Lewis CaliburnLichtvision Engineering GmbH has developed ProbitSite, a portable DALI testing device purpose-built for on-site troubleshooting and diagnostics.
DALI makes light smart: from mood lighting and precise dimming to dynamic colour changes. Modern lighting control has become a versatile tool that combines comfort, efficiency and flexibility.
But this only works if installation errors – such as incorrect wiring or address conflicts between components – have not crept in. These are often only discovered at handover. To help identify and eliminate such issues in advance, Lichtvision Engineering GmbH has developed ProbitSite.
Compact and easy to use, the tool enables technicians to check the performance of DALI systems directly on-site and to identify potential issues like weak signals, unsupported hardware or address conflicts quickly and accurately. Backed by over 25 years of DALI expertise, ProbitSite integrates a wide range of functions into a lightweight device weighing just 300 grams.
Once connected to the DALI bus, it automatically detects all connected devices – without altering the system configuration. With an integrated DALI bus power supply, it can run diagnostics even when the DALI controller has not yet been installed.
Modern DALI-based lighting control opens up a new world of possibilities far beyond simple on/off switching. From tailored lighting scenes to dynamic colour shifts, DALI enables intelligent, flexible and energy-efficient lighting solutions that fit seamlessly into any environment.
However, if installation faults or deviations aren’t detected and resolved during installation, commissioning can be delayed – sometimes critically.
“Poor wiring can impair system performance just as much as signal interference or LED drivers that only appear to support DALI,” explains Karsten Heinrich, Managing Director at Lichtvision GmbH. “If that’s only discovered at final handover, panic sets in and deadlines collapse.”
Independent electrical contractor Markus Jörger has experienced this first-hand. On a project where the client arrived on site for the system handover, everything was expected to work perfectly – but a faint hissing sound occurred and 25 of 38 luminaires remained dark.
“At that moment, all kinds of worst-case scenarios raced through my head,” Markus recalls. “Dismantling the fittings? In a concrete ceiling? A nightmare!”
This situation is familiar to many electricians, who are often responsible for planning, design and execution all at once. DALI lighting systems, as efficient as they are, still pose technical challenges – even for experienced professionals. Ensuring precise control, correct addressing and system functionality before handover can become a Herculean task.
In the final days before commissioning, troubleshooting typically requires laptops, interfaces and software – hardly practical on a building site. ProbitSite solves this by providing a powerful, hand-held device that can check DALI bus signal quality at the push of a button.
Thanks to its integrated bus power supply delivering at least 190 mA the device can independently power the DALI line if needed. No external power supply is necessary – eliminating the hassle of searching for sockets or carrying extension cables. The power supply activates automatically when required.
Unlike many stationary testing systems, ProbitSite is lightweight, rugged and designed specifically for mobile use. Weighing just 300 grams and offering up to eight hours of battery life, it is ideal for site operations.
Connecting the device via two wires to the DALI bus is all it takes to start the analysis. It immediately scans all DALI devices on the circuit and provides a wide range of measured data. A colour display shows voltage levels and core diagnostics at a glance using two semi-circular indicators.
Simple faults such as disconnected wiring or defective control gear are flagged via intuitive flashing indicators, while detailed protocol analysis helps identify unrecognised devices or communication errors.
And the tool doesn’t just indicate whether a luminaire works – it also pinpoints potential causes of faults. “If, for instance, only 19 of 20 luminaires are detected, you can use the blinking function on the device to identify each one. The one that doesn’t respond is the faulty unit,” says Karsten.
This immediately shows where the fault is located. That’s exactly how Markus solved an issue on-site: “I could see that one of the RGB channels in a luminaire wasn’t functioning – and the best part: I didn’t have to remove any fittings, but could see directly which light source was causing the problem.”
Where other tools require extensive training, ProbitSite offers an intuitive user interface and easy handling. “We deliberately kept it simple: a large display and just four buttons. That’s enough to be able to focus on the essentials,” explains Markus. “This allows technicians of all experience levels to use it effectively.”
After connecting to the DALI bus, ProbitSite scans all connected components without altering any configuration. The navigation buttons allow users to scroll through a detailed report showing the status of luminaires, switches and sensors, including DALI certification and component type.
Any malfunctioning device is flagged on screen. “Previously, I had to bring a laptop, a DALI gateway and matching software. Now I have everything I need in a single device,” says Markus.
The collected data can also be exported via USB – for example, to include in a project handover report. In addition to detecting DALI-certified devices, ProbitSite also identifies non-certified units – typically from the earlier DALI version 1.
“Electricians are often not involved in selecting the luminaires and have to work with pre-specified components. If one of them fails, the blame still tends to land on them,” says Karsten.
For this reason, ProbitSite includes access to the DiiA product database maintained by the DALI Alliance. This allows the tool to cross-check installed devices with the latest certification data. Updates ensure that ProbitSite stays in sync with the current database, enabling electricians to instantly identify which devices meet the standards – and which don’t.
This not only helps resolve problems faster but also provides legal assurance: electricians can flag non-compliant devices immediately, avoiding future disputes.
With ProbitSite, electricians, facility managers and system integrators gain a dependable tool for smooth DALI installation and commissioning. It uncovers common faults such as poor wiring, address conflicts or incompatible components that affect functionality quickly and precisely.
“We wanted to give site teams a true all-rounder – a tool that reveals functionality even before the control centre is in place,” says Karsten. “This allows any discrepancies between planning and actual performance to be identified early and resolved during installation.”
For Markus, ProbitSite became a lifesaver: “Instead of trial and error, I could test the DALI bus directly – quickly, simply and reliably. Two wires connected, one button pressed, and I had my answer: all 38 luminaires could be checked right there and then.”