The mBox is a high-performance HVAC controller assembled with industrial-grade components, it is designed for high-end residential and light commercial applications. It is the main unit of the Massana Controls WHITE SERIES, our modular control platform that can be customized to manage the most complex hydronic systems with a focus on radiant cooling and heating applications. It is capable of controlling a variety of hydronic distribution terminals, either individually or in combination. These include ceiling panels, radiant floors, hydronic fan coils, baseboard convectors, radiators, towel warmers, and snow melt systems. It also features advanced proprietary logic to optimize indoor air quality (IAQ), control humidity, and provide natural enthalpy ventilation.
The mBox is designed for 2 or 4 pipe hydronic systems and can interface with third-party VRV/VRF systems (requires Modbus adapters and/or CoolMasterNet, not included), providing an integrated global solution for hydronic and refrigerant combined systems. It efficiently regulates home energy flow by modulating energy sources such as heat
pumps, chillers, and boilers, optimizing comfort in multi-zone systems. It also controls buffer tank temperatures, uses smart proprietary technology to perform heating and cooling changeover based on actual conditions, activates circulator pumps, and regulates radiant fluid temperature through a 3-way mixing valve. In addition, it manages Messana
Air Treatment Units (ATUs), ERV/HRV units for optimum Indoor Air Quality, and utilizes unique smart technology for optimized control of Domestic Hot Water (DHW) systems.
Based on the x86 architecture (Intel® Apollo Lake Celeron® J3455) and running on the Linux OS (Debian), the mBox integrates a programmable mControl I/O device designed in collaboration with Emerson. As the core of the Messana mControl platform, it serves as the web server, gateway, and communication module. Seamlessly integrated with the
Messana web and mobile app (iOS and Android), the mBox provides a superior climate control platform (mControl) built on over 20 years of experience in hydronic radiant cooling and heating technology.
The mBox can also be paired with an optional 10.1″ external wall-mounted touch panel (mDisplay) for a reliable wired connection for offline use
Main features
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Main control unit within the Massana Controls WHITE SERIES modular platform |
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Controls hydronic systems with a focus on radiant cooling and heating applications |
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Programmable mControl I/O device designed in collaboration with Emerson |
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Push-in CAGE CLAMP® terminal blocks for quick and secured connections |
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6 Ethernet ports, 2 RS485 serial interface (Modbus communication) |
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Push-in CAGE CLAMP® terminal blocks for quick and secure connections |
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Offers Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi connectivity |
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Allows remote Internet access through the Messana App and web interface |
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Main control unit within the Massana Controls WHITE SERIES modular platform |
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Controls hydronic systems with a focus on radiant cooling and heating applications |
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Features industrial PC x86-based architecture and runs on Linux OS (Debian) |
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Programmable mControl I/O device designed in collaboration with Emerson |
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Push-in CAGE CLAMP® terminal blocks for quick and secured connections |
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6 Ethernet ports, 2 RS485 serial interface (Modbus communication) |
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Offers Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi connectivity |
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Allows remote Internet access through the Messana App and web interface |
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Technical specifications1
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Casing |
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Mounting type |
Wall mount (vertical only) with 4 brackets2 |
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Protection grade |
NEMA 13 (IP54) |
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Color and finish |
Warm white sablé metal enclosure |
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Environmental requirements |
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Operating ambient temperature |
36° to 110°F (2° to 43°C) |
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Relative humidity (indoor use only) |
<90%, non-condensing |
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Optional |
External touch monitor (mDisplay) |
10.1” WXGA Touch Panel |
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Inputs3 |
Analog Inputs (AI) Temperature probes (Supply/Return temp for fluid or air) |
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Resolution |
10-bit A/D converter |
