diff --git a/charger/phoenix-em-eth.go b/charger/phoenix-em-eth.go
index e603b9c1e..9029c8758 100644
--- a/charger/phoenix-em-eth.go
+++ b/charger/phoenix-em-eth.go
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func NewPhoenixEMEthFromConfig(other map[string]interface{}) (api.Charger, error
 	)
 
 	// check presence of meter by voltage on l1
-	if b, err := wb.conn.ReadInputRegisters(phxEMEthRegVoltages, 2); err == nil && encoding.Uint32LswFirst(b) > 0 {
+	if b, err := wb.conn.ReadInputRegisters(phxEMEthRegVoltages, 2); err == nil && encoding.Int32LswFirst(b) > 0 {
 		currentPower = wb.currentPower
 		totalEnergy = wb.totalEnergy
 		currents = wb.currents