Real occupancy control strategy
Real occupancy control strategy (ROCS) limits the operation time
of the lighting system based on the occupancy time of a space.
In opposition to the predicted occupancy control, it does not
operate by a pre-established time schedule. The system detects
when the room is occupied and then turns the lights on. If the
system does not detect any activity in the room, it considers the
room as unoccupied and turns the lights off. To prevent the
system from turning the lights off while the space is still occupied,
a delay time (ranging typically from 10 to 15 minutes) can be
programmed.
It is best used in applications where occupancy does not follow a
set schedule and is not predictable. Typical applications include
private offices, corridors, stairwells, conference rooms, library
stack areas, storage rooms and warehouses.
20
 Real occupancy control strategy

Power of
lamps

Time
21
 Energy saving with real
occupancy control strategy
Application Energy Savings
Offices (Private) 25-50%
Offices (Open Spaces) 20-25%
Rest Rooms 30-75%
Corridors 30-40%
Storage Areas 45-65%
Meeting Rooms 45-65%
Conference Rooms 45-65%
Warehouses 50-75%

Source: Energy Management Handbook

22
Constant illuminance control strategy
Constant illuminance control strategy (CICS) or simpler
Constant lux dimming takes into account the ageing of the
lighting system in the room. It compensates the initial
oversizing of the lighting system introduced by the use of the
Lamp Lumen Maintenance Factor (LLMF) at the design stage.
It uses a photocell to measure the lighting level within a space
or determines the predicted depreciation (ageing) of the
lighting level. If the light level is too high, the systems
controller reduces the lumen output of the light sources. If the
light level is too low, the controller increases the lumen output
of the light sources. The result is a system that minimizes
lighting energy use while maintaining uniform and constant
lighting levels.

23
Typical LLMF

24
 Daylight harvesting control
strategy
The Daylight Harvesting Control Strategy (DHCS) allows
facilities to reduce lighting energy consumption by using
daylight, supplementing it with artificial lighting as needed to
maintain the required lighting level. Hence it is also called the
Constant lux dimming.
It uses a photocell to measure the lighting level within a
space, on a surface or at a specific point. If the light level is
too high, the systems controller reduces the lumen output of
the light sources. If the light level is too low, the controller
increases the lumen output of the light sources. Sensors are
often used in large areas, each controlling a separate group of
lights in order to maintain a uniform lighting level throughout
the area.
25
 Constant lux dimming (Contd)
Constant lux dimming is generally used in spaces that have
relatively wide areas of windows or skylights. Typical
applications include classrooms, high-rise office buildings and
retail facilities.
The savings potential varies from 20% to about 50%.
In office buildings, predicted occupancy control strategy
(based on scheduler) allows 10% gain whereas real
occupancy (based on presence detector) allows 20% gains.
Daylight-harvesting impact depends on the climatic zone. So,
in office building potential gains vary a lot. Coupling of different
strategies should result in more energy gains, for instance,
daylight harvesting and real occupancy achieves up to 50%
gains. These gains are function of the room and window sizes,
building orientation and sensor(s) position(s).
26
 Constant lux dimming

Power of
lamps

Time
27
Strategy Predicted Real occupancy Constant
occupancy illuminance /
Constant lux

Main -Low costs -Relatively low costs -Constant light level

Advantages -Easy to install and -High rate of energy considering aging.
use saving for space with - 5 to 15% gain
-10 to 20 % gain intermittent occupation
Main -Setting of clock has -low precision sensors -Sometimes high
Drawbacks to be changed if will cause uncomfort costs.
operating hours for the occupant -Not easy to
change configure
Main -Classrooms, -Corridors, stairwells - Classrooms,
Usages -Meeting rooms -library - High-rise office
-Offices -Warehouses buildings
-Museum -Toilet - Retail facilities
Basic -Scheduler -Occupancy sensor -Photosensor
Components -Time clock (Infrared or/and -Dimmer
-Switch ultrasonic)
-Dimmer -Switch
-Dimmer
28
Lighting Control System
Components

29
 Controllers
A lighting controller is an electronic device used in building to
control the operation of one or multiple light sources at once.
Majority of lighting controllers can control dimmers which, in turn,
control the intensity of the lights. Other types of controllers can
also control lighting, according to specific scenarios. Lighting
controllers communicate with the dimmers and other devices in
the lighting system via an electronic control protocol (DALI, DMX,
ZigBee, etc.). The most common protocol is Digital Addressable
Lighting Interface (DALI).
Main function of lighting controllers is to combine the control of
the lights into an organized, easy-to-use system, and to reduce
lighting energy consumption.

