Unifi NanoHD on concrete ceiling - which box to provide?

Hello everyone,

I am wondering what type of box I should best provide in the precast concrete ceiling to install the WLAN access point (planned is Unifi NanoHD, possibly also initially the already existing Access Point AC Pro) as easily as possible on the ceiling (no suspended ceiling).

The architect suggests a HaloX 180, but that seems a bit overkill to me. Especially if - at least in the long run - the NanoHD should go on the ceiling, which has a diameter of only 16cm and therefore probably does not fully cover the HaloX or its mineral fiber panel.

Is it possible to install a "normal" flush-mounted box in such a precast concrete ceiling (apparently from Dennert, if that is relevant)? I imagine that one could then accommodate the CAT installation cable, keystone, and a short patch cable there, and then install the access point above it. Is that enough space?

Are there any better solutions?

Thank you very much in advance!

We took the 180mm box. Depending on whether you have other flush-mounted boxes aligned, I would rather choose too big than too small. So that there is some play. Our flush-mounted boxes were not installed that precisely, and I was glad to have some play. It won’t be much cheaper with a regular flush box either. If you want, you can recess the Nano up to halfway in a larger box.

Does it have to hang from the ceiling? We place our APs on the wall just below the ceiling. Maybe that's easier/better?

We place our APs on the wall just below the ceiling.

We do the same, with a sufficiently large device box at the top of the wall. And conveniently, the screw hole distances of the device box matched the nanoHD, so I didn't even have to drill for the installation. Just had to pinch a small corner for the cable into the plastic mounting bracket.

The antennas of the nanoHD are optimized for ceiling mounting. For wall mounting, I would go for the In-Wall.

The antennas of the nanoHD are optimized for ceiling mounting. For wall mounting, I would go for the In-Wall.

Exactly for this reason (orientation of the antennas) I also want to put it on the ceiling!

If you want, you can recess the Nano halfway into a larger box.

Wouldn't that affect the radiation of the antennas if half of the access point is inside the ceiling?