Inhemeter 4G Configuration Guide

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sdg.lesego
2025-10-20 15:47
Last Edited 2025-10-22 12:30

Overview
This document provides comprehensive instructions for configuring Inhemeter 4G meters, including meter settings configuration using SmartTool desktop application and PNPScada system integration.

1. Meter Settings Configuration

1.1 Device Model Import

Begin by importing the device model into the SmartTool desktop application:

1. Launch the SmartTool desktop application
2. Import the device model: DM_GPRS_INHE-250418, access it on?https://wiki.pnpscada.com/wiki/DM_GPRS_INHE-250418.zip
3. Verify successful import before proceeding to configuration


1.2 Communication Model Selection

Select the appropriate communication model based on your connection type:
- For RS-485 connections: Select 485(local)
- For optical connections: Select 485(local)


1.3 Head Port Configuration

Configure the head port with the following parameters:

1. Navigate to the port configuration section
2. Select your designated head port
3. Apply the configuration settings as shown in the below screenshots
4. Verify all parameters are correctly set before proceeding



1.4 HES Communication Configuration

Configure the meter to communicate with your Head-End System (HES):

1. Access the communication settings interface
2. Enter the HES IP address
3. Specify the designated port number
4. Save and verify the configuration


2. PNPScada Configuration

2.1 Prerequisites
Before proceeding with PNPScada configuration, ensure the following requirements are met:

- A 4G modem is installed on the meter
- An active SIM card with data connectivity is inserted
- Network connectivity has been verified

2.2 Component Selection

The following components are required and should already exist in PNPScada:

- Meter Type: Inhemeter DDZ1513 1 phase DLMS (circa 2019)
- Modem Type: Inhemeter internal 3G/GPRS modem - Client Mode (circa 2019)

2.3 Modem Configuration

Step 1: Create a Modem
1. Navigate to the modem creation interface in PNPScada
2. Select the modem type: Inhemeter internal 3G/GPRS modem - Client Mode (circa 2019)
3. Enter your user-defined name and meter serial number
4. Save the modem configuration
5. Verify that the modem has been successfully added to the system

Result: Upon successful completion, the modem will be registered in the PNPScada system.



2.4 Meter Configuration

Step 2: Add a Meter to PNPScada

1. Access the meter addition interface in PNPScada
2. Select the meter type: Inhemeter DDZ1513 1 phase DLMS (circa 2019)
3. Associate the previously configured modem with the meter
4. Fill in your user defined name and meter serial number
5. Save the meter configuration

Result: Upon successful completion, the meter will appear on the overview page with its associated modem.






2.5 Verification

After completing the configuration steps:
1. Navigate to the overview page
2. Verify that the newly configured meter appears in the meter list
3. Check that all configured parameters are correctly displayed



3. Communication Testing

3.1 Initiating Meter Readings

To verify successful configuration and begin collecting data:
1. Open the Communication Monitor tool
2. Initiate a test reading session
3. Monitor the communication status and data retrieval
4. Verify that meter data is being successfully received


3.2 Expected Results

Upon successful configuration, the system should display:
- Active communication status
- Real-time meter readings
- Successful data collection indicators
- No communication errors in the monitor log

4. Troubleshooting

If communication issues occur:

- Verify that the SIM card has active data connectivity
- Confirm that the HES IP address and port are correctly configured
- Check that the 4G modem is properly installed and powered
- Review the Communication Monitor logs for specific error messages
- Ensure that firewall settings permit communication on the designated port

Document Information

Topic: Inhemeter 4G Configurations
Application: SmartTool Desktop & PNPScada
Meter Model: Inhemeter DDZ1513 1 Phase DLMS
Modem Type: Internal 3G/4G GPRS Modem


Avatar

sdg.lesego
2025-10-22 11:26
Last Edited 2026-02-20 11:31

Prepaid and Postpaid Mode Switching Guide 

(pls note, you can also switch a meter between prepaid and postpaid mode using a token, which you can generate using the normal pnpscada token functionality - updated by marinus on 2026-02-13)

Overview 

This guide explains how to switch meters between prepaid and postpaid operating modes using the SmartTool desktop application and Pnpscada. 

Switching to Postpaid Mode 

1: Access Prepaid Account Settings 

- Open the SmartTool desktop application
- From the sidebar menu, click on prepaid
- Select Account from the submenu

2: Configure postpaid settings

Configure the following parameters in the Account tab
- Set appropriate account values for postpaid operation as shown the images below.

