How CW Woodcraft Integrates DALI Lighting Into Custom Wood Panels

Overview: DALI Lighting in Wood Panel Projects

At CW Woodcraft, we build more than just architectural wall and ceiling panels—we craft fully integrated lighting systems that blend beauty, precision, and control. Our turn-key DALI-controlled lighting setup brings modern automation into your spaces, making installation quick and seamless for contractors and designers alike.

Whether you're an architect, builder, or end user, we’ll walk you through every step—from design to delivery. Not sure where to start? This guide will break down every component we use and why it matters.

Jump to full component chart

How It Works: At a Glance

• DLC-02: Main controller (scenes, addressing, automation)
• PWM-60 / ELG-240: LED drivers for powering fixtures
• DTP Touch Panels: Wall-mounted scene and zone control
• ABB Circuit Breakers: Overcurrent protection for critical DALI and driver circuits
• EM511: Energy meter for system-level power monitoring and load analysis
• DLP-04R: Optional auxiliary bus power supply
• DAP-04: DALI-to-PWM signal converter
• HDR-30: Optional 24V DIN-rail power supply for relays/sensors or powering DLC-02
• WAGO WINSTA®: Field-friendly plug-and-play connectors

1. DLC-02 – The Brain of the System

The DLC-02 is the control hub for our lighting systems. With dual DALI bus outputs (each with its own built-in 250mA DALI power supply), it can manage up to 128 control gears and 24 input devices across two zones.

Each lighted fixture within our wood panels is assigned a unique DALI address. You can group lights, create zones, or control fixtures individually. Scenes like "Presentation Mode" or "Evening Ambience" can be set and triggered via time, sensors, or wall-mounted controls.

Note: While the DLC-02 includes its own power supply for the DALI bus, in many setups it also requires a 24V auxiliary power input. We recommend pairing it with the HDR-30 DIN-rail power supply to provide this auxiliary power.

• Assign fixtures to zones and groups
• Create and trigger lighting scenes
• Automate by time or sensor
• Control color temperature and HCL transitions
• Live monitor/test via PC interface

Communicates via Modbus TCP/IP and includes built-in relays for switchable outputs.

View DLC-02 Datasheet

DLC-02: The central controller in our lighting integration system, managing zones, inputs, and custom effects.

2. LED Drivers – The Muscle

Depending on your lighting design, some fixtures may come with integrated LED drivers built into the fixture itself—these typically require only a DALI signal and power to operate. However, many architectural or custom lighting systems, especially those integrated into CW Woodcraft panels, use remote LED drivers to deliver power to the lighting strips or modules.

Each remote driver is rated for a specific wattage, and in larger installations, you may need multiple drivers to adequately power all lighting zones. Always calculate your total power needs and distribute them across drivers to ensure consistent performance and long-term reliability.

• PWM-60-24DA2 – A 60W DALI-2 dimmable driver for smaller zones or accent lighting.
• ELG-240-24DA – A 240W high-output DALI driver for multi-panel or large-scale installs.

3. Control Interfaces – Scene and Zone Control

The DTP Series DALI-2 Touch Panels provide simple, elegant control of your lighting zones. With 3-, 4-, and 6-button options and both U.S. and European faceplate formats, these panels give users tactile control over lighting scenes, dimming, and zone-specific presets—all with minimal installation effort.

• Available in 3, 4, or 6-button formats
• Short click, double click, and long press actions for each button
• Backlight and volume can be adjusted
• Custom symbols can be laser-engraved on the button cover
• Powered directly by the DALI bus—no separate power supply needed
• Fully compatible with the DLC-02 controller

DTP Series: A perfect balance of modern aesthetics and powerful control functionality for residential or commercial installations.

4. Power & Expansion Accessories

ABB S201 – Miniature Circuit Breaker

To protect your lighting circuits and equipment, we recommend ABB S201 Series circuit breakers. These are UL 489-rated for branch circuit protection and come in C6 and C10 trip curve variants depending on your application. They offer global certifications and DIN-rail mounting, making them a reliable addition to any control panel build.

S201 Series: Reliable circuit protection for DALI controllers, drivers, and control system components.

EM511 – 1-Phase Energy Meter

The EM511 energy analyzer monitors overall system performance and energy consumption. It’s especially useful in commercial or larger-scale installs where energy tracking or compliance is required. It offers real-time monitoring of active/reactive/apparent power, harmonics, load hours, and bidirectional energy flow—all through a backlit LCD display or Modbus RTU.

EM511: DIN-mounted energy meter with Modbus RTU for real-time energy insight and load analytics.

DLP-04R – Auxiliary Bus Power

DLP-04R provides a clean 240mA DALI bus power source if your system exceeds DLC-02 capacity or you want redundancy. Compact DIN-rail format is great for control cabinets.

DAP-04 – DALI to PWM Converter

DAP-04 converts DALI signals into PWM for use with drivers that don’t support native DALI (e.g. 0–10V or PWM-based). Recommended when using PWM-60-24 or ELG-240-24B.

HDR-30 – DIN Rail Power Supply

HDR-30 is an optional ultra-slim 24V DIN-rail power supply used for powering auxiliary devices like relays or sensors in complex lighting control layouts.

5. WAGO WINSTA® Connectors – Quick, Clean Installs

WAGO WINSTA® MIDI connectors make field wiring quick and foolproof. Choose from 2-pole or 3-pole configurations depending on whether you’re carrying power only or power plus control.

WAGO WINSTA: Plug-and-play modular wiring system ensures fast, error-free power and signal connections to your lighting zones.

Start Your Project

If you're looking to bring smart lighting into your space with the warmth and craftsmanship of real wood, we make it easy. Our team can help you select the right panel system, pre-integrate your lighting components, and configure your zones for a turn-key installation.

Contact us at sales@cwwoodcraft.com to get a quote or start your custom lighting-integrated wood panel project today.

System Components Reference Chart