Lighting technology continues to accelerate at an unparalleled rate. The ability to monitor luminaires, track their status, and control nearly every aspect of their functionality opens the doors to limitless possibilities.
DALI is at the forefront of this movement.
DALI provides operators with more control over lighting fixtures than ever before—especially when it comes to streetlight LED drivers.
Let’s dive into what DALI is and how DALI is used in street lighting and smart city applications.
DALI is short for Digital Addressable Lighting Interface—it’s a standard communication protocol that powers lighting equipment and gives far more control to the lighting operator. It’s a system that provides a means for a two-way connection:
DALI was introduced to the world in the 1990s, with its successor, DALI 2, launching in 2014. As DALI continues to evolve, the potential for new applications and uses moves forward as well.
The biggest requirement for effectively using DALI in a larger system is the implementation of well-trained personnel and software tools. In most cases, the system is easy to install.
As we mentioned, technological advancements with DALI have enabled operators to unlock potential uses that leave a lasting impact.
This is especially true when it comes to street lighting. Classic street lights have become the target for operators to become a part of digital infrastructure. DALI’s light monitoring capabilities open the doors to huge energy savings with outdoor light fixtures, such as street lights.
Take this overpass in X’ian, which is a large city and the capital of the Shaanxi province in China, for example. An entire DALI-controlled lighting system was installed on the fences and the undersides of the bridges, which includes nearly 10,000 LED drivers and supporting components. The installation was made to help create a more welcoming space in the areas underneath the overpass.
However, without the high level of control provided by DALI, this project would never have come to fruition. DALI not only allows the operators to shut off and turn on the lights digitally but also gives operators full control over the brightness and color of the lights. This is crucial for changing the lights depending on the flow of traffic, or even to provide welcoming light colors in response to certain holidays.
DALI has also helped make sizable strides towards the creation of “smart cities”.
The ability to control street lights at will is only one part of the idea behind smart cities. Experts are already trying to push the boundaries of the DALI system with the capability to monitor other pertinent information, such as weather conditions, cameras, security usage, digital signage, and more.
DALI’s light monitoring capabilities provide nearly endless possibilities for the advancement of these smart cities. Operators have a system that is simple to wire and set up, yet highly functional.
GRE Alpha is an expert in creating DALI LED drivers that are rugged enough to support harsh outdoor applications. Our drivers are ideal for outdoor environments supporting ambient temperatures of -20°C to 50°C (full load) and humidity levels ranging from 5%-95%.
In addition to the manufacturing of these quality LED drivers, our affiliated firm, GRE Manufacturing, has been an accredited DALI testing facility since 2018.
GRE Alpha is proud of the current state of our partnership with DALI while also looking forward to future advancements. The opportunity to continue moving forward with DALI technology excites us and keeps us motivated to stay up to date with the latest DALI information.
For more examples of street lighting and signage, check out our product showcase. Or, if you’re looking for street lighting solutions, you can find them on our specialty solutions page.
Filed in: Company News