Specifiers still treat 0-10V and DALI-2 as interchangeable line items, but they solve different problems. 0-10V is an analog whisper: one dim level per control wire, no feedback, no addressing. DALI-2 is a conversation: 64 addressable devices per bus, scene recall, and — critically — diagnostics that report driver temperature and failure states before fixtures go dark.

When 0-10V still wins

Small warehouses, single-zone retrofits and budget-driven tenders. The parts cost less, every electrician understands it, and if all you need is one photocell trimming one zone, a bus protocol is overkill.

When DALI-2 pays for itself

Anything with more than four zones, emergency-lighting test requirements, or a maintenance contract. Automated monthly emergency function tests alone can offset the price delta — a manual test walk of a 400-fixture site costs more per year than the DALI hardware.

A note on mixing

Most of our series ship with dual-mode drivers, so you can tender 0-10V today and re-commission as DALI-2 later without touching the ceiling. Ask for the dual-dimming variant code when you request a quote.