DALI Scene Programming: Group Scenes, Tunable White DT8 and Colour Control DT6
DALI scenes are stored directly in each driver's non-volatile memory and recalled by a single bus command — no server required for playback. Mastering group scenes, DT8 tunable white colour temperature profiles and DT6 RGB colour sequences is essential for professional architectural lighting commissioning.
DALI scene architecture
Each DALI device (ballast, driver or LED controller) stores up to 64 scenes in its non-volatile internal memory — scenes 0 through 63. Unlike KNX where scenes are stored in actuator parameters downloaded via ETS6, DALI scenes are written directly to the driver by a DALI controller or gateway using two fundamental DALI commands.
DALI scene commands (IEC 62386-102)
Store scene: STORE ACTUAL LEVEL IN SCENE [0..63] Writes current dim level (0–254) to scene memory slot. Sent to individual device, DALI group, or broadcast. Command must be sent twice within 100ms (DALI repeat rule). Recall scene: RECALL SCENE [0..63] Retrieves stored level from scene memory and applies it. Uses configured fade time for the device. Sent to individual device, DALI group, or broadcast. Scene not programmed: If scene slot is empty (MASK value = 0xFF = 255): Device does NOT change level on RECALL SCENE command. Device holds current level (scene is transparent/inactive). Scene fade time: Separate DALI parameter per device: FADE TIME [0..15] Value 0 = no fade; value 7 = ~2s; value 15 = ~68s Stored per-device, applies to all scene recalls.
Because scenes are stored in driver non-volatile memory, a DALI installation can recall scenes from any DALI controller, push-button panel or gateway without a server or PC being online. A power cycle does not erase scene memory. This makes DALI scene architecture fundamentally more resilient than server-stored scenes for lighting control.
DALI group scenes vs. KNX scenes
DALI and KNX scene architectures differ fundamentally in where scene data is stored and how playback works. Understanding the difference is essential when integrating both systems in a building with KNX control and DALI luminaires.
| Aspect | DALI scenes | KNX scenes |
|---|---|---|
| Scene storage | Non-volatile memory in each DALI driver | Non-volatile memory in KNX actuator (or server) |
| Recall command | DALI RECALL SCENE [0..63] on bus | DPT 18.001 telegram to scene GA |
| Server required for playback | No — DALI controller sends bus command directly | No — KNX actuators store presets internally |
| Scene programming tool | Helvar Imagine, MDT DALI plug-in, Lunatone DALI Cockpit | ETS6 parameters + download |
| Scene capacity | 64 scenes per device (DALI Part 102) | 64 scenes per ETS6 channel (DPT 18.001) |
| Mixed device types in one scene | DALI group (all devices in group share same scene number) | Multiple actuator types via shared scene GA |
| Integration | DALI gateway maps KNX scene GA to DALI RECALL SCENE | KNX actuators respond directly to scene GA |
Helvar Router 950 scene programming in Imagine software
Helvar Router 950 is a DALI/DIGIDIM network controller widely used in commercial office and retail installations. Scene programming in Helvar Imagine software is graphical and does not require manual DALI command knowledge.
Helvar Imagine scene programming steps
1. Connect to Router 950 via Helvar Imagine (IP or USB)
2. Navigate: Workgroups > [Your workgroup] > Scenes tab
3. Scene 1 "Presentation":
- Select Group 1 (All Office luminaires)
- Set level slider: 80%
- Click "Store Scene" → Imagine sends
STORE ACTUAL LEVEL IN SCENE 0 to all devices in Group 1
4. Scene 2 "Collaboration":
- Group 1 level: 60%
- Click "Store Scene"
5. Scene 3 "Video":
- Group 1 level: 20%
- Click "Store Scene"
6. Scene 0 "Off":
- Group 1 level: 0%
- Click "Store Scene"
Scene recall from KNX:
KNX push-button → DPT 18.001 Scene 1 telegram →
Router 950 KNX interface receives → Imagine mapping →
DALI RECALL SCENE 0 to Group 1 → luminaires → 80%Helvar scene numbering: Helvar Imagine displays scenes 1–64 (1-indexed) while DALI protocol uses scenes 0–63 (0-indexed). Helvar Scene 1 maps to DALI scene 0. The Router 950 handles the offset internally — the commissioning engineer works with 1-indexed scene numbers throughout Imagine software.
MDT SCN-DALI.01 ETS6 plug-in scene programming
The MDT SCN-DALI.01 DALI gateway integrates natively into ETS6 via an ETS6 plug-in, allowing DALI scene programming directly from the ETS6 project alongside KNX actuator configuration — no separate DALI software required.
