Combining Three Major Standards: DALI, KNX, and Matter MEAN WELL the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair
In recent years, LED lighting has been seen as the most effective shortcut to achieving noticeable energy savings and reducing carbon emissions. Companies across various industries are enhancing their LED systems by implementing smart lighting control systems, accelerating their progress toward ESG goals and sustainable development.
To meet this growing demand, MEAN WELL has launched a new generation of compact and intelligent LED power supplies – the XLN and XLC series, which feature multiple dimming control interfaces. The critical innovation in this series is the integration of built-in dimming control interfaces like KNX and Matter within the LED driver, thus offering comprehensive one-stop solutions. MEAN WELL will be showcasing the XLN and XLC series at the end of October during the HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition).
MEAN WELL, renowned for its strong expertise in developing standard LED power supplies, has launched the next generation of compact LED power supplies in the XLN and XLC series, available in 25W, 40W, and 60W specifications. These new power supplies are ideal for commercial and office lighting applications, making them a top choice for track, recessed, strip, and panel lighting.
The XLN series features an independent wiring output design with durable plastic encapsulation and full epoxy potting treatment, achieving an IP67 protection rating. This design is a distinctive characteristic of MEAN WELL products. The XLC series, on the other hand, features a terminal-block output design, offering flexibility with two installation options: an external or independent setup (with side covers on both ends) and an internal or built-in setup (without side covers). This approach ensures both safety and adaptability for users.
XLN and XLC Series Support NFC for More Intuitive and Precise Current Settings
Denny Hu, deputy general manager of MEAN WELL Guangzhou, stated that the XLN and XLC series offer several notable features. Among these is the support for setting current levels with NFC. This allows for easily and conveniently adjusting current settings via a mobile app, even when dealing with various lighting fixtures with complex specifications. Additionally, both series support wired and wireless dimming interfaces, and they further stand out in the industry by integrating two leading control standards—KNX and Matter.
Consequently, the XLN and XLC series have significant advantages compared with industry competitors. While similar products often offer single-voltage inputs limited to specific regional markets, partial safety standards, or even non-isolated designs, MEAN WELL’s new solutions support the full range of input voltages (100 to 305VAC). The XLN and XLC series also ensure that the output circuits are isolated from the dimming circuits. Complying with the latest lighting regulations, both series have attained safety certifications in multiple countries and regional markets, including, but not limited to, Europe’s ENEC, CB, and CE certifications, the United States’ UL certification, and China’s mandatory CCC certification.
Tony Hsieh, a section manager at MEAN WELL’s technical service center, stated that the increasing emphasis on interior design in commercial and office environments has led to reduced installation space for lighting components, thereby increasing the difficulty of installation and maintenance. As a result, there has been growing attention to the need for compact solutions. The XLN and XLC series from MEAN WELL are specifically designed to address this market demand and offer the advantages of miniaturization.
Moreover, products under the XLN and XLC series provide a broader adjustable range for both current and voltage compared with industry competitors. Notably, they allow the selection of multiple wide output voltage ranges. Users can change the output current using either traditional DIP switches or the new NFC sensing technology. Using MEAN WELL’s software app, adjustments can be made quickly and intuitively through NFC, providing a more precise and user-friendly alternative to DIP switches. This capability addresses the common issue in lighting projects where the lack of technical expertise on-site can cause delays, as adjustments no longer require professional engineers and technicians to be present.
MEAN WELL’s new compact indoor LED power supplies, the XLN and XLC series, feature double insulation and Class II/2 design, making them suitable for indoor lighting or commercial lighting applications.
With Multiple Wired and Wireless Control Interfaces, MEAN WELL’s Solutions Can Provide Advanced Smart Lighting and Virtual Luminaire Features
As homes and buildings increasingly adopt automation and smart technologies, Hu emphasized that smart control is poised to become a major trend in commercial lighting. The XLN and XLC series support a variety of dimming control interfaces, both wired and wireless. These include three-in-one, DALI-2, and KNX for wired control, as well as the Matter wireless control interface. DALI-2, KNX and Matter are all international standards commonly used in smart home lighting systems. MEAN WELL aims to maximize the interconnectedness of the entire lighting ecosystem through these advanced features.
Currently, market available products belonging to the first phase of the XLN and XLC series support just three-in-one and DALI-2 interfaces. Product models with support for KNX and Matter are in the final stage of development, and their engineering prototypes will be presented at the Autumn Edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair held this October.
While the primary purpose of lighting is to illuminate spaces, the methods of illumination and management of lighting systems have become major sources of market demand. The DALI-2 models under the XLN and XLC series, when paired with MEAN WELL’s DLC-02 DALI digital lighting system (controller), transform lighting systems, advancing them beyond just providing illumination and brightness. MEAN WELL’s solutions have smart features such as comfortable dimming, scene and group control, scheduled events, and sequence combinations. Hsieh explained that the controller software is developed in-house, ensuring rapid response to customer needs and real-time product optimization.
The DLC-02 also provides a virtual luminaire feature, allowing engineers to pre-configure the system according to enterprise customers’ internal design plans, without the need to visit work sites. This capability significantly accelerates project timelines and improves work efficiency. In addition to LED power supplies and the DLC-02 controller, the soon-to-be-released DALI touch panel further showcases the advantages of MEAN WELL’s one-stop total DALI-2 lighting solutions.