DLMS - Device Language Message Specification

What is the DLMS protocol?
DLMS — Device Language Message Specification
DLMS/ COSEM (or IEC 62056) is the main global standard for smart energy metering, control and management. It includes specifications for media-specific communication profiles, an object-oriented data model and an application layer protocol.
- DLMS/ COSEM smart metering protocol is not specific to electricity metering and can also be used for other utilities such as gas, water and heat.
- The suite of standards is developed and maintained by the DLMS User Association (DLMS UA) and has been adopted by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) into the IEC 62056 series of standards.
DLMS/ COSEM consists of three main parts:
- COSEM (Companion Specification for Energy Metering) describes the general object model and can be used for all kinds of applications.
- OBIS (Object Identification System) is the naming system of the objects.
- DLMS (Device Language Message Specification) is the application layer protocol that is used to transform the data into messages.

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Communication Protocols
IEC 60870–5 is a protocol standard for telecontrol, teleprotection, and other telecommunication functions for electric power systems.
IEC 60870–5‑104 (short IEC104) is a companion standard defining how to extend the IEC 60870–5‑101 protocol to gain network access using standard transport profiles.
DLMS/COSEM (or IEC 62056) is the main global standard for smart energy metering, control and management. It includes specifications for media-specific communication profiles, an object-oriented data model and an application layer protocol.
Modbus is a communications protocol based on master/slave (RTU) or client/server (TCP/IP) architectures that can operate on the 1st, 2nd, 7th level of the OSI Model.
Originally designed in 1979 by Modicon for its range of PLCs, it is now a de facto standard communications protocol in the industry, becomming the most widely available protocol for the connection of industrial electronic devices.
Distributed Network Protocol 3 (DNP3) is a set of communications protocols used between components for automation systems in electric, industrial and water sectors.
It is a key protocol in SCADA systems, where it is primarily used for communications between a master station and RTUs or IEDs.
ICCP (Inter-Control Center Communications Protocol) is a standard protocol for communications between control centers, which is part of the IEC 60870–6 standard under the name of TASE.2 Telecontrol Application Service Element 2.
It is being used around the world to exchange data over wide area networks (WANs) between grid operators, utilities, virtual power plants, regional control centers and other generators.
PROFIBUS (Process Field Bus) is an open standard for fieldbus communications in industrial automation systems that was first promoted in Germany in 1989.
The now most commonly found “Profibus DP” provides simple communications between Profibus masters and their remote I/O slaves.
DLMS & iGrid
We have collected, converted and transferred data using the DLMS protocol in projects all over the world with many different meters. All of our systems are able to communicate with and convert the protocol according to project needs.
The Slimmest Gateway
The iGWlite comes with 1 Ethernet, 1 RS485/RS422 and an optional RS-232 port (copper or fiber) or a 2G/3G/4G mode – taking little space on a DIN-Rail, but still employing the full iGrid protocol stack.

iRTU – With I/Os for Direct Data Acquisition
Compact and scalable bay controller which can act as IEC 61850 client or server, featuring configurable I/O boards for direct data acquisition, high-precision timestamping and an optional Ethernet switch for additional Ethernet ports.

iGW‑S Substation Gateway
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