Smart Meter Gateway Setup and Configuration Guide

Step 1: Connecting the Gateway to the Meter and Determining Firmware

Consult the resource at smartgateways.nl/en/smart-meter-overview/ to check if your gateway requires an external power supply and to find information on the correct firmware if you are not receiving data from your smart meter.

Important Note: If the gateway is connected to a DSMR2 or DSMR4 meter without a separate power supply, the red LED will illuminate, but the gateway may not start. If the blue LED never lights up, even with proper Wi-Fi configuration, it indicates that the gateway requires an external power supply.

For troubleshooting assistance, refer to the logging instructions linked in the lower right corner of the document.

Restore to Factory Settings

Follow these steps to restore the gateway to its factory default settings:

1. Ensure the gateway is disconnected from both the meter and any USB cable.
2. Connect the gateway to an external USB power supply.
3. Wait for the blue LED to begin flashing.
4. When the blue LED flashes four times, press and hold the reset button until the blue LED flashes five times quickly.
5. Release the reset button.
6. The gateway will reset and broadcast the SSID "Smart Gateways P1 READER" after approximately 20 seconds.
7. Reconnect to the "Smart Gateways P1 READER" SSID to reconfigure the gateway.

Step 2: Setup via the Wi-Fi Portal

Upon its first connection, the gateway broadcasts a Wi-Fi SSID named "Smart Gateways P1 READER". Connect to this network using the password "12345678" (without quotes). A control panel should automatically appear in your browser. If it does not, navigate to http://192.168.4.1.

Once in the portal, select "Configuration". A page listing all available Wi-Fi networks will be displayed.

Select your Wi-Fi network from the list. Your network's SSID and password should be entered. Note that SSIDs containing the '&' symbol are not supported.

The fields "SSID1" and "Password1" are not used and will be ignored by the gateway.

After the gateway connects to your network, you can access its interface via http://connectix_smartmeter.local:82 or [ip_address_gateway]:82. Replace [ip_address_gateway] with the IP address you found in Step 3b.

Login credentials are: Username: admin, Password: smartgateways.

Important: Please wait a minimum of 2 minutes for the gateway to fully start up before attempting to log in. Logging in too early can cause the internal website to become unresponsive.

Step 3a: Static IP Address or DHCP

Within the configuration portal, locate the IP address assignment section. If you are using DHCP, leave all fields set to 0.0.0.0. To assign a static IP address, enter the correct IP details for your network. Remember to re-enter your SSID and Password if you change from DHCP to a static IP assignment.

Step 3b: Find the IP Address Assigned by DHCP

The gateway will automatically receive an IP address from your network's DHCP server. The MAC address, found on the sticker on the gateway, is essential for identifying it. If you are unsure how to find the gateway's IP address through your internet router, you can use the Advanced IP Scanner program, available for download at https://www.advanced-ip-scanner.com/.

Make a note of the gateway's IP address, as it is required for installation and linking it to your home automation package.

Check for Data from the Smart Meter

You can use the Advanced IP Scanner to verify if the gateway is receiving data from the smart meter. In Advanced IP Scanner, right-click on the gateway entry and select "Tools", then "Telnet". A new window will open displaying live data from the meter, similar to the example shown.

Example data snippet: 1-3:0.2.0 (42), 0-0:1.0.0 (2206261327335), 0:96.1.1(...)

Step 4: Using the Gateway with Home Assistant, Domoticz, Homey, and Other Systems

This Smart Meter Gateway is compatible with numerous home automation systems. For the most current tutorials and setup guides, please visit smartgateways.nl/en/support/.

You can also scan the provided QR code for setup instructions.

MQTT Configuration

To utilize MQTT, enter your MQTT broker's parameters in the configuration portal. The default port is 1883. An MQTT installation guide can be found at smartgateways.nl/en/support/.

MQTT is the recommended method over Telnet. While Home Assistant and Domoticz can use Telnet, their integrations are currently limited to smart meters from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden. Home Assistant will automatically discover the gateway when using MQTT.

Do not fill in the MQTT parameters if you are not using MQTT. TLS is supported; to initiate TLS, start the hostname with "mqtts".

By default, an update is sent to the MQTT broker every 10 seconds, even if your meter sends data less frequently (e.g., DSMR version 5). You can adjust this by setting the "INTERVAL" value in seconds. The "PREFIX" field (maximum 10 characters) is for advanced users and will disable Home Assistant autodiscovery if used. Do not enter anything in the prefix field unless you are using it.