MDT SCN-DALI.01 ETS6 plug-in scene workflow
ETS6 > Device > MDT SCN-DALI.01 > Open Plug-in
Step 1: Scan DALI bus
Plug-in > DALI > Scan → identifies all DALI devices,
assigns short addresses (0–63 automatically)
Step 2: Create DALI groups
Plug-in > Groups > Add Group 1 "Office"
Assign devices (short addresses 0–15) to Group 1
Step 3: Program scenes
Plug-in > Scenes > Scene 1
Select DALI Group 1
Level: 80%
Click "Write to Device" → sends STORE ACTUAL LEVEL
IN SCENE 0 to all devices in Group 1
Step 4: Configure KNX scene GA mapping
ETS6 Group Objects > Scene GA → 1/5/0 (DPT 18.001)
Mapping: Scene 1 recall → DALI RECALL SCENE 0 to Group 1
Scene 2 recall → DALI RECALL SCENE 1 to Group 1
Scene 0 recall → DALI RECALL SCENE 63 (off scene)
Step 5: Download and test
ETS6 Download → MDT gateway + DALI devices programmed.
Group Monitor: send DPT 18.001 → verify DALI response.DT8 tunable white scene programming
DALI Device Type 8 (DT8) adds colour temperature control to standard DALI dimming. DT8 scenes store both the dim level and the colour temperature (CCT) in a single scene recall — no two separate commands are needed. This enables human-centric lighting presets that vary CCT throughout the day alongside dim levels.
DT8 scene programming — Helvar Imagine (office example)
Scene 1 "Morning" → Group 1: level 50%, CCT 2700K (warm)
Scene 2 "Work" → Group 1: level 80%, CCT 4000K (neutral white)
Scene 3 "Presentation" → Group 1: level 90%, CCT 5000K (cool)
Scene 4 "Evening" → Group 1: level 40%, CCT 2700K (warm)
DALI DT8 store sequence (per scene):
1. Set luminaire to target level (DAPC command)
2. Set luminaire CCT to target Mirek
(SET COLOUR TEMPERATURE MIREK command)
3. STORE ACTUAL LEVEL IN SCENE [n]
→ stores both level AND CCT in scene slot n
RECALL SCENE [n] on DT8 device:
→ Simultaneously restores stored level AND CCT
→ Both change together in one fadeMirek values for colour temperature
DALI DT8 commands use Mirek (micro-reciprocal degree) as the CCT unit rather than Kelvin directly. Mirek is the reciprocal of CCT in megakelvin: Mirek = 1,000,000 / CCT(K). Lower Mirek = higher (cooler) colour temperature.
| CCT (Kelvin) | Mirek value | Appearance | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2700 K | 370 Mirek | Warm white (amber) | Evening, hospitality, residential |
| 3000 K | 333 Mirek | Warm white | Retail, hotel lobby, restaurants |
| 4000 K | 250 Mirek | Neutral white | Office work, education, healthcare |
| 5000 K | 200 Mirek | Cool white (daylight) | Presentation, detailed task work |
| 5500 K | 182 Mirek | Daylight | Design studios, colour-critical tasks |
| 6500 K | 154 Mirek | Cool daylight (blue-white) | Emergency lighting simulation, cleanrooms |
DALI DT8 CCT command reference
DALI command: SET COLOUR TEMPERATURE TC DAPC (MIREK) Parameter range: 0 to 65534 (16-bit Mirek value) Conversion: Mirek = 1,000,000 ÷ CCT(K) 2700K → 1,000,000 ÷ 2700 = 370.4 → use 370 4000K → 1,000,000 ÷ 4000 = 250.0 → use 250 Device CCT range limits: Check driver datasheet for PHYSICAL WARM (max Mirek) and PHYSICAL COOL (min Mirek) limits before programming. Sending out-of-range Mirek clips to device limit silently. Example: driver rated 2700K–6500K: range 154–370 Mirek.
DT6 RGB/RGBW colour scenes
DALI Device Type 6 (DT6), defined in IEC 62386 Part 209, adds multi-channel colour control (RGB, RGBW, RGBWAF — where W=white, A=amber, F=freewheel channel). DT6 scenes store per-channel intensity values, enabling architectural colour-changing scenes for hospitality, retail and entertainment lighting.
