Description
ABB RLX2-HNF Industrial Hotspot – Rugged 802.11n wireless bridge for plantwide Ethernet
The ABB RLX2-HNF is a dual-band 802.11n industrial wireless hotspot designed for harsh environments where wired Ethernet is impractical. From my experience, this model is a dependable way to link PLCs, HMIs, drives, and cameras across long spans—think moving cranes, AGVs, tank farms, or backhauls between buildings. You might notice that the “HNF” variant uses N-type female RF connectors, which suits high‑gain antennas and outdoor runs better than the small indoor connectors you see on IT gear.
Order Placement Process & Guarantees
- Warranty: 365 days
- Lead time: typically 1 week if in stock; no more than 1 month at the latest
- Payment: 50% advance; full payment before delivery
- Express options: FedEx, UPS, DHL
Key Features
- Dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n – Operates at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz for flexible channel planning, typically up to 300 Mbps (gross) with 2×2 MIMO.
- N-type female antenna ports – Two RF ports suited for rugged coax and high‑gain antennas; ideal for outdoor or long cable runs.
- Industrial power options – 10–24 VDC terminal power or 802.3af PoE; makes cabinet integration straightforward.
- Rugged temperature range – Designed for -40 to +75°C operation in most industrial sites.
- Multiple operating modes – Access Point, Client, Repeater/Bridge, and Router modes depending on your network design.
- Security built for OT/IT – WPA2-Enterprise/PSK, 802.1X (RADIUS), AES; plus MAC filtering and SSID control in many cases.
- Deterministic traffic handling – QoS/WMM and IGMP support help with PLC, I/O, and video multicasts.
- DIN-rail friendly – Compact metal enclosure, typically IP30 for cabinet mounting.
Typical Use Cases
- Wirelessly bridging Ethernet between buildings or remote skids in water/wastewater plants.
- Connecting moving equipment (AGVs, transfer cars, overhead cranes) to the control network.
- Backhauling IP video from process areas where fiber isn’t feasible.
- Temporary production lines or rental assets that need fast, reliable OT connectivity.
Technical Specifications
| Brand / Model | ABB RLX2-HNF |
| HS Code | 8517.62 (data transmission/reception equipment) |
| Wireless Standard | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n; 2×2 MIMO; up to 300 Mbps (gross), region-dependent channels |
| Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (country/regional limits apply) |
| Power Requirements | 10–24 VDC (terminal) or IEEE 802.3af PoE; < 8 W typical consumption |
| Ethernet Ports | 1 × 10/100Base‑T(X), RJ45, auto MDI/MDI‑X |
| Antenna Interface | 2 × N-type female (MIMO) |
| Security | WPA2-PSK/Enterprise, 802.1X (RADIUS), AES-CCMP; SSID control, MAC filtering |
| Operating Temperature | -40 to +75 °C (industrial-grade) |
| Dimensions & Weight | Compact DIN-rail enclosure, approx. 135 × 105 × 35 mm; under 1 kg (typical for this series) |
| Communication Interfaces | 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless; 1 × RJ45 Ethernet; management via web interface/Telnet/SSH (model-dependent) |
| Installation Method | DIN-rail or panel mount; external N-type antennas; cabinet or NEMA enclosure recommended for dusty/wet areas |
Related / Supporting Products
- ABB RLX2-IHNF – Similar 802.11n industrial hotspot; often specified where identical feature set is required with DC and PoE power options.
- ABB RLX2-IHNFW – Weatherized variant for outdoor mounting; useful when you need higher ingress protection out of the box.
- ABB RLX2-IHNR – RP‑SMA antenna connector version; handy for compact indoor antenna setups.
- High‑gain N-type antennas (2.4/5 GHz), low‑loss coax jumpers, and lightning arrestors – Improve range and reliability in large facilities.
- 802.3af PoE injector and shielded industrial Ethernet patch cords – Clean installation and reduced electrical noise.
Field feedback: A packaging client used the RLX2‑HNF to link a moving gantry to a Compact PLC cell. Fast roaming between two APs kept cycle times steady, and the N‑type connectors made antenna placement easier with low‑loss cable runs.
Installation & Maintenance
- Cabinet & environment – Mount on DIN-rail inside a grounded metal cabinet (IP54+ enclosure for dusty or humid areas). Provide 25 mm side clearance for airflow.
- Power & wiring – Use a dedicated 24 VDC supply or 802.3af PoE. Keep DC and RF coax separated from high‑voltage runs; use shielded Cat5e/6.
- Antenna placement – For MIMO, mount two antennas with adequate spacing and clear Fresnel zone. Outdoor runs should use weather‑sealed N connectors and surge protection.
- Channel planning – Survey 2.4/5 GHz onsite; lock channels and power levels to avoid interference. Enable QoS for control traffic.
- Safety – De‑energize before wiring, follow lockout procedures, and respect regional RF limits; use certified lightning arrestors for rooftop installs.
- Routine maintenance – Quarterly check of RF connectors and cable strain relief; clean cabinet filters; back up configuration and apply firmware updates on a scheduled window.
- Calibration & health – Review RSSI, SNR, roaming events, and retry rates; adjust antenna aiming or channel width when links drift.
Quality & Certifications
- CE, FCC/IC, and RoHS compliance (typical for this series; region approvals may vary).
- UL/cUL listing; commonly used in Class I, Division 2 and ATEX Zone 2 applications (verify exact file for your project).
- Manufacturer warranty: 12 months (365 days).
If you’re building a stable wireless backbone for SCADA or moving assets, the ABB RLX2‑HNF strikes a practical balance between range, throughput, and installation simplicity. One thing I appreciate is how predictable it is once channels and antennas are set—less babysitting, more uptime.
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