DIN EN 13757-3 2018-06 PDF

Full title and description

STB DIN EN 13757-3:2018-06 — Communication systems for meters — Part 3: Application protocols. German adoption of CEN EN 13757-3:2018 specifying the application-layer protocols used for metering and remote reading (with emphasis on the M‑Bus application protocol).

Abstract

This standard defines application-layer message formats, data record structures and coded value definitions used when exchanging meter data (electricity, gas, water, heat and other utility meters) and performing remote reading and related operations. It specifies the M‑Bus application protocol and related procedures (data record headers, DIF/DIFE coding, VIF/VIFE units, clock synchronisation, alarm reporting, image transfer, compact frames and profile transmission) and is intended to be used together with the lower-layer parts of the EN 13757 series (physical, link, wireless and security/transport services).

General information

• Status: Published (DIN adoption 2018); later replaced/superseded in the DIN catalogue by a 2025 edition.
• Publication date: 2018-06 (DIN edition: June 2018).
• Publisher: Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) — German version of CEN/TC 294 EN 13757-3:2018.
• ICS / categories: 33.200; 35.100.70; 35.240.99; 91.140.50 (application layer, metering and telemetering categories).
• Edition / version: DIN EN 13757-3:2018-06 (equivalent to EN 13757-3:2018).
• Number of pages: 107 (DIN publication).

Scope

Specifies application protocols for communication systems for meters and remote reading of meters, with particular focus on the M‑Bus application protocol. The document is intended to be used together with EN 13757-2, EN 13757-4, EN 13757-5, EN 13757-6 and EN 13757-7 (lower-layer and transport/security parts). It covers message structure, coding of data records (DIF/DIFE), value information fields (VIF/VIFE), alarm and error reporting, clock synchronisation, profile transmission and image transfer mechanisms.

Key topics and requirements

• M‑Bus application protocol: message types, master/slave interactions and application selection.
• Data record structure: Data Record Header (DIB), Data Information Field (DIF) and extensions (DIFE), Value Information Block (VIB) and value encodings.
• Unit and multiplier coding: VIF/VIFE codings and special unit interpretation rules (including BCD interpretation tables).
• Profile and compact frame definitions: standard and compact M‑Bus frames, profile transmission and compact-profile examples.
• Operational procedures: clock synchronisation, alarm reporting, application reset/select, baud‑rate switching and manufacturer-specific extensions.
• Image transfer and firmware/image update mechanisms at the application layer.
• Interoperability requirements: intended use with EN 13757 lower-layer parts and mapping rules (e.g., M‑Bus to OBIS translations in annexes).

Key technical details and examples (DIF/DIFE tables, format signatures, CRC calculations, annex examples) are provided in normative and informative annexes.

Typical use and users

Used by utility companies, meter manufacturers, integrators, system vendors, firmware developers, test laboratories and standards bodies to implement interoperable meter communication systems, to define device firmware/application behavior, and to test/validate M‑Bus application conformance and data exchange between meters and head‑end systems.

Related standards

Part of the EN 13757 series. Closely related and normally used together with EN 13757-1 (general), EN 13757-2 (wired M‑Bus physical/link), EN 13757-4 (wireless M‑Bus), EN 13757-5, EN 13757-6 and EN 13757-7 (transport and security services). CEN/TR 17167 (accompanying TR with examples and supplementary information) is a commonly referenced informative companion.

Keywords

M‑Bus, meter communication, application protocol, DIF, DIFE, VIF, VIFE, data record, clock synchronisation, alarm reporting, image transfer, compact frame, EN 13757, smart metering, remote reading, interoperability.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: A European application‑layer standard (adopted by DIN) that specifies how meter data and related control messages are formatted and exchanged — with special emphasis on the M‑Bus application protocol used for smart metering and remote reading.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers application message formats, data record headers and coding (DIF/DIFE; VIB), unit coding (VIF/VIFE), alarm and error reporting, clock synchronisation, profile transmission, compact frames and image transfer, plus examples and mapping guidance for interoperability with lower-layer EN 13757 parts.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Meter and device manufacturers, utility system integrators, software vendors for meter data management, test labs and certification bodies, and utilities implementing remote reading and smart‑meter infrastructure.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The DIN EN 13757-3:2018-06 edition was published in June 2018; according to the DIN catalogue it has been replaced in later DIN listings by a 2025 edition (DIN EN 13757‑3:2025). For new projects you should check whether the 2025 edition (or the latest EN edition) is required by your purchaser/regulator.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — EN 13757 is a multipart series covering meter communication from physical and link layers up to application and security/transport services; this document is Part 3 (application protocols).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: M‑Bus, application layer, DIF/DIFE, VIF/VIFE, smart metering, remote reading, compact M‑Bus, image transfer, interoperability.