Device Configuration App (DCA)

To carry out the DALI commissioning and the DALI test, a completely ETS-integrated Device Configuration App (DCA), which supplements the standard parameter dialogue, is used. This enables the identification, addressing and assignment of DALI control gears and DALI sensors by using the familiar ETS environment without having to use additional software beyond the ETS.

The DCA technology is manufacturer-neutral and not part of the ETS application. Each DCA must be downloaded free of charge from the KNX Association App Shop (www.knx.org) and then installed in the ETS App Console. As soon as the DCA has been installed in the ETS, a "DCA" tab is available on the gateway in the project planning window next to the parameter dialogue.

Project design and commissioning of the device is possible using ETS5 (from version 5.7.7) or ETS6 (from version 6.1.0). The DCA is identical for these ETS generations.

Unfortunately, the "Undo" function of the ETS has only insufficient influence on DCA. Consequently, this ETS function should not be used when working with the DCA.

The "DCA" tab of the ETS is always located next to the "Parameters" tab in the configuration window of a selected device. In the ETS, several project planning windows can be opened simultaneously in the workspace. To ensure that the interaction between the device parameters and the DCA always functions smoothly, parameters and DCA functions should only ever be edited in the same configuration window!

Clicking on the "DCA" tab in the project planning window of the ETS immediately opens the Device Configuration App with the Welcome window.

The DCA implements the following functions:

• DALI device commissioning
  DALI device commissioning is required to put the DALI control gear (ballasts) installed in the system into operation. With this function, the assignment to the configured groups and single devices and the DALI addressing is carried out. It should be noted that a DALI commissioning can only be carried out completely if the ETS has a functioning programming connection to the KNX installation and the DALI installation is switched on and ready for operation.
• DALI sensor commissioning
  DALI sensor commissioning is required to put the DALI control devices (sensors) installed in the system into operation. Only sensors that work as input devices in instance mode are put into operation. This function is used to make the assignment between the configured sensors and the DALI addressing. It should be noted that a DALI commissioning can only be carried out completely if the ETS has a functioning programming connection to the KNX installation and the DALI installation is switched on and ready for operation.
• DALI test
  The DALI test helps to test a commissioned DALI system for correct functioning . Operating devices that have been found as well as configured groups and single devices can be controlled and the switching status and brightness can be influenced. In addition, it is possible to perform colour temperature or colour control and to test scenes. Just like the DALI commissioning, a DALI test can be carried out only if the ETS has a programming connection to the KNX system and the DALI system is switched on and ready for operation. In addition, the ETS application program must have been programmed with the ETS and a DALI commissioning must have been carried out in order to gain access to all test functions.
• Export/Import
  With the export/import function, an existing parameterisation can be saved in an XML file and restored if necessary. During an export, all parameters and the DALI commissioning configuration are saved in a file. By means of an import, all contents of an exported file can be read into the application program of the previously exported gateway or of another gateway of the same type. This makes it easy to transfer a complete configuration or a configuration template to a new project.
• Documentation
  In the documentation, the DCA exports the configuration of the DALI commissioning of the gateway present in the ETS project into a PDF document. The projected DALI groups and single devices (name, address, type and status), all configured DALI sensors as well as the DALI devices found in the DALI system but not assigned are logged.
• Help
  The help contains the function description for the DCA and the ETS application program of the gateway. The help explains the application functions in detail, contains an overview of all parameters and communication objects and describes the procedure for DALI commissioning and DALI testing.

When configuring the "Central" addressing type, no DALI device commissioning is required in the DALI system concerned. In this case, the DCA can be used for DALI device commissioning (only broadcast control of all operating devices) and for documentation as well as help.