Breakthrough: figawa, KNX and ZVEI agree on common Open Metering System Specification

- Open Metering System (OMS) – open, manufacturer independent, interoperable
- New specification already submitted as to international standardisation (CEN) as new work item proposal
- Neutral certification to ensure interoperability

Brussels/Cologne/Frankfurt, 1st September 2009. - The “Open Metering System” initiative of the manufacturers’ associations figawa, KNX and ZVEI has published an open, manufacturer independent, interoperable device and interface definition called an “Open Metering System Specification”. The Open Metering System (OMS) is Europe’s only system definition representing a uniform approach for all media (electricity, gas, heat and water, including sub-metering). At present, the OMS specifications are being reviewed by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) as European new work item proposal TC 294. The OMS specification is available on the internet at www.openmetering.org.

From May 2007, several working groups of the Open Metering initiative checked the use of existing standards and defined supplements or concretions where necessary. For the data transfer between the actual meters and the data concentrator MUC – defined as primary communication – the EN 13757 standard was identified as the only current standard applicable to metering devices. This standard defines the M-Bus as a physical interface (wired and wireless), as well as a data protocol. EN 13757 also complies with the KNX standard.

The remote communication is defined by approved internet standards, with transfer either directly via a DSL hook-up in the building, via mobile phone networks such as GPRS, or via PLC technology on the power distribution line.

For detailed visualisation (consumption visualisation), connection of the building automation system at the end customer, and for future services such as tariff and load management, the widespread KNX standard (ISO/IEC 14543) applies.

In work on the specification, international interests were also respected, since future smart metering functionality must be harmonised all over Europe. To reach this goal, cooperation with KEMA was established to harmonise the specification with the Dutch rules NTA 8130/DSMR.

As an important topic for enabling the acceptance of intelligent metering systems, the requirements of data security and data access management were also taken into account.

The Open Metering System Group has already initiated the next steps for the implementation of the standard: a neutral body will soon define a binding certification system to ensure the compatibility of all devices in practice, as defined in the OMS specification.

For further information contact:
Dr Norbert Burger, figawa – Bundesvereinigung der Firmen im Gas- und Wasserfach e.V., Cologne, drburger@figawa.de
Heinz Lux, KNX Association, Brussels, heinz.lux@knx.org
Peter Krapp, ZVEI – Zentralverband der Elektronindustrie e.V., Frankfurt am Main, krapp@zvei.org

figawa
For over 75 years figawa – companies in the gas and water industries - has been representing manufacturers and service providers involved in the provision of gas and water supplies at both national and European level. figawa sees itself as an indepent technical and scientific body representing its members and making a stand for quality assurance, research and development. Apart from the fundamentally applicable protection and safety regulations issued as legislation, the experts from the fields of water and gas compile their own supplementary technical regulations and publish these autonomously. figawa is represented in the national (DVGW, DIN, DKE) and international standards authorities (CEN, CLC, ISO) and participates actively in the design of technical standards at a European level.

KNX
KNX Association is the creator and owner of the KNX technology – the worldwide STANDARD for all applications in home and building control, ranging from lighting and shutter control to various security systems, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, monitoring, alarming, water control, energy management, smart metering as well as household appliances, audio/video and lots more. KNX is the worldwide standard for home and building control with a single, manufacturer independent design and commissioning tool (ETS), with a complete set of supported communication media (TP, PL, RF and IP) as well as a complete set of supported configuration modes (system and easy mode). KNX is approved as a European (CENELEC EN 50090 and CEN EN 13321-1) and an International standard (ISO/IEC 14543-3). This standard is based upon more than 19 years of experience in the market including its predecessors, EIB, EHS and BatiBUS. Over 170 member companies worldwide from different application domains have almost 7000 KNX certified product groups in their catalogues. The KNX Association has partnership agreements with more than 30,000 installer companies in 80 countries. www.knx.org

[Click Banner To Learn More]

[Home Page]  [The Automator]  [About]  [Subscribe ]  [Contact Us]