Indication and operating elements in the DCA
DALI commissioning environment - Operating devices
DALI device commissioning must be performed after device configuration has been completed (all groups and single devices created / scenes configured / all group addresses assigned). In addition, it is necessary that the gateway has been programmed with the ETS at least once before DALI device commissioning so that the device has a physical address and the application program is loaded.
If the described prerequisites are fulfilled, the "DALI device commissioning" can be called up via the tab of the same name or the button in the welcome window of the DCA. After calling up the commissioning, the DALI commissioning environment is visible in the DCA window.
(A) | Display area for status messages |
(B) | Tab for switching the DALI systems |
(C) | Buttons for device search and completion of DALI commissioning |
(D) | Buttons for DALI test all ON / OFF (control of all connected DALI operating devices by broadcast) |
(I) | Button for context menu (settings and advanced functions) |
(F) | Slide switch for switching on and off the automatic flashing mode for device identification |
(G) | Display area on the left for configured groups and single devices from the parameter configuration |
(H) | Display area on the right for operating devices (electronic ballasts) found from the DALI system |
(I) | Buttons for assigning or disconnecting found devices and projected DALI groups or single devices |
The left display area (G) shows all groups and single devices that have been set in the parameter view in the course of the project design of the gateway. The names of the groups and single devices as well as the addresses and device types are transferred from the configuration to the indication. The right display area (H) contains all operating devices (electronic ballasts) found in the DALI system. In the course of the DALI commissioning, the DALI operating devices (H) found are linked to the projected groups and single devices (G) by assignment. Only by linking is it possible to control the operating devices later during operation of the gateway using KNX communication objects.
DALI Online functions
Some DALI online functions of the DALI commissioning environment (e.g. device search, device identification, completion of commissioning) require a functional programming connection from the ETS to the relevant gateway in the KNX installation. Before executing the DALI online functions, the DCA first checks whether the ETS can communicate with the gateway via the KNX programming connection (status message "
Connection check active"). If this is not the case, no DALI online functions can be carried out. The DCA then displays the status message "
Error no response" in the display area (A).
For trouble-free DALI commissioning, the gateway must be connected to the KNX line and the bus and mains voltage supply must be switched on without interruption. In addition, the ETS must have a functioning communications interface to the KNX (e.g. USB or IP).
If it is not possible to establish a connection to the gateway via the KNX programming interface, the cause must be identified. Reasons for a faulty connection and the appropriate remedies are listed below:
- Cause: No functioning ETS communication interface to the KNX.
Remedy: Check, and if necessary, setup the connection in the ETS. - Cause: Physical address and application program not previously programmed by the ETS.
Remedy: Exit DCA and then program the physical address and the application program with the ETS. - Cause: KNX bus voltage at the gateway or at the ETS communication interface not connected or ready for operation.
Remedy: Connect and switch on the bus voltage. - Cause: Mains voltage supply on the gateway not switched on.
Remedy: Switch on the mains supply at the gateway.
With the "I" and "0" (D) buttons, all operating devices of the selected DALI system can be switched on and off together. The gateway uses a DALI broadcast command for this control. With the help of this function, it is possible to quickly and easily test all participants connected to the DALI system in the course of a DALI commissioning.
Status messages
In the display area (A) of the DALI commissioning environment, the DCA displays status messages that inform the operator of the status of the configuration or commissioning and also provide further information. The possible status messages and their meaning are described below.
