CCTV Motion Alarm and DALI Lighting Integration: Scene Triggers and Energy-Efficient Response
Combining CCTV motion detection with DALI lighting creates a security-lighting system that responds instantly to intrusion events, illuminates camera coverage areas for maximum image quality, and returns automatically to standby after the alarm clears — without dedicated occupancy sensors in every zone.
Alarm GA to DALI scene command chain
The KNX group address carrying the camera alarm signal becomes the trigger for a DALI scene recall. The KNX DALI gateway translates the scene recall telegram into DALI broadcast or group commands, instantly setting all luminaires in the affected zone to the pre-programmed alarm scene level.
Alarm GA → DALI scene chain (MDT DALI Gateway)
KNX source:
GA 8/0/1 (CAM-01 Motion Alarm) = 1 (alarm active)
MDT DALI Gateway SCN-DALI64.01 ETS6 configuration:
Scene object: "Scene Recall Zone 1"
Group address: 3/0/10
DPT: DPT 18.001 (1-byte scene number)
Scene value to recall: 4 (Scene 4 = Security Alert)
Logic module bridge (MDT SCN-LOGM.01):
Input A: GA 8/0/1 (motion alarm)
Input B: GA 8/3/0 (alarm armed status)
Logic: AND
Output: GA 3/0/10 (DALI scene recall)
Output value on TRUE: scene 4 (binary 0b00000100 = DPT 18.001)
Output value on FALSE: scene 1 (standby, after timer)
DALI Scene 4 definition (programmed in DALI commissioning):
Zone 1 (Entrance): Level 254 (100%), CCT 4000K
Zone 2 (Corridor): Level 200 (78%), CCT 4000K
Zone 3 (Car park): Level 254 (100%), CCT 5700K (daylight)
DALI Scene 1 definition (standby):
Zone 1 (Entrance): Level 76 (30%), CCT 3000K (warm)
Zone 2 (Corridor): Level 50 (20%), CCT 3000K
Zone 3 (Car park): Level 0 (OFF, outside occupied hours)DALI zone mapping to camera coverage areas
DALI groups (0–15 per DALI line) should be designed to match camera coverage areas, not just room boundaries. A single camera may cover part of a corridor and part of a stairwell — both DALI groups should be included in its alarm scene response.
| Camera | Coverage area | DALI groups | Alarm scene level |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAM-01 | Main entrance + lobby | Group 1 (entrance), Group 2 (lobby) | 100% / 4000K |
| CAM-02 | Car park levels 1–2 | Group 5 (CP L1), Group 6 (CP L2) | 100% / 5700K |
| CAM-03 | Server room + corridor | Group 9 (server), Group 10 (corridor E) | 100% / 4000K |
| CAM-04 | Reception + waiting area | Group 3 (reception), Group 4 (waiting) | 80% / 4000K |
DALI group assignment: each DALI luminaire can belong to up to 16 DALI groups simultaneously. A luminaire at the junction of two camera coverage areas should be added to both DALI groups, so it responds to either camera alarm. In DALI commissioning software (DALI Cockpit or MDT ETS plug-in), assign groups per device address, not per room.
Dim-on-presence logic with alarm boost
An energy-efficient security lighting strategy maintains a low base level (30%) in camera coverage areas during armed/unoccupied hours — keeping cameras operational with visible light — and boosts instantly to 100% on alarm. This avoids the camera IR cut-filter switch lag that occurs when lights go from completely off to 100%.
Three-state lighting logic (KNX Logic Module)
State 1 — Occupied (building hours, system disarmed):
DALI Zone 1: scene 2 (comfort, 80%, 3000K)
Triggered by: access control entry event or time schedule
State 2 — Armed standby (unoccupied, alarm system armed):
DALI Zone 1: scene 1 (standby, 30%, 3000K)
Triggered by: last person exit + 5-minute delay
Camera IR cut-filter: stays in colour mode (30% ≈ 50 lux)
State 3 — Alarm (motion detected, system armed):
DALI Zone 1: scene 4 (alarm, 100%, 4000K)
Triggered by: GA 8/0/x camera motion alarm = 1
Transition State 3 → State 2 (alarm clear sequence):
On GA 8/0/x = 0 (motion stopped):
Start 10-minute hold timer
After 10 minutes: recall DALI scene 1 (standby 30%)
On GA 8/3/1 = 1 (manual acknowledge):
Immediate return to scene 1 (override hold timer)
KNX Logic Module SCN-LOGM.01 channel allocation:
Ch 1: Occupied/Armed state gate (time + access control)
Ch 2: Alarm trigger (motion AND armed state)
Ch 3: Return-to-standby timer (10 min staircase)
Ch 4: Manual acknowledge resetDALI tunable white for night versus day response
DALI tunable white (DT-8 devices) allow the alarm response to adapt its colour temperature based on time of day. A daytime alarm uses neutral white (4000K) while a night-time alarm uses cool white (5700K) to maximise camera image sharpness and assist human visual acuity.
