KNX Magnetic Track Lighting
with DALI-2 Integration
Topsund M20 can be integrated into KNX projects through a compatible KNX-to-DALI gateway.
KNX remains the building-control layer, while DALI-2 controls the magnetic track luminaires, including dimming, grouping and scene functions according to the final system design.
Within the M20 four-wire track, two conductors provide 48V DC power and two carry the DALI bus. The M20 track itself is not a KNX bus.
KNX + DALI-2 ROLES
Can Magnetic Track Lighting Work with KNX?
Yes. Topsund M20 magnetic track lighting can be integrated into a KNX project when correctly specified DALI-2 luminaires are connected to the KNX system through a compatible KNX-to-DALI gateway.
DALI-2 remains the lighting-control layer for dimming, grouping, scenes and luminaire addressing, while KNX manages the wider building-control functions such as keypads, sensors, room logic, curtains, HVAC and automation scenes.
DALI-2 LIGHTING CONTROL · KNX BUILDING LOGIC · KNX-TO-DALI GATEWAY
KNX + DALI-2 SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
How KNX-DALI Integration Works with M20
In a KNX project, the M20 luminaires remain on the DALI-2 lighting layer. KNX manages the wider building-control logic, while a compatible KNX-to-DALI gateway connects the KNX system to the DALI bus serving the magnetic track luminaires.
KNX + DALI-2 ARCHITECTURE
01 — KNX Building-Control Layer
KNX keypads, sensors and room logic manage building-level commands, automation and scene triggers.
02 — KNX-to-DALI Gateway
Connects KNX building-control logic to the DALI lighting bus. The exact gateway, DALI capacity and bus-power arrangement must be confirmed for the project.
03 — DALI Bus
Carries lighting-control commands to the DALI-2 luminaire drivers. The DALI control circuit remains separate from the 48V DC power circuit.
04 — M20 Four-Wire Track
Two conductors distribute 48V DC power and two conductors carry the DALI bus through the M20 track.
05 — DALI-2 Luminaires
Correctly specified DALI-2 drivers receive DALI commands for dimming, grouping, scenes and addressing according to the final configuration and commissioning.
PROJECT INTEGRATION PRINCIPLE
KNX does not connect directly to the M20 luminaire adapters. Gateway selection, DALI bus power, addressing, grouping and commissioning should be coordinated with the appointed KNX / DALI integrator.
KNX CONTROL & AUTOMATION
What KNX Adds to M20 Lighting Projects
KNX does not replace DALI-2 at the luminaire level. It adds room and building automation logic, user interfaces, sensors and cross-system scenes above the DALI lighting layer.
KNX CONTROL CHAIN
01 — User Interfaces
KNX keypads, touch panels and visualisation interfaces provide room and whole-building control.
02 — Sensors & Automation Inputs
Presence sensors, daylight inputs, schedules and other KNX objects can trigger lighting behaviour.
03 — KNX Building Logic
KNX coordinates room logic and cross-system automation between lighting, curtains, HVAC and other building functions.
04 — KNX-to-DALI Gateway
A compatible gateway maps KNX commands to the DALI lighting bus serving the M20 DALI-2 luminaires.
05 — M20 DALI-2 Luminaires
Correctly specified DALI-2 drivers execute dimming, grouping, scenes and addressing according to the final commissioning plan.
PROJECT FUNCTIONS
01 — Whole-Home Automation
BUILDING-WIDE COORDINATION
Integrate magnetic track lighting with curtains, HVAC, sensors, wall controls and room automation scenes through the KNX building-control layer.
02 — Wall Panel Scene Control
Use KNX keypads or touch panels to call DALI lighting groups and scenes through the gateway without changing the M20 lighting layer.
03 — Sensor-Based Lighting
Link lighting behaviour to occupancy, daylight, schedules or other KNX automation inputs while DALI-2 continues to control the luminaires.
04 — Room & Building Logic
Separate building-level automation from luminaire-level lighting control so each layer can be commissioned and maintained correctly.
A — KNX SIDE
Handles sensors, schedules, keypads, cross-system logic and automation triggers.
B — DALI-2 SIDE
Handles lighting groups, dimming, addressing and lighting scenes for the M20 luminaires.
05 — Commissioning & Integration
KNX group objects, gateway mapping, DALI addresses, groups and scenes should be finalised on site by the appointed KNX / DALI integrator.
COMMISSIONING PRINCIPLE
Define KNX responsibility, gateway mapping, DALI addressing and grouping, lighting scenes and handover responsibilities before quotation and commissioning.
KNX PROJECT APPLICATIONS
Best Projects for KNX + DALI-2 Magnetic Track Lighting
KNX + DALI-2 magnetic track lighting is most suitable for projects where lighting is part of a complete automation system. It is especially useful when multiple rooms, lighting groups, wall panels, sensors and scenes need to be coordinated in one project.
PROJECT CHECKLIST
What Should Be Confirmed Before Planning KNX-DALI Magnetic Track Lighting?
01
KNX System Plan
Confirm the KNX system design, system brand, appointed integrator and required automation functions.
02
DALI Lighting Group Plan
Define how the magnetic track luminaires should be grouped by room, zone, function or scene.
03
Track Layout
Confirm track length, installation method, power-feed position and room layout.
04
Luminaire Schedule
Confirm magnetic track luminaire quantities, module types, wattages and required control zones.
05
Keypad Plan
Confirm which KNX panels or keypads will control each room, lighting group or scene.
06
Sensor Requirement
Confirm whether presence sensors, daylight sensors or other KNX automation triggers are required.
07
Dimming / Tunable White
Confirm whether the project requires dimming only or Tunable White control, and specify the matching DALI-2 luminaire configuration.
08
Commissioning Responsibility
Confirm who will handle DALI addressing and grouping, KNX programming, gateway mapping and final on-site commissioning.
CONTROL COMPARISON
Which Control Route
Fits Your Project?
SELECTION MATRIX
01
Complete KNX building automation project
→
KNX + DALI-2
02
Professional lighting control without KNX building automation
→
DALI-2
03
Wireless retrofit with professional DALI-2 luminaires
→
Casambi + DALI-2
04
European residential smart-home project
→
Zigbee 3.0 + Hue Bridge
KNX Already Defined?
If the building-control platform is already KNX, use KNX + DALI-2 for the lighting layer rather than introducing a separate parallel lighting-control platform.
Tunable White Required?
Confirm DALI DT8 Tc before gateway and luminaire selection.
Topsund’s Tunable White project range is:
2700K–6000K
Who Will Commission the System?
Define responsibility for KNX programming, gateway mapping, DALI addressing and grouping, scene setup and final on-site commissioning before installation.
KNX-DALI TECHNICAL FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About KNX + DALI-2
Use these answers as an initial project-planning reference. Final gateway compatibility, DALI bus arrangement, addressing, grouping and commissioning should be confirmed for the selected KNX / DALI architecture.
PROJECT INPUTS
Have a KNX plan, lighting layout or control schedule ready? Send the project information so the M20 lighting configuration can be reviewed against the intended KNX + DALI-2 architecture.
PLAN A KNX + DALI-2 PROJECT
Share the KNX Plan.
Configure the M20 Lighting.
Confirm the Integration.
Send the KNX system plan, lighting layout, control requirements, DALI grouping plan and commissioning scope. We can help coordinate the M20 track, DALI-2 luminaire configuration and project-side integration requirements.