30
 Illuminance sensor
Illuminance sensors indicate the illuminance level in the
sensor detection area. They are used to measure indoor
illuminance (e.g. on a working plane) and outdoor
illuminance (e.g. on the roof of a building). Illuminance
sensors are mostly used to switch or to dim luminaires.
Some basic illuminance sensors enable day/night
detection.
Illuminance sensor commands the lighting control system to
dim or to switch on/off according to the daylight level.
Illuminance sensors have to be placed so that they measure
the light levels which are representative of the space.
Outdoor illuminance sensors measure the outdoor
illuminance level. They can be combined with the lighting
control so that indoor luminaires can be controlled by
dimming or switching. 31
 Day/night sensors
This device enables the comparison of outdoor
illuminance with a predefined threshold in order to trigger
actions on outdoor lighting (street lighting) or closing of
shutters. They were developed primarily for street
lighting and are generally very robust.
A common component for the day/night sensor is the
cadmium sulfide photo-resistor that changes its
resistance based on the amount of light that hits it. It
conducts electricity very well with light onto it. When no
light hits it, it has high resistance.

32
 Passive InfraRed (PIR) sensor
PIR sensors are usually equipped with Fresnel
lenses that define the zone of detection. Two
kinds of PIR are usually distinguished: the
movement sensor and the occupancy sensor.
They have the same working principle but
differ on the number of scanned areas.
The main limitations of PIR sensors are:
Some human activities are without any
movement. e.g. watching television, reading book,
etc.
They are position sensitive and may be irrelevant
if looking to a dead zone

33
 Active InfraRed (AIR) sensor

Active InfraRed devices use infrared technology

consisting of an infrared diode which constantly or
periodically sends infrared rays into the controlled
area. A receiver monitors the reflected wave levels.
The non-appearance of a reflected ray or a
modification of its properties (wavelength or
amplitude) indicates a change occurred in the
detection zone.
It can avoid the limitations of PIR.

34
 Ultrasonic Presence (UP) sensor
Ultrasonic devices send out inaudible sound waves. At
the same time, a device is scanning for sound waves
which are reflected at a specific rate. If a change in the
reflected wave is detected, it indicates that something or
someone has moved in the detection zone.
There are products combining the two technologies, for
example, the PIR and the ultrasonic presence
detections. They are called Passive Dual Technology
sensors. They see and hear the occupant so that
presence is detected even if there is no movement.

Ultrasonic Presence (UP) sensor Passive Dual Technology sensor 35

 Sensor Position
Positioning the sensors cannot be neglected. For
example, to get a relevant indication of the illuminance
level on the work plane, the illuminance sensor should
be installed on the workplane. For obvious practical
reasons, sensors are never actually placed on the
workplane. Similarly, to have a proper evaluation of the
thermal comfort level, the temperature and humidity level
should be measured at the centre of the room. This is
hardly possible in practice in an occupied space. It is
highly important for movement sensors to have a good
view of the space so that they correctly can detect the
movement in the area.

36
 Switch
The switch is the most common interface between the
lighting system and the occupant.
Switching hardwares are relatively simple and generally
very cost effective. Switching is appropriated in singly
occupied spaces where light level changes are
generated by the behaviour of that occupant (when the
occupant switches the lights on or when the lights are
switched on by an occupancy sensor). For multiple-
occupant spaces, automatic on/off switching must be
used with care. An automatic control that causes
unexpected changes in light level, while a space is
occupied, may confuse or annoy occupants.

37
 Dimming systems
Dimming systems adapt the light levels gradually, and thus
reduce power and light output gradually over a specified
range. Dimming can generate important energy savings.
However, dimming hardware/devices are more expensive
than switching devices. The dimming can be achieved
through two modes:
Continuous dimming is a continuous adaptation of the
luminous flux of the light source(s) in function of external
information. Most of the time, this kind of dimming is achieved
through a DC control command on the ballast of the luminaire
or through the transformer. Some manufacturers have
adopted a standard analogue 0-10 V dimming protocol that
allows ballasts from different manufacturers to be used with
compatible systems.
38
 Step by step dimming
Step by step dimming is a way to control the light output
of the luminaires based on a limited number of
configurations. The rated dimming levels are based on
information generated by the controller, received by the
actuator and transmitted to the light source. The number
of dimming steps is defined by the protocol used. DALI-
based dimming system is an example of this kind of step
by step dimming (256 dimmed levels). Switching
systems perform very well in climates with stable sky
conditions, while dimming systems is predisposed to
save more energy in climates with variable sky
conditions.

