EthMBus-4M
M-Port line
Ethernet to M-Bus communication converter
This converter is no longer produced. It was replaced by EthMBus-5M SMART.
Converter for SMART metering
Designed for remote communication with M-Bus meters using the Ethernet computer network in industry and building automation.
In the Smart M-Bus mode the converter works as a server. It communicates with the M-Bus meters independently, processes their data and stores it in its own memory.
The meter data is simultaneously available in form of:
- table on a webpage
- xml, xml(REST) and csv export
- M-Bus protocol communication
- e-mail with attached xml, csv exports
- exports uploaded to an FTP server
Document with detailed functionality description.
In the basic mode the converter works as a transparent gateway for transfer of M-Bus messages using TCP or UDP Ethernet protocols.
Main characteristics
M-Bus port
- Connection of 1 to 4 M-Bus slave devices.
The most commonly used devices are heat, water, gas and electricity consumption meters. - Surge protection warranting above standard level of protection against overvoltage.
- Current protection against overload and short circuit on the communication line with
LED status indication.
Power supply
- Wide range of DC power supply voltage 8-28V.
- Overvoltage protection.
- LED power supply indication.
Ethernet
- TCP, UDP protocols and virtual COM port software.
- 10/100BASE-TX ethernet port, RJ45 connector.
Mechanical construction
- Plastic box with mounting on 35 mm DIN rail.
Main software characteristics
Transparent gateway mode:
- TCP/IP connection
– server or client mode– backup IP addresses for connection– connection to a web address (DNS)
- UDP connection
Smart M-Bus application mode:
- web page with meter data
- xml, xml(REST), csv exports
- e-mails with exports and service information
- exports uploaded to an FTP server
Software functions
- Configuration of the converter through a web interface or Telnet.
- TCP and UDP communication in server or client mode including connection backup IP addresses.
- DNS support (host name instead of IP)
- Logging of Ethernet activity and error states.
- Search for meter addresses and their change (meter must support this functionality).
- Success rate statistics for communication with individual meters.
Differences from the EthMBus-5 SMART converter
- Connection of 4 M-Bus slave devices.
- Smaller width on the DIN rail.
- Less powerful overvoltage protections on the M-Bus line and the power port.
- Only DC power supply.
- Less powerful M-Bus line driver. The maximum length of the M-Bus line is in the range of hundreds of meters.
- Smaller range of operating temperatures.
Guarantee of quality
- Each converter passes through several functional electrical tests during the production. Additionally a communication test is performed after final assembly.
- EMC certification in an accredited laboratory for industrial environment.
- Solid design and construction based on many years practical experience.
| Ethernet communication interface | |
|---|---|
| Communications interface | 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX (auto-sensing) |
| Communication protocols | ARP, UDP, TCP, ICMP, Telnet, TFTP, AutoIP, DHCP, HTTP, SNMP |
| Connector | RJ45 |
| Compatibility | Ethernet: Version 2.0/IEEE 802.3 |
| M-Bus Master communication interface | |
| Number devices that can be connected | 1 to 4 SLAVE devices, idle current max. 6 mA |
| Baud rate | 300 – 9600 bps |
| Protection | – overvoltage protection TVS 600W |
| – electronic protection against overloads and short circuit on the communication line | |
| note: converter can withstand sustained short circuit on the communication line | |
| Galvanic separation | up to 1kV from power supply, more than 1kV from Ethernet |
| Connector | terminal block with plug-in connector for wires of up to 2.5 mm² cross-section area |
| Power supply | |
| Recommended range of power supply voltages | |
| DC power supply | 8V to 28V |
| Maximum limits of supply voltage – permanent operation at these voltages is not recommended | |
| Minimum DC power | 7.5V – minimal voltage necessary for the operation of the converter |
| Maximum DC power | 30V – above this the overvoltage protection will activate |
| Protection | overvoltage protection TVS 600W |
| Power consumption | 1.3W to 1.9W. Depends on M-Bus line load and communication. |
| Maximum consumption during M-Bus line short is 2.2W. | |
| Connector | terminal block with plug-in connector for wires of up to 2.5 mm² cross-section area |
| Status LEDs | |
| Power – green | indication of connected supply voltage |
| Transmit – green | indication of data broadcasting on the M-Bus line |
| Receive – yellow | indication of data reception on the M-Bus line |
| Overload/Short – red | indication of M-Bus line overload – flashing (idle current > 8mA) |
| indication of short on the M-Bus line – turned on (resistance of the line < 500Ω) | |
| Temperature | |
| Operating range | -20°C to 50°C |
| Mechanical construction | |
| Mechanical design | plastic box |
| Mounting | 35 mm DIN rail (EN 50022 top hat rail) |
| Dimensions: height x width x length | 58 x 36 x 95mm |
| Protection classification | IP20 |
| Weight | 72g |
EMC compatibility of the M-Bus converter has been tested according to the following industrial environment standards.