| Connection check active | Some DALI online functions of the commissioning environment or the DALI test require a functional programming connection from the ETS to the affected gateway in the KNX installation. The DCA first performs a connection check and checks whether the ETS can communicate with the gateway via the KNX programming connection. If successful, the DALI online function is executed immediately. |
| Commissioning not completed | In the course of the DALI commissioning carried out offline, changes have been made to the DALI configuration (e.g. modified group assignments) that still have to be programmed into the gateway. After completing all configurations, commissioning must be completed in the DCA (Complete DALI device commissioning). |
| ETS programming necessary | The DCA has detected that the physical address or the application program of the gateway has not yet been fully programmed in the ETS project. Before a DALI commissioning or a DALI test can be carried out in the DCA, a complete commissioning with the ETS must have been carried out. Complete the ETS commissioning and then switch back to the DCA to perform the DALI commissioning or the DALI test. The DCA cannot be operated during an ETS programming process. |
| Error no answer | The DCA could not maintain a stable connection via the KNX to the gateway in the course of an ongoing communication. For trouble-free DALI commissioning or a DALI test, the gateway must be connected to the KNX line and the bus and mains voltage supply must be switched on without interruption. In addition, the ETS must have a functioning communications interface to the KNX (e.g. USB or IP). |
| DALI system: Standby switch-off active | The DCA has attempted to access the gateway via the KNX to execute a DALI online function. At this moment, the standby switch-off was active in the affected DALI system. DALI online access to the gateway is only possible if the DALI system concerned is in normal operation (no standby shutdown active). To do this, control at least one group or single device via the KNX to deactivate the standby switch-off. Only then carry out another access to the gateway with the DCA. |
| DALI system: gateway does not respond | The DCA has attempted to access the gateway via the KNX to execute a DALI online function. At this moment, however, the gateway was busy with another function in the affected DALI system (e.g. DALI initialisation after an ETS programming procedure, automatic device replacement via manual operation) or there is a physical error on the DALI line (e.g. short circuit). Access to the gateway is only possible if the DALI system concerned is in normal operation. Wait a short time or remove the malfunction of normal operation and then perform access to the gateway again with the DCA. |
| Project design error in the DALI system | An error has occurred in the configuration of the parameters in at least one of the DALI systems (e.g. identical short addresses assigned several times). The DALI commissioning or the DALI test cannot be carried out. To continue or complete the DALI commissioning or to run the DALI test, the configuration error in the affected DALI systems must be removed. |
| Global project design error | An error has occurred in the configuration of the parameters in at least one of the DALI systems (e.g. error in the scene configuration). The DALI commissioning or the DALI test cannot be carried out. To continue or complete the DALI commissioning or to run the DALI test, the configuration error in the affected DALI systems must be removed. |
| Connection error | The DCA could not establish a connection via the KNX to the gateway. For trouble-free DALI commissioning or a DALI test, the gateway must be connected to the KNX line and the bus and mains voltage supply must be switched on without interruption. In addition, the ETS must have a functioning communications interface to the KNX (e.g. USB or IP). |
| Additional information | Additional information can be displayed for some status messages. To do this, move the mouse pointer to the status message with the |
symbol.Context menus
In the DALI commissioning environment, a context menu (E) is available to access settings and advanced functions. The context menu is called up when the 
symbol is clicked with the left or right mouse button.
| Compatibility mode | Through this checkbox, the compatibility mode of the DALI commissioning can optionally be activated (Additional functions - Operating devices). This means that the commissioning process becomes distinctly more tolerant towards specific DALI commissioning parameters, which means that operating devices not fully compliant with the DALI specification can be commissioned, possibly subject to functional restrictions. |
| Partial DALI commissioning | This checkbox activates the partial DALI commissioning (Additional functions - Operating devices). This affects the DALI device search and the finalisation process of the DALI commissioning. If this checkbox is enabled, operating devices that have already been found during a new DALI device search will be retained even if these do not respond to the gateway (e.g. if the mains voltage supply of these operating devices is switched off or the DALI cable was disconnected). This allows DALI systems to be partially commissioned. If the checkbox is disabled, operating devices that have already been found during a new device search will be removed from the configuration if these devices no longer respond to the gateway. |
| Brightness adjustment device search | During a device search, all connected operating devices of a DALI system can switch on to minimum brightness. This makes it possible to determine whether the devices are actually functioning and react to the device search. If necessary, the automatic switch-on to minimum brightness can be switched off. |
| Use single device designation | Names of operating devices found and of configured groups and single devices can be edited as desired. If the checkbox is selected, the projected names of the single devices are retained when operating device assignments are cancelled, so that the name is transferred from the left to the right display area. If the checkbox is deselected, the name that was originally assigned to the operating device before the assignment is displayed again in the right display area after the assignment is cancelled. The checkbox has no effect on names of operating devices that were assigned to groups. |
| Allow multiple group assignments | Control gear can be assigned to more than one DALI group for group control. To enable this, the checkbox must be selected. |
| Carry out DALI reset | With this command, a global reset of the selected DALI system can be executed. With a DALI reset, all operating devices of the DALI system are reset to the delivery status defined by the manufacturer. |
In the display area for found devices (H), a separate context menu is available for each operating device, via which DALI online functions can be called up with which selected devices can be identified in the DALI system. These operating devices can be made to switch-on, switch-off and flash (cyclical ON and OFF). The device context menu is called up when one or more devices are selected in the display area and then the right mouse button is clicked.
