MBUSREAD

USER MANUAL
V3.0
 Table of Contents

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MBusRead Software – User Manual – Page 2 / 31

1. Comments regarding this documentation

This documentation describes the range of functions provided by the Actaris MBusRead software. This
documentation does not describe the M-Bus as such or the hardware components needed to run M-Bus networks.

The first section explains the individual menus, submenus and various windows in MBusRead with the help of text
and graphics. This documentation assumes a basic knowledge in these related areas. It also assumes general PC
®
literacy and a certain level of familiarity with the user interfaces of Windows 98 / Me / Nt / XP / 2000.

2. What is MBusRead?

MBusRead is a software package that enables to read data, either direct or via modem, from meters recording
consumption at an M-Bus installation and which presents this data to the user in the form of normal and
understandable text.

The spectrum of functions performed by MBusRead ranges from the initial recording and structuring of an M-Bus
installation – via tests for existing configurations – right trough to remote reading and saving meter data. The data is
® ® ®
read out and performed in terms of editable concepts in ASCII (text & CSV) or Excel , Paradox or DBASE format
for the purposes of further processing.

The data can be read out either directly on site or via modem.

3. PC system requirements
®
PC: Normal IBM - compatible PC, at least Pentium II, 300 MHz or better
800 x 600 display
CD Rom drive
®
Operating system: At least Window 98 / NT

RAM: At least 64 MB

Hard disk: At least 200 MB free, depending on the size of the M-Bus object

Interface: At least one free serial connection RS-232 at port COM 1-9

4. MBusRead M-Bus device prerequisites

Generally speaking, metering devices and M-Bus installations from any manufacturer can be read, providing they
implement the ML-Bus transmission protocol as per EN 1434-3 with a variable protocol in low-byte-first mode and
respond via primary or secondary addressing.

However, we recommend M-Bus metering devices from Actaris because MBusRead automatically recognizes such
equipment and is able to provide supplementary information regarding the received data .The special information
provided on Actaris M-Bus meters (CF-Sensor / CF-Combi, Integral-MK Maxx, CF50, CF150, CF-Echo and cyble
Mbus) are all fully readable and supported.

For the purposes of communicating with the M-Bus, a simple repeater (Actaris M-bus-Repeater) or an intelligent
central unit (Actaris M-Bus-Concentrator) is required.

The Actaris central unit M-Bus-Concentrator can be parameterized and configured via MBusRead. Data can be
read out either via a direct RS-232 interface or via any normal commercially available modem.

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5. Installation (most important windows)

Tip: It is impossible to install MbusRead twice. The second installation forces the removal of MbusRead.
You have to be local administrator to install MBusRead

The installation is completely automatic. You just have to insert the CD in the CD drive and follow the instructions.

Regarding the license agreement, you have to read and accept it to continue the installation.

Here please enter the requested information. The serial number can be found on the CD jewel case inside cover.

When the installation is completed, you have to restart your computer:

If you tick off this proposition,

the restart is automatic.

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6. Starting MbusRead

For the first start of MBusRead, the password asked is blank.

# Do not forget to change it as soon as possible.

To change the password go in the Option menu

and click in the new window on miscellaneous.

1. Capture your old password

2. Write the new one
3. Write the new one again
4. Click on the button “Change password”

The first step is to create a new database or choose an already existing one.

Tip: this message only appears from the second start.

This option is ticked off by default.

Check this option avoid this message box

at the next opening.

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7. The MBusRead desktop

The MBusRead desktop includes four main windows:

It shows the access path for the directory where the database is.

$ Structures: $ Communications:
You will find here the list of all the items Events logging
you want to read. This window is the Communication errors
picture of your physical network. Protocol errors
Meters errors
Communication logging (optional)*

$ Arrangement:
In this window, you will have the possibility $ Data:
to create groups of meters and manage This window displays the data read from
them to organize the data as you want. As the M-Bus network.
an example you can read all the water
meters in a first group ,all the heat meters
in another…

Tips: display the « Communication logging » tab:

$ In the main menu choose « Options »

$ Go to the Miscellaneous
$ Tick off the menu « show Communications
tab in the log »

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8. Working with MBusRead: Basic operations

8.1. Configuration of the installation

The first step is to create a master (concentrator, repeater, optical probe…). To do so, you have two possibilities:

• In the structure window, click on the right button of the mouse, Create Item, Create Master

• The fastest solution is to click on the “create master” button in the tool bar.