| EMC emission tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Test | Level |
| EN 55011 | Power line – CONDUCTED EMISSIONS 10/150 kHz – 30 MHz | Class A |
| EN 55011 | RADIATED EMISSIONS (Electric Field) 30 MHz – 1000 MHz | Class A |
| EMC immunity tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Test | Level |
| EN 61000-4-2 | ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD) – Contact discharge | ± 4 kV |
| EN 61000-4-2 | ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD) – Air discharge | ± 8 kV |
| EN 61000-4-4 | ELECTRICAL FAST TRANSIENT/BURST – Power line | ± 4 kV |
| EN 61000-4-4 | ELECTRICAL FAST TRANSIENT/BURST – M-Bus line | ± 4 kV |
| EN 61000-4-5 | SURGE IMMUNITY – Power line. Common/differential mode. | ± 1 kV / ± 0.5 kV |
| EN 61000-4-5 | SURGE IMMUNITY – M-Bus line. Cable shielding. | ± 4 kV |
| EN 61000-4-5 | SURGE IMMUNITY – M-Bus line. Common/differential mode.* | ± 2 kV / ± 1 kV |
| EN 61000-4-6 | CONDUCTED DISTURBANCES, INDUCED BY RADIO-FREQUENCY FIELDS 0.15MHz – 80 MHZ. Power line and M-Bus line. | 10 V |
* test carried out at the request of the manufacturer. The M-Bus port has an increased durability against overvoltage. Carrying out this type of test is not required with the use of shield cable.
End user
Price list for individuals and companies which do not buy converters for resale.
Integrator
Price list for companies which buy converters for the purpose of resale to their custommers as manufacturers or suppliers.
The price list is available only to registered business partners.
Registration request.
Leaflet
Name / File
Date
Size
Manuals
Name / File
Date
Size
Short overview of modes and functions
Ethernet_SMART_features_flyer_v0_13_EN.pdf
Date:
19.10. 2016
Size:
640 kB
Readout software
Name / File
Date
Size
Excel® file for M-Bus data collection and processing
JC-E_readout_v11_6_EN.xlsm
Date:
16. 3. 2018
Size:
228 kB
Manual for the data collecting Excel® file
JC-E_readout_xls_manual_v1_12_EN.pdf
Date:
11.1. 2023
Size:
2.13 MB
Legacy manuals for old converters
Name / File
Date
Size
Manual (for old firmware)
Ethernet_MBus_4M_manual_v1_8_EN.pdf
Date:
24.6. 2014
Size:
1.05 MB
Note: this manual applies only to the old Lantronix firmware version
Lantronix utilities
Name / File
SW application from Lantronix for advanced configuration of the converters
https://ltrxdev.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/LTRXTS/pages/106070471/Latest+version+of+DeviceInstaller
SW application for creating a virtual COM port from Lantronix
http://www.lantronix.com/device-networking/utilities-tools/com-port-redirector.html
Warning: Lantronix Com Port Redirector doesn’t work with LITE converters. Those use a different application to provide this type of functionality.
Contents
Typical application
Typical wiring of the converter with M-Bus devices, power supply and Ethernet network connection to a computer.
Connectors on the M-Bus side
| Connector | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| M-Bus | Connector for the M-Bus line. | SV-02-5.08 |
| Status LEDs | Color | |
| Transmit | Indication of transmission on the M-Bus line. | green |
| Receive | Indication of reception on the M-Bus line. | yellow |
| Overload/Short | Indication of overload or short circuit on the M-Bus line. | red |
| – during overload the LED flashes alternately with Receive LED, I > 8mA | ||
| – short circuit is indicated with the LED turned on permanently, resistance of the M-Bus line < 500Ω | ||
Connectors on the Power Supply and Ethernet side
| Connectors | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Connector for power supply. | SV-02-5.08 |
| Ethernet RJ45 | Connector for Ethernet. | RJ45 |
| Status LEDs | Color | |
| Power | Indication of correct power supply voltage. | green |
| Link | 10Mbps connection speed | orange |
| 100Mbps connection speed | green | |
| Rx/Tx | Half-duplex | orange |
| Full-duplex | green | |
