How to import BACnet EDE files into the Console ?

This article explains how to import BACnet EDE files into the Wattsense console.

Adding BACnet equipments is usually done via the BACnet scan function. In some cases, this method is not 100% functional. The alternative solution is to import an EDE file (csv or xlsx) containing all the devices and their properties.

EDE File format

The EDE (Engineering Data Exchange) file is a CSV (comma separated values) text file with specific columns describing BACnet objects.

You can download the template from the Console (menu Configuration / Equipment / Add equipment / Import EDE BACnet file / Button Next / Download an example)

The exchange file must comply with the EDE format (version 2.3)

Here is an example with two devices (MyDevice1 and MyDevice2) and three properties for each device. 

Device and property IDs are very important and must be unique. In the example, the instance (or ID) of MyDevice1 is 11. The instance of MyDevice2 is 12 (device obj.-instance column).

The row containing OBJECT_DEVICE describes the equipment. Rows containing OBJECT_ANALOG_VALUE (or another BACnet object type) describe the properties of the device whose ID is in the device obj.-instance column.

For more information on BACnet objects, see our dedicated article.

 

How to create an EDE File ?

Use any software that allows you to generate EDE. Example: YABE.

Import an EDE file into the console

In the console, navigate to Configuration / Equipment / Add equipment / Import EDE BACnet file

Select the physical ethernet port on the Box :

On the next page, you can download the EDE template as shown above. Once the EDE file is correctly completed, you can start the import procedure (Choose a file). Allowed extension are listed.

Once the file uploaded, a preview is available :

Return to the configuration page to see the changes:

Before saving the changes, you can check your properties settings by clicking on the Properties button :

In the same way, you can verify the equipment parameters by clicking on Settings :

Limitations and troubleshootings

• BACnet client mode and BACnet server mode cannot be enabled simultaneously

Please note the following: BACnet client mode and BACnet server mode cannot be enabled simultaneously, which means that if you already have a BACnet gateway configured in the console, the EDE file import will fail (error message is displayed)

• Size of the EDE file

Sometimes the EDE file is too large for the import module (in terms of lines and size). Please delete unnecessary lines before importing. Files are limited to 1Mo and 5000 lines.

• Version of the EDE file

In the header of the EDE file, there is a field named VERSION_OF_LAYOUT. Please check that the version is 2.3.

• Mandantory fields (eg device instance or device id)

If the required fields are not filled in, you will get error messages during import: : example : object-type is required,object-instance is required. 

How to see error messages? In the following example, import a csv file without some required fields:

When importing this file, the following message is displayed :

Click on the button Download the error report

The EDE file will be available in your system's standard download directory. Information is added to the end of each line containing an error.

• Two successive imports for the same device (same ID)

In the example below, you have a second EDE file with the same device (MyDevice1) but with additional properties (Property4 and Property5).

The import module will create the equipment twice in the console, which is not the expected result.

In this case, remove MyDevice1 from the console, and reimport a full EDE file (with properties 1 to 5). 

Please contact us if you need any additional information: Wattsense Support