DALI commissioning environment - Sensors
DALI sensor commissioning must be carried out if DALI sensors are to be used to control DALI groups or individual devices or other KNX actuators. Only sensors that have been commissioned can be connected to KNX group addresses so that DALI operating devices can be controlled.
It is advisable to have configured the DALI sensors before the DALI sensor commissioning so that the sensors found can be assigned directly. However, the assignment can also be changed at any time.
The "DALI sensor 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 for sensors in the DCA window.
(A) | Display area for status messages |
(B) | Tab for switching the DALI systems |
(C) | Search buttons for sensors |
(I) | Button for context menu (settings and advanced functions) |
(F) | Slide switch for switching the automatic identification of selected sensors on and off |
(G) | Display area on left for configured DALI sensors |
(H) | Display area on the right for DALI sensors found |
(I) | Buttons for assigning or disconnecting found DALI sensors and configured DALI sensors |
The left display area (G) shows all DALI sensor channels that have been set in the parameter view in the course of the project design of the gateway. The names of the sensors as well as the channel numbers and sensor types are transferred from the configuration to the display. The right display area (H) contains all sensors found in the DALI system. In the course of DALI sensor commissioning, the DALI sensors (H) found are linked to the configured DALI sensors (G) by assignment. Only by linking is it possible to control the actuators later during operation of the gateway using DALI sensors via KNX communication objects.
DALI Online functions
Some DALI online functions of the commissioning environment (e.g. search for sensors, identify sensors) require a functional programming connection from the ETS to the affected 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.
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. |
| 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. |
| 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.
| Partial DALI commissioning | This checkbox activates the partial DALI commissioning (Additional functions - Operating devices). This influences the DALI sensor search. If this checkbox is set, sensors that have already been found are retained during a new sensor search, even if they do not respond to the gateway (for example, if the DALI line has been disconnected). This allows DALI systems to be partially commissioned. If the checkbox is disabled, DALI sensors 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. |
| Show alternative designation | Names of DALI sensors found and of configured DALI sensors can be edited as required. During the sensor search, a technical name is automatically assigned to each sensor found. This name can be changed to a speaking name, for example. The control panel can be used to switch between the technical and the speaking name. |
| Carry out DALI reset | With this command, a reset for all of the sensor channels of the selected DALI system can be executed. With a DALI reset during sensor commissioning, all DALI sensors of the DALI system are reset to the delivery status defined by the manufacturer. |
In the display area for found DALI sensors (H), a separate context menu is available for each device, via which DALI online functions can be called up with which selected sensors can be identified in the DALI system. Depending on the sensor, identification can be carried out by flashing or continuous illumination of an LED or by triggering an acoustic signalling device. The device context menu is called up when one or more sensors are selected in the display area and then the right mouse button is clicked.
| Start sensor identification Stop sensor identification
| The DALI online command "Start sensor identification" sets selected sensors to identification mode. Depending on the sensor, this can be done by activating an LED or an acoustic signalling device. During the flashing process, the device symbols in the display area of the DCA also flash. The menu items "Start sensor identification" and "Stop sensor identification" are available as alternatives to each other. |
| Rename | With this menu item it is possible to rename (change the displayed name) a selected sensor or sensor channel. Renaming can be done in the same way by double-clicking the left mouse button on the corresponding sensor in the list or by pressing the "F2" key. This menu item is not available when selecting several sensors. |
In the display area for configured DALI sensors (G), another separate context menu is available for each element. The context menu is called up when a sensor 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 DALI sensor. Renaming can be done in the same way by double-clicking the left mouse button on the corresponding element in the list. Renaming DALI sensor channels 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 sensor channel. This menu item is only available when a configured sensor channel is selected. |
Identify sensors automatically
After searching for DALI sensors in a DALI system in the course of commissioning, it is usually necessary to identify the sensors, i. e. to recognise and log their installation or effective location. The function "Identify selected sensors automatically", which can be activated via the sliding switch (F) of the same name, can help here.
When this function is activated, sensors selected in the right-hand display area (H) are automatically commanded to activate their identification mode. The telegram is repeated at 5-second intervals. During the identification process, the device symbols flash in the display area of the DCA. As soon as the selection is changed with the mouse or keyboard, the identification mode stops for the sensors that are no longer selected. Only the selected sensors are ever in identification mode. By using the arrow keys on the keyboard, sensors can be selected quickly and clearly and identified in the DALI system.
Identification mode remains active until the function is deactivated again using the sliding switch. The function is also automatically deactivated as soon as another available DALI online function is selected in the DCA.
Assign names
Configured and found DALI sensors are displayed in the display areas (G) and (H). These elements have editable names for better identification in the DCA.
The names of configured sensors (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. "sensor channel"). Sensors found that are listed in the right-hand display area after a successful DALI sensor search are given a preset technical name (e.g. "Sensor 1", "Sensor 2") that can be edited subsequently and adapted by a descriptive name if required.
It is possible to change the names of the sensors 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 sensor channels 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 sensors directly during a sensor 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 "Show alternative designation" setting in the context menu of the DALI commissioning dialogue defines the following rules when displaying and assigning found sensors:
- "Show alternative designation" deactivated (default):
- The technical name of any sensors 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. It can therefore be displayed again at any time if the "Show alternative designation" option is deactivated.
- "Show alternative designation" activated:
- The speaking name of sensors 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). The speaking name is persisted. It can therefore be displayed again at any time if the "Show alternative designation" option is activated.
- When assigning the instances to the configured sensors, the virtual instances always receive the name of the instances of the sensors found, which is visible in the right-hand display area.
