DALI+ carries established DALI lighting commands over wireless and IP networks. It changes the transport medium—not the command language—so a project can combine wireless or IP links with wired DALI-2 and D4i equipment. That makes DALI+ relevant to new construction, phased refurbishments and buildings where running a dedicated DALI pair is difficult, but the carrier, bridge hardware, certification status and supplier support must be verified for the exact design.
What DALI+ is
The Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) command model is used to address luminaires, set light levels, run scenes, read operating data and exchange information with control gear and sensors. Traditional DALI-2 and D4i installations send those commands over a dedicated two-wire DALI bus. DALI+ sends the same type of DALI commands through a wireless or Internet Protocol (IP) carrier instead.
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That distinction matters in specifications. Calling DALI+ a completely new wireless lighting protocol suggests that controls, addressing and device behavior have been reinvented. The DALI Alliance describes it as DALI over wireless and IP-based networks: the DALI application remains, while the network below it changes. Designers can therefore retain DALI concepts and data access while choosing a different physical or network path.
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DALI+ is intended for control gear such as LED drivers, application controllers, push buttons and sensors. A project may use only DALI+ devices, or use DALI+ to reach one or more existing wired DALI subnets through bridges. The exact equipment list depends on the selected carrier and the manufacturer’s implementation.
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How the transport differs from wired DALI
| Characteristic | Wired DALI-2 or D4i | DALI+ |
|---|---|---|
| Command model | DALI commands on a dedicated bus | DALI commands carried over wireless and/or IP networking |
| Typical connection | Dedicated two-wire pair to a DALI subnet | Wireless or IP carrier; the first certification track described by the Alliance is Thread |
| Existing equipment | Directly connects compatible DALI-2 and D4i control gear on the bus | Can reach wired DALI equipment through a bridge or a multi-subnet application controller |
| Network expansion | A single subnet has the familiar 64-control-gear and 64-control-device addressing boundaries | A system address can extend beyond one subnet; the practical limit depends on the applicable specification and design |
| Commissioning concern | Bus wiring, polarity-independent pair, power and device addressing | Carrier coverage or IP design, network credentials, addressing, bridges and DALI commissioning |
| Security basis | Security characteristics of the wired installation and connected control system | Security supplied by the carrier, with additional DALI+ application-layer features described for Thread |
The 64+64 figures describe one traditional DALI subnet, not a guaranteed limit for every complete installation. DALI+ system addressing can join multiple networked areas, but a consultant should confirm device limits, traffic behavior and controller capacity against the current specification before putting a number in a performance guarantee.
Which carriers DALI+ supports
Thread as the initial carrier
The DALI Alliance’s Part 104 Changes and Additions specification updates IEC 62386 Part 104 for IP-based transports. Its first certification track is Thread. In the technical description, DALI frames are carried using UDP over 6LoWPAN and IPv6 within the Thread network. Thread is a low-power mesh, so devices can relay traffic and a border router can connect the mesh to an IP network.
Thread support in the specification does not automatically mean that every Thread product is a certified DALI+ product. A luminaire, sensor or controller must implement the relevant DALI+ behavior and pass whatever certification and interoperability requirements apply to the product. Request a current certificate or manufacturer declaration rather than relying on the presence of a Thread radio alone.
Ethernet and Wi-Fi
The Part 104 overview identifies Ethernet and Wi-Fi as supported IP-based protocols alongside Thread. An Ethernet segment can connect controllers or Thread border routers, and an IP backbone can join separate lighting areas. Wi-Fi may be suitable where the building network policy, coverage and reliability requirements allow it. The specification’s support for a carrier is not a promise that a particular DALI+ device is available on that carrier; check the device data sheet and certification record.
What is not established for Bluetooth Mesh
Bluetooth Mesh and Zigbee can be used in wireless-to-DALI gateway products, but they should not be assumed to be DALI+ carriers. A gateway translates between its wireless ecosystem and a wired DALI side. DALI+ instead keeps DALI commands as the control language across the DALI+ network. Choose the approach based on the ecosystem and products required, not on the word wireless alone.
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Typical DALI+ system architecture
A small installation could contain DALI+ application controllers, sensors, push buttons and control gear on one wireless or IP network. In a larger building, the topology may look like this:
- Room or zone devices: DALI+ sensors, input devices and application controllers send DALI commands over the selected carrier.
- Wireless fabric: Thread devices form a mesh, with a Thread border router providing IP connectivity. The border router is a network component, not a replacement for the DALI application controller.