39
 Dimming of Lamps
Not all lamps are suitable to operate with dimming control.
E.g. High-pressure sodium-vapour lamp would require a
certain level of current flow to maintain the lamp operation,
hence not suitable for dimming.
Over recent years there has been an increase in the
popularity of dimmable lighting. This can pose constraints
on the choice of lamps to replace normal incandescent
lamps as some of the newer technologies require specific
control gears to allow dimming that would normally be fitted
at the time of installation.
Some compact fluorescent lamps are not compatible with
existing dimming circuits the lamp will not work properly
and the electronics in the dimmer switch could be damaged.
However, specialised integral ballast CFLs which are
compatible with dimming circuits are available and more
dimmable compact fluorescent lamps are expected to
become available as the phase-out of incandescent lamps
progresses. 40
 Dimming of filament lamps
Most of the different types of filament lamps can be
dimmed directly simply by reducing the input voltage
without the need of extra control gears.
Low-Voltage Tungsten-Halogen lamps, however,
would need special control gears for dimming.
Usually electronic transformers can be deployed to
control the LVTH and also for dimming purposes:

41
Components of tubular fluorescent lamps
Inside the glass tube of the lamp is an inert gas, either argon
or a mixture of argon and krypton, at a pressure of only about
0.2% of atmospheric pressure. Also in the tube is a very
small quantity of mercury between 3mg and 15mg depending
on the size and type of the lamp. Mercury is a metal that is
liquid at normal room temperature, but inside an operating
lamp (which is hot), the mercury is in a vapour form, but its
vapour pressure is extremely low. At the ends of the tube are
electrodes - usually referred to as cathodes - which are
electrically heated tungsten coils coated with barium oxide
which when hot, have the property of releasing electrons.

42
 Components of tubular fluorescent lamps
When the lamp is started, the cathodes are first heated for a
short time (1 to 2 seconds) in order to heat the cathodes so they
release electrons. A high voltage is then applied across the two
cathodes and a discharge is created as the gas and mercury
vapour conducts the electrical current. The flow of electrons (i.e.
the current), energises the vaporised mercury atoms to make
them give off ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The inside of the glass
tube is coated with a fluorescent powder, which is referred to as
the 'phosphor'. The UV radiation makes the phosphor give off
visible light but only whilst exposed to the UV (i.e. the process
of fluorescence).
The discharge in the argon or argon/krypton gas causes the gas
to give off a bluish glow, which can only be observed in a tube
without the phosphor coating. This light constitutes only about
3% of the total light output from the lamp, the remaining 97% is
generated by the phosphor. 43
Control gears of fluorescent lamps
Fluorescent lamps are not designed to be operated directly
from the mains supply. All fluorescent lamps require a device to
generate a high voltage (more than 220V) to initiate the
discharge and an additional device to control the discharge
current. Unlike incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps cannot
control the current on their own and would draw such high
currents from the mains that they would destroy themselves. A
conventional control gear (CCG) works as follow:

Ballast (or choke) - the device that controls

the current through the lamp
Starter - the switch that starts the lamp
Capacitor - the component that corrects the
power factor

