DALI LED Driver Technology

How DALI dimmable constant current LED drivers give individual, digital control of every luminaire, and how to choose between DALI-2, DT6, DT8 and D4i drivers.

Overview

What is a DALI LED driver?

DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is an open, international standard for digital lighting control, defined in IEC 62386. A DALI LED driver combines a constant current LED power supply with a DALI interface, so each luminaire has its own digital address and can be switched, dimmed, grouped and set to scenes independently over a simple two-wire control bus.

Our CC DALI range from Lifud, Snappy and Philips Xitanium covers compact, linear and fixed-output drivers from 6W to 165W, with output currents from 100mA to 2A set by DIP switch or NFC programming. DALI-2, DT6 single-channel, DT8 tunable white and D4i intelligent drivers are available, with smooth, flicker-free dimming down to 1%.

Individual digital control of every luminaire
Smooth, flicker-free dimming down to 1%
DALI-2, DT6, DT8 tunable white and D4i options
Output current set by DIP switch or NFC programming
Open standard: works with any compliant DALI controller

DALI CC range at a glance

Brands: Lifud, Snappy, Philips
Formats: Compact and linear
Power: 6W – 165W
Output current: 100mA – 2A
Standards: DALI-2, DT6, DT8, D4i
Current setting: DIP switch or NFC
Dimming: Down to 1%, flicker free
Other inputs: Push dimming on some models

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The technology

How a DALI system works

Every DALI driver is connected to mains power and to a two-wire DALI bus. The bus carries digital commands from a DALI controller, and is powered by a DALI bus power supply, often built into the controller.

When the system is commissioned, each driver is given a unique short address. Up to 64 drivers share one DALI line, and they can be arranged into up to 16 groups and recall up to 16 scenes. Because every driver is addressed individually, the lighting can be reconfigured in software without rewiring.

The driver converts each DALI command into a precise constant current output, giving smooth, consistent dimming across every luminaire on the line.

Simplified illustration: mains (red, dashed) powers each driver, while the two-wire DALI bus (teal) carries commands that dim each luminaire by its address.

DALI versions

DALI-2, DT6, DT8 and D4i explained

DALI drivers are described by the standard version and the device type, which tells the controller what the driver can do.

Term	What it means	Choose it for	Examples in our range
DALI-2	Latest version of the standard, with certified interoperability and support for sensors and push-button inputs	New installations and mixed-brand systems	Lifud LF-ADD, LF-BCD, LF-GSD; SE-W1D/W1DS
DT6	Device type for single-channel LED drivers: on/off and dimming	White light dimming in most luminaires	Lifud LF-ADD, SE-W1D
DT8	Device type for colour control, including tunable white colour temperature	Tunable white and human-centric lighting	SE-W2D dual channel, LF-FSD DT8
D4i	DALI-2 for intelligent luminaires, with energy, diagnostic and asset data, and power for sensors	Smart buildings, connected and IoT-ready luminaires	Lifud LF-ACD series

Our range

CC DALI drivers compared

Choose a format and power to suit the luminaire, then match the output current to the LEDs.

Series	Format	Power	Output current	Standard
SE-W1DS	Compact	6 – 12W	100 – 700mA (DIP)	DALI-2
Snappy SDS	Compact	8 – 60W	120 – 1400mA	DALI
Lifud LF-ADD	Compact	9 – 60W	100 – 1500mA (DIP)	DALI-2, DT6
SE-W1D / SE-W2D	Compact, NFC	12 – 40W	1mA steps (NFC)	DT6 / DT8
Lifud LF-BCD	Compact	16 – 40W	300 – 1050mA (DIP)	DALI-2
Lifud LF-ACD	Compact	40 – 165W	200 – 1050mA	DALI D4i
Lifud LF-GSD / LF-FSD	Linear	18 – 150W	125 – 1050mA	DALI-2, DT8
Philips Xitanium	Linear	75 – 90W	150mA – 2A (NFC)	DALI

Benefits

Advantages of DALI LED drivers

Why DALI is the leading standard for commercial lighting control.

Individual control

Every luminaire has its own address, so it can be controlled alone, in groups or in scenes.

Smooth dimming

Precise digital dimming down to 1%, flicker free, with consistent levels across every luminaire.

Flexible layouts

Change groups and scenes in software as spaces are reorganised, with no rewiring.

Open standard

IEC 62386 compliance means drivers, sensors and controllers from different makers work together.

Energy saving

Dimming, scheduling and sensor control cut energy use, with D4i reporting actual consumption.

Status feedback

Drivers report lamp failure and status back to the controller, simplifying maintenance.

Selection & set-up

Choosing and installing a DALI driver

Match the current: set the output current by DIP switch or NFC to the LED module's rated current.
Check the voltage window: the LED forward voltage must sit within the driver's output range.
Choose the device type: DT6 for single-channel dimming, DT8 for tunable white, D4i for smart luminaires.
Plan the DALI lines: up to 64 drivers per line, with a DALI bus power supply on each line.
Wire the bus: two polarity-free control wires alongside the mains, following the manufacturer's and local wiring rules.
Commission the system: address the drivers and set up groups and scenes with the DALI controller.

Complete the DALI system

We supply the controllers and related drivers for a full DALI installation:

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Drivers per DALI line

Groups and scenes

Dimming depth

6–165W

Power range

Where DALI drivers are used

DALI is the standard choice wherever lighting needs flexible, building-wide control.

Offices

Zoned dimming, daylight harvesting and presence control.

Education

Classroom scenes for teaching, presentations and cleaning.

Healthcare

Tunable white DT8 lighting for wards and patient rooms.

Retail

Display scenes and time-of-day lighting changes.

Hospitality

Mood scenes for restaurants, hotels and conference rooms.

Smart buildings

D4i luminaires with sensors, energy data and diagnostics.

FAQ

DALI driver questions

DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is an open, international standard for digital lighting control, defined in IEC 62386. Each DALI driver has its own address on a simple two-wire bus, so luminaires can be switched, dimmed, grouped and set to scenes individually from a controller.

A single DALI line supports up to 64 individually addressable drivers (control gear), which can be arranged into up to 16 groups and recall up to 16 scenes. Larger installations use multiple DALI lines connected through a controller or gateway.

DALI-2 is the latest version of the standard, with certified interoperability and support for control devices such as sensors and push buttons. DT6 is the device type for single-channel LED drivers. DT8 adds colour control, such as tunable white. D4i adds intelligent features for luminaires, including energy, diagnostic and asset data, and power for connected sensors.

No. The DALI control wires are polarity-free on most drivers, which makes installation simpler. The bus does need a DALI power supply, either built into the controller or as a separate unit. Always follow the driver and controller instructions and local wiring regulations.

Depending on the model, the output current is set by DIP switches, by NFC programming with a phone or programmer, or is fixed or adjustable within a range. Set the current to match the LED module's rated current before connecting the LEDs.

DALI LED Driver Technology