Then, the following window opens:

Enter your concentrator Choose the type

password to access your of master
network.

Select the appropriate

COM port when the
interface is connected
(concentrator ,modem…).

If you use a modem to access

your site network, enter here
the phone number.

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Tips :
If the master is a concentrator you can change its properties (after creation) by clicking on the button .

Then the following window opens. In this one you can change the reading cycle or the baudrate for example.

If any change is requested, it is possible to edit the parameters. To do so, you can either double-click or right-click
on the desired items and go to “Properties”. The previous window will appear again.

At this step it is necessary to build the network tree in the “Structure” window. This tree will be the picture of the
physical architecture of your network.

To do so, three possibilities exist (next paragraphs).

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Note: this search method is not available for the optical probe.

Position the mouse in a master (Structure window), right-click on it, go to “Create Item” and “Search meters”.

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 • If the master is a concentrator, there is no search option. But the following message will appear:

If you choose Yes, MBusRead will copy and display the meter list already stored in the concentrator.

If you choose No, the central unit will search meters by itself. This process employs the concentrator’s operating
system functions and may take up to 20 minutes.

After completion, the following window appears:

Once the list appeared , click

here to transfer the meter list
in the structure window.

The list of the connected

meters appears.

• If the master is a repeater:

1. Select the communication speed

2. Choose the addressing method.

By default ,the primary & secondary
addresses are tick off.

3. Click here to launch the search

4. Click on this button (when the

search is complete) to transfer the
meters list in the structure window.

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You can also manually add some meters, either by right-clicking on the master in the structure window:

Or by clicking on the slave button in the tool bar. This option is useful to create slaves one by one.

Both leads to the same result:

Enter the primary address of

the new meter.

These meter
Choose the meter type errors are device
in the scrolling list. dependant : the
label will change
according to the
type of meter.
Select the correct baudrate.

Give a name to the meter.

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If your different installation (master / salves / devices) are very similar and in order to save time , you can copy and
paste some elements. TO obtain the menus right clicking on the element.

If you want to create a master, a meter or a device and its properties on the model of an already existing one :

The master appears and its

properties are he same than the
one you have copied.

If you have different structures in the same model you can copy and paste the master with all the meters connected.
First of all you have to select the master.

The new master appears with all the meters connected to it. The master (and the different meters) have the same
properties than the one you have copied.

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It is also possible to create a complete list of meters.

In the structure window, go on a master, right click and select “Create Item” and “Add several meters”

or click in the tool bar on the following button:

The following window appears:

Choose the number

of meters wanted.

Click here to obtain the

slave properties window
(see § 8.1.2 ; p.11)

After having chosen the meter, you will obtain this window:

You can delete meters :

one by one or
all the meters of the list.

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 Pattern management:

In order to save time, it is possible to create a meter and keep its properties, as a pattern, to create other
meters on the same model. To do this:

1. Select (underline) one meter on the “New meters list”

2. Click on the button “Define selection as pattern”.
3. Choose how much number you want.
4. And click on the button “Add Pattern(s)”. After you will obtain the following window:

The meters have been

automatically addressed.
Their primary address
have been increased.

In clicking here you add this meters list under

the master in the structure window.

8.2. Data reading

To read the data of all the Mbus devices connected to a selected master:

1. Select the master (structure window)

2. Right-click on it
3. And select “Read Data”

8.3. Data window

When individual meters, group or whole installations have been read, the meter data is presented in this
window in sheet form. Each measured value transferred from an M-Bus meter, e.g. energy type, volume,
check-date, is written together with its associated texts, serial number, description (…) to a reserved row.

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 Such measured value thus represents an individual data record and such data records can easily be
incorporated into other programs. Thanks to a comprehensive filter function (see § 9.4.1 & 9.4.2) the required
data can be selected from the variety of available values and data fields and then stored in the CSV format to
be used after with Excel, Dbase, Paradox or ASCII.

This procedure enables the user to generate specific data records per application and prevents superfluous
data from being imported unnecessarily into the processing system.

All the data of the

meters attached to the
master is displayed.
You can also see the
data only for one slave
of the master.

8.4. Arrangement window

In this window logical groups of M-Bus meters can be formed. These groups are independent of the system’s
physical structure. A meter can also be copied from the devices list window into a group using the drag-and-
drop technique.

