A Smarter Control Solution — Powered by ORION and MP-Bus

Optimized Cabling. Richer Data. Simplified Integration.

Modern air handling units (AHUs) are increasingly sophisticated — but that doesn’t mean their wiring has to be.

With native support for Belimo’s MP-Bus®, the ORION controller enables a new kind of control solution: streamlined, data-rich, and highly efficient. This is more than protocol compatibility — it’s a smarter control architecture that reduces complexity, expands capability, and delivers real-world savings in time, cost, and effort.

The ORION + MP-Bus architecture marks a shift in how we approach plant control. It removes unnecessary complexity, brings in more intelligence, and supports a faster, more maintainable deployment — all while reducing the total cost of ownership.

On This Page
  • What Is MP-Bus®?
  • A Smarter Alternative
  • Why it matters

What Is MP-Bus®?

MP-Bus® is Belimo’s single-master/multi-slave communication protocol designed specifically for HVAC applications. It allows up to 16 actuators and sensors to be connected on a single 3-wire line — handling both power and communication.

ORION integrates this capability directly, unlocking plant-level control that is not only more efficient but also easier to scale, monitor, and maintain.

A Smarter Alternative to Classical AHU Control
Classical Control Architecture

In a conventional setup, each actuator or sensor requires separate power and signal wiring. This means:

  • Multiple analog inputs and outputs
  • Complex field wiring and longer installation times
  • Higher controller I/O requirements
  • Limited feedback due to input constraints
  • More potential points of failure
ORION + MP-Bus Architecture

With ORION and MP-Bus, a single 3-wire cable links multiple field devices — dramatically reducing both physical infrastructure and configuration time.

  • One MP-Bus line for up to 16 devices
  • Integrated communication and power
  • Minimal I/O usage on the controller
  • Built-in feedback and diagnostics
  • Faster installation and simpler commissioning
Why it matters
Reduced Installation Complexity

MP-Bus allows actuators and sensors to be daisy-chained using one cable. No analog input per point, no extra wiring — just faster installs and cleaner panel layouts.

Lower Cost, Higher Value

Less cabling, fewer terminals, and reduced I/O count means lower material and labor costs. For large plant rooms, the savings are substantial — not just in hardware, but in man-hours.

Built-In Sensor Integration

Temperature, pressure, and contact sensors can be wired directly to the actuator. ORION reads them over MP-Bus — eliminating the need for separate controller inputs.

Expanded Data Visibility

Classical designs often exclude damper position or sensor feedback to save on inputs. With MP-Bus, this data comes standard — no extra wiring, no added cost.

Simplified Troubleshooting

Each MP device reports its status digitally. With fault feedback and real-time diagnostics, system issues are easier to detect, isolate, and resolve.

Rich User Interface

The ORION is not only a controller and communications interface, but also provides a rich local user interface with color graphics.

Where It Works Best

ORION + MP-Bus is ideal for:

  • AHUs with multiple dampers, valves, and sensors
  • Projects with limited I/O or constrained panel space
  • Modular, prefabricated, or retrofit plant rooms
  • Energy-focused designs needing granular control data
  • Fast-tracked projects where simplicity and speed matter
Zone Control

Integrating with Belimo's "all-in-one" devices at the edge brings further advantages in zone control applications. As an example, the electronic pressure-independent 6-way zone valve provides dynamic balancing with continuous flow measurement.

The EP..R6+BAC-HH1 and ORION combination provides with just 2 part numbers:

  • Ambient temperature and humidity sensors
  • Flow measurement sensor
  • Dew point switch
  • Heating & cooling control valve
  • Rich, customizable user interface
  • Programmable control logic
  • Open protocol comms to supervisor
Compatible Devices

Belimo’s MP-Bus range covers:

  • Damper actuators: rotary, full-rotation, and linear
  • Motorized valves: characterized control, globe, butterfly, Energy Valve™
  • Sensors: passive (Pt1000, NTC), active (0–10V), switching contacts

All are fully supported through ORION’s MP-Bus integration.
 

Another way to reduce complexity

Advanced chilled beam control with just 2 SKUs

  • Heating and cooling control valves
  • Flow measurement
  • Pressure-independent flow control
  • Condensation switch
  • Ambient temperature sensor
  • Relative humidity sensor
  • CO2 sensor
  • Rich user interface
  • Programmable control logic
  • Time scheduling
  • BACnet / Modbus comms
  • Simplified wiring/connections