FAQ

Set up a project to export to Piigab Explorer/OPC server

This use case is based on the assumption that the user has a meter list in the gateway and wants to export a configuration file to Piigab Explorer.

1. Create a template with the tags of your choice. Be sure to use Format 1 and Tag Type=Value
2. Merge the meter list and template with the button Create myconfig under the My Meters tab.
3. Download the configuration file myconfig.csv in the Administration section.
4. If you start a new project in Piigab Explorer, import myconfig.csv under Project - Import configuration file.
   If you already have a project, you must open the current project configuration file in Notepad and paste the contents of myconfig.csv minus the first line ([Root])
5. Open the new channel you just created and add the IP address and port.

Search for meters

 

Searching for meters is done under the Overview - Search tab. There are three different variants of search. The most common is via Secondary address, but it is also possible to search by primary address and a special variant if there are wireless nodes connected.

The only meters that respond to a search are wired MBus meters connected to the wired MBus network. (If you have wireless nodes connected to the MBus network, the wireless meters from these will also respond.)

There are two search buttons, Fast and Slow search.

Usually the quick search will find all expected meters, but if not, use the slow search performed with longer timeouts giving each meter more time to respond.

Press the desired search button. Depending on how many metres you have in your network and the type of search being performed, the search will take between a few minutes and an hour.

The progress of the search is presented in the search window.

When the status shows "No search running", the search is complete.

It is also possible to change the wildcards (FFFF) in the search fields to limit the search to only a specific manufacturer or to a smaller search field.

Primary address search

First, set your search range. Set the start address and end address.

Press the search button. Depending on how many meters you have in your network and the type of search performed, the search will take different amounts of time.

When the status shows "No search running", the search is complete.

Search for wireless nodes

A wireless node is a bridge between wireless meters and a wired network. We support the following wireless nodes.

This button is used to find wireless nodes without having to search the entire M-Bus loop. The wireless meters from the wireless nodes can then be integrated into your system. Please note that all wired meters will be excluded from the result.

Then the wireless meters in the found nodes can be easily added to the meter list by using the button Add wireless under the Overview tab.

1. Install the PiiGAB M-Bus Wizard.
2. Connect the PiiGAB M-Bus 900 gateway to your computer with the patch cable.
3. Connect the M-Bus meter to the PiiGAB M-Bus 900.
4. Connect the PiiGAB M-Bus 900 gateway to a 24V AC or DC power supply.
5. Switch on the power supply.
6. Wait until PiiGAB M-Bus 900 Pwr LED turns steady red.

MAC address and serial number

On the right side of the PiiGAB M-Bus 900 is a label containing the MAC address and serial number of your PiiGAB M-Bus 900. You can use this to identify your PiiGAB M-Bus 900 with the PiiGAB M-Bus Installation Guide.

IP configuration

You can either connect your PiiGAB M-Bus 900 gateway to a static or DHCP network. The most common IP configuration of the PiiGAB M-Bus 900 Gateway is for static IP address. The gateway is set to DHCP by default when it is delivered.

 DHCP network

If you have a network with DHCP, you can connect your PiiGAB M-Bus 900 gateway to it and the gateway will get the IP configuration automatically.

Static IP

If you do not have a network with DHCP, you will need to set your PiiGAB M-Bus 900 gateway to a static IP address.

 If you have an old computer, you may need a network switch between the computer and the PiiGAB M-Bus 900 gateway.

1. Set your computer to a static IP address. For example:
   • IP address: 192.168.10.1.
   •  Network mask: 255.255.255.0.
   • Gateway: 192.168.10.254.
2. Start the PiiGAB M-Bus Setup Wizard and go to the main menu.
3. Select Change IP settings for gateway.
4. Pressure on Next to continue.
5. Select Configure IP with network (UDP broadcast).
6. In the field MAC address enter the MAC address of the PiiGAB M-Bus 900 gateway.
7. Pressure on Next to continue.
8. Select Use the following IP-address.
9. Enter the IP configuration. The PiiGAB M-Bus 900 gateway should match the IP address of your computer.
10. Pressure on Next to continue.
11. Pressure on Apply to set up the IP configuration.
12. Wait for the PiiGAB M-Bus 900 gateway to restart.

 The PiiGAB M-Bus Setup Wizard may signal that the MAC address could not be set. Ignore this warning. The IP address should be set anyway.

1. Pressure on Back three times to return to the main menu.

Find your PiiGAB M-Bus 900 in your network

You can use the PiiGAB M-Bus Setup Wizard to find your PiiGAB M-Bus 900S on the network. This works for both a network with DHCP or static IP address configuration.

1. Go to the main menu of the PiiGAB M-Bus Setup Wizard.
2. Select Find gateways in the network.
3. Pressure on Next to continue.
4. Your PiiGAB M-Bus 900 gateway should be listed.
5. Find your PiiGAB M-Bus 900 with MAC address or serial number.
6. Double click on your PiiGAB M-Bus 900 gateway.When prompted to start the PiiGAB M-Bus 900 web interface, select Yes.

 If you have placed your PiiGAB M-Bus 900 gateway on a different subnet, you may not find it in the list of available gateways.