Helvar has launched the Imagine 945 DALI-2 Multi-Master Application Controller. It is a two-subnet version of the four-subnet 950, and Helvar's stated aim is to make a certified DALI-2 controller the sensible choice for ordinary commercial projects, not only the large ones.
945 and 950 compared
| 945 | 950 | |
|---|---|---|
| DALI-2 subnets | 2 | 4 |
| DALI power supply | 250 mA | 250 mA |
| Mounting | DIN rail | DIN rail |
| Dimensions | 177 x 99.5 x 58 mm | 177 x 99.5 x 58 mm |
| Supply | 198 to 264 V AC or 90 to 140 V AC | 198 to 264 V AC or 90 to 140 V AC |
| Protection | Max 16 A Type C MCB | Max 16 A Type C MCB |
Both are multi-master controllers. They run Helvar's DALI-2 control devices, compatible third-party DALI-2 devices and the established DIGIDIM range, and both have an LCD display on the front.
Where each one fits
Helvar positions the 950 as the flagship for large projects and the 945 as the controller scaled for most of the commercial market. Two DALI subnets cover a typical office floor, a restaurant or a retail unit; four suit larger floors or plant rooms that serve several areas. On the projects Helvar describes, the 950's four subnets replaced two older 910 routers in University of Bath halls of residence, while the 945 handled complex existing wiring, and its diagnostics found a wiring fault that had gone unnoticed. In Finland, Tampere University of Applied Sciences installed one 945 and two 950s with Helvar Insights monitoring light, occupancy and indoor air quality.
Both controllers connect to the rest of the Helvar ecosystem: ActiveAhead wireless control, Helvar Senses for environmental sensing, and Helvar Insights for cloud analytics.
What it means for projects here
Plenty of Helvar sites in the region run on the older 905, 910 and 920 routers. Those systems work, but specifications increasingly ask for DALI-2 certified control devices, and a refurbishment is the natural point to move. The 950 already offered that, but four subnets can be more controller than a single floor or a restaurant needs. The 945 gives those projects a right-sized DALI-2 option, and the Bath example shows Helvar has upgrades of existing wiring in mind.
For new projects, the choice between 945 and 950 comes down to subnet count per panel location, which is worth settling when the DALI line layout is drawn, not after the panels are built.
Next steps
The 945 and 950 are on our site, with the rest of the Helvar controls range. If you are planning a router upgrade, send us the existing system details and we will size the replacement.