The maximum length for all MQTT fields is 40 characters.

LED Notifications

The gateway uses LEDs to indicate its status:

• Red LED: Lights up when the gateway is supplied with power.
• Blue LED behavior:
  • OFF: No Wi-Fi connection. Connect to the "Smart Gateways P1 READER" SSID and configure the gateway, or reset it to factory settings and re-enter Wi-Fi configuration.
  • ALWAYS ON: The gateway is connected to the Wi-Fi network but has not yet received any data from the smart meter.
  • FLASHING SLOWLY: The gateway is receiving data from the meter (normal operation).
  • FLASHING FAST: A firmware update is available. Briefly press the button on the gateway to initiate the update. This process may take up to 2 minutes, after which the gateway will reboot and start flashing slowly again. If the blue LED does not turn on, reconfigure the gateway. If it immediately starts flashing again, the update may not have downloaded completely; try again until the gateway starts up normally.

Note: Certain firewalls may block firmware downloads. If this occurs, try installing the firmware update using a different Wi-Fi network. When an update is available, the MQTT topic changes to dsmr/smart_gateways/update_available = true. You can set up notifications for this if desired.

Logging and Troubleshooting

The gateway logs all activity to its local USB port, which can be used for troubleshooting. Scan the QR code for detailed instructions on how to view the gateway's logs: smartgateways.nl/en/view-the-log-of-a-gateway/.

If all values displayed are "0", it might indicate that the gateway is connected to a meter with unsupported firmware. Consult the guide at smartgateways.nl/en/smart-meter-overview/ for instructions on how to change your gateway's firmware.

Firewall Configuration for Updates

The gateway can operate without an internet connection, but it cannot verify firmware updates without one. To ensure the gateway stays up-to-date, it is highly recommended to allow access for the following:

• DNS queries: Allow access to a reachable DNS server.
• TCP port 80: Allow access to update.smartgateways.nl (Note: this is not HTTP).
• TCP port 443: Allow access to update.smartgateways.nl.
• UDP port 123: Allow access to nl.pool.ntp.org.

Some firewalls, such as Unifi, pfSense, OPNsense, and PiHole, may interfere with firmware downloads. If firmware updates fail after opening these ports, temporarily connect the gateway to an alternative internet connection, such as your phone's hotspot.

Using the logging feature, you can observe the update check process. If a new firmware version is available, it can be installed by briefly pressing the reset button. The gateway will reboot approximately 2 minutes after the update is complete.

Once the firmware has been successfully updated, you can reconnect the gateway to your original network.

Troubleshooting: Gateway Not Connecting to Wi-Fi

If your gateway is unable to connect to your Wi-Fi network, please try the following steps:

• Retry Connection: During initial setup, the gateway randomly selects a Wi-Fi channel for its own network. If your home Wi-Fi network uses the same channel, a connection may not be possible. Disconnect the gateway from its USB power and P1 port to perform a full restart. The gateway will then attempt to use a different random channel.
• Use USB Power Supply: For reliable operation, connect the gateway to a dedicated USB power supply. The gateway has a micro-USB port; an optional USB cable and power supply can be used. A standard phone charger (5V - 1A) is suitable if you haven't ordered a specific power supply.
• Check Signal Strength: Attempt the configuration process closer to your Wi-Fi access point to ensure sufficient range. You can check the signal strength (RSSI) in the gateway's logs. Aim for a signal strength between 0 and -70dB; values lower than -70dB may be insufficient but can sometimes work.
• Change Access Point Channel: Your current Wi-Fi channel might be experiencing interference from nearby Wi-Fi networks or ZigBee devices. Try setting your access point to a different channel to avoid such disturbances.
• Minimize Interference: Move the gateway further away from 230V power cables, as they can also cause interference.
• Avoid Metal Enclosures: If the gateway is housed inside a metal cabinet, try placing it outside. Metal enclosures can significantly block Wi-Fi signals.

How to Determine Correct Firmware

The "Gateway Type" field in the gateway's interface displays the currently running firmware version.

Check the "Telegrams received" and "Telegrams with errors" counts. If the number of errors is less than the total received telegrams, the gateway is successfully receiving data. If "Telegrams with errors" equals "Telegrams received", or if both numbers remain zero, the gateway's firmware may need to be changed.

Use the gateway's firmware menu to install the firmware that is appropriate for your specific smart meter. Refer to smartgateways.nl/en/smart-meter-overview/ for a comprehensive list of smart meters and their required firmware versions.