3: Write configuration to meter

- After you have modified the values click on Write button, the system will write the postpaid configuration to the meter 
- Wait for the write operation to complete successfully.



4: Verify postpaid mode

- Navigate to the meter status or mode verification screen
- Confirm that the meter displays Postpayment mode as active



Switching to Prepaid Mode

1: Check current account parameters

Before switching to prepaid mode, verify the current account settings:

Default Account parameters
- SGC (Supply Group Code):333333
- KRIN(Key Revision Number):1
- TI (Tariff Index):1

This values can be found under the Account tab in the prepaid section.

2: Configure Prepaid Settings

- Open the Prepaid -> Account tab
- Verify or modify the SGC,KRIN, and TI values as needed
- Ensure all prepaid-specific parameters are correctly set

3: Write Configuration to Meter

- Click the write button to write settings to the meter
- Monitor the write process until completion
- Confirm no error occurred during the write operation



4: Verify Prepaid Mode

- Navigate to the mode verification screen
- Confirm the meter now displays Prepaid Mode as active


Loading Tokens (Prepaid Mode only)

Token can be loaded to prepaid meters using two methods:

Method 1: Using SmartTool Software

1. Navigate to the Token loading section in SmartTool
2. Enter or import the 20-digit STS token
3. Click on the Write button 
4. Wait for confirmation that the token was successfully(on the Result column successful status will be ?Meter confirmed? or else you will get an error with status ?-6034? id there is a failure).
5. Verify the credit has been added to the meter 



Method 2: Manual Entry on the Meter

1. Use the meter?s kaypad or CIU (Customer Interface Unit)
2. Enter the 20-digit token number
3. Press enter or the confirmation button
4. Wait for the meter to accept and process the token
5. Check the meter display for confirmation



Linking Your meter to the vending system, generating tokens and switching between prepaid and postpaid mode using pnpscada.

Linking your device with the vending system

1, In the overview page select vending system server -> Prism TSMWeb API vending system server -> click on ID.

2, You?ll see all the meters associated with the vending system. Go to edit -> STS vending system meters -> click on Add More Meters -> select the meter to add to the vending system.

Generate tokens using Pnpscada

1, After adding the meter to the vending system, select the vending system entity in the overview screen (select the meter entity), Go to tools -> Generate STS token.

2, Select your meter from the dropdown menu -> select the type of token you want to generate -> click on submit and a token will be displayed above the dropdown menu and will also be the displayed as the first row of the table.

Switch between prepaid and postpaid mode on Pnpscada

1, From the overview screen, select the meter you want to load a token for, then go to edit -> STS Smart prepaid meter.

2, You can can switch from prepaid to postpaid and vice-versa by typing a token you already generated on the input field and click on redeem token. With this method you can also load any type of token eg clear temper, reset credit token etc.

3, or you can can even switch between prepaid and postpaid mode by clicking on Switch to prepaid or Switch to postpaid buttons without manually generating a prepaid or postpaid token.

4, Status of the above actions will be displayed under Switch history.



Important Notes

- Always verify the meter after switching to ensure proper operation
- Keep a record of SGC,KRIN, and TI values for token generation
- Ensure communication with the meter is stable before writing configurations
- In postpaid mode, token loading functionality is disabled

Troubleshooting 

Issue: Configuration write fails

- Check communication settings (COM port, baud rate)
- Verify meter is powered and responsive
- Ensure you have proper access rights

Issue: Token loading fails in prepaid mode

- Verify the meter is actually in prepaid mode
- Check that the token matches the meter?s SGC,KRIN, and TI
- Ensure the token hasn?t been used previously

Issue: Mode verification shows unexpected results

- Refresh the meter data by reading current configuration
- Check event logs for any mode change failures
- Verify the write operation completed without errors

Document Information

- Topic: Prepaid and Postpaid mode switching
- Application: SmartTool Desktop & Pnpscada
- Meter models: Compatible with STS-compliant meters
- Last updated: 21 October 2025








Avatar

sdg.lesego
2026-02-09 11:41
Last Edited 2026-02-16 10:30

Overview

RS-485 is a differential serial communication standard commonly used for connecting multiple energy meters on a single bus topology. This guide covers the complete process of configuring unique multidrop addresses for inhemeter devices to enable daisy-chaining RS-485 communication without address conflicts.

