In today’s rapidly evolving world, safety remains a prime priority, whether at home, in the workplace, or in any public space. Having reliable emergency lighting systems is crucial in ensuring the well-being of occupants during unexpected power outages or emergencies.   

In recent times, DALI emergency lighting luminaires have emerged as a powerful and efficient solution. It has become a critical aspect of modern lighting systems, ensuring safety and functionality in challenging situations. 

This blog delves into the world of DALI devices and how they help cater to emergency lighting standards.

So now, let’s explore the different types of DALI drivers and understand their capabilities in various emergencies. 

DALI Emergency Lighting  

The emergency lighting solution with DALI is achieved by supporting emergency lighting standards such as 202 (Control gear for self-contained emergency lighting) and 220 (Control gear for centrally supplied emergency operation). Typically, DALI drivers are classified into 4 main types, each designed to address specific emergency lighting requirements. 

Type D- Non-maintained:  

This control gear is used exclusively during emergencies or test modes.  

Operation 

It always remains on during these modes and does not support dimming commands or configuration changes. 

Type C- Maintained:  

This type of control gear keeps the lamp on always regardless of the main power supply status.  

Operation  

Like Type D, they don’t respond to dimming commands or corresponding configurations. 

Type B- Switched-maintained non-dimmable: 

This driver allows the lamp to be switched on/off when the main supply is present. But without the power supply, the lamp will be continuously on.  

Operation  

They don’t respond to dimming commands or corresponding configurations. 

Type A – Switched-maintained dimmable: 

This type of driver offers the flexibility of dimming or switching the lamp on/off when the main power supply is available. However, the lamp remains continuously on in the absence of the main power. 

Operation  

This type of driver responds to driver commands/dimming configurations as per requirement.  

List of DALI Emergency Drivers manufacturers recommended by Lumos Controls 

How Lumos Controls DALI emergency work? 

Lumos Controls DALI emergency lighting system uses a user-friendly mobile/web application to empower users to monitor their DALI emergency lighting effortlessly, unlocking vital insights for efficient management. Critical information, such as battery levels and total lamp operation time, including emergency mode operation duration, is readily available for DALI 202 compliant gears and accessible through the app’s intuitive interface 

Here’s a breakdown of the process: 

• User-Friendly Interface: Lumos Controls offers a user-friendly mobile/web application that acts as the control center for managing DALI emergency lighting systems. 
• Effortless Monitoring: Users can easily monitor and track key metrics related to their DALI emergency gears, ensuring a proactive approach to maintenance and operation. 
• Information Relay through Web UI: Lumos Controls’ web UI serves as the command hub, orchestrating tests and commands directed towards DALI controllers. These commands are conveyed using BLE mesh technology, providing a reliable and efficient means of communication. 
• BLE Mesh Communication: The DALI controllers receive the commands relayed through BLE mesh technology. These controllers then establish communication with the DALI emergency drivers, instructing them to carry out specific tests to gather valuable feedback. 
• Execution of Tests: The DALI emergency drivers execute the prescribed tests as directed by the DALI controllers. These tests are designed to capture essential performance data, ensuring that the emergency lighting system is in optimal working condition. 
• Data Transmission to Web UI: Following the execution of tests, the DALI controllers transmit detailed communication data back to the Lumos Controls web UI via a gateway. This two-way data flow enables a comprehensive exchange of information. 
• Real-Time Insights: The Lumos Controls application processes the received data and generates comprehensive test reports. Users can access these reports through an interactive dashboard, providing them with real-time insights into the performance of their emergency lighting systems. 

Conclusion  

DALI drivers play a vital role in emergency lighting solutions, offering various modes and configurations to ensure reliable operation during critical situations. Understanding the different types of drivers and their capabilities helps design effective and compliant emergency lighting systems, enhancing safety and peace of mind.