01582 369005 Lighting control systems are popular for many reasons, with the endless list of benefits it provides their users, from future-proofing a building to modern and attractive designs to the cost advantages it poses.
Both DALI and Casambi are popular choices when it comes to choosing a lighting system. DALI lighting control systems have been around since the late 90s and stand for Digital Addressable Lighting Interface. It is an open two-way protocol which provides control and communication for lighting systems. Due to being an open protocol, any manufacturer can use it and most of our lighting range is DALI compatible. Casambi is a newer product and is considered a type of smart lighting due to its offering of wireless lighting control through Bluetooth mesh technology.
Both DALI and Casambi systems have their pros and cons, but there are additionally a significant amount of similarities and differences between the two lighting control systems.
In this blog, we weigh the two lighting control options against each other, taking a look at the benefits of each lighting control and their similarities and differences, helping you to find a suitable solution for your commercial space.
What are the differences between DALI and Casambi?
DALI and Casambi share a variety of features, but there are many differences between the two lighting controls which need to be taken into consideration when choosing between the two types. Examples of these variations include:
Wired vs wireless
One stand-out distinction between the two lighting controls is that, unlike Casambi, which is a completely wireless lighting system, DALI does not provide a wireless option. The control system is wired, meaning lighting cannot be controlled through your smartphone, tablet or other types of smart device. (Please note that DALI+ does exist, which is a version of DALI that uses Wifi networks, which is currently under development).
Wired controls often can impose a number of challenges, including the length between a controller and the luminaire, professionally carried out reconfigurations, changes to the building’s wiring, the possible requirement of building reconstruction and more. However, compared to other wired lighting systems, DALI is a relatively simple wiring system, with it being able to be wired next to the normal mains, making installation a fairly straightforward process with minimal segregation.
With the Casambi lighting controls, you can control the entire use of your lighting from your device by using the Casambi control app. This is due to the control being configured around Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which is standard on any smart device, making it universally compatible. However, this isn’t the only way of being able to control the lighting. If you prefer, you can retrofit an existing switch to have Casambi modules allowing complete control or install Casambi ready wireless switches similar to DALI.
Due to Casambi not requiring any wiring, installation is a simple process and should you need to add, remove or replace a luminaire; there are no physical restraints. It can instead be simply done through the app.
Although wiring a building can often be seen as an expensive route, a single DALI line can reach up to 250 metres, whereas Casambi is limited to 80 metres, providing placement limitations in larger commercial spaces. Additionally, thick walls can occasionally prevent Bluetooth signals.
Control of luminaires
While one DALI line can control 64 devices at once, Casambi lighting controls are even more impressive, with the Classic version having the ability to control up to 127 devices and the Evolution network being able to control up to 250 devices. Meaning Casambi can be a highly beneficial investment for commercial spaces which require the use of multiple luminaires at one time. However, it is worth noting that with a DALI router, more luminaires can be controlled at once.
Although it is possible to fine tune with Casambi, DALI lighting controls provide you with the ability to attune your lighting even more so than Casambi. Examples of the functions include turning on and off, dimming, colour control, colour changing, emergency lighting testing and feedback, complex scene settings and more.
What are the similarities between DALI and Casambi?
Like with any lighting control system, DALI and Casambi share some strong similarities despite the variation between the two lighting controls. For example, both DALI and Casambi are versatile, with their unique features. Whether you choose DALI or Casambi for your lighting control, both are cost-effective options, helping to provide a return on investment in the long run and cutting costs during maintenance and replacement.
Which lighting control system should you choose?
As an overall judgement, both lighting systems are fantastic choices should you wish to have flexible control over your lighting and allows you to have control over more than one luminaire at once, which can be highly beneficial for commercial buildings.
There is no doubt that the DALI lighting control is certainly impressive, but at Mount Lighting, we personally believe the Casambi lighting controls are first-class and offer a higher level of benefits for commercial premises, providing a fantastic investment.
If you are interested in adding a modern and simple touch to your building, consider adding a Casambi lighting control to your space, paired with Mount Lighting’s compatible luminaires. Book a chat with one of our Casambi specialists today.
