The Helvar Router 950 is unique in the DALI controller market: it combines a full 2-line DALI controller (128 addressable devices total) with a native KNX TP interface, eliminating the need for a separate DALI-to-KNX gateway. This makes it the preferred choice for KNX integrators building commercial lighting systems where DALI device-level control and KNX building automation must coexist in the same ETS6 project. Commissioning uses Helvar Imagine software, which discovers DALI devices, assigns short addresses, configures groups and scenes, sets up emergency test schedules, and maps DALI commands to KNX group addresses — all from a single tool.

Hardware overview: Router 950 architecture

The Router 950 (article 945) has: 2 × DALI lines (Line 1: up to 64 devices, Line 2: up to 64 devices), 1 × KNX TP port (BCU integrated, individual address programmable in ETS6), 1 × Ethernet RJ45 (for Imagine software connection and KNXnet/IP monitoring), 24V DC auxiliary power input. DIN-rail mount, 2 modules wide. DALI power: the Router 950 includes an integrated DALI power supply — max 250mA per line. Line current: each DALI ballast/driver draws 2mA. 64 devices × 2mA = 128mA < 250mA limit, so no external DALI PS needed for fully loaded lines. If mixing Router 950 with existing DALI PS-powered lines: disable Router 950 DALI PS on that line (jumper setting).

Step 1: Imagine software installation and device discovery

Download Helvar Imagine from helvar.com — Windows only (no Mac/Linux version). Connect laptop to Router 950 Ethernet port (or same LAN switch). Router 950 default IP: 192.168.0.254 / 255.255.255.0. Imagine > New Project > Add Device > Scan Network — Router 950 appears as Workgroup 1, Controller 1. DALI bus scan: Imagine > Controller 1 > DALI Line 1 > Scan. Discovery finds all DALI devices on Line 1 and assigns random short addresses (0-63). Device list shows: address, device type (Type 8 = colour, Type 6 = LED, Type 0 = fluorescent), device label (read from device memory). Emergency ECG (DALI Part 202): shown with battery icon. For EN 50172 compliance, emergency ECGs must be on a separately controllable DALI group — Helvar recommends: Group 14 = all emergency ECGs Line 1, Group 15 = all emergency ECGs Line 2.

Step 2: Short address assignment and labelling

Randomise short addresses: Imagine > Line 1 > Randomise — overwrites discovery addresses with sequential 0, 1, 2... Top-to-bottom, left-to-right room labelling convention: open-plan office, 4 rows of luminaires: Row A (south) = addresses 0-7, Row B = 8-15, Row C = 16-23, Row D (north) = 24-31. Label each device in Imagine with room/zone description — these labels appear in commissioning reports and EN 50172 documentation. Physical identification: Imagine > Address > Identify — flashes DALI device at selected address for 10 seconds. Used to confirm physical-to-database address mapping before group assignment.

Step 3: Group assignment and scene programming

DALI supports 16 groups (0-15) per line. Group design for open-plan office floor: Group 0 = All Line 1 luminaires, Group 1 = Perimeter zone A+B, Group 2 = Core zone C+D, Group 3 = Meeting room 1, Group 4 = Meeting room 2, Group 5 = Corridor, Group 14 = Emergency ECGs (mandatory separate group). Scene programming: DALI supports 16 scenes (0-15) per device. Scene 0 = Presentation (perimeter 100%, core 70%, meeting 80%), Scene 1 = Video conference (perimeter 30%, core 50%, blind close signal via KNX), Scene 2 = Cleaning (all 100%), Scene 15 = Off. Store scene: Imagine > Group > Scene > Set Level > Store to scene slot. Scene recall command from KNX: DPT 18.001 (1 byte, bit 7 = activate/query, bits 0-5 = scene number 0-63). ETS6 object: KNX ABB 6149/21 dimmer or Helvar Router 950 KNX object 8 (scene recall).

Step 4: KNX group address mapping in Imagine

In Imagine, each DALI command (group level set, scene recall, individual device level) can be linked to a KNX group address: Imagine > Router 950 > KNX Mapping. Example mappings: KNX GA 1/1/0 (1-bit) → DALI Line 1 Group 0 ON/OFF (DPT 1.001); KNX GA 1/1/1 (1-byte dimming) → DALI Line 1 Group 0 absolute level (DPT 5.001, 0-255 → 0-100% DALI); KNX GA 1/1/5 (1-byte scene) → Scene recall all groups (DPT 18.001); KNX GA 1/2/0 → DALI Line 1 Group 1 (Perimeter) ON/OFF. DALI actual level feedback: Router 950 publishes DALI group actual level back to KNX status group address — used for Gira X1 visualisation or Home Assistant energy monitoring (light level → estimated wattage → daily kWh calculation).

Step 5: EN 50172 emergency test scheduling

Helvar Router 950 has built-in EN 50172 emergency test scheduler: Imagine > Emergency > Schedule. Monthly function test: Router 950 commands all Group 14 (emergency ECGs) to switch to emergency mode for 15 minutes at 03:00 on the 1st of each month. Results (pass/fail per device) logged in Router 950 internal database. Annual duration test: Router 950 triggers 3-hour discharge test on Group 14 at 03:00 on a specified date in October. Duration test result: PASS if all ECGs maintain emergency light output for 3 hours, FAIL if any ECG extinguishes early. Test reports: Imagine > Reports > Emergency Test Log — exports CSV with device address, test date, test type, result. Maintenance flag: failed ECGs automatically flagged — maintenance notification sent via KNX group address (Router 950 → KNX GA 8/0/0, DPT 1.001, 1 = maintenance required).

Step 6: Commissioning verification

Final DALI commissioning checks: 1. Each DALI short address responds to individual level command. 2. All groups respond to group-level commands. 3. All scenes recall at correct levels on all devices. 4. Emergency ECGs respond to emergency mode command (disconnect mains power to one ECG — verify lamp illuminates within 0.5s). 5. KNX group address triggers correct DALI response (use ETS6 Group Monitor: write 1 to GA 1/1/0 → verify DALI Line 1 Group 0 lights at 100%). 6. Imagine emergency test triggered manually: Imagine > Emergency > Test Now — all Group 14 ECGs switch to emergency, test logged. Helvar Imagine project file backup: save .hvp file to project documentation folder — required for future re-commissioning after luminaire replacement.