What are the differences in DALI names and families
Creation date: 11/6/2025 9:57 AM
Updated: 11/11/2025 12:06 PM
This article explains the different versions of the DALI standard used in lighting control systems.
It helps readers understand how DALI, DALI-2, D4i, and DALI+ fit together.
Use this guide to identify which technology applies to your installation or support query.
Core DALI Families
| Term | Meaning | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| DALI | Digital Addressable Lighting Interface | The original IEC 62386 standard for digital lighting control. Uses a two-wire, polarity-free bus for controlling up to 64 devices per line. Focused on point-to-point and group dimming control for ballasts and LED drivers. |
| DALI-2 | Second-generation DALI standard | Introduced around 2014 (IEC 62386-101/102/103 rev. 2). Brought stronger interoperability, full certification (via the DALI Alliance), and support for input devices (sensors, switches). DALI-2 is now the mainstream standard for new systems. |
| D4i | DALI-for-IoT — a DALI-2 subset | Extends DALI-2 for in-luminaire intelligence: drivers with integrated power and data (luminaire-level communication). Adds energy usage, diagnostics, and asset information for smart luminaires and connected lighting. For more information on D4i, please see the following article |
| DALI+ | DALI over wireless or IP networks | Uses the same DALI-2 protocol but transmitted over Thread (wireless mesh) or Ethernet/IP instead of traditional 2-wire bus. Enables hybrid wired-wireless systems and large-scale, building-wide DALI networks. |
| DALI-Gateways / Bridges | Connect DALI networks to other systems | Gateways link DALI (or DALI-2/DALI+) networks to BACnet, KNX, MQTT, or cloud systems — enabling integration with building management and IoT platforms. |
In Short
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DALI → the original standard.
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DALI-2 → modern wired standard (certified, supports sensors/switches).
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D4i → luminaire-focused DALI-2 subset for smart fixtures.
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DALI+ → wireless/IP version of DALI-2.