OBIS DLMS / COSEM Utility

DLMS/COSEM OBIS Code Decoder

Decode OBIS codes used with DLMS/COSEM smart metering. Split a code into its A, B, C, D, E and F value groups and inspect the medium, channel, measured quantity, processing, tariff or storage and historical-value information.

✓ A-B:C.D.E*F ✓ Electricity ✓ Energy ✓ Power ✓ Tariff ✓ Historical Value

OBIS

OBIS Code Decode

● Ready

DLMS/COSEM OBIS Code Enter an OBIS code in standard notation such as 1-0:1.8.0*255. Shorter forms such as 1.8.0 or 1-0:1.8.0 are also accepted.

Structural note: an OBIS identifier can contain up to six value groups: A-B:C.D.E*F. Not every representation prints all groups. The decoder distinguishes values that are explicitly supplied from values filled using common defaults.

OBIS Code Decode Result Decoded

Decoded OBIS Identifier —

A — Medium —

B — Channel —

C — Quantity —

D — Processing —

E — Tariff / Storage —

F — Historical Value —

Normalized Code —

Explicit Groups —

Interpretation —

OBIS Group Breakdown

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What Is an OBIS Code?

OBIS stands for Object Identification System. It is used in DLMS/COSEM and related metering systems to identify measurement values, registers, profiles and other meter objects.

A familiar example is 1-0:1.8.0*255, commonly encountered for imported active electrical energy.

OBIS Code Structure

A-B:C.D.E*F

A = Medium
B = Channel
C = Physical quantity
D = Processing / measurement type
E = Tariff or storage
F = Historical value / billing period

The punctuation separates the logical value groups. Depending on the context, some groups can be omitted from the textual representation.

A Group — Medium

The A value group identifies the energy or utility medium associated with the object.

A	Common Meaning
0	Abstract objects
1	Electricity
6	Heat
7	Gas
8	Water
9	Other medium

B Group — Channel

The B group is commonly used to identify a channel or measurement path. For many electricity-meter OBIS identifiers the value is 0.

1-0:1.8.0*255

A = 1
Electricity

B = 0
Channel 0

C Group — Physical Quantity

For electricity OBIS identifiers, the C group is particularly important because it identifies the electrical quantity or directional register.

C	Common Electricity Meaning
1	Active power / energy import (+A)
2	Active power / energy export (-A)
3	Reactive import (+R)
4	Reactive export (-R)
14	Frequency
21	Active power import L1
31	Current L1
32	Voltage L1
41	Active power import L2
51	Current L2
52	Voltage L2
61	Active power import L3
71	Current L3
72	Voltage L3

D Group — Processing

The D group distinguishes how a quantity is represented or processed. For common electricity identifiers, values such as 7 and 8 frequently distinguish instantaneous and cumulative energy-related quantities.

1-0:1.7.0*255

C = 1
Active import direction

D = 7
Common instantaneous power register


1-0:1.8.0*255

C = 1
Active import direction

D = 8
Common cumulative energy register

E Group — Tariff or Storage

The E group further identifies a tariff, rate, storage or related sub-value. A value of 0 is commonly used for a total across tariffs.

1.8.0
Total imported active energy

1.8.1
Imported active energy tariff 1

1.8.2
Imported active energy tariff 2

F Group — Historical Value

The F group can distinguish historical or billing-period values. The value 255 is commonly encountered when no specific historical billing value is being selected in the textual logical name.

1-0:1.8.0*255

F = 255

Common Electricity OBIS Codes

OBIS	Common Meaning
1-0:1.8.0*255	Imported active energy total
1-0:2.8.0*255	Exported active energy total
1-0:1.7.0*255	Instantaneous active import power
1-0:2.7.0*255	Instantaneous active export power
1-0:31.7.0*255	Current L1
1-0:32.7.0*255	Voltage L1
1-0:51.7.0*255	Current L2
1-0:52.7.0*255	Voltage L2
1-0:71.7.0*255	Current L3
1-0:72.7.0*255	Voltage L3
1-0:14.7.0*255	Frequency

OBIS Code vs COSEM Object

An OBIS code identifies the logical meaning of a metering object, while COSEM defines object classes, attributes and methods used to represent and access meter data.

The OBIS identifier by itself does not necessarily tell you the complete COSEM class ID, data type, access rights or unit used by the meter.

Short and Full OBIS Notation

OBIS identifiers are often shown in shortened forms where A, B or F are omitted because they are known from context.

Full:
1-0:1.8.0*255

Common shortened form:
1.8.0

This decoder accepts both forms. When a group is absent, the tool labels that group as inferred rather than pretending it appeared explicitly in the input.

DLMS/COSEM OBIS Code Decoder FAQs

What does OBIS stand for?

OBIS stands for Object Identification System.

What does 1-0:1.8.0*255 usually represent?

It is commonly used for total imported active electrical energy.

What does A=1 mean?

A value of 1 identifies electricity as the medium.

What does C=1 mean in electricity OBIS codes?

It commonly identifies the active import direction or +A quantity family.

What does D=8 commonly mean?

For common electricity OBIS identifiers, D=8 is associated with cumulative energy registers.

What does E=0 mean?

It commonly represents the total value rather than a specific tariff index.

What does F=255 mean?

255 is commonly used when no specific historical or billing-period value is selected in the logical name.

Can I enter only 1.8.0?

Yes. The decoder accepts common shortened OBIS notation and marks omitted groups as inferred.

Does every manufacturer use exactly the same object set?

No. Standard OBIS semantics provide a common structure, but devices can expose different object sets and may also use manufacturer-specific objects.

Does an OBIS code contain the meter reading itself?

No. The OBIS code identifies the object or quantity. The actual meter value is stored or transmitted separately.

Decode DLMS/COSEM OBIS Identifiers

Split smart-meter OBIS codes into their six logical value groups and quickly inspect the medium, measurement quantity, processing, tariff and historical value represented by the identifier.