ECM04

Energy Counter Module for 4 pulse inputs

Module that adds up the pulses it receives from a meter
All volt-free pulses are compatible, regardless of the type of meter.

Technical info

The ECM04 or Energy Counter Module is a module that adds up the pulses it receives from a meter. It does not matter from which type of meter these pulses come as long as the contacts are voltage-free. The ECM04 can receive and add up a pulse every 250ms. The system can also create an alarm at a certain number of pulses, for example for a green energy certificate for solar panels.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you read an existing configuration?
This is a completely different procedure depending on the type of controller.
For the CTD controllers this goes as follows:
In the SMIII via "File" or "Utilities / Setup / SD card", click on "Recover QDB from SD".
After confirmation you choose the name and location where the file should be saved. The zipped QDB file is then read from the SD card of the CTD and saved. With a positive answer to the question "Unzip and open restored QDB?", All data will then be immediately available. If the data you were still working on was not sent or saved, you will first receive a notification to do so.

For a CTL controller follow the following procedure:
Because this controller does not yet have a large memory, only limited data can be recovered. Ao the names are abbreviated to 12 characters and serial numbers are not stored anywhere.
The first step is therefore to type in ALL serial numbers via SMII via "File / Modules". These 6-digit serial numbers can be found on every module (DIN rail, switch, detector, etc.). For the SWC0x switches, an extra option was provided to have them send their serial number via “Search for modules”.
When you then click on the "down arrow", you can read all this limited information.
Always use the latest software for configuration.

It is always recommended to use the most recent version. This version supports the newest modules and resolves all known bugs.
If, for example, you enter a serial number and the correct module information does not appear, you are likely not working with the most recent software.
A newer version will always be able to open the older files (.QDB) without data loss.
The latest version of the System Manager software, along with the user manual and version history, can be found in the knowledge center.

Technical info for installers

Function description

The ECM04 or energy counter module is a module that sums up the pulses it receives from a meter. It does not matter what type of meter these pulses come from as long as the contacts are voltage-free. The ECM can receive and count a pulse every 250ms. The system can also create an alarm at a certain number of pulses, for example, for a green energy certificate for solar panels.
The input contacts can be defined via the Qbus software
Each module has a unique serial number (6 digits). Based on this serial number, the module can be programmed via the Qbus software.
Technical data
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Power supply: via the bus
Typical consumption: 2.3 VA
Bus load: without LEDs 8 mA, with LEDs 10mA.
Environmental temperature:
Operational temperature: 10°C to 50°C
Storage temperature: -10°C to 60°C
Maximum humidity level: 93%, no condensation
Maximum installation altitude: 2,000 meters.
INPUTS:
IN1-IN4: 4 potential-free contacts.
Input signal delay:
- when closing contact: max 100ms
- when opening contact: max 100ms
Input function: push button, normally open, normally closed, switch: assigned via System Manager.
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Enclosure: Plastic with resin filling, self-extinguishing in accordance with UL94-V0
Protection degree: IP30
Installation: bus connector, push-in terminals for inputs and LEDs
Dimensions (HxWxL): 12mm x 40mm x 41mm
Weight: approximately 0.035 kg
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Bus: 13.8VDC low voltage.
Non-toxic, compliant with WEEE/RoHS
CE
Qbus declares that this product complies with all applicable European directives and regulations.
The EU declaration of conformity can be consulted on our website www.qbus.be.
Sizing
Verklaring symbolen

Equipment where protection against the risk of electric contact is not only based on basic insulation but also on additional protection such as double insulation or reinforced insulation. There is no possibility for grounding.

Before connecting the device, it is mandatory to read the manual of the respective product. ISO7000-0434

Power supply connection (230V) to the power supply connector. IEC 60417-5036

CE conformity. All declarations of conformity are available upon request.
Warranty Provision

Standard Warranty Period: 2 years from delivery date. The warranty is no longer valid if the module has been opened! Defective modules should be sent without seal along with a description of the defect to our service department:
QBUS N.V. Joseph Cardijnstraat 19, 9420 Erpe-Mere, Belgium
T +32 53 60 72 10 - F +32 53 60 72 19
Email: [email protected]

General

Safety regulations
Read the full manual before installing the module and activating the system.
WARNING
The module must be installed, started up, and maintained by a certified electrical installer in accordance with the applicable legal regulations of the country.
Never connect AC or DC power to a volt-free input. This will damage the input module.
The module must not be opened. The warranty will be void if the module is opened!