1. Required Equipment

1.1 For single meter testing
 1.Energy meter with RS-485 interface(e.g Inhemeter single-phase or three-phase)
 2.RS-485 to USB converter cable
 3.SmartTools and PnpScada softwares

1.2 For Daisy-chain(Multi-meter) setup

1.Multi meters with RS-485 interfaces
2.RS-485 to usb convertor
3.2-wire cable (sufficient length for installation)
4.SmartTools and Pnpscada softwares

2 Individual meter testing (point-to-point)

1.Connect single meter to RS-485 converter (no daisy chaining)
2.Connect your RS-485 to the meter terminals, A/D+ (Orange wire) to terminal K and A/D-(Yellow wire) to terminal L. And the USB port to you computer.
3.Open meter manufacturer software (SmartTools) based on the meter type, for eg if you are reading single phase meter i210 use the module SK1-7A_PEN and for three phase meter i310 use the module TK1-7A_PEN
4.To establish the connection click on settings -> select ?485(local)? -> click on Advanced, and you?ll get a new pop up with HDLC Settings. Below are image instructions.


You can make use of the following calculation to calculate the meter low addr to use:
- Extract the last 5 digits of the meter serial number.
- Calculate: Remainder = (last 5 digits) mod 15000
- If Remainder < 17, then HDLC address = Remainder + 15000
- Otherwise, HDLC address = Remainder

3.Daisy-chaining configurations

3.1 Connect your RS-485 wire (D+ / Orange wire) to terminal K on Meter A and connect the bus continuation wire to the same terminal. Then connect your RS-485 D-/Yellow wire to terminal L on the same meter (Meter A) and use the other bus continuation wire to the same terminal. 


3.2 If you used the orange color bus continuation wire on terminal K for meter A, make sure you use the same color for terminal K on meter B, and if you used the yellow bus continuation wire on Terminal L for meter A, make sure you use the same wire for terminal L on meter B. Here?s the demonstration:


3.3 Full image demonstration of Daisy-chaining using two meters:


Calculate Unique Addresses for each meter (to be used on PNPScada):

Server Address Calculation

Server address is a 16-bit value calculated from High Address and Low Address:

Server Address = (High Address * 16384) + Low Address


Where does 16384 comes from?
- 16384 = 2^14 (binary:0100000000000000)
- Represents bit position 14 in the 16-bit address structure
- This is part of the HDLC Addressing standard for energy meters

Calculation Examples

Example1: for meter with serial number (SN:37990130090)

Last 4 digits of the serial number:0090

Low Address = 90

High Address = 1 (Standard)

Server Address = (1 * 16384) + 90

Server Address = 16384 + 90

Server Address = 16474


Example 2: For meter with serial number (SN:37990130165)

Last 4 digits of the serial number:0165

Low Address = 165

High Address =1 (Standard)

Server Address = (1 * 16384) + 165

Server Address = 16384 + 165

Server Address = 16549


Common Daisy-chaining Issue

Issue

Possible Cause

Solution

Both meters respond to one address

Duplicate addresses

Recalculate and verify unique addresses

Neither meter responds

Wiring error, termination issue

Check polarity, install terminators

Meter 1 works, Meter 2 doesn't

Break in chain after meter 1

Check cable continuity

Intermittent responses

Poor cable quality

Use shielded twisted pair, check grounding

Communication Error? in daisy-chain but works individuals

Address conflict on bus

Verify no overlapping addresses


PNPScada Errors

Error Message

Cause

Solution

Communication Error

Address conflict in daisy-chaining

Very unique addresses for each meter

Link established but communication error?

Correct addressing but protocol issue

Check OBIS codes, verify meter profile

Meter not responding

Physical connection or power issue

Check cable, verify meter power

Authentication error

Wrong client/server address

Recalculate and update addresses in PNPScada

Timeout?

Cable too long or too slow baud rate

Reduce baud rate or shorten cable run


HDLC Frame Errors


Observation in Logs

Meaning

Action

tx: but no rx:

No response from meter

Check physical connection and power

rx: with wrong address bytes

Addressing mismatch

Recalculate server address

Repeated timeouts

Communication not reaching meter

Check cable, termination, polarity

Frame with many FF bytes

Bus noise or no termination

Install terminators, check grounding

CRC mismatches in logs

Data corruption

Check for EMI, improve cable quality


Conclusion

Successfully reading meters via RS-485 requires three key elements:
1.Correct Addressing: Calculate unique server addresses using the formula: (High Address * 16384) + Low Address, where Low address comes mostly from the last 4 digits of the meter serial number.
2.Proper Wiring: Use twisted-pair cable in a daisy-chaining topology with 120 ohm termination resistors at both ends. Maintain A-to-A and B-to-B polarity throughout.
3.Systematic Testing: Test each meter individually before daisy-chaining, then verify each meter responds only to it?s unique address when connected together.