- IP backbone: Ethernet can connect multiple Thread networks, floors or plant rooms. Routing, VLANs, firewall rules and power resilience belong in the building-network design.
- Bridge to legacy buses: A DALI+ bridge exposes a wired DALI subnet so DALI+ controllers can operate compatible DALI-2 or D4i gear.
- Application-level integration: A multi-subnet application controller can coordinate several wired DALI buses and networked devices, and may provide an interface to the building-management system (BMS) when the manufacturer supports it.
This is an architectural pattern, not a universal bill of materials. The number and type of border routers, bridges, power supplies, controllers and network services must be calculated from floor layout, radio conditions, cable routes, device count, resilience requirements and the selected products.
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DALI+ is useful in a hybrid design when some areas are easy to cable and others are not. A plant room, office core or new electrical riser may use a conventional DALI bus, while open-plan areas or heritage spaces use a wireless/IP segment. A bridge links the domains so that an application can issue DALI commands without requiring every luminaire to use the same transport.
D4i equipment remains DALI equipment with additional data capabilities, such as luminaire, energy and diagnostics information defined by the D4i ecosystem. The Alliance describes DALI+ systems reaching D4i devices through bridges or a multi-subnet controller. Confirm the exact data points exposed across the bridge: basic switching and dimming may work while a particular diagnostic object, emergency-lighting function or sensor value may require explicit gateway support.
For a BMS connection, ask where the interface is implemented. It might be an IP application controller, a dedicated gateway or a software connector. Verify supported protocols, point lists, event behavior, command priority, time synchronization, loss-of-connection behavior and whether the BMS sees individual devices or only grouped lighting zones. “IP-based” by itself does not define a complete BMS integration.
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DALI+ versus a wireless-to-DALI gateway
| Question | DALI+ network | Wireless-to-DALI gateway |
|---|---|---|
| What travels across the wireless side? | DALI commands and DALI+ messaging over the selected IP or wireless carrier | Messages from another wireless ecosystem that the gateway translates to wired DALI |
| Where is DALI used? | Across the DALI+ network and, where present, through bridges to wired subnets | Primarily on the wired side of the gateway |
| Best fit | A project seeking one DALI-based control model across wireless, IP and wired areas | A project committed to a particular wireless ecosystem while retaining wired DALI luminaires |
| Main dependency | Availability of compatible DALI+ devices, carrier support, certification and network engineering | Gateway feature set, translation quality and compatibility between the wireless ecosystem and DALI devices |
| Commissioning focus | DALI addressing plus carrier provisioning, bridges and IP topology | Wireless network commissioning, gateway mapping and DALI bus commissioning |
Neither architecture is automatically superior. Compare the required devices, retained assets, network policy, commissioning skills, security evidence, certification and long-term support for the building rather than treating DALI+ as a universal replacement for gateways.
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Security and interoperability
The Alliance describes security as layered. The underlying carrier supplies authentication and encryption; for Thread, DALI+ also includes application-layer security features. That describes the protocol architecture, not a blanket guarantee for every installed network. A secure design still needs protected commissioning credentials, controlled access to border routers and bridges, network segmentation where appropriate, firmware maintenance and a documented process for replacing failed devices.
Interoperability depends on more than a shared radio or an IP address. Ask suppliers for the DALI+ specification revision implemented, supported carriers, device roles, certification status, bridge behavior, commissioning software, firmware-update method and test evidence with the other products in the proposed system. Include these requirements in the submittal and handover documents so a future replacement is not selected solely by connector or radio type.
A practical design and commissioning sequence
- Inventory the building: Record every existing DALI-2 and D4i bus, control gear type, emergency-lighting interface, sensor, push-button input, BMS point and cable route. Mark areas where new cable is prohibited, expensive or disruptive.
- Define control outcomes: Specify scenes, occupancy responses, daylight regulation, schedules, emergency behavior, manual overrides, alarms and data reporting before choosing the carrier. This prevents a wireless decision from hiding an unmet functional requirement.
- Choose the domain split: Decide which zones stay on wired DALI, which use DALI+, and where bridges are required. Keep safety-critical or electrically harsh areas on the most predictable medium when the project engineer determines that is appropriate.
- Select the carrier per zone: For Thread, design mesh placement and border-router locations. For Ethernet or Wi-Fi, obtain network approvals, VLAN information, coverage data and power requirements. Confirm that each proposed DALI+ device supports the chosen carrier, not merely that the carrier appears in the standard.
