Bacnet/IP plugin for Data Loggers

Latest version: 5.0.1 build 1126. November 28, 2025.

The BACnet/IP module reads values from BACnet-compatible devices on a local Ethernet network. It polls devices and sensors at set intervals. The module then sends the received values to the main program. The main program can log them, write them to a database, or pass them to export modules. It can also discover devices using broadcast addresses.

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Key features and usage

The module supports a request queue. Each request targets one or more devices and is processed top to bottom. You can set the logger to poll repeatedly on a fixed interval or at the specified time. Requests may be sent to a single device IP and port, to multiple device instances, or to a broadcast address such as 192.168.1.255 to find devices automatically. Use semicolons to list multiple instance IDs, for example, 1345;1346. The asterisk (*) can be used to poll all discovered devices.

Configure the request timeout in milliseconds. If no response arrives before the timeout, the request is canceled and the module continues with the next entry. Late responses that arrive after the timeout are ignored. Because the module processes requests sequentially, set polling periods so the queue can be completed in the expected cycle time.

Response elements and naming

Each request includes one or more response elements. A response element defines a variable name, data type, and instance index inside the device. The variable name is used by the main program and by export modules. Make these names unique within a request. Names across different requests may repeat if you want identical labels for the same metric from different devices.

The data type must match what the device supports. Some devices expose only analog values; others provide discrete or binary data. Choose types that match device capabilities to avoid read errors. You can edit, move, or remove requests in the queue through the Action menu or by right-clicking the request tree.

Example: Incoming BACnet data (as received by the logger)

Timestamp: DATE_TIME_STAMP
Source: 192.168.1.45:47808
Device Instance: 1345
Response:
  - Name: TempRoom1
    Type: Analog
    Instance: 1
    Value: 22.8
  - Name: FanStatus
    Type: Binary
    Instance: 2
    Value: 1

Example: Exported CSV line after processing

DATE_TIME_STAMP,192.168.1.45,1345,TempRoom1,22.8,FanStatus,1

Practical scenario: Poll HVAC sensors every 30 seconds

1. Create a request with Endpoint 192.168.1.255 and Instance *. This will discover all BACnet devices in the subnet.
2. Add response elements: TempRoom1 (analog, instance 1), CO2Level (analog, instance 3), and FanStatus (binary, instance 2).
3. Set request type to Polling and interval to 30000 ms. Configure request timeout to 5000 ms.
4. In Advanced TCP/IP Data Logger, set the network connection to UDP Server on port 47808 and enable data display mode.
5. Configure exporting of received values as you want.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Use clear, concise names for response elements. This simplifies exports and downstream processing.
• Set polling intervals long enough for the queue to finish. If the queue is long and intervals are too short, some requests will be delayed.
• Choose timeouts based on network latency and device response times. Increase timeout for slower devices.
Use broadcast discovery only on trusted networks. Broadcasting may generate many responses and increase processing time.
• To add or edit requests, use the Action button and select Add a request or Add a response. Reorder the queue with Move Up / Move Down.
• Use the context menu for the same operations.
• For most deployments, the UDP Server mode with IP 0.0.0.0 and port 47808 will work out of the box.

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How to enable this plugin

The figure below shows how to select the plugin on the "Modules" page.

How to configure the plugin

The figure below shows how to configure the plugin to poll the device every 15 seconds. Of course, you may change the poll interval as you want.