DALI-2
KNX-COMPATIBLE
DALI Recessed Downlights & Ceiling Spotlights — 5 Sizes · 110 to 300 mm
DALI recessed downlights from Cologne LED are available in numerous shapes and sizes — round, flat, adjustable and as high-power downlights for high ceilings. The ED series offers 5 diameters from 110 to 300 mm; we also stock further DALI recessed downlights for cut-out diameters of approximately 135 to 230 mm. All models are DALI-2 compatible (IEC 62386), integrate directly with KNX, Gira HomeServer, MDT and common DALI gateways, and come with an integrated or included driver.
📐 5 sizes: 110 · 140 · 180 · 245 · 300 mm
🎨 CRI 92–94 · Samsung® LEDs · IP44
🎛️ DALI-2 (IEC 62386) · up to 64 addresses per bus
🏠 KNX-compatible · Gira · MDT · Helvar · Tridonic
📐 Cut-out diameter: 90 mm to 290 mm depending on model
🔒 5-year warranty · L90 | B10 · 50,000 h
Driver included · DALI bus: 2-wire, up to 300 m cable length · 16 lighting scenes per line · Fault feedback (DALI-2) · Energy monitoring · Backwards compatible with DALI-1.
DALI Recessed Downlights — available from stock
Personal advice & project quote: 0221-29821660
DALI Recessed Downlights — All Models at a Glance
Our DALI recessed downlight range covers cut-out diameters from 68 mm to 290 mm — in various designs: round, flat, adjustable and as high-power downlights for high ceilings. All models are DALI-2 compatible (IEC 62386) and backwards compatible with DALI-1. Choose below according to your requirements:
ED Series — DALI-2 Recessed Downlights in 5 Sizes (Flagship Range)
Samsung® LEDs · CRI 92–94 · IP44 · Flicker index < 1 % · 5-year warranty · Driver always included
Further DALI Recessed Downlights & Ceiling-Mounted Lights
In addition to the ED series, we stock further DALI recessed downlights in various designs — flat, adjustable, with a silver reflector, UGR19-compliant or with adjustable colour temperature:
Standard DALI — flat & round
Silver reflector · UGR<19 · CRI90+ · Office premium
UGR<19 compliant with EN 12464-1 for screen-based workstations. Colour temperature switchable via slider between 3000K, 3500K and 4000K.
Switchable colour temperature (CCT) · selectable between Kelvin levels via switch/slider
Note: These models switch between fixed Kelvin levels — there is no continuously variable tunable-white function. Several driver variants are available, including DALI-2.
Adjustable · Accent lighting & spotlighting
Which DALI recessed downlight fits my cut-out diameter?
| Existing cut-out diameter |
Recommended model |
Power · Lumens |
Direct to product |
| 90 – 100 mm |
ED3KX · 110mm |
8 W · 700 lm · CRI 94 |
→ DALI 110mm |
| 110 – 130 mm |
ED4KX · 140mm |
11 W · 1,100 lm · CRI 94 |
→ DALI 140mm |
| 150 – 170 mm Standard
|
ED6KX · 180mm |
15 W · 1,500 lm · CRI 90+ |
→ DALI 180mm |
| 200 – 230 mm |
ED8KX · 245mm |
20 W · 2,000 lm · CRI 92+ |
→ DALI 245mm |
| 250 – 290 mm |
ED10K · 300mm |
40 W · 4,000 lm · CRI 92 |
→ DALI 300mm |
Not sure about your cut-out diameter? Simply measure the internal diameter of your existing ceiling cut-out — that's your cut-out diameter. The outer diameter of the DALI recessed downlight must be at least 10 mm larger. For cut-outs of ~135mm (flat): 150mm Flat DALI → · For 170–180mm: 185mm DALI → or 195mm Flat DALI →
What sets DALI recessed downlights apart from phase-cut dimming models?
✓ DALI-2 Recessed Downlights
- Digital addressing — every luminaire can be controlled individually
- Up to 64 addresses per DALI bus line
- 16 lighting scenes can be stored per line
- Fault feedback (DALI-2)
- Real-time energy monitoring (DALI-2)
- Integrates with KNX, Gira, MDT, Helvar, Tridonic
- 2-wire bus — no shielded cabling required
- Continuous dimming 0–100% without flicker
Phase-Cut Dimming Variant
- A simple wall dimmer is sufficient
- No bus cabling required
- Cheaper to install
- No energy monitoring
- No individual addressing
- Max. 3–10 luminaires per dimmer
- KNX only via a phase-cut dimming actuator
- Ideal for residential and simple commercial projects
Rule of thumb: DALI pays off from around 10 luminaires upwards, for building automation (KNX), scene control, or where energy monitoring is required. For smaller projects of up to 5 luminaires without a bus connection, the phase-cut dimming variant is often more economical. We're happy to advise you:
0221-29821660
Technical Features of All DALI Recessed Downlights
DALI-2
IEC 62386 · backwards compatible with DALI-1
IP44
Suitable for damp rooms · also for outdoor use (covered)
CRI 94
110/140mm · CRI 90+ on 180/245/300mm
50,000 h
L90 | B10 · Samsung® LEDs · 5-year warranty
< 1 %
Flicker index · flicker-free · IEC compliant
UGR<23
EN 12464-1 compliant · low glare
KNX Integration — How It Works
All DALI recessed downlights from the ED range can be integrated directly into a KNX installation via a DALI-KNX gateway. The gateway translates KNX commands into the DALI protocol and enables scene control, presence-detector integration and time programmes.