- Engineer the IP and radio network: Document addressing, routing, firewall rules, multicast or discovery requirements, time sources, encryption credentials, backup power and failure behavior. Perform an on-site radio survey for wireless zones after major construction materials and equipment are in place.
- Map DALI subnets and bridges: Give every bus, bridge, application controller and device a clear identifier. Define scene ownership, priority handling and the boundary between local control and BMS commands.
- Commission in layers: First prove carrier connectivity and secure enrollment, then discover DALI+ devices, commission each wired DALI subnet, map bridge objects and finally test scenes, sensor logic and BMS points. Record firmware versions and configuration backups.
- Test failures: Remove network connectivity, power-cycle a border router, disconnect a bridge and disable a sensor. Confirm the documented local fallback, alarm and recovery behavior before handover.
- Deliver maintainable records: Provide topology drawings, device addresses, credentials-management procedures, bridge mappings, test results, spare-device guidance and a list of supported replacement products.
Testing equipment and project requirements
The Alliance’s DALI+ overview identifies a Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 USB dongle for DALI+ testing, used with ProbitLab2 and other test equipment. This is a development and conformance-testing tool, not evidence that every building installation needs a USB dongle. An installer should use the commissioning and diagnostic tools specified by the selected equipment manufacturer.
Before procurement, require at least:
- A device schedule identifying DALI+ roles, carrier and supported specification revision.
- Evidence of certification or a clear statement of what is still in development.
- Bridge compatibility with the proposed DALI-2 and D4i control gear.
- Commissioning software, licensing terms, firmware-update process and backup/restore procedure.
- Network, cybersecurity and radio-survey requirements accepted by the electrical and IT teams.
- Defined warranty, support lifetime and replacement path for controllers, sensors, bridges and border routers.
Current status and what to verify in 2026
In its March 19, 2026 account of Light + Building, the DALI Alliance reported significant interest in DALI+ with Thread and discussions about retrofits, hybrid installations and building-management integration. It also said members were preparing products for market. Those statements indicate industry interest and product development; they are not a market-adoption statistic, a list of purchasable products or a certification launch announcement.
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Earlier Alliance material from May and October 2021 explains the architecture and described Thread certification testing as being developed. The reviewed 2026 update does not establish a certification-launch date or name a current catalogue of certified products. Therefore, do not write a tender clause claiming that a particular product is DALI+ certified until the live Alliance certification information or the manufacturer supplies current evidence.
No authoritative figures were established for DALI+ installations, energy savings, market share, performance or a universal device maximum. Avoid inserting such numbers into a design brief. Obtain measurable guarantees from the supplier for the exact topology, traffic load, coverage, latency, resilience and environmental conditions.
Common pitfalls and remedies
| Potential problem | Why it happens | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Specifying a Thread radio as DALI+ proof | Carrier capability is confused with DALI+ application support | Request DALI+ implementation details and current certification evidence for the exact device |
| Assuming every DALI function crosses a bridge | Bridge mappings differ by product and firmware | Test each required command, data object, priority and alarm in the submittal process |
| Using a wireless gateway and calling it DALI+ | The gateway may translate another ecosystem into wired DALI | Identify where DALI commands originate and which protocol is used on each network segment |
| Ignoring building-network controls | IP lighting is treated as an isolated electrical circuit | Obtain IT approval for VLANs, firewall rules, credentials, updates, monitoring and recovery |
| Overpromising scale | The single-subnet 64+64 figures are applied to a whole building | Size system addresses, controllers, bridges and traffic using the applicable specification and supplier calculations |
| Weak wireless coverage after fit-out | Steel, dense partitions and services alter radio paths | Survey after construction, allow for mesh routing and document border-router placement |
| Relying on historical certification language | Older overview pages describe development status | Check the current Alliance certification resources and obtain dated manufacturer evidence |
When DALI+ is a sensible choice
DALI+ deserves consideration when a project wants DALI’s addressing and data model but cannot economically run a dedicated pair everywhere, or when an IP backbone must connect several lighting areas. It is especially relevant to hybrid refurbishments: retain serviceable wired DALI and D4i equipment, add wireless or IP zones where construction constraints demand them, and connect the domains with documented bridges.
Stay with a conventional wired DALI design when the project has straightforward cable routes, a stable bus topology and no requirement for wireless or IP transport. Consider a wireless-to-DALI gateway when the owner has already standardized on another wireless ecosystem and only needs translation to existing DALI buses. In every case, make the decision from verified device support, commissioning responsibility, security controls, interoperability evidence and lifecycle support—not from the DALI+ label alone.
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