ABB RLXIB-IHW-A – Industrial 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi Hotspot for Reliable Plant Networking

The RLXIB-IHW-A is part of ProSoft Technology’s RadioLinx Industrial Hotspot family, designed to bring robust 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.11b/g wireless to factory floors, outdoor yards, and utility sites. From my experience, this model is a straightforward choice when you need a hardened access point/bridge/client that transparently moves industrial Ethernet traffic (EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, PROFINET, and others) without extra protocol trickery. You might notice it often shows up in ABB and other OEM systems, which is why it’s frequently referenced alongside ABB equipment.

One thing I appreciate is how flexible the RLXIB-IHW-A is in topology—AP, client, or repeater—so you can start small and scale coverage as your plant grows. In many cases, PoE power and extended temperature support make cabinet design and deployment a lot cleaner, especially in brownfield sites.

Company’s Order Placement Process and Guarantees

• Warranty period: 365 days
• Delivery time: 1 week for in-stock; no more than one month at the latest
• Payment: 50% advance payment, full payment for delivery
• Express delivery: FedEx, UPS, DHL

Key Features

• Industrial 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi (802.11b/g) – Suited for brownfield sites where 2.4 GHz range and penetration are still preferred. Typically used as AP, client, or repeater.
• Transparent bridging for PLC networks – Moves common industrial Ethernet protocols without special configuration, which simplifies mixed-vendor lines.
• Rugged power options – 10–28 VDC input or IEEE 802.3af PoE, making cabinet wiring and retrofit work more flexible.
• Extended temperature operation – In most cases supports −40 to +75 °C, fitting outdoor cabinets and warm MCC rooms.
• Strong security – WPA2/802.11i with 802.1X options for plants that align with corporate IT policies.
• Simple management – Web-based configuration and status pages; typically supports site survey and signal diagnostics for faster commissioning.
• Flexible mounting – Usually DIN-rail or panel mount inside a control cabinet; external antenna options help when the radio must stay enclosed.

Technical Specifications

Note: The RLXIB series has multiple enclosure and antenna variants. The IHW suffix is generally associated with 2.4 GHz b/g operation; the “‑A” variant is commonly supplied for industrial cabinet deployments.

Related or Supporting Products

• RLXIB-IHN-A – 802.11n (2.4/5 GHz) Industrial Hotspot. Offers higher data rates and dual-band flexibility; a typical upgrade path when interference is heavy on 2.4 GHz.
• RLX2-IHN – Newer‑generation Industrial Hotspot with enhanced roaming and security; often chosen for larger, multi-AP cells.
• Industrial 2.4 GHz antennas – Omnidirectional or directional (N-type or RP‑SMA, depending on enclosure), for cabinet or mast mounting.
• PoE injector (802.3af) – Useful when a PoE switch isn’t available in the field panel.
• DIN‑rail surge protectors – Improves resilience in areas with high EMI or outdoor cable runs.

Installation & Maintenance

• Environment & cabinet – Place in a ventilated control cabinet meeting industrial standards; avoid mounting near VFDs or high-current busbars when possible.
• Antenna placement – From my experience, a short, low‑loss coax run and line‑of‑sight give the most reliable links. Keep antennas above obstructions and away from metalwork.
• Power & grounding – Use a clean 24 VDC supply or PoE. Bond the cabinet and follow a single-point ground to reduce noise.
• Network planning – Channel and power planning matters. In most cases, pick non-overlapping 2.4 GHz channels (1/6/11) and lock AP power lower indoors to limit co‑channel interference.
• Wiring – Use shielded industrial Ethernet (STP) where practical. Keep Ethernet and RF cables separated from power conductors.
• Routine maintenance – Quarterly check of antenna connectors, RSSI logs, and error counters; update firmware during planned downtime. A quick dust clean and verification of cabinet temperature pays off.
• Field note – A maintenance lead at a metals plant told us they swapped aging point‑to‑point links for RLXIB‑IHW units and cut troubleshooting time by half because the web UI made RF issues obvious.

Quality & Certifications

• CE and FCC approvals for radio equipment; IC compliance for Canada
• UL/cUL, typically suitable for Class I, Div 2 hazardous locations (check exact variant)
• RoHS compliant manufacturing
• Manufacturer’s standard warranty is typically 1 year; our supplied units carry a 365‑day warranty