Has anyone interfaced directly with their smart meter (IR Serial)?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Has anyone interfaced directly with their smart meter (IR Serial)?

dolsen

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#269829 9-Apr-2020 21:51

Over the long weekend I think I will set up power monitoring of my smart meter to track power usage over the day.

What I will probably do is just use the 1000 imp / kWh light with a phototransistor to measure power usage using an esp-01 sending back via mqtt to openhab.

Before I do that though, has anyone successfully interfaced with the optical serial port on the meter? Mine is a EDMI MK7C meter that supposedly supports through the Optical port: FLAG (IEC 62056-21) or
ANSI Type 2 (ANSI C12.18) as well as the option for passive RS-232. I've had a quick look at https://tasmota.github.io/docs/Smart-Meter-Interface/ but, I'm not sure about using that. Also - sending data to it might show up on a report somewhere (local communication initiated), so, I'm less keen on actively communicating with it.

Looking at the optical port though my phones camera I can see the led flickering, so, I think it's currently sending something (passive 232?). Has anyone here looked into this?

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#2458677 9-Apr-2020 21:54

I did a ton of research into this - unfortunately they only have a single serial port, which is where the 3G modem is connected.

AFAIK there's no specific optical serial port. Just an LED that flashes every KWh.

I opted for a separate CT clamp for monitoring instead, I'm using my Zappi car charger for this.

These Meters do also include Zigbee, but unfortunately it would take co-operation from their owner to get it paired with your own hub.

I work for a global Data Protection Software company - But my opinions are my own.

dolsen

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#2458679 9-Apr-2020 22:06

Chippo:

AFAIK there's no specific optical serial port. Just an LED that flashes every KWh.

According to this, https://www.edmi-meters.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Mk7C-Factsheet-English.pdf there are 3 separate interfaces. A serial port (where the 2g modem is connected to, but, looks like it can be upgraded to 3G / 4g etc by swapping the module), the optical port (on the front in the silver circle, has transmit and receive diodes), and another port (probably behind the tamper seals).

In addition, mine has a connection led and the 1000 pulse / kWh led.

There's a few different smart meters, yours may only have the 1 interface.

Looks like the mk7c supports modbus, and the tasomota firmware supports modbus as well...

snnet

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#2458682 9-Apr-2020 22:15

To get to the serial port you would need to cut the meter seal - if they audit your meter you'll be in for a bit of a bill to recalibrate/replace and recertify the installation.

dolsen

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#2458687 9-Apr-2020 22:22

snnet:
To get to the serial port you would need to cut the meter seal - if they audit your meter you'll be in for a bit of a bill to recalibrate/replace and recertify the installation.

For the rs-232 and rs-485 ports, yes. But, the optical serial port is stuck right on the front of it and is accessible.

It's a no contact, electrically isolated interface (similar to what was on the old hp printers many years ago)

neb

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#2458937 10-Apr-2020 14:51

dolsen:
Also - sending data to it might show up on a report somewhere (local communication initiated), so, I'm less keen on actively communicating with it.

What are they going to do, send someone out to check? :-).

snnet

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#2458940 10-Apr-2020 14:52

neb:
dolsen:

Also - sending data to it might show up on a report somewhere (local communication initiated), so, I'm less keen on actively communicating with it.

What are they going to do, send someone out to check? :-).

Haha, you might be surprised - I was surprised at how much information they keep per meter, photographs - retailers even have special investigation teams

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neb

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#2458941 10-Apr-2020 14:57

Chippo:
AFAIK there's no specific optical serial port. Just an LED that flashes every KWh.

That's the standard way of reading them, there's a vast amount of info out there on interfacing these to anything imaginable, e.g. Arduino, Pi, whatever. There may also be a pulse-counter output that you can read directly without having to go via an optical sensor.

richms

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#2458978 10-Apr-2020 15:42

When I asked about it I was told that the optical port has its access disabled to any data and is only usable by the calibration guys. Sucks really as I am more interested in the current than accumulated watt hours, also there is no directionality with the blinking LED so I would have no way to know if I am exporting power inadvertantly.

Richard rich.ms

dolsen

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#2475719 3-May-2020 10:56

In the end, I went with the standard pulse indicator to measure the power consumed. Currently, I'm using a phototransistor over the led pulse indicator, but, I have to read it via the ADC which means that I have to keep polling it.

I'm waiting for a LM393 Light Sensor which uses a comparator to give a nice digital pulse that I can attach an interrupt to. That way, I can have the gas / electricity and a couple of temp sensors running off 1 esp8266 to send the data back to my home automation.

boosacnoodle

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#2475765 3-May-2020 13:13

Chippo:

These Meters do also include Zigbee, but unfortunately it would take co-operation from their owner to get it paired with your own hub.

Where did you find that they have ZigBee?

engedib

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#2475767 3-May-2020 13:19

Switch to PowerShop and you can see it in their app? :)

MCSE+M/S, MCITP

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SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2475772 3-May-2020 13:40

snnet:

To get to the serial port you would need to cut the meter seal - if they audit your meter you'll be in for a bit of a bill to recalibrate/replace and recertify the installation.

A little off topic, but the original paint on our meter box is now a fine powder. Is disassembling the door to replace the plastic windows and repaint it an acceptable activity?

This is plan B. Our power company said they'd put in a request to have the door replaced, but they also indicated it may not happen.

richms

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#2475774 3-May-2020 13:42

I thought the box was the home owners property? I know one was on the quote I had a sparky do to upgrade the supply here to meet new requirements.

Richard rich.ms

snnet

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#2476612 4-May-2020 20:18

SirHumphreyAppleby:

snnet:

To get to the serial port you would need to cut the meter seal - if they audit your meter you'll be in for a bit of a bill to recalibrate/replace and recertify the installation.

A little off topic, but the original paint on our meter box is now a fine powder. Is disassembling the door to replace the plastic windows and repaint it an acceptable activity?

This is plan B. Our power company said they'd put in a request to have the door replaced, but they also indicated it may not happen.

You can replace the windows and even the whole door of the meterbox - if you need part numbers PM me

The only issue with the certification of the installation is the meter seals and any MEN points (if applicable)

The photos available to retailers will only concern the main switch and the meter itself to ensure they were sealed and operating properly

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2476695 5-May-2020 07:42

snnet:

You can replace the windows and even the whole door of the meterbox - if you need part numbers PM me

The only issue with the certification of the installation is the meter seals and any MEN points (if applicable)

The photos available to retailers will only concern the main switch and the meter itself to ensure they were sealed and operating properly

Thanks for that. The meter is being replaced in the next few weeks. The possibility of replacing the door was raised when that was being discussed, but it sounds like that's our responsibility. I'll PM you with photos if we need to replace parts.

I don't foresee us needing to replace it as aside from the paint, it seems to be in good condition. If it's not replaced with the meter, I'm intending to remove the door, spray paint the outside of the box which is firmly attached to the wall, and powder coat the door in a more appropriate colour.

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