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NTC 10kΩ@25°C Beta 3435 |
6 (AI NTC S/R/3/4/5/6) |
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Digital Inputs (DI)4 Presence or window sensors, H/C changeover, alarms, On/Of |
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Dry contact |
1 (DI 1) |
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Additional3 dry contact |
10 (DI2-DI11) |
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Outputs3 |
Digital Outputs (DO) Thermal actuators, zone valves, pumps, actuators, air units |
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Dry contacts (with shared commons) |
4 (DO1-DO4) |
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Dry contacts (with miniature plug-in relays)7 8 |
2 (DO5-DO6) |
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120/240VAC 50-60Hz wet contacts for pumps (max 6 A) (with miniature/plug-in relays)7 9 |
2 (DO7-DO8 PWR) |
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Analog Outputs (AO)10 Mixing valves, servo motors, actuators, fan-coils |
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Resolution/Accuracy |
8 bit converter (2%) |
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2-10V with 24VDC power supply for mix valve actuators |
2 (AO1-AO2 MIX 24V/0V/Y) |
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Programmable AO (0-10V default) |
2 (AO3-4 AUX 0V/Y) |
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CPU |
x86-based architecture (Intel® Apollo Lake Celeron® J3455), 4GB Ram, 64GB Flash |
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Zone Bus |
RS485 master with shield and 24VDC power |
Up to 12 mSense max 300ft (Zone Bus SHD/24V/0V/D+/D-) |
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ATU Bus11 |
RS485 master |
Up to 15 devices (ATU Bus A+/B-) |
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WAN port |
Internet connection (connect to home router LAN port) |
1 (RJ-45) |
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LAN port |
Private local network 172.16.0.x for Messana devices |
6 (RJ-45) |
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Communications |
6 LAN ports to connect with mZone modules, mTouch(es), CoolMasterNet, and additional Ethernet or PoE switches |
Ethernet (Modbus TCP) |
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Room sensors (mSense) |
RS485 Zone Bus (Modbus RTU) |
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mZone modules, room sensors (mSense), outdoor sensors (Belimo), Messana ATUs, and other Modbus devices |
RS485 ATU Bus (Modbus RTU) |
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Ports and connectivity |
USB (for mDisplay connection) |
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HDMI (for mDisplay connection) |
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Wi-Fi (802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 wireless networking IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compatible) (100ft range) |
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Bluetooth® for initial configuration and nearby device control through the Messana App (10ft range) |
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Internal Power Supply |
Equipped with dual power supply modules: 24VDC (rated 92W / 3.83A) and 12VDC (Rated 24W / 2A) |
3 + 0.88 A @115V or 1.6 +0.48 A @230V) (AC current input of the two power supply modules) |
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Input Voltage Required |
Equipped with 10A power socket IEC320 C14 with 10A fuse |
120/240VAC 50-60 Hz (10 A) |
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Max output Available |
To 120/240VAC equipment connected to the DO8-DO5* (PWR) |
6 A (720W@120V or 1,440W@240V) |
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To 24VDC external devices (actuators, fan coils, etc) |
2.5 A (60W) |
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Notes |
1.
Size, weights, and technical characteristics may vary without prior notice.
2.
The 4 brackets can be mounted on each corner either vertically or horizontally.
3.
All I/O connections are rail-mounted terminal blocks with Push-in CAGE CLAMP® (with exception of the 4 power relays DO10* DO13-DO15 and the additional DI11 located on the embedded mControl I/O device that needs to be wired directly on the controller).
4.
Digital Inputs are opto-insulated and are dry contacts.
5.
Digital output 5 can be used either as 24VDC contact ZN5* for zone control, or as a power relay DO5* (PWR) 120/240VAC.
6.
The DO terminal blocks are 3-wire connector allowing to connect up to 3 thermal actuators per DO. However, do not exceed 10 actuators in total.
7.
Finder 44.52.9.024 miniature plug-in industrial relays (included) rated 250VAC/6A (max 400VAC/10A).
8.
Can be reconfigured as 24VDC or 120/240VAC wet contacts.
9.
Relay socket pre-wired with 120/240VAC with both L and N on the commons of a dual pole relay. Voltage depends on the AC power supplied. Max amperage available to DO7-DO8 (PWR) is 6 A total. Relays can also be reconfigured as 24VDC wet contacts or dry contacts.
10.
Analog Outputs are opto-insulated and can be programmed as 0-10V or 2-10V.
11.
RS485 polarity labels may vary between manufacturers. According to the RS485 standard, the two terminals are labeled as ‘A’ for negative and ‘B’ for positive. However, many manufacturers, including Messana, use ‘A+’ and ‘B-‘ instead. Some other manufacturers may label the Modbus terminals as ‘A’ and ‘B’ but reverse the polarity, intending ‘A’ as positive.
