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SAVING ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT |
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COMMERCIAL BUILDING AUTOMATIONDALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is a protocol for digital communication between lighting devices.DALI is a subsystem that offers useful add-ons and features for the practical application of lighting management systems. DALI works by providing each individual light fitting, or ballast, with its own digital address so that lights may be controlled automatically within a group or individually. Preset groups of lights may be changed without any rewiring. C-Bus, by Clipsal, is a microprocessor-based control and management system of buildings and homes and is used to control lighting and other electrical services. Each C-Bus device has its own in-built microprocessor and "intelligence", allowing units to be individually programmed. A single C-Bus cable connection can control an unlimited number of devices. For example, the main switch panel in a typical building could contain 200 switches and 100 dimmers (or even more), yet only one C-Bus twisted pair cable would be wired to the switch panel. Integration ECOsystems is currently involved in a number of commercial applications where the benefits of integrating C-Bus with Dali make for a much superior option than either system can offer on its own. While DALI is an excellent technology, it is limited by power consumption. If there are 64 ballasts, there is little remaining power for controllers, PIR's and Light Level Sensors which limits network size. By integrating Clipsal C-Bus, 64 fittings can be installed on all DALI networks, reducing the number of networks required, complexity and cabling requirements. Using C-Bus logic control, a whole higher level of outcome over and above DALI on its own also becomes possible. Previous DALI installations have required C-Bus and the logic control to enable the specification to actually be met. C-Bus can also be interfaced with many BMS controls using RS232 or dry contacts and can directly communicate with Johnson Controls BMS. See an example of C-Bus/DALI integration undertaken by ECOsystems. |
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About Us
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Products
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Energy Audits & Systems Integration
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Commercial Building Automation
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ECOsystems Limited, Level 2, 17 Raroa Road, Lower Hutt, NEW ZEALAND |
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