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
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Project description
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.
