MBusino – M-Bus to MQTT Gateway
A pure M-Bus --> MQTT gateway without extra sensor measuring but with Wifi and Ethernet connectivity. ESP32 C3 Supermini with W5500 Lite Ethernet Module
Project Overview
Modern smart metering systems require reliable and transparent communication between utility meters and monitoring platforms. MBusino is an open-source M-Bus to MQTT gateway that enables seamless integration of M-Bus–based meters (water, heat, gas, electricity) with IoT platforms such as Home Assistant, Node-RED, and cloud dashboards.
The project is built around ESP8266/ESP32 boards with WIZnet Ethernet expansion (Nano version with W5500), ensuring both Wi-Fi flexibility and Ethernet stability for industrial and home applications.
Core Hardware
MCU: ESP8266, ESP32 S2 mini, ESP32 C3 (Nano)
Ethernet Support: W5500 module (Nano version)
M-Bus Master: External module (e.g., Zihatec or AliExpress modules)
Optional Sensors: DS18B20 (temperature), BME280 (temp/humidity/pressure)
How It Works / Main Features
M-Bus Data Acquisition: Reads telegrams from up to 5 M-Bus slave devices.
MQTT Integration: Publishes parsed meter data to an MQTT broker for real-time use.
Captive Portal GUI: Intuitive web interface for Wi-Fi/Ethernet, MQTT, and sensor setup.
Home Assistant Autodiscovery: Automatic detection and device registration via MQTT.
Flexible Polling: Scheduled readings or on-demand polling via MQTT commands.
Sensor Calibration: DS18B20 values can be calibrated remotely via MQTT.
Key Technologies
WIZnet W5500 Ethernet: Ensures reliable, low-latency, and secure connectivity in the Nano version.
MBusinoLib & MBusCom: Custom Arduino libraries to decode and handle M-Bus telegrams into JSON format.
MQTT Protocol: Lightweight and widely supported, ideal for IoT and home automation.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works with Home Assistant, Node-RED, Grafana, or any MQTT consumer.
Applications & Benefits
Smart Homes: Track water, gas, and heat consumption in real time.
Industrial Facilities: Monitor distributed meters with deterministic Ethernet communication.
Municipal Utilities: Build scalable, low-cost, cloud-connected metering networks.
Benefits:
Easy deployment with captive portal setup
Wired Ethernet reliability in mission-critical environments
Open-source flexibility for community expansion
Conclusion / Marketing Point
MBusino demonstrates how WIZnet Ethernet technology (W5500) transforms a DIY IoT project into a stable, industry-ready gateway. By combining ESP boards with M-Bus and MQTT, it bridges traditional metering systems with modern IoT platforms, making it a compelling choice for both hobbyists and professional smart metering deployments.