BS EN 62056-21-2002 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS EN 62056-21:2002 — Electricity metering — Data exchange for meter reading, tariff and load control — Part 21: Direct local data exchange. This part of the 62056 family defines hardware and protocol specifications for direct local data exchange between tariff devices/meters and local reading devices (for example hand‑held units, HHUs), including physical interfaces (electrical and optical), character formats and communication procedures for on‑site meter reading, tariff programming and load control.

Abstract

Part 21 of IEC/EN 62056 specifies the physical connections and the application-level message exchange used for local (on‑site) reading and programming of electricity meters and tariff devices. It describes supported interfaces (20 mA current loop, V.24/V.28 serial, optical read‑out), character transmission and framing, several protocol modes for read/program operations, security/access control considerations and informative annexes (flow charts, HDLC mapping, wake‑up methods, etc.). The standard is intended to ensure interoperable on‑site communications between meters and field devices.

General information

• Status: Published (base publication / international standard).
• Publication date: 15 May 2002 (IEC base publication date; national/adopted versions commonly carry 2002 as the year).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); adopted and published in EN/BS national collections as BS EN/EN 62056‑21 where applicable.
• ICS / categories: 17.220.20 (Measurement of electrical and magnetic quantities); 35.110 / 35.100 (Open systems interconnection / OSI); 91.140.50 (Electricity supply systems).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (first edition, 2002).
• Number of pages: 139 pages (IEC published base document).

Scope

This standard defines the physical and protocol requirements for direct local data exchange between a tariff device or electricity meter and a locally connected reading/programming device. It covers permanent and removable connections (electrical and optical), the electrical characteristics of current‑loop and serial interfaces, optical head construction and alignment, character and block formats, error detection, supported message types (requests, identifications, data, acknowledgements, programming commands), protocol modes for different read/program use cases, entry/exit procedures for programming mode, optional partial block transfer, and guidance on access levels and security in the context of meter configuration and on‑site data collection.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of supported physical interfaces: 20 mA current loop, V.24/V.28 serial (RS‑232 style), and an optical read‑out port with mechanical alignment and magnet/optical head characteristics.
• Character transmission and framing: character formats, start/stop structure, block check characters and basic error detection/retransmission methods.
• Protocol modes and message types: several operational modes (A–E) for readout and programming, with defined message sequences for identification, data transfer, acknowledgement and programming.
• Programming and access control: procedures to enter/exit programming, access level structure and informative guidance on protecting meter programming functions.
• Wake‑up and power considerations: methods for waking battery‑operated tariff devices and handling intermittent connections (informative guidance included).
• Normative and informative annexes: flow charts, mapping to HDLC/data‑link concepts, formatted codes and implementation notes to support interoperability and testing.

Typical use and users

Primary users include electricity meter and tariff‑device manufacturers (to implement physical ports and protocol stacks), hand‑held unit (HHU) and field‑tool vendors (to ensure compatibility with meters in the field), utilities and metering service providers (for on‑site reading, tariff programming and load control operations), and test laboratories or conformity assessors validating interoperability and compliance. Field technicians and system integrators also rely on the clear physical and protocol definitions for safe and reliable on‑site operations.

Related standards

This part is one element of the IEC/EN 62056 family (meter data exchange) and is related to other parts covering application and data models and data‑link/transport mappings (for example IEC/EN 62056‑42, 46, 53 and other 62056 parts). EN 62056‑21 replaced earlier EN 61107:1996 (direct local data exchange). National adoptions may carry the prefix BS EN, DIN EN, STB, etc., when the EN text is adopted nationally.

Keywords

IEC 62056, EN 62056, BS EN 62056, electricity metering, direct local data exchange, meter reading, tariff programming, HHU, optical port, current loop, V.24, meter communication protocol, EN 61107 (superseded).

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is Part 21 of the IEC/EN 62056 series titled "Direct local data exchange" and specifies the local (on‑site) physical interfaces and communication procedures used for reading and programming electricity meters and tariff devices.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the physical port definitions (20 mA current loop, serial V.24/V.28, optical read‑out), character and block formats, protocol modes for read and programming operations, access control procedures and informative annexes for implementation and testing.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Meter manufacturers, HHU and field‑tool vendors, utilities and metering service providers, test labs and field technicians use this standard to ensure interoperable and secure on‑site meter communications.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 62056‑21 was published in 2002 as the base edition and remains the published international base document for Part 21. It superseded EN 61107:1996. Users should check national standards registries for any national adoption notes, amendments, withdrawal notices or later revisions applicable in their country.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the IEC/EN 62056 series for meter data exchange (which includes parts addressing application layer models, physical layer mappings, HDLC/data link mappings and related topics).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Direct local data exchange, meter reading, tariff device, HHU, current loop, optical read‑out, V.24, IEC 62056, EN 62056, meter communication protocol.