| Switch-on device | This DALI online command switches on one selected operating device at a time. This menu item is not available when selecting several operating devices. |
| Switch-off device | This DALI online command switches off one selected operating device at a time. This menu item is not available when selecting several operating devices. |
| Start device flashing Stop device flashing | The DALI online command "Start device flashing" switches selected operating devices on and off cyclically. The switching state changes approx. once a second. During the flashing process, the device symbols in the display area of the DCA also flash. The menu items "Start device flashing" and "Stop device flashing" are available as alternatives to each other. |
| Rename | With this menu item it is possible to rename (change the displayed name) a selected operating device. Renaming can be done in the same way by double-clicking the left mouse button on the corresponding operating device in the list or by pressing the "F2" key. This menu item is not available when selecting several operating devices. |
In the display area for projected groups and single devices (G), another separate context menu is available for each element. Operating functions can be executed via this context menu. The context menu is called up when a group or an single device is selected in the display area and then the right mouse button is clicked.
| Rename | With this menu item it is possible to rename (change the displayed name) a selected group or an single device. Renaming can be done in the same way by double-clicking the left mouse button on the corresponding element in the list. Renaming groups and single devices also has an effect on the projected designations in the standard parameter dialogue of the gateway. The changes are adopted here in the same way. |
| Unassign | This command removes an existing assignment to a found operating device. The operating device concerned then moves back to the right-hand display area (H) without being assigned. This menu item is only available when selecting a projected single device or a virtual device within a group. |
| Delete Delete unassigned ECGs | This menu item removes either a virtual device created in a group ("Delete") or all virtual devices created in a group ("Delete unassigned ECGs"). Deletion is only possible if the virtual devices are not assigned to any operating devices found. These menu items are only available when selecting an unassigned virtual device within a group, or when selecting a group that has unassigned virtual devices. |
Make devices flash automatically
After searching for operating devices in a DALI system in the course of commissioning, it is usually necessary to identify the devices, i.e. to recognise and log their installation or effective location. The function "Selected devices flash automatically", which can be activated via the slide switch of the same name, can help here.
When the function is activated, the operating devices selected in the right-hand display area (H) flash automatically. The selected operating devices are then switched on and off cyclically by the gateway. The switching state changes approx. once a second. During the flashing process, the device symbols in the display area of the DCA also flash. As soon as the selection is changed with the mouse or keyboard, the flashing stops for the devices that are no longer selected. Only the devices that have been selected in the display area flash. By using the arrow keys on the keyboard, operating devices can be selected quickly and clearly and identified in the DALI system.
The flashing process remains active until the function is deactivated again via the sliding switch. The function is also automatically deactivated as soon as another available DALI online function is selected in the DCA.
Assign names
In the display areas (G) and (H), groups, single devices and found DALI operating devices are displayed. These elements have editable names for better identification in the DCA.
The names of configured groups and single devices (left display area) are derived from the parameter configuration of the application program. In the standard parameter dialogue of the ETS, the names are specified by the "Designation" parameters (e.g. "Group" and "electronic ballast"). Operating devices found that are listed in the right-hand display area after a successful DALI device search are given a preset technical name (e.g. "Electronic ballast 1", "Electronic ballast 2") that can be edited subsequently and adapted by a descriptive name if required.
It is possible to change the group and single device names or the names of the operating devices in the DCA by selecting the "Rename" command in the context menu of the element (right mouse click). Alternatively, names can also be edited by double-clicking (left mouse button). Names of group and single devices that have been changed in the DCA are also adopted in the same way in the parameter dialogue of the ETS.
Operating devices found in the right-hand display area can have a technical name (e.g. a designation from an installation plan for marking and identifying the electronic ballast directly during a device search) or a descriptive name that usually also corresponds to the projected designation (e.g. the designation from a visualisation for the user of the installation). The name used in the right-hand display area of the commissioning dialogue of the DCA usually depends on the wishes of the ETS user or the planner and allows individual procedures for your DALI commissioning.
The setting "Use single device designation" in the context menu of the DALI commissioning dialogue defines the following rules when displaying and assigning found operating devices:
- "Use single device designation" deactivated (default):
- The technical name of any operating devices found is shown in the right-hand display area. The name can be edited by double-clicking or via the context menu (right mouse click). The technical name is persisted and not overwritten by an assignment to projected single devices. It can therefore be indicated again at any time if the option "Use single device designation" is deactivated.
- "Use single device designation" activated:
- The speaking name of operating devices found is shown in the right-hand display area. Here, too, the name can be edited by double-clicking or via the context menu (right mouse click). When assigning to configured single devices, the speaking name is always replaced by the name from the parameterisation of the single device. The last speaking name edited in the right display area before the assignment is therefore overwritten by an assignment.
When assigning to groups, the virtual devices created in the groups are always given the name of the operating devices found, which is visible in the right-hand display area. Depending on the option "Use single device designation", either the technical or the speaking name is then also displayed in the left display area for the virtual devices. The name of an operating device is also transferred to a virtual device if it was already created in a group by an earlier assignment and is only linked to another operating device.
