Custom Meters

If your Modbus meter is not natively supported by System Builder, you can add it as a custom meter. This process is identical for RS-485 meters (DDNG485, PDDEG-S, PDEG, PDEB), and for TCP/IP meters (PDDEG-S).

You will need the meter manufacturer’s documentation for this procedure.

  1. In System view, select the required network gateway and open the Properties > Create Device > Meters tab.

  2. Click the Manage Custom Meters button to open the Modbus Meter Editor window.

    sb ddng485 custom meter

  3. Click the sb icon add modbus meter Add Meter button, then enter a Name, Manufacturer, and Function Code for the new meter.

    sb modbus meter editor new

  4. Use the sb icon new folder Add Line and sb icon add modbus register Add Register buttons to add and assign the meter’s registers as documented by the manufacturer. Unlined registers can just be added directly to the device.

    sb modbus meter editor line reg

  5. Edit the Register and Data format properties for each register as documented (see Supported Register Types below). Click OK to save your changes and return to System Builder.

    sb modbus meter editor complete
Lines and registers are locked once a custom meter is added to the job. To make further changes you must first delete the meter from System view, edit as needed, then re-add it to the job.
You can use the sb icon import modbus meter Import and sb icon export modbus meter Export buttons in the Modbus Meter Editor to copy custom meters between SB jobs.

Supported Register Types

Dynalite gateways support onboard polling for Active Power and Active Energy registers only. Modbus polling for other registers from System Manager must be enabled in System Manager Configuration > Site Settings > Polling.
Register Value Register Value Register Value

Voltage

V

Current

A

Active Power

kW

Reactive Power

kvar

Apparent Power

KVA

Power Factor

PF

Phase Voltage

V

Temperature

degrees

Inductive Power

kvarL

Capacitive Power

kvarC

Frequency

Hz

THD of Voltage

%

THD of Current

%

Active Energy

kWh

Reactive Energy

kvarh

Apparent Energy

kVAh

Inductive Energy

kvarLh

Capacitive Energy

kvarCh

RMS Voltage

V

Harmonic of Voltage

%

RMS Current

A

Harmonic of Current

%

Other

Other