The groups can have designations and comments appended.

To use this feature, it is necessary (at first) to create a new group. For this, right-click in the window
arrangement, select “Create Group” and enter the requested information.

Enter a description for

the group of meters.

Choose the reading cycle

you want for this group.

If the automatic reading

option has been selected
,this indicates when the
next reading will occur.

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After the creation of the group(s), you have to click this button (in the tool bar), in order to activate the
automatic reading.

The following message appears automatically:

This cyclic reading feature is useful when used with the automatic export function: the data read from the group of
meter selected are automatically put into a file, defined by the user.

8.5. Communication Window

This window tracks the activity of the system, and reports the errors in real time, if a problem occurs during the
working session. It mainly helps during troubleshooting.

This window contains 4 main tabs and an optional one:

Events Communication
logging logging (option)

Communication Meter
errors errors

Protocol
errors

See paragraph 11.1 to have the list of error messages.

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You have also the possibility to save the communication by right-clicking on the communication window. This option
is only possible for the Events and Communications logging tabs.

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9. Working with MBusRead: Advanced operations

9.1. The tool bar

Quit the application

Create a new database

Open an existing database

Print the structure window

Create a master

Create a slave

Add several meters

Activate or deactivate the automatic reading

Different positions of the main windows

9.2. The File menu

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Click on this icon to

change the destination
directory.
You have to enter a
name for the
database.

The “Description»,”Serial number” and “Comment” are optional.

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It allows to open a database in

any directory.

This menu makes available the

10 last opened databases.

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Thanks to this window you can choose the printer and its properties.

MBusRead Software – User Manual – Page 18 / 31

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The available formats are XLS (Excel), DBF (Dbase), DB (Paradox), TXT and CSV (text file).
The XLS format option is usable only if Excel is installed on the computer and the minimum version is Excel 95.

The active data window is always that of the individual meter, group or concentrator / repeater which is currently
marked in the devices list or devices assignment.

9.3. The Option menu

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Mbus reading tries : Number of communication tries

before the failure statement.

Meter reading tries : “Number of Mbus reading tries”

Do not change these values.

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By default, only English or French versions are available.

For other languages please contact us.

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This window sums up all the slaves supported by MBusRead and shows the properties of each one.
With the red arrows you can change the position of the slaves in the list in order to put in first position the meters
you use often.

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Here, for each slave you can choose the frames you want to read just by clicking on it.

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Check this menu to open

the last database used
at each start

Change your password here

.

MBusRead Software – User Manual – Page 20 / 31

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It just represents a list of the connected modems.

9.4. The Data menu

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It opens a selection window enabling the user to define how the data records listed in the data window are to be
treated.

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The user can blank out some data fields, descriptions, media and can select data according to UnitNumber for e.g.
water meters with MultiSensor and StorageNumber for e.g. check-dates. If the displayed data comprise a number
of readings, it is also possible to select according to reading time or reading period.

Once a setting has been selected you can assign a name and save it. The filter thus generated is applied to the
data window by confirming with the OK button.

This selection list can be used to define which data fields, i.e. columns, will appear in the data record.

The following data fields can be displayed and saved, this is the maximum.

Data field Origin Description

Group Designation Devices assignment Text field, generated by the group properties designation
Group Serial Number Devices assignment Text field, generated by the group properties serial number
Group Comment Devices assignment Text field, generated by the group properties comment
Counter Designation Devices list Text field, generated by the meter properties designation
Counter Serial Number Devices list Text field, generated by the meter properties serial number
Counter Comment Devices list Text field, generated by the meter properties comment
Medium M-BUS Medium of the measured value: heating, cold water, hot water…
Primary Address M-BUS Primary address of the M-BUS meter, values “000-250”
Secondary Address M-BUS Secondary address of the M-BUS meter, 8 characters
Generation M-BUS Generation of the M-BUS meter, e.g. 1=CF Sensor, 5=CF Echo
Manufacturer M-BUS Manufacturer identity, encoded in M-BUS, normally “SLB”
Error Code M-BUS Encoded error message of the M-BUS meter, no error = ”00”
Unit Number M-BUS Defines the origin of the data, e.g. “0” = Main device,”1” =
Subordinate device 1,”2” = Subordinate device 2
Storage Number M-BUS Distinguishes current data from check-date, current = “0”
Tariff Number M-BUS Normally = “0”
Read Out Time PC Format “DD/MM/YYYY HH’MM’SS
Data Description M-BUS Description of the transmitted measured value, encoded in M-BUS
Data Function M-BUS Function of the measured value, encoded in M-BUS, normally
“Current Value”
Data Value M-BUS Physical unit to which this measured value refers
Device Number Database Consecutive device number, generated from the MBusRead
database.