Gira
MDT
Helvar
Tridonic
OSRAM DALI-Box
Jung
DALI in Commercial Building Automation: Maintenance, Energy and Control at a Glance
The diagram shows the complete DALI control loop: from sensors and control panels, through the DALI bus, to the building management system (BMS). Three effects are of particular importance in commercial use:
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Maintenance savings: status reports run automatically from the recessed downlight via the DALI bus back to the building management system. Faults are detected without having to check every luminaire individually.
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Energy savings through sensors: daylight and presence sensors feed data to the DALI controller, which automatically adjusts brightness (daylight harvesting) — see the fact check above.
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Brightness and group control: luminaires can be organised into lighting groups and zones, and dimmed or switched together via a wall panel, an app, or centrally through the building management system.
Frequently Asked Questions about DALI Recessed Downlights
What is a DALI recessed downlight, and what do I need to operate one?
A DALI recessed downlight is a ceiling-mounted LED luminaire with an integrated DALI driver (ballast). To operate one, you need: (1) the DALI recessed downlight including driver — always included with us, (2) a 2-wire DALI bus cable (1.5 mm² cross-section, max. 300 m), (3) a DALI controller or a DALI gateway. For simple projects with a manual push-button, a basic DALI control unit is sufficient; for KNX connectivity, we recommend a DALI-KNX gateway.
How many DALI recessed downlights can I run on one DALI bus?
A single DALI line supports up to 64 addressable devices. For larger projects (e.g. office buildings, shopping centres), multiple DALI lines are combined via a multi-line controller or a gateway. There's no power limit per bus — only the number of addresses (0–63) is limited.
What cut-out diameter does a DALI recessed downlight need?
That depends on the model's outer diameter. Rule of thumb: the cut-out diameter must be at least 10 mm smaller than the outer diameter. We offer cut-out diameters from 90 to 290 mm — the table above gives you a direct match. For existing installations, simply measure the internal diameter of the existing cut-out.
DALI-1 or DALI-2 — what's the difference?
All our recessed downlights are DALI-2 (IEC 62386 Part 2) — the current standard with mandatory interoperability testing, real-time status feedback (fault detection) and energy monitoring. DALI-2 is fully backwards compatible with DALI-1 — you can run DALI-2 luminaires without any issues on an older DALI-1 controller.
Can I operate a DALI recessed downlight directly from a push-button, without a gateway?
Yes — with a simple DALI control unit or a DALI-capable push-button module (e.g. from Gira or Jung), DALI recessed downlights can be controlled directly without a full gateway system. This is entirely sufficient for dimming, scenes and on/off. A gateway is only needed if you require KNX integration or building automation.
DALI-2 vs. DALI-1 — what has actually improved?
DALI-2 (IEC 62386, from 2014) is an evolution of the original DALI-1 standard and, in practice, brings three key innovations:
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Mandatory interoperability testing: DALI-2 devices from different manufacturers must be proven to work together — DALI-1 often had compatibility issues between different makes.
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Fault feedback: DALI-2 luminaires actively report to the controller when a luminaire is faulty or fails. This enables proactive maintenance without having to check every luminaire individually — especially valuable in office buildings with hundreds of luminaires.
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Input devices in the standard: DALI-2 also integrates push-buttons, sensors and motion detectors as addressable bus participants. This simplifies planning and enables even more flexible automation scenarios.
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Real-time energy monitoring: DALI-2 devices can report energy consumption data in real time — relevant for energy-efficiency evidence and ISO 50001 certification.
Backwards compatibility: DALI-2 recessed downlights work without issue on an existing DALI-1 controller — the older standard recognises the luminaire as a normal DALI device.
DALI vs. KNX — what's the difference, and how do the two work together?
DALI and KNX are different bus systems that handle different tasks and complement each other perfectly:
DALI — The Lighting Bus
- Specifically developed for lighting control
- Simple 2-wire cabling
- Up to 64 luminaires per line
- Very cost-effective to install
- Logarithmic dimming curve — matching how the eye perceives light
- Ideal for: offices, retail, hospitality
KNX — The Building Bus
- Controls everything: lighting, blinds, heating, access
- More complex, more involved to programme
- Higher hardware costs
- Ideal for holistic building management
- Supports time programmes, scenes, presence detectors
- Standard for new builds with smart-building requirements
Typical practice: a DALI-KNX gateway connects both worlds. KNX handles the higher-level control (time programmes, scenes, sensor evaluation), while DALI precisely controls the individual luminaires. This way, you combine the strengths of both systems — without the need for complex direct DALI addressing within KNX.
What advantages does DALI offer in commercial and building-management applications?
