Designer 2.14 includes a whole host of new DALI features for use with RIO D4, our new four-port DALI remote input/output device. RIO D4 provides a convenient and scalable way to control DALI fixtures and ballasts from Pharos controllers, as well as receiving DALI commands to use with triggers.
This article introduces the new DALI features launched in Designer 2.14 including triggers, actions and a new DALI controls tab in Patch.
On this page:
New DALI Triggers
A variety of DALI triggers are available from the Trigger tab in Designer. From Designer 2.14, you’ll find additional triggers which let you act upon DALI messages from button stations, lights sensors and occupancy sensors.
💡 Tip: If you can’t see any DALI triggers, ensure DALI is set to Enabled under Project > Project Features > Protocols. The DALI project feature is automatically enabled when a DALI ballast is added to the layout.
Note: The new DALI features listed in this article require a Pharos RIO D4 and are not compatible with the Designer RIO D.
DALI Event Sources
Each of our new DALI triggers requires you select the interface on which to listen for the event and the event source. The event source can be:
- Instance
- Device
- Device/Instance
- Instance Group
- Device Group
The correct choice depends on your system’s implementation. The examples below illustrate three DALI button station devices numbered 0-2, each with three button instances numbered from 0-2.
Instance
When set to instance, the functionality on all devices will be the same.
Device
When set to device, any event originating from the specified device will activate the trigger.
Device/Instance
Using Device/Instance allows you to configure different functionality for a specific instance on a particular device.
Finally, Instance Group and Device Group allows you to configure functionality that applies to all instances or devices in the specified group. Control groups can be configured in the new DALI Controls tab covered later in this article.
Note: Grouping is stored on the DALI device, meaning group info will be lost and will need to be reconfigured when devices are replaced.
Variables
These triggers capture variables which can be used to reduce the number of triggers in your project. Learn more about Trigger Variables in the Online Help.
DALI Button Event
Use this trigger if you want to act on a button event received from a DALI button interface. For example, you may wish to start different scenes when different buttons are pressed.
Event Source
Choose ‘Any’ to act on any button event on the specified source, or choose from:
- Button Pressed
- Button Released
- Short Press
- Double Press
- Long Press Start
- Long Press Stop
- Button Free
- Button Stuck
Note: Not all button stations send all events, and some stations may need configuration to send certain events. Consult the manufacturer’s documentation for more information.
Variables
The trigger captures five variables:
- Short address
- Device group
- Instance number
- Instance group
- Event type
Example: use variable 3 in a Start Scene action to start the scene that corresponds to the instance number of the button that has been pressed.
DALI Illuminance
Use this trigger to act on an illuminance report being received by a DALI interface. For example, you might want to increase master intensity as the ambient light decreases.
Event Source
Select the interface on which to listen for the event and the event source. The event source can be:
- Instance
- Device
- Device/Instance
- Device Group
- Instance Group
Illuminance
Select the minimum and maximum level within which the trigger should act.
Variables
The trigger captures five variables:
- Short address
- Device group
- Instance number
- Instance group
- Illuminance value (0-1023)
DALI Occupancy
Use this trigger to act on an occupancy event being received by a DALI interface. For example, turn lights on when a room is occupied and off when it becomes vacant.
Occupancy
Select the type of occupancy to look for: Any, Vacant or Occupied.
Movement
Select the type of movement to look for: Any, No Movement or Movement.
Variables
The trigger captures six variables:
- Movement type
- Short address
- Device group
- Instance number
- Instance group
- Occupancy type
New DALI Trigger Actions
Set DALI Feedback State
Use this action to send either a DALI Activate Feedback or DALI Stop Feedback command on the specified interface. DALI feedback typically consists of something a device can do to provide information to a user. For example, lighting an LED status indicator.
Address
Select whether to apply to all devices, all devices in a chosen group, or a specific device.
Instance
Select the instance or instances on which to send the command. Choose from All, a specific instance by number or specify an instance group.
Command
Specify whether the action should start or stop feedback.
Configure DALI Controls
It’s possible to configure DALI controls directly in Designer 2.14.0 and later. Navigate to the DALI tab and select ‘Controls’ to see devices on each interface. From here, you can easily assign group membership for each device and alter control properties from the panel on the right of the window.
To learn more about DALI controls in Designer, read our dedicated online Help documentation.