44
 Electronic Ballast
Electronic Ballast is operating in the manner as traditional ballast.
The difference is, it utilizes solid state electronic circuitry to provide
the proper starting and operating electrical conditions to power
tubular fluorescent lamps.
Electronic ballasts usually supply power to the lamp at a frequency
of 20,000 Hz or higher, rather than the mains frequency of 50 - 60
Hz; this substantially eliminates the stroboscopic effect of flicker.
The high output frequency of an electronic ballast refreshes the
phosphors in a fluorescent lamp so rapidly that there is no
perceptible flicker. The flicker index, used for measuring
perceptible light modulation, has a range from 0.00 to 1.00, with 0
indicating the lowest possibility of flickering and 1 indicating the
highest.
Because more gas remains ionized in the arc stream, the lamp
operates at about 9% higher efficacy at approximately 10 kHz.
Lamp efficacy increases sharply at about 10 kHz and continues to
45
improve until approximately 20 kHz.
 Dimming with Electronic Ballast
With traditional inductance type ballast, it is not possible to dim a
fluorescent tube.
Electronic ballasts, however, adjust the current passing through
the lamp to allow the user to control the light level.
As part of the dimming process, it is important to keep the
filaments heated by passing a current through them. Instant-start
ballasts do not provide heat to these filaments and therefore are
not suitable for dimming applications.
All dimmable electronic ballasts are rapid-start type, which
provide supplemental heat to the filaments. It is therefore
important that these two pins are not shorted together in the
socket.
Using instant-start sockets with a dimmable electronic ballast
may cause permanent damage to the ballast, and will prevent
proper operation. 46
 Integral Ballast CFLs
Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFLs) with the control gear (usually
electronic) built into the lamp base are generally referred to as
'integral ballast. These CFLs are the well known 'energy saving
lamps' used extensively in the home. They are fitted with normal
Edison screw bases to enable them to be directly inserted into
normal domestic lamp-holders.
Integral ballast CFLs with special electronic control gear, gives the
lamp a preheat 'boost' start so that it provides a high light output
much quicker than other CFLs and prolongs the life of the
cathodes. These lamps are ideal for installations that are frequently
switched, e.g. for use on frequently operated timed switches in
corridors, entrances and stairwells in multi-occupancy dwellings, as
they can be switched on and off any number of times without
reducing the lifetime of the lamp.
Specially designed 'integral ballast would allow the CFLs to be
dimmable with ordinary dimmer control.
47
 Control gears for LEDs
An LED has a turn-on (threshold) voltage between 1.3 and 2
Volts, depending upon the type. LEDs can be stacked in series
like batteries, the threshold voltages will add up e.g. six LEDs in
series each with a threshold voltage of 2V gives a total voltage
requirement of 6 x 2 = 12V.

To control the LED current, it is common to use a small

integrated circuit (IC) to control it. LED modules with built in ICs
provide users with a ready to use LED lighting solution. The
circuit boards that form the basis of the LED modules contain
strings of LEDs together with the ICs to control the current and
operate from 10V, 24V or 350mA and soon 700mA power
supplies. 48
 Control gears for LEDs (Contd)
Special control gear is available for LEDs. The voltage and
wattage information is obviously important when choosing
control gear to match a particular LED module. LED control gear
also protects against short circuit, thermal and overload
protection. This ensures safe ongoing operation of the LED
modules.
Electronic transformers operate low voltage lamps at high
frequency (typically 30,000-50,000Hz). Some low voltage
electronic transformers are designed to supply direct current
(DC) which is required for optimum output of LEDs. The good
quality electronic transformers also have built-in safety features:
Shut down if short circuited - but comes on again once the short is
removed.
Shut down if severely overloaded - but comes on again on restoring
the correct load.
Shut down if over heated - but comes on again after cooling down. 49
 Dimming of LEDs
LEDs do not dim significantly if their operating voltage is
reduced. If the voltage drops too much, the LED just goes out -
so a different method of dimming control has to be employed.
In this case, it is not the input to the transformer, but the output
that is controlled. The technique used is called 'pulse width
modulation' (PWM). The output is switched on and off at such a
high frequency, the eye does not register a flicker but sees a
reduced light output. By varying the time of the 'on' pulse to the
'off' time, the LED appears to alter its light output.

