If the proposed lighting control system includes DALI control gear, does it then comply with the New Zealand Lighting Control Standard?
For full compliance with the NZ standard for lighting control a lighting control system (LCS) should support all parts of the DALI-2 standard.
Introduction of Lighting Control Standard Nov 2020
Since the adoption of DALI-2 as the lighting control standard for Australia and New Zealand (AS/NZS 62386) in November 2020 manufacturers of proprietary lighting control systems have been scrambling to try to ensure their DALI control gear complies with the new standard.
Certainly there are now components of those proprietary systems (e.g. Dynalite, C-Bus, KNX, etc) that have been independently tested and certified as meeting the DALI-2 standard. Unlike native DALI-2 systems however, where all devices are completely open protocol and can be swapped in or out regardless of manufacturer, proprietary systems usually require the use of proprietary input devices. The end client therefore remains locked into that proprietary system for the lifetime of the lighting controls.
It is not sufficient to claim that the DALI control gear is compliant
Claims from a manufacturer that their DALI control gear is compliant, and therefore the system complies with the lighting control standard could be considered misleading.
As above, for full compliance with the NZ standard all parts of the DALI-2 standard should be supported by the LCS (lighting control system).
Proprietary systems usually comply with some of the standard, but not parts 301, 302, 303 and 304 covering the following elements:
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- 301 – covers push-button devices
- 302 – specifies absolute input devices e.g. switches, sliders
- 303 – covers occupancy sensors (including presence and movement sensors)
- 304 – defines light sensors
DALI-2
DALI-2 is the latest version of the internationally standardised DALI protocol, certification for which is managed by the Digital Illumination Interface Alliance (DiiA).
A directory is maintained by the DiiA of all certified DALI-2 products (including input devices) which are now required to be independently tested for certification to be awarded.
If you are looking to install a fully compliant DALI-2 lighting control system ensure you ask,
“Does your system comply with all parts of the lighting control standard?”
If the answer is that they comply with some or most of the lighting control standard, this is not acceptable.
Although some of the DALI control gear may be individually certified, if the system is unable to meet all parts of the standard it is not fully compliant!
We only design/propose native DALI systems, where two-way communication in “native DALI” exists between ALL devices, no translation via a gateway is required, and where the system is compliant with ALL PARTS of the NZ lighting control standard.
Want to make sure your specification covers this? Ensure you state:
“The LCS should fully comply with the NZ standard for lighting control by supporting all parts of the DALI-2 standard.”
