Dea Ceres M duo

DALI DT6 vs DALI DT8: what’s the difference?

DALI—short for Digital Addressable Lighting Interface—is the international standard for smart lighting control. It allows luminaires to dim, switch, and respond to scenes or schedules through digital signals. However, not all DALI drivers operate the same way. Each “device type” defines how the system communicates with the luminaire. When working with a dual-head product like Dea Ceres M duo, understanding the difference between DALI DT6 and DALI DT8 helps you choose the correct configuration.

DT6 for independent dimming

DALI DT6 is used for single-channel dimming. It is typically selected for luminaires with a fixed colour temperature, such as 2700K or 3000K. In the case of Dea Ceres M duo, DT6 allows you to control each head separately. Each light source receives its own DALI address, enabling individual dimming. This approach works well in projects where two separate beam directions require flexibility—such as in retail displays, restaurants, or hotel lobbies. To enable this, the luminaire must be paired with a driver that provides two DT6 channels, or with two individual drivers.

DT8 for tunable white

DALI DT8 is used when both colour temperature and brightness need to be controlled from a single DALI address. It is the standard for tunable white luminaires that contain two types of LED sources—one warm and one cool. The DT8 driver calculates the correct blend between the warm and cold channels to achieve the target colour temperature (CCT) and dimming level. The control system sends just one command, and the driver handles the internal balance. This makes DT8 ideal for human-centric lighting, simplifies wiring, and ensures consistent behaviour across multiple luminaires.

Which one should you choose?

Select DT6 if you’re using fixed CCT and want separate dimming control for each light head. Choose DT8 when your luminaire uses a tunable white COB setup and you want smooth, combined control over intensity and colour temperature, without the need for multiple DALI addresses. DT8 is exceptionally well suited for circadian lighting applications where the light shifts naturally throughout the day.

Want to learn more about tunable white?

Visit the Did you know section of Dea Amata M to understand how tunable white control works and how the dual-COB structure shapes both visual atmosphere and technical flexibility.

Not sure which configuration is right for your Dea Ceres M duo installation? Contact us and we’ll guide you to the optimal driver, dimming logic, and control setup for your project.