50
Digital Addressable Lighting
Interface (DALI)

51
 History of DALI
DALI is a digital communication protocol designed specifically
for lighting systems. It is effective for scene selection and for
getting feedback regarding faulty light sources.
It was originally introduced in 1999 by ballast manufacturers
who wanted to introduce a standardized digital ballast control
protocol. It is designed to be very easy to install and to
(re)configure. All actuators, controllers and sensors are
connected to one single control cable. A DALI-system
consists of load interfaces (electronic ballasts), control panels
(push buttons), sensors (occupancy sensor) and control
interfaces (controller) and gateways (1-10V converter).
It is an open-source protocol based on standard IEC60929
which specifies performance requirements for electronic
ballasts. It now has its own Standards: IEC62386.
52
 Basics of DALI
It serves as a single interface for all light sources and lighting
controllers. The DALI Standard enables dimmable ballasts,
transformers, relay modules, emergency fittings and controllers from
different manufacturers to be integrated in a single control system.
Each DALI controller (called a busmaster) can handle up to 64
addresses and 16 groupings. Because the DALI protocol is solely
for use by lighting control systems, the integration of a DALI lighting
control system to other building automation systems requires a
protocol translation with systems using BACnet or LonWorks.
DALI has been extended into shading control and wired network
connectivity has been supplemented with wireless connectivity.
Overall lighting control systems are increasingly using structured
cable, Ethernet, and TCP/IP protocols at least at the higher levels of
the control system all of which are foundations for a smart
building.
53
 DALI is network-based system for controlling lighting in a
facility equipped with building automation or management
system. Typical features include:
Topology: A network of at least one controller plus one or more
lighting devices
Requirement on Devices: Need to have DALI interfaces
Monitor and control data flow: Bi-directional data exchange
between lighting and controlling devices
Addressability: Devices are individually addressed
Group Control: Allow group control to achieve different
scenes
Broadcasting messages simultaneously to multiple addressable
devices: e.g., Group 1 goto 100%, Group 1 goto 50%; or
Recall Scene 1,
Each lighting device is assigned a unique static address in the
numeric range 0 to 63
Up to 64 devices in a standalone system
54
 Schematic diagram

Source of image: http://www.leds-

lux.com/LED_Dim_Driver/LED_DALI_Dimmer_System.htm

55
 Control details of DALI
DALI requires a single pair of wires to form the bus for
communication to all devices on a single DALI network. The
network can be arranged in a bus or star topology, or a
combination of these.
The DALI data is transmitted using Manchester encoding and
has a high signal to noise ratio which enables reliable
communications in the presence of a large amount of
electrical noise.
DALI employs a diode bridge in the interface circuitry so that
devices can be wired without regard for polarity. Signal level
are defined as 04.5 V for "0" and 166.5 V for "1". Central
interface power maximum is 250 mA and 2 mA per unit.
The network cable is required to be mains-rated, with 600 V
isolation and at least a 1 mm cross-section, with a maximum
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drop of 2 volts along the cable (max 300 m).
 Control details of DALI (Contd)
Signal interface is galvanically separated and doesn't need any
termination resistors.
One of the main advantages that DALI has over earlier systems
is that each device on a segment of data cable can be separately
addressed, as DSI and 1-10V devices are not separately
addressable and can only be controlled as a group. The net
result is that to achieve similar control functionally, DALI requires
less complex (and therefore less expensive) wiring topology than
DSI or 1-10V devices.
The DALI protocol provides 256 levels of brightness between off
and 100%, which is translated to a ballast power level via a
logarithmic dimming curve. This curve gives larger increments in
brightness at high dim levels and smaller increments at low dim
levels. This is an attempt to have a dimming curve which appears
linear to the human eye.
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 Control details of DALI (Contd)
Sometimes issues arise when different fixtures are used
together, such as DALI fluorescent ballasts, DALI ELV
Incandescent transformers and phase control dimmed fixtures.
When different fixtures are operated together it is often apparent
to the eye that the dimming curves do not match, especially at
lower levels, due to the lower end distribution of the DALI
dimming curve.
The advantage of a proprietary protocol is that a single
manufacturer, which has tested all of the individual components
to ensure interoperability and support of the entire system, can
furnish the complete control system. The disadvantage is that the
owner is then tied to a single manufacturer, which limits choice
and potentially sacrifices economy.

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Responsive control of lighting systems
1) Stable Dimming Function all luminaires receive the same
interference-free digital signal and therefore the same dimmer value.
2) Distributed Intelligence DALI uses a system of distributed
intelligence: multiple controllers communicate with intelligent
ballasts. Each controller operates as a master and controls
communication to the control line. Ballasts react only as slaves at
the request of the master.
3) Status Feedback Status reports can be issued by the DALI units.
Information on faulty lamps for example can therefore be transferred
to a higher ranking system.
4) Flexibility Group assignment is set up by means of parameters
and not by hard wiring. Lighting scene values are stored in the DALI
unit.
5) Logarithmic Dimming Curve The dimming curve is matched to the
sensitivity of the eye. 59
 Recommended Readings

1. Code for Interior Lighting, CIBSE, 1994:

http://library.hku.hk/record=b1702476

2. H.M. Graves, Lighting, CIBSE, 2003:

http://library.hku.hk/record=b2640696

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