This selection list can be used to view or mask out data records with certain descriptions.

Each M-BUS meter transmits a number of different measured values. The descriptions, contained in the additional
information encoded in M-BUS protocol and assigned per measured value, are translated by MBusRead into normal
text.

The usual descriptions are “Energy type»,”Volume»,”Power»,”Volume flow»,”Temperature difference”.

This selection list can be used to select data records according to the measuring medium of the connected M-BUS
meters. MBusRead displays the medium, also encoded in the M-BUS protocol, in normal text.

The usual media are “Heating (VMFT or VMRT)»,”Cold water»,”Hot water” and “Water”.

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The unit number, also encoded in the M-BUS protocol, distinguishes the origin of the data.

Using CF Sensor, it is possible to connect two external water meters. The unit number is defined like in the
following sheet:

E=0 Data from the heating meter

E=1 Data from the meter number 1
E=2 Data from the meter number 2

If e.g. Equal to 0 is selected, only heating meter data is displayed in the data window.
If Unequal to 0 is selected, a filter is generated which masks out the heating meter data and only the connected
water meters with their respective consumption values are displayed.

For other possible unit number definitions (e.g. heating meters from other manufacturers), please refer to the
device-specific description of the meter’s M-BUS interface.

The storage number, also encoded in the M-BUS protocol, distinguishes current data from check-date data. For CF
Sensor, the storage numbers are as defined in the following sheet:

S=0 Current data of the heating meter and the water meters
S=1 Data from the most recent check-date
S=2 Data from the check-date before last

A filter with the setting Equal to 1 e.g. causes only the CF Sensor data including the connected water meters as per
the most recent check-date to be displayed.

For other possible storage number definitions (e.g. heating meters from other manufacturers), please refer to the
device-specific description of the meter’s M-BUS interface.

"

The MBusRead object database retains all readings, including those from previous remote readings, in the
database memory until such data is, partly or wholly, deleted (See § 9.4.3 and 9.4.4).

The data is saved together with a reading time derived from the PC’s system time.
By filtering data according to its reading time is possible to display data from defined reading periods.

The date and time-of-day must be entered in the predefined format, thanks to the scrolling list.

MBusRead Software – User Manual – Page 23 / 31

 & 5): >-20(*

The following window appears, which lists the filters already saved. You can choose one of the filters to apply it to
the data. You can also edit the properties of the filter or delete it.

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It deletes the data of the selected device in the structure window.

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This completely deletes all the read data from all devices connected to the master in the structure window.

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This updates the data in the data window if new readings have been made in the meantime.

9.5. The window menu

This menu allows you to select the arrangement of the main windows.

This option shows you on which window you are working.

MBusRead Software – User Manual – Page 24 / 31

10. Devices properties

For each command you want to change, underline the device and make a right-click. You can see § 8.1.2.

Recapitulative sheet for each slave:

Set Primary Set Secondary Change Resynchronize

Address Address baudrate
CF Sensor Y N N N
Pad Pulse Y N N N
CF 100 Y N Y N
CF 50 Y N Y Y
ISWZ Y Y Y Y
CF Echo Y Y Y Y
TH 4 Y Y Y Y
M-Bus meter Y Y Y Y
Cyble M-Bus Y Y Y Y
ABB SVM F2 Y Y Y Y

10.1. Primary Address

The primary address of each meters can be modified with this menu. This not necessary if the secondary address is
known. When the device is read for the first time via its secondary address, any primary address that may have
been programmed is recognized automatically and subsequently shown in the device list.

MBusRead Software – User Manual – Page 25 / 31

 10.2. Secondary Address

The meter’s secondary address can be modified here. If the installed meters are from Actaris, the secondary
address is automatically produced thanks to the serial number of the meter.

10.3. Change baudrate

It is possible to change the baudrate of the master. This will set the speed to which the master will interrogate the
meters.

