Whether heat pumps, wall boxes, or solar inverters, a large proportion of systems, especially existing ones, can still only be managed using relay contacts. For the cost-effective rollout of management in the smart grid, solutions are therefore needed that can translate digital management commands from the smart metering system into analog switching signals. This is precisely where the EEBUS Relay Converter (ERC) from PPC and Weidmüller comes in.
Digital control in the smart grid – also for analog devices
The energy transition is bringing an ever-growing number of decentralized generators and controllable consumers into low-voltage grids. This makes the secure and reliable control of systems a key component of grid stability and flexibility management.
For the control rollout via the smart metering system, this means that a wide variety of plant types must be connected via an infrastructure that is as standardized as possible. While new devices increasingly have digital interfaces, many existing plants can still only be controlled via relay switching inputs.
With the EEBUS Relais Converter (ERC), PPC and Weidmüller have developed a solution that connects these worlds. The converter translates digital control commands from the smart meter gateway (SMGWplus) into analog relay switching operations, thus enabling the integration of existing systems into the digital control infrastructure. This means that implementing the requirements of Section 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG) or Section 9 of the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) is no longer a problem, even for analog control units.
The advantages of the EEBUS Relais Converter explained in two minutes
From digital signal to relay “click”
The EEBUS Relais Converter receives flexibility management commands via the PPC SMGWplus and transforms the digital EEBUS signal into analog switching signals on four relay outputs (S1, S2, W3, W4).
This allows both classic step controls for generation plants (100%, 60%, 30%, 0%) and individual contact controls for consumers and generators to be implemented. Firmware updates can be performed locally or remotely – either via an update service or via the metering point operator’s backend using CLS communication.
This turns a digital control signal into the physical “clicking” in the relay – and thus an FNN-compliant switching action in the system.
Technical specifications of the EEBUS Relais Converter
White paper on the EEBUS Relais Converter
For those who would like to delve deeper into the technical details, use cases, and background information on the control rollout and the advantages of the ERC, a detailed white paper on the EEBUS Relais Converter is available.
Your questions about the ERC answered live
In addition, we are currently presenting the EEBUS Relais Converter together with Weidmüller at various events and appointments. Here, you can not only see the functionalities for yourself in live demonstrations, but also get answers to your questions.
- Light + Building 2026 (08.03.2026 – 13.03.2026)
- PPC Kundentreffen 2026 (05.05.206 – 06.05.2026)
- The smarter E Europe 2026 (23.06.2026 – 25.06.2026)
