Gossen Metrawatt
Gossen Metrawatt is a German manufacturer of high-end test and measurement equipment, including multimeters.
This article tries to give an overview of the multimeters with interfaces for data exchange, OEM models and communication.
Company
Multimeters
One remark concerning device names: The manufacturer writes the name of the device series sometimes "METRAHit", sometimes METRAHIT' or even METRA HIT, sometimes not even consistently for the same device. For simplicity it will be "Metrahit" here most of the time.
Metrahit 1x series
- Metrahit 12S
- Metrahit 13S
- Metrahit 14A
- Metrahit 14S (?)
- Metrahit 15S
- Metrahit 16S
- Metrahit 16I Isolation measurement 500/1000 V
- Metrahit 18S
The Metrahit 1x series supports sending data via IR/RS232.
Metrahit 2x/30 Series
- Metrahit 24S
- Metrahit 26S
- Metrahit 26C (Multimeter + calibrator)
- Metrahit 27EX (Milliohm meter for explosive atmospheres)
- Metrahit H+E (with insulation tester; seems to be a METRAHit 27I in different colors)
- Metrahit 27I (with Milliohm and Megaohm, insulation tester)
- Metrahit 27M (with Milliohm)
- Metrahit 28S = Siemens B1105
- Metrahit 29S = Siemens B1106 Energy multimeter
- Metrahit 30M 1200000 count laboratory multimeter
The Metrahit 2x series supports bidirectional data exchange via IR.
Metrahit Starline Series
The series of newer devices with only three sockets (only one socket for all current measurement ranges) is called Starline Series. The manufacturer sub-divides this further into an A Series, E Series and S Series, which does not make a big difference concerning communicating with the devices.
- Metrahit X-Tra (M240A), 12.000 Count
- Metrahit Outdoor (12000 Count, IP65; seems to be a more rugged, different-colored flavour of the X-Tra)
- SECULIFE HIT (seems to be a white version of the X-Tra)
- EBASE 60000 Count
- ESPECIAL
- ETECH
- EXTRA
- ENERGY (Energy multimeter)
- METRAHIT ISO
- METRAHIT ISO AERO
- METRAHIT T-COM
- METRAHIT T-COM PLUS
- Metrahit Ultra, 310000 Count, IR and (METRAHit ULTRA BT only) Bluetooth
Communication Hardware
All Gossen Metrawatt multimeters having data communication support support unidirectional or bi-directional infrared communication through the case using proprietary communication adaptors. The advantage of this construction is that it allows a closed case without unnecessary holes (one model, the Metrahit Outdoor, even has IP65 protection!), the disadvantage is a need for special, expensive adaptors to convert this to common RS232 or USB. Please note that the IR is just serial data (?), not IrDA.
The Metrahit Ultra BT also supports Bluetooth.
Metrahit RS232
IR→RS232 adaptor for unidirectional communication from the multimeter to the computer.
Works with Metrahit 1x and Metrahit 2x devices in Send Mode.
RS232 parameters: 8192 Baud, 8N1, DTR ON, RTS ON.
The communication speed of 8192 Baud is not supported by some operating systems and common RS232-USB adaptors.
Not available any more.
Metrahit SI232
IR→RS232 adaptor for unidirectional communication from the multimeter to the computer and data storage.
Up to six SI232 can be cascaded to communicate to the computer via a single RS232 interface. Up to 10 'SI232 can be cascaded to measure offline synchronously.
128 kByte battery-buffered CMOS memory, up to about 100000 data sets.
Multimeter: 8192 Baud, 950 nm, 8N1.
RS232: 9600/19200/38400 Baud, 8N1.
Not available any more.
Metrahit BD232
IR↔RS232 adaptor allowing bidirectional communication between multimeter and computer.
Works with Metrahit 2x devices, including 30M.
Up to six BD232 can be cascaded to communicate to the computer via a single RS232 interface. When only Metrahit 2x multimeters are used, BD232 and SI232 adaptors can be mixed.
9600/19200/38400 Baud.
Metrahit SI232 II
IR↔RS232 adaptor allowing bidirectional communication between multimeter and computer and data storage.
Works with Metrahit 1x and Metrahit 2x devices.
128 kByte battery-buffered CMOS memory, up to about 100000 data sets.
Multimeter: 8192/9600 Baud, 950 nm, 8N1.
RS232: 9600/19200/38400 Baud, 8N1.
4-8 SI232 II (depending on multimeter types and baud rate) can be cascaded to communicate to the computer via a single RS232 interface. Up to 10 'SI232 II can be cascaded to measure offline synchronously.
Not available any more.
USB Hit
IR↔USB adaptor for Metrahit.
For Metrahit 2x/30M devices only.
USB X-Tra
IR↔USB adaptor for the Starline Series devices.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, Class 2
For the Metrahit Ultra BT.
Communication Protocols
Metrahit 1x/2x Send Mode
Proprietary binary protocol. Used for sending data to PC.
Metrahit 1x/2x Block Send Mode
Proprietary binary protocol. Used for polling buffered data from PC.
Metrahit 2x Other modes
There seem to be 2 or 3 other communication modes for the Metrahit 2x series. See description available from manufacturer.
Starline Series
Newer Metrahit devices use a proprietary communication protocol that is very close to SCPI.
LabView
Gossen Metrawatt offers LabView drivers for the Metrahit Energy and the Metrahit Ultra.