DALI has become the standard in commercial lighting — for good reason:
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Energy savings through presence control: DALI recessed downlights can be combined with presence and motion detectors. In typical offices, this can save 30–50% on energy costs — luminaires dim automatically when no one is present.
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Daylight control (daylight harvesting): DALI luminaires automatically adjust their light output to incoming daylight — constant illuminance with maximum comfort and minimal running costs.
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Zone control without rewiring: office zones can be reprogrammed via software. If a department relocates, you change the lighting scenes at the computer — not the electrical installation.
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Proactive maintenance: DALI-2 automatically reports faulty luminaires to the building management system. No manual walking of floors, no complaint handling.
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Compliance with standards: EN 12464-1 requires 500 lx on the work surface in offices. DALI systems can be precisely set to this and provide proof for workplace inspections.
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Energy evidence & ISO 50001: DALI-2 provides real-time energy consumption data per luminaire group — essential for energy audits, ISO 50001 certification and EU EPBD compliance.
Typical applications: office buildings, retail, hotels, hospitals, educational facilities, production halls.
Is DALI also worthwhile for residential use, such as in homes, villas or upmarket interior design?
Yes — especially for discerning residential projects with high-quality interior design, DALI is a compelling choice:
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Mood lighting at the touch of a button: lighting scenes can be saved and recalled — "Dinner", "Reading", "Home Cinema" at the press of a button. No need for manual individual dimmers for every luminaire.
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Smooth, flicker-free dimming: a logarithmic dimming curve — the light dims the way the human eye perceives it. No harsh jump between light and dark, no flicker even at low dimming levels.
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Flexible room layout: living-room spotlights, dining-table lighting and under-cabinet kitchen lighting can sit on separate DALI groups and be controlled independently — all via a single bus line.
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Smart-home integration: DALI can be integrated via a KNX gateway or native smart-home systems (Loxone, Control4, Crestron) — control via app, voice assistant or time programme.
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Future-proofing: because DALI is an open standard, you can swap luminaires, reprogramme scenes or add new zones — without needing to call an electrician (only a software change is required).
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Increased property value: professional DALI lighting control is a measurable quality factor in upmarket property valuations — comparable to underfloor heating or smart-home infrastructure.
Practical example: a living room with 6 DALI recessed downlights (e.g. ED6KX 180mm DALI): bright 4000K light in the morning to wake up to, dimmed 3000K warm white in the evening for a relaxing atmosphere — fully automatic via time programme or app.
Can I integrate these DALI recessed downlights into my existing KNX system?
Yes, that works. Via a DALI-KNX gateway (e.g. from Gira, MDT or Jung), all our DALI recessed downlights can be integrated without any issues into a new or existing KNX bus system. The gateway translates KNX telegrams into DALI commands, so no separate direct DALI programming in KNX ETS is required.
I don't yet have a DALI bus system, or only DALI-1. Can I still switch over?
Yes. The included DALI-2 drivers are fully backwards compatible with DALI-1 networks. If no bus system exists at all yet, the driver on many models can alternatively be controlled directly via PUSH dimming — that is, a simple, unlit installation push-button. This means you can switch over today and later expand to a full DALI bus if needed.
Do I need to run additional cabling when switching from a phase-cut / TRIAC variant to DALI?
Yes. The DALI bus requires its own 2-core control cable with a 1.5 mm² cross-section, separate from the 230V mains cable. If you're switching from a TRIAC or phase-cut variant to DALI, you'll need to run this additional bus cable through to the distribution board or DALI gateway. For a new build, or a renovation that's already planned, it's worth factoring this in from the outset.
Why is a high CRI or Ra value important for DALI recessed downlights?
The CRI or Ra value (colour rendering index) describes how natural colours and skin tones appear under artificial light. From CRI 90 upwards, light is considered high quality; below CRI 80, skin tones and fabrics often look pale or distorted. This is particularly relevant in retail, hospitality, medical practices and in front of mirrors. Our ED series sits at CRI 92 to 94, and the silver-reflector premium series at CRI 90+, both stable across all dimming levels and colour temperatures.
About Cologne LED
Cologne LED has specialised in commercial lighting since 2013: compliant illumination of offices, medical practices, retail premises, hair salons and hospitality venues is core to our business. The DALI recessed downlights listed here come from this commercial range and are designed accordingly for continuous operation and regulatory compliance.
Transparency note: the photometric data (CRI, lumens, colour temperature) is based on internal laboratory measurements, which are continuously validated for quality assurance.
FACT CHECK
Can DALI luminaires with daylight sensors reduce lighting energy consumption?
Yes. In combination with light and presence sensors, DALI lighting control automatically adjusts artificial-light brightness to match incoming daylight (daylight harvesting). This can reduce energy consumption for artificial lighting in commercial premises by up to 60 %.
Source: DALI Alliance, Global Study on Cost Savings through Energy Efficiency.
Not sure which DALI recessed downlight is right for you?
Tell us your cut-out diameter, the number of luminaires and whether KNX connectivity is required — we'll recommend the right model and prepare a no-obligation project quote.
Personal advice · Free & no obligation · Response within 24 hours
