Kamstrup Protocol Parser for Multical Heat and Cooling Meters plugin for Data Loggers

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

The Kamstrup KMP protocol parser plugin is designed to read data from Kamstrup Multical 601, 801, and other compatible heat and cooling meters. It offers a simpler communication option than MBus or MODBUS and is aimed at technical professionals who need reliable meter polling, data parsing, and data export. The plugin works with both Advanced Serial Data Logger and Advanced TCP/IP Data Logger and can use serial COM ports or TCP connections to reach KMP devices. By using user-defined register numbers, the plugin allows you to retrieve the exact values you need from both existing and future meter models without changing your core system.

This plugin supports serial connections through RS 232 or RS 485 as well as network connections when your KMP converter exposes a TCP server. In both cases, the logger captures raw KMP frames and passes them to the plugin, which decodes them into structured values with correct units and precision. For example, an energy register may be automatically detected as kilowatt hours with three decimals, while a volume register uses cubic meters with two decimals. You do not need to manually configure scaling factors or unit codes. The plugin reads this information from the device response whenever the KMP protocol provides it.

The plugin suits common scenarios such as central heating plant monitoring, energy billing, tenant consumption tracking, and performance analysis of cooling systems. A typical deployment uses Advanced Serial Data Logger or Advanced TCP/IP Data Logger as the base platform. The logger creates a communication channel to the Kamstrup bus or gateway, while the KMP plugin turns the binary frames into named fields that can be stored in a database, CSV file, OPC tags, or MQTT message, or sent to an external billing system. This approach helps you integrate Kamstrup meters into existing SCADA or energy management systems without developing a custom protocol driver.

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KMP Request Queue and Device Address Configuration

The request queue is the central configuration area of the plugin. To add a new request, you use the command "Actions → Add new request" and provide a meaningful description, such as "Building A heat meters" or "Chiller flow meters." Each request must have a device address, which is the unique communication address defined inside the meter. You configure this address in the meter itself and then enter it as a decimal value from 1 to 255 in the plugin. If several similar meters share the same bus, you can list multiple addresses separated by a semicolon, for example, "3;4;5;6". The plugin will then poll device 3, then 4, then 5, then 6 using the same list of response items.

Each request can include up to eight response items. You add them by using the command Action - Add value. Each response item is linked to a register number, and the plugin includes a predefined list of commonly used KMP registers. These typically include energy, volume, power, flow, supply temperature, return temperature, differential temperature, and operation time. By selecting from this list, you can quickly build a request that retrieves the core measurements from a KMP-compatible device.

When a predefined register is selected, the plugin also suggests an export name such as E1, V1, T1, or similar. This export name is the field name that appears in the logger output and in any database or file export. If needed, you can change the export name to something like "Heating_Energy_kWh" or "Circuit1_Flow_m3h". The only limitation is that the name must use only Latin letters and digits without spaces. This makes it easier to map the values into external systems that expect simple variable names.

Practical Example with Advanced Serial Data Logger

Consider a site with four Kamstrup Multical 601 heat meters connected on an RS 485 line to a PC. Advanced Serial Data Logger is configured to use COM3 at the baud rate and parameters recommended by Kamstrup. The KMP plugin is enabled for this serial channel. You create a request called "Main heating meters" with device addresses "10;11;12;13" and a timeout of 2000 ms. Then you add four response items: energy E1, volume V1, supply temperature T1, and return temperature T2. The plugin will send the same request to meters 10, 11, 12, and 13 in sequence.

A typical raw incoming data record at the logger level could look like this (simplified representation):

<COM1: 2025-11-21 08:00:00 RX>
3F 10 01 00 04 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 AA BB

The KMP plugin converts this low-level KMP frame into structured values. In the parser, the same moment may appear as:

DATE_TIME_STAMP=2025-11-21 08:00:00
DeviceAddress=10
E1=12543.678    ; kWh
V1=432.10       ; m3
T1=72.5         ; C
T2=49.2         ; C

The logger can then export these parsed values to a CSV file every minute:

DATE_TIME_STAMP,DeviceAddress,E1_kWh,V1_m3,T1_C,T2_C
2025-11-21 08:00:00,10,12543.678,432.10,72.5,49.2
2025-11-21 08:00:00,11,9543.212,320.45,70.1,48.3
2025-11-21 08:00:00,12,11123.654,389.77,71.4,47.8
2025-11-21 08:00:00,13,8876.950,295.33,69.8,46.9

This format can be imported directly into spreadsheets, SQL databases, building management systems, or energy reporting tools. The automatic handling of units and precision ensures that the numerical values are ready for reporting and billing with minimal additional processing.

Key Features

Direct communication with Kamstrup Multical 601, 801, and other KMP compatible heat and cooling meters.
Support for both serial and TCP/IP interfaces through Advanced Serial Data Logger and Advanced TCP/IP Data Logger.
Configurable request queue with device address lists, timeouts, and up to eight registers per request.
Predefined and custom register handling with automatic unit and precision detection.
Flexible export of parsed variables to CSV, databases, JSON, and other logger supported formats.
Support for polling of multiple devices on data shared buses.
Flexible schedule to poll all meters in a queue.

Summary

In summary, the Kamstrup KMP protocol parser plugin provides a practical and flexible way to integrate Kamstrup Multical meters with Advanced Serial Data Logger and Advanced TCP/IP Data Logger. It handles data parsing and produces structured data ready for billing, reporting, and monitoring tasks. This significantly reduces engineering effort compared to writing and maintaining a custom KMP driver.

Download | PDF manual