Can you install multiple devices inside an iWAP hazardous area wireless enclosure?

Yes, multiple devices can be installed inside an iWAP hazardous area wireless enclosure. But a successful deployment depends on more than available space.

Heat output, airflow, power requirements, antenna positioning, device compatibility, and hazardous area safety all need to be reviewed before the design is approved. In practice, multi-device iWAP deployments should be engineered carefully rather than treated as a standard installation.

This flexibility is becoming increasingly important as industrial sites digitalize and extend connectivity into hazardous environments. More operators want to connect workers, assets, sensors, and mobile systems in real time. That often means using more than one wireless technology in the same hazardous area.

An iWAP wireless enclosure can help support this approach. However, it must be designed as a complete system.

Why multi-device deployment matters

Process industries are using wireless technology to improve:

• Worker safety
• Asset tracking
• Real-time visibility
• Predictive maintenance
• Operational efficiency
• Mobile worker connectivity.

A single wireless enclosure may need to support several technologies, including:

• Wi-Fi for wireless networking
• Bluetooth for short-range sensing and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) tags
• LTE (Long-Term Evolution) or private 5G for cellular connectivity
• LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) for low-power IoT (Internet of Things) sensor data
• UHF RFID (Ultra High Frequency Radio Frequency Identification) for asset tracking and inventory
• Industrial IoT gateways for connecting sensor and machine data.

For more background on these options, read our guide to wireless technology used in hazardous areas.

Combining devices in one engineered wireless enclosure can reduce the amount of infrastructure installed in the hazardous area. Additionally, it may simplify maintenance and reduce the number of separate assemblies on site.

However, every extra device adds another layer of design consideration. Each item has its own heat output, power demand, mounting requirements, antenna connections, and integration behavior.

That means the final layout needs to be practical for both the equipment and the installer.

Heat management

Every electronic device produces heat. No device is 100% efficient. Wasted energy is usually released as heat inside the enclosure.

In a hazardous location, this matters for two main reasons:

• Equipment performance
• Ignition risk.

If internal temperatures rise too high, devices may become unreliable or fail early. More importantly, the external surface temperature of the enclosure must stay within the certified limits for the hazardous area.

This is where ambient temperature rating and T-class become crucial. An ambient temperature rating defines the surrounding temperature range the equipment can safely operate in.

The inside of an enclosure can be significantly hotter than the outside environment. Think of an oven, the handle may be warm while the inside is much hotter. In hazardous area design, the concern is making sure no part of the equipment becomes hot enough to act as an ignition source in explosive atmospheres.

For multi-device deployments, the total heat rise must be reviewed. This helps confirm that the equipment remains safe and reliable in the intended ambient conditions.

Free space and airflow

Physical fit is only part of the design.

Devices need space around them so heat can disperse. A tightly packed layout can restrict airflow and trap heat. It can also make installation and maintenance more difficult.

A good multi-device layout should consider:

• Clearance around each device
• Cable routing
• Access to terminals and connectors
• Serviceability
• Internal airflow
• Antenna position
• Safe mounting locations.

Devices should not simply be placed wherever there is spare space. For example, installing a device at the bottom of an enclosure may seem practical on paper. But it could make the device difficult to access in the field.

For flameproof enclosure designs, internal layout can also affect pressure behavior. Narrow internal channels can create pressure piling (rapid pressure buildup). This can magnify pressure during an internal explosion event.

That is why enclosure layout must be reviewed from both a practical and hazardous area safety perspective.

For more on this wider design approach, read Design Principles Behind Hazardous Area Wireless Connectivity: iWAP107 and iWAPXN3 Explained.

Device selection and compatibility

Selecting the right devices is just as vital as selecting the right wireless enclosure for long-term deployment success.

Each device may have different:

• Voltage requirements
• Current requirements
• Heat output
• Operating temperature limits
• Mounting needs
• Antenna requirements
• Firmware restrictions.

Compatibility also needs to be checked.

For example, a Bluetooth gateway and an LTE modem may physically fit inside the same wireless enclosure. But that does not guarantee the gateway firmware will support that modem. Some manufacturers restrict third-party hardware. Others may only permit approved accessories.

There is also the risk of cross-technology interference. Two separate wireless devices may not have been designed to operate side by side. Their antennas, frequencies, or operating behavior could interfere with each other.

This is especially important when combining multiple radio technologies in one enclosure.

Antenna configuration

Antenna layout can have a major impact on the final enclosure design.

The best antenna position for wireless performance may limit where devices can be mounted internally. In some cases, RF (Radio Frequency) performance, thermal behavior, cable routing, and service access all need to be balanced.

For additional guidance, our blogs on antenna selection and hazardous area antennas are useful supporting resources.

Key antenna questions include:

• How many antennas are needed?
• Which technologies are being supported?
• Where should antenna ports be positioned?
• Are separation distances required?
• Will antenna cables affect internal layout?
• Does the device require external antenna connections?

Considering these points early helps avoid redesign later on in the project.

How iWAP Hazardous Area Enclosures enable flexible deployment

The iWAP range is designed to help customers deploy wireless hardware safely in hazardous areas.

Solutions such as the iWAP107 and iWAPXN3 are vendor and technology agnostic. This means they can support a wide variety of wireless devices when correctly engineered.

Typical technologies used for industrial wireless communication include:

• Wi-Fi access points – wireless network access for mobile devices, tablets, and industrial applications.
• Bluetooth gateways – connectivity for BLE sensors, tags, and short-range asset tracking.
• LoRaWAN gateways – long-range, low-power connectivity for IoT sensors and remote monitoring.
• Private LTE or 5G radios – dedicated cellular networks for high-capacity industrial communications.
• UHF RFID readers – radio frequency identification for asset tracking, inventory, and inspection workflows.
• Industrial IoT gateways – devices that collect and transmit sensor or machine data for digital applications.

Standard iWAP offerings are usually optimized around one radio device. However, with engineering input, designs can be expanded for more complex multi-device applications.

This flexibility facilitates the wider digitalization of hazardous area operations. It helps operators extend wireless infrastructure into areas where real-time data can improve safety, visibility, and efficiency.

Final checks before deployment

Before specifying a multi-device iWAP enclosure, it is worth asking the following questions:

• How many devices are required?
• What does each device need to do?
• What is the heat output of each device?
• What are the voltage and current requirements?
• Is there enough space for airflow?
• Can installers access all key components?
• Are antenna requirements fully understood?
• Could the devices interfere with each other?
• Are firmware or hardware restrictions known?
• Does the final design support the hazardous area classification?

The main point is simple: a multi-device iWAP enclosure should be designed as a complete system, not assessed as individual components placed inside a box.

When the enclosure, devices, antennas, power, and service access are considered together, the result is more robust and easier to deploy in the field.

To learn about planning beyond the enclosure itself, read our guide to hazardous area wireless network deployment.

Speak to a hazardous area wireless specialist

For multi-device iWAP requirements, we can help assess the application and develop an enclosure configuration that supports safe, reliable hazardous area wireless connectivity.

Explore your options with our online configurator: Wireless Enclosure Configurator.

About the Author

ST

Simon Taylor

Configured Products Manager

Simon specializes in the testing, certification, and compliance of wireless enclosures, ensuring strategies that remain both innovative and Ex-safe. He has a deep passion for industry standards and isn’t afraid of a good compliance debate. Known for quickly identifying the critical path in complex projects, he brings clarity, confidence, and real value to his team and customers.

Last updated on August 4, 2026

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