Day alarm response (06:00–22:00)
- Level: 100% (DALI level 254)
- CCT: 4000K (neutral white)
- Rationale: matches ambient daylight, reduces glare for camera
- DALI scene 4 day variant programmed via DALI commissioning
Night alarm response (22:00–06:00)
- Level: 100% (DALI level 254)
- CCT: 5700K (cool/daylight white)
- Rationale: maximum contrast for camera sensor in darkness
- Separate DALI scene 5 for night variant recalled by logic module
Day/night alarm scene selection logic
KNX time object: GA 0/0/1 (current hour, DPT 5.010) Logic module condition: IF GA 8/0/1 = 1 (alarm) AND GA 0/0/1 >= 6 AND GA 0/0/1 < 22 (daytime) → Recall DALI scene 4 (day, 4000K) → GA 3/0/10 IF GA 8/0/1 = 1 (alarm) AND GA 0/0/1 < 6 OR GA 0/0/1 >= 22 (night) → Recall DALI scene 5 (night, 5700K) → GA 3/0/11
DALI emergency lighting coordination on security alarm
DALI emergency luminaires (EN 62386-202, DT-1) require careful coordination with security alarm responses. Emergency luminaires must remain available for their primary fire evacuation purpose and must not be commanded off by a security alarm automation.
Emergency luminaire exclusion from security scenes
DALI addressing rules for security lighting integration:
Emergency luminaires (DT-1):
→ Assign to DALI groups 12–15 (dedicated emergency groups)
→ NEVER include in security alarm scene definitions
→ Emergency luminaires respond ONLY to DALI emergency commands
(Emergency Mode: Test, Inhibit, Reset) from DALI EMS
Non-emergency luminaires (DT-0/DT-8):
→ Assign to DALI groups 0–11 (available for scene control)
→ These are the luminaires included in security alarm scenes
Fire alarm priority override:
IF fire alarm input (KNX binary input from fire panel) = 1:
→ Recall DALI scene 0 (all non-emergency luminaires OFF)
→ Emergency luminaires activate automatically via DALI EMS
→ Security alarm automation suspended (lower priority)
KNX priority:
Fire alarm GA (GA 9/0/0) overrides security alarm GA (GA 8/0/x)
→ MDT Logic Module: fire alarm input disables security scene channelBS 5839-1 / EN 54 note: security lighting automation must not interfere with fire detection or emergency evacuation lighting systems. Obtain written confirmation from the fire system designer that the DALI group assignment and KNX priority logic are acceptable before commissioning the security lighting integration.
KNX logic module hysteresis
Camera motion detection can produce rapid on/off transitions — particularly with cameras set to high sensitivity or monitoring areas with swaying vegetation or air conditioning movement. Hysteresis in the KNX logic module prevents the DALI system from rapidly cycling between alarm and standby scenes.
Logic module hysteresis settings
MDT SCN-LOGM.01 ETS6 channel settings: On-delay (alarm activation): Delay: 0 seconds (alarm must respond immediately) Rationale: fastest possible lighting response on genuine alarm Off-delay (alarm clearance / return to standby): Delay: 600 seconds (10 minutes) Rationale: prevents cycling if motion detection flickers on/off Override: manual acknowledge GA 8/3/1 = 1 → immediate clear Additional cycle prevention: Minimum ON time: 60 seconds → Once alarm scene activated, hold for minimum 60s → Prevents sub-minute cycling from intermittent motion events Camera sensitivity recommendation: Set camera motion sensitivity to medium (40–60%) Enable camera-side motion filtering: minimum zone 5% Set camera pre-alarm buffer: 3 seconds → Reduces false motion events reaching KNX binary input
Commissioning test procedure
The complete CCTV–DALI integration commissioning test verifies the full chain from camera motion event through KNX binary input, logic module and DALI gateway to luminaire response. It should be performed at night (or with blinds closed) to verify both day and night alarm scene variants.
Step-by-step commissioning test
1. Pre-test setup:
a. Confirm all DALI luminaires commissioned and addressable
b. ETS6 Group Monitor open — watch GA 8/0/x and GA 3/0/10
c. Arm system: write 1 to GA 8/3/0
2. DALI scene verification (before camera test):
a. Manually write scene 1 to GA 3/0/10 (standby)
→ Zone luminaires → 30%, 3000K, confirm with lux meter
b. Manually write scene 4 to GA 3/0/10 (alarm day)
→ Zone luminaires → 100%, 4000K, measure lux at camera height
→ Minimum 200 lux at 1m above floor for camera colour mode
c. Manually write scene 5 to GA 3/0/10 (alarm night)
→ Zone luminaires → 100%, 5700K
3. Camera relay trigger test:
a. Trigger camera motion (walk through detection zone)
b. Confirm GA 8/0/1 = 1 in Group Monitor within 2 seconds
c. Confirm DALI alarm scene activates (visible level increase)
d. Stop motion — confirm GA 8/0/1 = 0
e. Confirm DALI scene holds for 10-minute timer
f. Write 1 to GA 8/3/1 (acknowledge) → confirm immediate return to standby
4. Fire alarm priority test:
a. Set fire alarm GA 9/0/0 = 1 (simulate fire)
b. Trigger camera motion simultaneously
c. Confirm: security scene does NOT activate
d. Confirm: emergency luminaires activate normally
e. Clear fire GA → confirm system returns to armed standby
5. Disarmed mode test:
a. Write 0 to GA 8/3/0 (disarm)
b. Trigger camera motion
c. Confirm: NO DALI scene change, GA 3/0/10 unchanged
d. Rearm: write 1 to GA 8/3/0Need a DALI security lighting panel with KNX–CCTV integration built to spec?
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