Serial and Global trade numbers.(GTIN)

Two recent additions to the DALI protocol were the addition Serial and GTIN numbers. These two feature make identifying and displaying DALI devices on a control system much easier.

GTIN

Firstly the GTIN, allows control system manufactures the ability to scan each device and read the GTIN from the devices memory. The GTIN number can then be used to find and display the products real name when viewing the device from the controller.This ability saves the installer/commissioner the need to add this manually, reducing the installation cost and the room for human error.

Also being able to display the devices name rather than a default description reduces the step up complexity when looking at a list of 64 device all with the same name. Also,each manufacture of light fittings can add their own unique fitting GTIN to the DALI device, making it even easier to determine which fitting is being selected.

Maco lighting provides software that can allow the OEM fitting manufacture to easily add their own GTIN and serial number to their fittings. A link to the software can be found here OEM TOOL

Serial Numbers

The use of non changeable serial numbers allows the control system to restore the device back to the recorded settings should anything go wrong as the "serial number + the GTIN" provides a unique Product key which will not ever be repeated. Secondly, the use of the Manufacture serial number can associate multiple ballasts in one fitting to the same physical product, making commissioning of devices with 2 or more DALI devices easier.

For example, a fitting which contains a DALI ballast and a DALI emergency inverter could be assigned the same manufacture serial number, allowing the control system to group the two devices in the one fitting.

An example of the two DALI devices in on Fitting can be seen below.