DT6 RGBW scene examples
DT6 device: RGBW architectural luminaire
Channel values: R (0–255), G (0–255), B (0–255), W (0–255)
Scene 1 "Warm Accent":
R = 255, G = 150, B = 50, W = 0
→ Warm amber-gold accent light
Scene 2 "Cool Feature":
R = 0, G = 100, B = 255, W = 0
→ Cool blue architectural wash
Scene 3 "Natural White":
R = 0, G = 0, B = 0, W = 255
→ Pure white channel only (max CRI)
Scene 4 "Warm White Blend":
R = 100, G = 80, B = 20, W = 200
→ White + warm colour mix for warm CCT effect
Store sequence:
1. SET COLOUR (RGBWAF) command with channel values
2. STORE ACTUAL LEVEL IN SCENE [n]
→ stores all 4 (or 6) channel values in scene slot
RECALL SCENE [n]:
→ Restores all RGBWAF channel values simultaneouslyDT6 devices require a compatible DALI gateway or controller that supports Part 209. Verify gateway compatibility before specifying — not all DALI gateways support DT6 colour control. Helvar Router 950 v3.x, MDT SCN-DALI.02 and Lunatone DALI-2 gateways support DT6 RGB colour scene programming.
DALI emergency scene convention
In DALI installations, scene 15 (DALI scene index 14 — Helvar scene 15) is widely reserved as the emergency override scene: RECALL SCENE 15 sets all DALI devices to maximum level (DALI arc power = 254). This convention allows a BMS alarm signal to trigger full-brightness recall across all zones with a single DALI command.
Scene 15 — emergency override convention
Scene 15 = DALI arc power 254 (100%) stored on all devices. Triggered by fire alarm BMS relay → DALI controller → RECALL SCENE 15 broadcast. Not the same as DALI Part 202 emergency mode (self-contained emergency lighting). Scene 15 is a programmed lighting state, not a battery-backed emergency function.
DALI Part 202 emergency lighting
Emergency luminaires compliant with EN 60598-2-22 and DALI Part 202 are independent of the scene system — they have their own battery, test schedule and mains fail detection. Part 202 devices can coexist on the same DALI bus but their emergency function is not controllable via scene commands. Never rely on scene 15 to replace certified emergency lighting.
DALI scene commissioning checklist
A systematic commissioning sequence prevents the most common DALI scene errors: missing short address assignments, incorrect group membership and unverified scene storage on all devices.
DALI commissioning sequence
1. Scan DALI bus → Identify all devices, count vs. circuit drawing → Assign short addresses (0–63) by physical location 2. Create DALI groups → Group 1: Zone A luminaires (short addresses 0–11) → Group 2: Zone B luminaires (short addresses 12–19) → Group 3: Accent luminaires (short addresses 20–23) 3. Program scenes per group → Scene 1: level 80% [+ CCT 4000K for DT8 devices] → Scene 2: level 60% [+ CCT 3000K] → Scene 3: level 20% [+ CCT 2700K] → Scene 0: level 0% → Scene 15: level 100% (emergency override) 4. Test each scene via DALI controller → Send RECALL SCENE [n] to each group → Verify level and CCT (for DT8) match target → Verify all devices in group respond 5. Log scene register Scene # | Level | CCT | Group | Notes 1 80% 4000K All Work mode 2 60% 3000K All Meeting 3 20% 2700K All Video/AV 15 100% — All Emergency 6. Export scene register from Imagine/MDT plug-in to PDF → Include in handover pack with as-built DALI diagram
KNX-DALI scene integration
Buildings with both KNX actuators (for blinds, HVAC, switches) and DALI luminaires require coordinated scene recall. The recommended approach uses matching scene numbers across both systems so a single KNX push-button press simultaneously recalls the correct scene on KNX actuators and the matching DALI scene on luminaires.
KNX + DALI simultaneous scene recall
KNX push-button (Niko One) sends DPT 18.001 Scene 2 to GA 1/5/0
↓
→ KNX blind actuator receives via GA 1/5/0:
Scene 2 = position 70%, slat 50% → executes immediately
→ KNX HVAC thermostat receives via GA 1/5/0:
Scene 2 = 21°C comfort → executes immediately
→ DALI gateway (MDT SCN-DALI.01) receives via GA 1/5/0:
Maps KNX Scene 2 → DALI RECALL SCENE 1 to DALI Group 1
(KNX scene 2 = DALI scene index 1 — gateway mapping table)
→ DALI luminaires: level 60%, CCT 3000K
Result: One push-button press = unified scene across
KNX actuators and DALI luminaires simultaneously.Scene number alignment: align KNX scene numbers with DALI scene indices in the gateway mapping table before commissioning. Convention: KNX scene N maps to DALI scene (N-1) to account for the 1-indexed / 0-indexed offset. Document this mapping in the commissioning register so future modifications to either system maintain consistency. Mismatched scene numbers are the most common cause of wrong-scene recall in KNX-DALI hybrid buildings.
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