Kaifa Meter System Development and Integration
sdg.lesego
2026-03-17 09:20
Last Edited 2026-03-18 13:50
1, Overview
This document describes how to configure and read Kaifa meter connected to PNPSCADA over an RS-485 serial link using the DLMS/COSEM protocol. It covers physical wiring, RTU and entity set up, connection pool configuration, and verifying successful data retrieval.
2 Prerequisites
Before proceeding, ensure the following are in place:
-The PNPSCADA server is running and accessible.
-An RS-485 serial interface is available on the server(USB-toRS-485 adapter).
-The Meter is powered and physically connected to the RS-485 bus.
-The Meter serial number, password, and DLMS addressing details are known.
3 Serial settings
Parameter | Typical Value |
Baud Rate | 9600 |
Data Bits | 8 |
Parity | None/Even |
Stop Bits | 1 |
Security control | None |
Authenication mechanism name | GMAC |
4. Multidrop calculations
To configure multidrop communication, calculate Unique server 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: When meters low address is set to = 17 and the Sap ID/Upper address of 1
Low Address = 17
High Address = 1 (Standard)
Server Address = (1 * 16384) + 17
Server Address = 16384 + 17
Server Address = 16401
Example 2: If you have set the meter to be on low address of 64 and a Sap ID/Upper address of 2
Low Address = 64
High Address =2
Server Address = (2 * 16384) + 64
Server Address = 32768 + 64
Server Address = 32832
5. Connecting the meter via RS-485
Connect the meter to PNPSCADA using the RS-485 interface.
-Connect the orange/white wire to port A
-Connect the yellow wire to port B
-Plug the USB end of the RS-485 adapter into the computer
Ensure that the meter is powered and the RS-485 adapter is properly detected by the system.
6. Configure the meter on Pnpscada
6.1 Add a meter entity and connect it to the Active Etherpad
6.1.1 On the overview screen click on ?Add New? button
6.1.2 An Add pop up window will appear, select meter.
6.1.3 From the list of meter entities select or search for ?Kaifa? , then choose the appropriate meter type.
6.1.4 From the dropdown list, select your communication device, in this case select the ?active etherpad?
6.1.5 Enter your meter serial number and user defined meter name then click on finish
6.1.6 At this point you have successfully added the meter entity connected to the active etherpad
7. Configure Multidrop on PNPSCADA
To Configure multidrop comminucation:
1 Select the meter entity
2. From the top menu, click Edit
3. Select meter Details
You will be navigated to the configuration page.
-Enter multidrop values based on the calculations described earlier.
4. Click submit to save the configuration.
8. Selecting Encrypted or unencrypted communication
To configure the communication type:
1. Select the meter.
2. From the top menu, click Edit.
3. Select Attributes.
4. Configure the glo-encrypt settings as follows:
-Set glo-encrypt = false for unencrypted communication.
-Set glo-encrypt = true for encrypted communication.
5. When using encrypted communication, ensure the following:
Enter the default DLMS keys in the respective input fields:
-Authentication Key (AKey):D0D1D2D3D4D5D6D7D8D9DADBDCDDDEDF
-Encryption Key (EKey):000102030405060708090A0B0C0D0E0F
- The default keys must be correctly configured for successful secure session establishement
5. Click Submit
9. Reading the meter
After completing all configuration steps, you should be able to read the Kaifa meter via RS-485.
To start communication:
1.Navigate to Tools in the top menu.
2. Open Communication Monitor.
3. Start your etherpad and read the meter
Successful communication will display the meter data in the monitoring interface.
Troubleshooting Guide
1. Meter not detected in PNPSCADA
Possible Causes
-RS-485 adapter not connected properly
-Incorrect COM port selection
-Driver for USB-to-RS-485 adapter not installed
Solution
-Verify the USB-to-RS485 adapter is properly connected.
-Confirm the correct COM port is selected in the system.
-Check Device Manager to ensure the adapter driver is installed and active.
2. Communication Timeout
Possible Causes
-Incorrect serial communicaton parameters
-Wrong meter address configuration
-Faulty RS-485 wiring
Solution
Confirm the following serial settings
-Baud rate:9600
-Data Bits:8
-Parity:None/Even
-Stop Bits:1
*Verify that the High address(SAP ID/Upper Address) and Low Address match the meter configuration
*Check RS-485 wiring polarity
3. Incorrect Server Address
Possible Causes
-Wrong multidrop calculation
Solution
-Recalculate the server address using the formula:
Server Address = (High Address * 16384) + Low Address
-Verify that:
*SAP ID / Upper Address = High Address
*Lower Address = Low Address
4. No Data Received from the meter
Possible Causes
-Meter not powered
Communication path configured incorrectly
Solution
-Ensure the meter is powered
-Verify the Active Etherpad is selected as the communication device
5. RS-485 Wrirng Issues
Possible Causes
-A/B lines reversed
-Loose connections
-Bus termination problems
Solution
Verify the wiring:
-Orange/White wire -> Port A
-Yellow wire -> port B
Ensure all connections are secure.
6. Encrypted Communication Error
Possible causes
-Glo-encrypt attributes incorrectly enabled
Solution
-Navigate to: Edit -> Attributes
-Set glo-encrypt = false
This enables uncrypted DLMS communication
7. Multiple Meters Not Responding in Multidrop Setup
Possible Causes
-Duplicate addresses
-Incorrect multidrop configuration
Solution
-Ensure each meter has a unique server address.
-Verify multidrop calculations are correctly configured in PNPSCADA.
Project status update
The development of meter communication via modem and DCU is currently in progress and not yet finalized.
At this stage, successful communication and data retrieval have been achieved using RS-485 serial communication. Work is ongoing to extend this functionality to support communication via modem and DCU as per project requirement.
Document Information
Document Title: Kaifa Meter RS-485 Unencrypted Communication Guide
Document Type:Technical Configuration Guide
Communication Inteface: RS-485 Serial Communication