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| Table Header | |
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Casing |
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Mounting type Wall mount (vertical only) with 4 brackets2 |
|
|
Protection grade NEMA 13 (IP54) |
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Color and finish Warm white sablé metal enclosure |
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Environmental requirements |
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Operating ambient temperature 36° to 110°F (2° to 43°C) |
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Relative humidity (indoor use only) <90%, non-condensing |
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Optional |
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External touch monitor (mDisplay) 10.1” WXGA Touch Panel |
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Inputs3 |
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Analog Inputs (AI) Temperature probes (Supply/Return temp for fluid or air) |
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|
Resolution 10-bit A/D converter |
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NTC 10kΩ@25°C Beta 3435 6 (AI NTC S/R/3/4/5/6) |
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Digital Inputs (DI)4 Presence or window sensors, H/C changeover, alarms, On/Of |
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Dry contact 1 (DI1) |
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Additional3 dry contact 10 (DI2-DI11) |
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Outputs3 |
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Digital Outputs (DO) Thermal actuators, zone valves, pumps, actuators, air units |
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Dry contacts (with shared commons) 4 (DO1-DO4 |
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Dry contacts (with miniature plug-in relays)7 8 2 (DO5-DO6)5 |
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120/240VAC 50-60Hz wet contacts for pumps (max 6 A) (with miniature/plug-in relays)7 9 2 (DO7-DO8 PWR) |
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Analog Outputs (AO)10 Mixing valves, servo motors, actuators, fan-coils |
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Resolution/Accuracy 8 bit converter (2%) |
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2-10V with 24VDC power supply for mix valve actuators 2 (AO1-AO2 MIX 24V/0V/Y) |
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Programmable AO (0-10V default) 4 (AO3-4 AUX 0V/Y) |
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CPU |
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x86-based architecture (Intel® Apollo Lake Celeron® J3455), 4GB Ram, 64GB Flash |
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Zone Bus |
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RS485 master with shield and 24VDC power Up to 12 mSense max 300ft (Zone Bus SHD/24V/0V/D+/D-) |
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ATU Bus11 |
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RS485 master Up to 15 devices (ATU Bus A+/B-) |
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WAN port |
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Internet connection (connect to home router LAN port) 1 (RJ-45) |
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LAN port |
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Private local network 172.16.0.x for Messana devices 6 (RJ-45) |
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Communications |
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Room sensors (mSense) RS485 Zone Bus (Modbus RTU) |
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Outdoor sensors (Belimo), Messana ATUs, and other Modbus devices RS485 ATU Bus (Modbus RTU) |
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Ports and connectivity |
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USB (for mDisplay connection) |
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HDMI (for mDisplay connection) |
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Wi-Fi (802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 wireless networking IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac compatible) (100ft range) |
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Bluetooth® for initial configuration and nearby device control through the Messana App (10ft range) |
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Internal Power Supply |
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Equipped with dual power supply modules: 24VDC (rated 127.4W / 5.31A) and 12VDC (Rated 24W / 2A) 3 + 0.88 A @115V or 1.6 +0.48 A @230V)>(AC current input of the two power supply modules) |
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Input Voltage Required |
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Equipped with 10A power socket IEC320 C14 with 10A fuse 120/240VAC 50-60 Hz (10 A) |
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Max output Available |
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To 120/240VAC equipment connected to the DO7-DO8 (PWR) 6 A (720W@120V or 1,440W@240V) |
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To 24VDC external devices (actuators, fan coils, etc) 2.5 A (60W) |
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Notes |
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1.
Size, weights, and technical characteristics may vary without prior notice.
2.
The 4 brackets can be mounted on each corner either vertically or horizontally.
3.
All I/O connections are rail-mounted terminal blocks with Push-in CAGE CLAMP® (with exception of the 4 power relays DO10* & DO13-DO15 and the additional DI11 located on the embedded mControl I/O device that needs to be wired directly on the controller).
4.
Digital Inputs are opto-insulated and are dry contacts.
5.
Digital output 5 can be used either as 24VDC contact ZN5* for zone control, or as a power relay DO5* (PWR) 120/240VAC.
6.
The DO terminal blocks are 3-wire connector allowing to connect up to 3 thermal actuators per DO. However, do not exceed 10 actuators in total.
7.
Finder 44.52.9.024 miniature plug-in industrial relays (included) rated 250VAC/6A (max 400VAC/10A).
8.
Can be reconfigured as 24VDC or 120/240VAC wet contacts.
9.
Relay socket pre-wired with 120/240VAC with both L and N on the commons of a dual pole relay. Voltage depends on the AC power supplied. Max amperage available to DO7-DO8 (PWR) is 6 A total. Relays can also be reconfigured as 24VDC wet contacts or dry contacts.
10.
Analog Outputs are opto-insulated and can be programmed as 0-10V or 2-10V.
11.
RS485 polarity labels may vary between manufacturers. According to the RS485 standard, the two terminals are labeled as ‘A’ for negative and ‘B’ for positive. However, many manufacturers, including Messana, use ‘A+’ and ‘B-‘ instead. Some other manufacturers may label the Modbus terminals as ‘A’ and ‘B’ but reverse the polarity, intending ‘A’ as positive.
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Size and weight
Size
W:13 inches [330 mm]
H:20 inches [508 mm]
D:3 ½ inches [89 mm]
With brackets
W1:15 ¾ inches [400 mm]
H1:22 ¾ inches [578 mm]
With brackets
17.5 lb [8 kg]
Packaging
Size:23 ½ x 15 ½ x 5 ½ inches [597 x 394 x 140 mm]
Total Weight:15.5 lb [7 kg]
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