10.4. Resynchronize

It is possible to synchronize the date and time of the meters in comparison of the PC.

10.5. Status

Select a meter and right-click on it, choose the properties menu and click on the status button

MBusRead Software – User Manual – Page 26 / 31

 This window displays additional information regarding the M-BUS
selected meter.

It lists not only normal texts such as Description or Comment and

the M-BUS addresses but also all the groups in the devices
assignment in which the meter is used.

10.6. Properties

Select a meter and right-click on it, choose the properties menu and click on the properties button

This window displays more information about the selected meter.

These information only regard the meter itself (manufacturer,
serial number, generation…).

MBusRead Software – User Manual – Page 27 / 31

11. Miscellaneous

11.1. Errors codes messages

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3 = Closing concentrator
4 = Searching meters
5 = Primary address reading
6 = Secondary address reading
7 = Extended Secondary address reading
8 = Wake up optical probe...
9 = Initializing modem
10 = Dialing
11 = Disconnecting modem
12 = Opening serial port
13 = Connecting modem
14 = Opening concentrator
15 = Concentrator password authentication
16 = List of conflicts
17 = Closing serial port
18 = Loading Concentrator parameters...
19 = Changing primary address
20 = Changing secondary address
21 = Changing baudrate
22 = Changing date and time
23 = Get Concentrator meters list
24 = Waiting for concentrator to reboot
25 = Reading concentrator memory
26 = Storing concentrator memory into database
27 = Setting Concentrator parameters...

(165.1(1 (11)/(1

101 = The new password has been validated

102 = The old password is valid yet
103 = No data are buffered in concentrator
104 = Searching finished
105 = No conflict
106 = User interrupt!
107 = Primary slave search in progress
108 = Primary slave search, found slave
109 = Primary slave search, collision
110 = Secondary slave search in progress
111 = Secondary slave search, found slave
112 = Secondary slave search, collision
113 = Secondary slave search, unsolvable collision
114 = Extended secondary slave search in progress
115 = Extended secondary slave, unsolvable collision
116 = Extended secondary slave search, slave found
117 = Extended secondary slave search, collision
118 = Modem : DialTone
119 = Modem : Dialing
120 = Modem : RingBack

MBusRead Software – User Manual – Page 28 / 31

 121 = Modem : Busy
122 = Modem : Connected
123 = Modem : Proceeding
124 = Modem : Disconnected
125 = Modem : Line Closed
126 = Concentrator slave search : slave found
127 = Concentrator slave search in progress
128 = Modem : No dialtone
129 = Stopping slave search

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201 = Primary address not found

202 = Secondary address not found
203 = Extended Secondary address not found
205 = Cannot open concentrator
206 = Concentrator password authentication failed
207 = Loading Concentrator parameters has failed
208 = Reading meter has failed

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301 = No opened database

303 = This Database is not a 2.0 version. Use ConvMBus to convert database

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401 = The password has not been correctly validated

402 = Parent node not found
403 = Excel must be installed
404 = Error during printing
405 = Null addresses are forbidden
406 = Import file is corrupted on line

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501 = Meter error

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601 = COM port cannot be opened

602 = Dialing failed
603 = Disconnecting modem failed
604 = Modem initialization failed
605 = Cannot connect to modem
606 = No phone number for this master

MBusRead Software – User Manual – Page 29 / 31

 11.2. Retrieving old version of MBusRead databases

With this menu you can only convert a database from the second version to the version 3.

11.3. Language troubles

®
According to the Windows language installation some windows will be in another language that the one of
MbusRead.

The first window of MbusRead (where the password is required) will be ever in English.

11.4. Troubleshooting

Under some versions of Window 98 some icon display trouble may occur. This is due to a missing DLL on you
system.

On the root of the CD there is a program named “50Comupd.exe”. Launching this program will install the missing
file on your computer. You will have to reboot your PC and the system will then work properly.

11.5. FIFO
®
How to disable the FIFO under Windows NT :

MBusRead Software – User Manual – Page 30 / 31

 Uncheck the FIFO Enabled checkbox.

11.6. Modems
MbusRead lies on the Windows Telephony API to drive modems.
MbusRead will work properly with autobaud modems (modems which can adapt themselves
automatically in terms of speed and format) :
• OLITEC Speed’Com 2000
• OLITEC speed’Com V92 Ready

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