Table of Contents
At a Glance
Wi-Fi access point enclosures must balance physical protection with RF performance, safety, environmental exposure and equipment compatibility. Oystashell®, Oberon and Altelix offer different enclosure designs to meet these requirements. The right choice depends on the access point, installation environment, mounting arrangement and required level of protection.
Comparing Wi-Fi Access Point Enclosures
Wi-Fi access points are usually installed in exposed or accessible areas because they need to provide coverage where people use the network. In healthcare, custodial, educational and public environments, this can leave the equipment vulnerable to impact, tampering and environmental exposure.
An enclosure needs to protect the access point without creating new problems for the wireless network or the people using the space. This makes the material, RF performance, physical security, safety considerations, environmental protection and compatibility important when comparing Wi-Fi access point enclosures.
Let’s compare the top 3 Wi-Fi access point enclosures based on these considerations, starting with the Oystashell Wi-Fi covers, followed by Oberon enclosures and Altelix covers for APs.
What Should You Look for in a Wi-Fi Access Point Enclosure
Select the enclosure based on the access point and the environment where it will be installed. Several factors contribute to the selection of Wi-Fi protective covers, so consider and ask:
- Impact protection – Can the enclosure protect the access point from accidental or deliberate physical damage?
- RF performance – Can wireless signals pass through the enclosure without significant interference?
- Tamper protection – Does the design restrict unauthorised access to equipment?
- Safety – Does the enclosure design regard potential ligature risks where relevant?
- Environmental protection – Is it suitable for indoor, outdoor or higher exposure conditions?
- Compatibility – Is it designed for the specific access point and its dimensions?
- Installations – Can it be mounted appropriately for the location while still allowing authorised maintenance?
1. Oystashell®
Oystashell Wi-Fi covers protect exposed wireless access points in healthcare, commercial, custodial, educational, industrial and public-facing environments. The range uses riot shield-grade polycarbonate and combines physical protection with RF transparency, anti-tamper and anti-ligature features.
Impact Protection and RF Performance
Oystashell uses 3mm riot shield-grade polycarbonate to protect against impact and tampering. The material is also RF transparent, so you don’t need to move the access point from its intended position to accommodate a protective enclosure. Oystashell Wi-Fi protective enclosures typically cause around 1dB of signal reduction at 24 GHz and 5 GHz, with negligible reduction at 6 GHz. This helps protect access points without significantly affecting their coverage.
Anti-Tamper and Safety Considerations
Oystashell covers use tamper-resistant security fixings to restrict unauthorised access while retaining controlled access for maintenance. Safety is paramount, as shown in the cover design, with smooth, sloping profiles reducing potential attachment points, making selected products suitable for environments where life-safety risk is part of the installation assessment. This matters in high-risk settings, where enclosures are assessed as part of the site’s overall risk assessment.
Access Point Compatibility
Oystashell offers covers for different wireless hardware configurations, including equipment from major manufacturers such as Cisco, Aruba, Meraki, Ruckus, Extreme and Ubiquiti. It also offers different formats for standard access points, constrained mounting locations and installations that require additional environmental protection. However, it’s best to confirm the exact access point model and installation conditions before selecting a cover.
Indoor and Outdoor Options
Oystashell offers indoor Wi-Fi covers and outdoor models designed to withstand moisture and changing weather conditions. For example, Oystashell 3 is designed for external and industrial installation, using a reinforced backplate and gasket-sealed construction to protect the access point from dust and moisture. Other models provide water-resistant protection where space or the access point configuration requires a different enclosure format.
Selecting the Right Oystashell Cover
If the appropriate model is not immediately clear, Oystashell provides a Product Selector tool to help you identify a suitable cover for your access point and installation requirements. For projects involving multiple access point types, restructured mounting locations, specific safety requirements or associated risks, this provides a more practical starting point than selecting an enclosure based on dimensions alone.
2. Oberon
Oberon provides environmental enclosures for wireless access points, including its Skybar range for indoor and outdoor applications. Its enclosures use polycarbonate construction and are designed to protect compatible access points from physical and weather exposure while allowing wireless signals to pass through. Selected models have a NEMA rating for installations requiring additional environmental protection.
The range also offers different mounting and access arrangements, including wall, ceiling, pole and under-seat options on selected models. Depending on the enclosure, features can include hinged access, latches and tamper-resistant screws. Compatibility varies between models, so enclosures must match the access point, antenna configuration and installation requirements.
Oberon’s range therefore focuses on protecting wireless infrastructure across commercial, public, industrial and outdoor environments, with environmental rating, equipment compatibility and mounting requirements guiding selection.
3. Altelix
Altelix provides RF-transparent enclosures for wireless equipment, including Wi-Fi access points and routers. Its range includes non-metallic enclosure options made from materials such as polycarbonate, ABS and fibreglass-reinforced polyester, depending on the product. This lets wireless equipment operate inside the enclosure while providing physical protection.
Outdoor and weather protection is another focus across selected Altelix models. These include weatherproof and NEMA-rated enclosures with features such as gasketed construction, cable glands and UV-resistant materials. Some enclosures also use locking screws or provide padlock options to restrict access after installation.
The range includes different enclosure sizes and mounting configurations, with wall and pole mounting available on selected models. The right product depends on the access point dimensions, environmental conditions and mounting options.
In Conclusion
No single enclosure configuration fits every Wi-Fi installation. The right choice depends on the access point and the risks that need to be addressed at that location.
For installations where physical protection and safety considerations are particularly important, look beyond basic enclosure size and consider how the material, design, mounting and access arrangement suit the environment. This helps ensure the enclosure provides the required protection while remaining right for the equipment and its intended use.