DALI-2 (IEC 62386) bus commissioning involves three sequential tasks: assigning short addresses (0-63) to each ECG (Electronic Control Gear — LED driver or ballast), assigning ECGs to groups (0-15), and storing scene values (0-15 per group). Manual commissioning via keypad is practical only for small systems (< 10 ECGs). For 20+ ECG installations, automated commissioning via the MDT DALI gateway ETS6 plug-in reduces commissioning time from hours to under 30 minutes. This guide covers the DALI-2 commissioning process, addressing methods, group strategy, and scene storage.

DALI bus topology and device count

Each DALI line (bus) supports maximum 64 ECG addresses (short addresses 0-63). Additional device types: DALI input devices (IEC 62386 Part 301 — pushbuttons, occupancy sensors) counted separately from ECGs. DALI-2 power supply: MDT SCG-0800.01 (8W, 64mA) or Tridonic PCA one4all (DIN-rail, 250mA for large DALI lines). Bus cable: any 2-core cable, polarity-insensitive. Maximum bus length: 300m at 2.5mm² cross-section (or 1200m at 1.5mm² — longer runs have higher impedance, slower commissioning, but still functional). Power supply and gateway on same DALI bus — do not connect two DALI power supplies in parallel on one bus.

Automated addressing via MDT DALI gateway ETS6 plug-in

In ETS6: add MDT DALI gateway (AKD-0800.01 or similar) to project. Open DALI commissioning tool in ETS6 plug-in. Step 1 — Initialize: all ECGs on bus set to broadcast address (255) via DALI INITIALIZE command. Step 2 — Randomise: each ECG generates a 24-bit random number (RANDOMIZE command) — used as temporary unique identifier during addressing. Step 3 — Address scan: gateway sends COMPARE command with reference random number, progressively narrowing down to unique ECG — binary search algorithm. Each ECG found gets next available short address (0, 1, 2... 63). This automated scan takes approximately 30 seconds for 64 ECGs. After addressing: ECG list appears in ETS6 plug-in table with short address, type, and any existing factory label.

Physical labelling during addressing

During automated addressing, you cannot control which ECG gets which short address — randomise generates a completely unpredictable address assignment. To establish logical addressing (where ECG 0 = Room 1 luminaire 1, ECG 1 = Room 1 luminaire 2, etc.): use the MDT ETS6 plug-in's manual address swap function. After initial scan: identify each ECG by sending a short blink command (DACP_QUERY_INPUT_VALUE) — the luminaire connected to that ECG flashes briefly. Note the physical location. Drag ECG in table to logical address position. Plug-in sends PROGRAM_SHORT_ADDRESS command to reassign. Alternative: label luminaires during installation with temporary numbered stickers matching the expected ECG address, then verify during commissioning scan.

Group assignment strategy

DALI groups (0-15) allow simultaneous control of multiple ECGs with a single group command. Planning: maximum 15 meaningful groups per DALI line. Standard residential grouping: Group 0 = all lights (master on/off), Group 1 = living room, Group 2 = kitchen, Group 3 = hallway, Group 4 = bedroom 1, Group 5 = bathroom 1, Group 6 = outdoor. Standard office grouping: Group 0 = all, Group 1 = perimeter zones (daylight harvesting), Group 2 = interior zones, Group 3 = meeting room A, Group 4 = meeting room B, Group 5 = emergency (DALI Part 202 ECGs only). Each ECG can belong to multiple groups simultaneously — ECG 5 can be in Group 1 (perimeter) and Group 0 (all). In MDT ETS6 plug-in: check all groups for each ECG row — each checkmark = ADD_TO_GROUP command sent during group configuration.

Scene storage

DALI scenes (0-15) store a light level (0-254 = 0-100%, or DAPC value 255 = last known level, MASK = scene inactive for this ECG). Each ECG stores its own scene values independently — sending GOTO_SCENE group command broadcasts to all group members, each reads its own stored scene level. Scene programming: in MDT ETS6 plug-in, scene editor shows matrix (ECGs × scenes). Enter percentage value for each cell. Values above 5% (DAPC > 12): ECG ramps to stored level at configured fade time (0.7s to 90.5s per ECG). For dim-to-warm tunable white: additional command sequence using DALI Arc Power Control (DAPC) on colour temperature channel (IEC 62386 Part 209) simultaneously with intensity — requires DALI-2 tunable white ECGs.

DALI troubleshooting

Common commissioning issues: ECG not discovered in scan = bus voltage below 9.5V (check DALI PSU load — DALI PSU current limit = number of ECGs × 2mA). Multiple ECGs get same address = two ECGs had identical random number (extremely rare — re-run randomise command). ECG does not respond to group command = ECG not assigned to group (re-check group assignment). Scene recall incorrect = scene values stored in wrong ECG or wrong scene number (re-run scene programming). DALI short circuit: bus voltage drops to 0V, gateway reports bus error — disconnect luminaires in sections to identify faulty ECG.