OBIS (Object Identification System) codes are the universal address book of smart meters. Every piece of data — from cumulative energy to instantaneous voltage — has a unique 6-group OBIS code. This reference covers the codes you will encounter most often.
OBIS Code Structure
An OBIS code has six groups: A-B:C.D.E*F
| Group | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| A | Medium | 0=abstract, 1=electricity, 6=heat, 7=gas, 8=water |
| B | Channel | 0=total, 1–64=individual channels/phases |
| C | Physical quantity | What is being measured (1=active energy, 31=current, 32=voltage…) |
| D | Processing | How it is processed (2=rate A, 6=max demand, 7=instantaneous, 8=cumulative…) |
| E | Tariff | 0=total, 1=tariff 1, 2=tariff 2… |
| F | Storage | 0=current value, 255=not applicable, billing period index |
Electricity — Most Common OBIS Codes
| OBIS Code | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
1.0.1.8.0.255 |
Active energy import (+A), total | Wh |
1.0.2.8.0.255 |
Active energy export (-A), total | Wh |
1.0.3.8.0.255 |
Reactive energy import (+R), total | varh |
1.0.4.8.0.255 |
Reactive energy export (-R), total | varh |
1.0.1.7.0.255 |
Instantaneous active power import (+P) | W |
1.0.2.7.0.255 |
Instantaneous active power export (-P) | W |
1.0.31.7.0.255 |
Instantaneous current, L1 | A |
1.0.51.7.0.255 |
Instantaneous current, L2 | A |
1.0.71.7.0.255 |
Instantaneous current, L3 | A |
1.0.32.7.0.255 |
Instantaneous voltage, L1 | V |
1.0.52.7.0.255 |
Instantaneous voltage, L2 | V |
1.0.72.7.0.255 |
Instantaneous voltage, L3 | V |
1.0.13.7.0.255 |
Instantaneous power factor, total | — |
1.0.14.7.0.255 |
Instantaneous frequency | Hz |
1.0.1.6.0.255 |
Maximum demand, active import | W |
1.0.1.8.1.255 |
Active energy import, tariff 1 | Wh |
1.0.1.8.2.255 |
Active energy import, tariff 2 | Wh |
Abstract / General OBIS Codes
| OBIS Code | Description |
|---|---|
0.0.96.1.0.255 |
Meter serial number |
0.0.96.1.4.255 |
Firmware version |
0.0.1.0.0.255 |
Clock (date and time) |
0.0.10.0.100.255 |
Global meter reset (action) |
0.0.40.0.0.255 |
Current association (DLMS association) |
0.0.43.1.0.255 |
Push setup (spontaneous reporting) |
Water OBIS Codes (WSM GCP / DLMS UA 1015-3)
| OBIS Code | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
8.0.1.0.0.255 |
Volume (forward flow), cumulative | m³ |
8.0.2.0.0.255 |
Volume (reverse flow), cumulative | m³ |
8.0.1.6.0.255 |
Peak flow rate | m³/h |
8.0.1.7.0.255 |
Instantaneous flow rate | m³/h |
Tips for Working With OBIS Codes
- When reading via DLMS GET, always pass the full 6-group OBIS — never abbreviate.
- Group F=255 means ‘not applicable’ (most instantaneous values). F=0 is the current billing period.
- Vendor-specific objects use Group A=0 and high C values (≥128). Always check the manufacturer’s object list.
- The DLMS UA Blue Book (Ed.14) is the authoritative reference — download it free from dlms.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I distinguish between instantaneous and cumulative measurements in an OBIS code?
Group D determines this: D=7 indicates instantaneous values (like 1.0.1.7.0.255 for current power), while D=8 indicates cumulative totals (like 1.0.1.8.0.255 for total energy imported). Group F will typically be 255 for instantaneous readings and 0 for billing period cumulative values.
What does the F group value of 255 versus 0 mean when reading meter data?
F=255 means “not applicable” and is used for instantaneous measurements that aren’t tied to a specific billing period, while F=0 represents the current billing period’s accumulated data. This distinction is critical when reconciling real-time versus billing-cycle values.
How do I read three-phase current and voltage data from a smart meter using OBIS codes?
Each phase has a unique code: L1 current is 1.0.31.7.0.255, L2 is 1.0.51.7.0.255, L3 is 1.0.71.7.0.255; similarly, L1 voltage is 1.0.32.7.0.255, L2 is 1.0.52.7.0.255, L3 is 1.0.72.7.0.255. All use D=7 for instantaneous values.
What’s the difference between active energy import codes 1.0.1.8.0.255 and 1.0.1.8.1.255?
Code 1.0.1.8.0.255 is total active energy import across all tariffs, while 1.0.1.8.1.255 isolates tariff 1 only—the difference is in Group E (0 vs. 1). Use E group to separate multi-rate billing data.
How do I identify vendor-specific custom objects in an OBIS code?
Vendor-specific objects use Group A=0 (abstract) and Group C values of 128 or higher, so you must always reference the manufacturer’s specific object list rather than assuming standard OBIS definitions. Never rely on generic OBIS tables for these proprietary codes.