Avatar

sdg.lesego
2026-02-13 10:36
Last Edited 2026-02-13 11:08

Overview

This guide provides step-by-step instruction on how to configure and read energy meters through the Data Concentrator Unit (DCU). DCU-based reading uses the DCU as an intelligent intermediary that aggregates data from multiple meters and forwards it to PNPScada. This documentation covers how to configure PNPScada to read meters associated with a DCU, including connection setup, meter provisioning and troubleshooting common communication issues.

1.Required equipments

-Data concentrator (In this case we use Inhemeter IHM-5000)

-Energy meters

-DCU web browser interface

-PNPScada software

-Sim card with data loaded

2. How to configure the DCU:

2.1 To wire the DCU to the socket, select one of the red, yellow, or green wire as the live wire, and connect the black wire as the neutral wire. Make sure have also connected the antenna to the DCU.

2.2 Connect to the DCU wifi using this credentials, wifi name:Inhe-DCU-00023 with password:inheroot

2.3 Browse the DCU, access the web browser using 191.168.0.2, use the following credentials to Login, Username:admin password 123 as shown below:

2.4 Once you gained access to the web browser, navigate to uplink where you can point the dcu to your server (set ip address and port). To do so, click on Configuration drop down and select Uplink Config. Then set the APN to what your internet service provider is using (If you're using MTN use internet) set your server IP, server port, Backup server Ip and backup server port.

 

2.5 Check if the meter you want to read is listed on the DCU browser. To do this navigate to Downlink diagnostics and you'll have a list of meters associated with your DCU (It should be configured already).

2.6 You can enter code 96748 to check the connection status between the DCU and meter, if the meter LCD shows 06, it means that the DC and the meter have built connection. 

3 Configure PNPScada to read the meter through the DCU

3.1 Add the meter entity to PNPScada and connect it to the DCU entity, cllick on Add New button, a pop up will appear then select meter.

3.2 Select Inhemeter type

 

3.3 A drop down menu will appear, select the DCU entity as your communication device and click next.

3.4 Fill in the meter details(Meter serial number, User Defined Meter Name,password etc) and click on finish.

3.5 Your meter is now connected to the data concentrator (DCU), here's the final results:

4 Troubleshooting

4.1 DCU Not Connecting to Server

Possible Causes:

-Incorrect APN

-SIM card inactive

-No data bundle

-Weak signal

-Wrong server IP/Port

-Firewall blocking server port

Solutions:

-Confirm APN with service provider

-Verify SIM activation and data balance

-Check antenna connection and signal strength

-Confirm correct server IP and Port

-Test port accessibility on server side

4.2 Meter Not Appearing In DCU Diagnostics

Possible causes:

-Meter not provisioned

-Meter not linked to DCU

-DCU not synchronized

-Firmware mismatch

Solutions:

-Re-check provisioning settings

-Reboot DCU

-Confirm meter serial number

-Verify firmware compatibility

4.3 PNPScada Not Receiving Data

Possible causes:

-Meter not correctly linked to DCU entity

-Authentication/password mismatch

-Server service not running

-Network latency or packet loss

Solutions:

-Reconfigure meter entity

-Verify login credentials

-Restart server services

-Check firewall and network routing

4.4 Poor Signal Strength

Possible Causes:

-Indoor installation

-Antenna loose or damaged

-Network congestion

Solutions:

-Reposition antenna near window or higher elevation

-Use external high-gain antenna

-Confirm SIM network coverage


5 Best Practices

-Always verify SIM data balance before deployment

-Securely mount the antenna for maximum signal strength

-Document meter serial numbers and DCI ID

-Use backup server configuration for redundancy

-Periodically check DCU online status


6 Conclusion

The DCU (IHM-5000) functions as a centralized communication gateway that enables remote meter reading via cellular network.

Proper configuration of:

-Power supply

-SIM and APN settings

-Server IP and Port

-Meter registration

-PNPScada integration

ensures reliable data transmission between the meter and the server.Most communication issues are related to network configuration, SIM activation, or server parameter mismatches. Following a structured configuration and troubleshooting process significantly reduces deployment errors and ensures stable system performance.


Document Information

-Topic: DCU Configuration and Remote Energy Meter reading via PNPScada

-Applications: PNPScada Software & DCU Web Browser Interface

-Meter/DCU Models: Inhemeter energy meters with Inhemeter IHM-5000 Data concentrator Unit(DCU)

-Last updated: 11/02/2026




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