Installation and cabling

Power Supply

ALWAYS USE VOLTAGE-FREE CONTACTS. DISCONNECT THE POWER SUPPLY TO THE MODULE BEFORE CONNECTING OR DISCONNECTING THE MODULE.
The ECM04 is powered via the bus.
Inputs

Connect the inputs as shown on the connection diagram. Strip approximately 7mm of insulation from the cable and insert the cable into the terminals I1-I4. Both solid and stranded wires can be used; for stranded wire, use a screwdriver to press the terminal while inserting the wire.
The maximum thickness of the wire is 0.5 mm2. By pressing the top of the terminal with a screwdriver, the wires can be removed from the terminals.
The cable connecting the contacts to the ECM04 must not exceed 1 meter in length.
LED output

Low-voltage LEDs (2mA without ballast) can be connected to the LED outputs of the ECM04.
BUS connection

It is recommended to use the Qbus cable or any other cable with a minimum of 2 conductors of 1mm² as the bus cable. The green shielded EIB cable can also be used if the conductors are paired to achieve a minimum cross-section of 2 x 1mm².

Wiring diagram

Wiring diagram

Each modules has an unique serial number. By this number the System Manager recognizes the modules.

This is completely explained in our knowledge center.

The ECM04 or energy counter module is a module that adds up the pulses it receives from a meter. It does not matter from which meter type these pulses come as long as the contacts are voltage-free. The ECM04 can receive and add a pulse every 250ms. The system can also create an alarm at a certain number of pulses, for example for a green power certificate for solar panels.

The ECM04 has the serial number range 81xxxx. In our example we now use 810001, the following screen will appear.

Qbus System Manager III Manual Update 04 2025 pdf image 542

create I/O’s and assign them

This can be done in 2 ways:
1. On the module itself: By clicking on the function “- New I/O -” in the drop-down menu of input 1.
2. Wizard new I/ O: In the I/O’s tab you have the function “Wizard new I/O”, by opening this you can create an ECM04 input via the option “Energy meter”.
If you create an ECM04 input via one of these methods, the three other inputs of the ECM04 will automatically be created as meter inputs.
In our example, we have created and named 4 entries as follows: E-meter, Solar Energy , Gas Meter, Water Meter

Qbus System Manager III Manual Update 04 2025 pdf image 544

When we look at the properties of the ECM04 input we see several parameters:

Minimum: This is the minimum limit of the value that will be measured and can be displayed in the EQOmmand and Cloud.

Maximum: This is the maximum limit of the value that will be measured and can be displayed in the EQOmmand and Cloud.

Type: Energy (in kWh), gas (in m³), water (in l) or 'Other'

Puls value: This is the factor with which we have to multiply the measured pulse to get a correct value. For example, each pulse represents 100 Wh, then the multiplier must also be 100 if we want to express it in Watthours, if we want to express it in kWh then the multiplier must be 0.1.

Unit: this is the unit in which we express the measured value.

trigger: is a set point where an alarm I/O can be created. The can be set from 0 to 1,000,000,000 pulses.

warning address: This is the I/O that turns on when the number of pulses is equal to or greater than the trigger value.

If we want to read the number of pulses in the System Manager, we can press the button “Read value”. This data is synchronized every minute by default, but the update interval can be set from 1 to 255 minutes. Each interval the number of pulses counted is reported, but also when the counter reaches 255, this is reported to the controller.
The pulses can also be reset to zero by clicking the “Reset” button.

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Logic

The ECM inputs can be used in analog logic as a condition. For each ECM input there are 4 parameters in the logic that we can use. In the Counter tab we see these I/O’s. We see there Last Count, Counter L, Counter H, Counter XH and Counter XXH.
The counted value on the ECM04 is divided over these 4 parameters. Each parameter can go up to 255. When Counter L(ow) becomes greater than 255 we increase Counter H(igh) by one and reset Counter L, when Counter H exceeds 255 we increase Counter XH by 1 and reset Counter H. If Counter XH is higher than 255 then we will increase Counter XXH by 1 and we will reset Counter XH. Counter L counts in multiples of 1 (0 to 255), Counter H counts in multiples of 256 (0 to 65280), Counter XH in multiples of 65536 (0 to 16,711,680) Counter XXH in multiples of 16,777,216 (0 to 4,278,190,080)
The 'Last Count' contains the number of pulses of the last measurement (default is the last minute). Note: if there are NO new pulses, this value will not return to zero, but will remain at the last value (0 – 255).
An example: We want the Alarm 1 I/O to turn on when the ECM has counted 3547 pulses. The 4 parameters will then have the following values as a condition: Counter L = 219 and Counter H = 3328.
The logic then looks like this:

Qbus System Manager III Manual Update 04 2025 pdf image 548

If we want to reset the counters, this can also be done via logic. We create a bistable (or timer) I/O (_reset) for this, which we set as a condition for resetting the counter.

Qbus System Manager III Manual Update 04 2025 pdf image 550

A counter value can also be used as a condition for a reset function. A practical example: A green electricity certificate is issued for every 1000 kWh; via the ECM module we can easily demonstrate this via an I/O.
We write in the logic the following (we assume that 1 pulse represents 1 kWh)

Qbus System Manager III Manual Update 04 2025 pdf image 551

In this way an I/O is switched on when the number of pulses is reached and we immediately reset so that we do not miss any pulses. The I/O _Certificate can then be sent via an SMS module to a mobile phone or displayed on an EQOmmand, or to investigate further, the LEDs of the switch can flicker via an alarm...