Technical guide
TRIAC, 0-10V, and DALI: choosing a dimming protocol
Every Nuordic fixture is specified with its dimming protocol, because the protocol decides how the light behaves at the low end of its range. This guide explains the three options and where each belongs.
TRIAC
TRIAC (triode for alternating current) dimming is the most common dimming technology in homes, chosen for its simplicity and low cost.
How it works: The dimmer cuts off a portion of the AC wave, and the light dims in proportion to how much of the wave is removed.
Compatibility: Works with incandescent, halogen, and many LED fixtures. LED driver compatibility should always be verified against the specific dimmer.
Advantages
- Simple and cost-effective.
- Runs on the standard wiring already in most homes.
- Easy to install and retrofit without additional components.
Limitations
- Can flicker or buzz when paired with an incompatible LED or switch.
- Limited range, typically dimming to only 10 to 20 percent of maximum.
- Not suited to large or sophisticated control systems.
0-10V
0-10V dimming trades a little wiring complexity for precision, which is why it is the default in commercial and architectural work.
How it works: A separate low-voltage control pair carries a signal between 0 and 10 volts. At 0V the light sits at its lowest level, at 10V it runs at full output.
Compatibility: Suited to LED and fluorescent fixtures, and at its best across the larger fixture counts of professional installations.
Advantages
- Smooth, consistent dimming without flicker, so a long dim at dinner reads as calm rather than restless.
- Better energy efficiency across large installations.
- Finer control over light levels than TRIAC allows.
Limitations
- Needs the extra low-voltage control wiring run to every zone.
- Costs somewhat more upfront than TRIAC.
- On-site control only, unless integrated with a larger automation system.
DALI
DALI (digital addressable lighting interface) is the protocol for projects where every fixture needs its own address: theaters, offices, and residences run from a lighting control system.
How it works: Digital signals pass between dimmers, fixtures, and the control system. Each light or group carries a unique address, so scenes can be built fixture by fixture.
Compatibility: Designed for advanced LED systems and large projects, from office buildings to houses with whole-home control.
Advantages
- Individual and grouped control, which is what makes true scene-setting possible.
- Integrates with smart building systems for automation and remote control.
- Precise dimming with minimal wasted energy.
- The system can report its own status, fixture by fixture, for monitoring and diagnostics.
Limitations
- Higher initial cost and installation complexity.
- Requires a compatible DALI ecosystem: fixtures, controllers, and power supplies.
- Best suited to projects with a larger budget and a long-term plan.
Choosing between them
For most residential work, TRIAC is the practical choice: simple, inexpensive, and sufficient for a home's lighting. Commercial and architectural projects reach for 0-10V, where smooth transitions and reliability across many fixtures matter. DALI belongs wherever lighting joins a larger control system, or where individual zones need their own scenes.
Every product page lists the protocols each fixture supports. If a project mixes protocols, or the control system is still being chosen, the design service resolves the dimming schedule alongside the fixture schedule.
At a glance
| Feature | TRIAC | 0-10V | DALI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low | Moderate | High |
| Complexity | Simple | Moderate | Complex |
| Compatibility | Incandescent, halogen, some LEDs | LED, fluorescent | Advanced LED systems |
| Control precision | Low | Moderate | High |
| Customization | Basic | Limited | Extensive |
| Wiring | Standard AC wiring | Additional low-voltage pair | Dedicated digital bus |
| Applications | Residential | Commercial, architectural | Large-scale, smart systems |