Altronix MAXIMAL1RHDV Access Power Controller with 8 PTC Relay Outputs
Overview
The Altronix MAXIMAL1RHDV is a 2U rack-mount access power controller designed for international and 220VAC installations where you need independently switched, fire-alarm-integrated power distribution across up to eight access control devices simultaneously. It converts a 220VAC input (working range 198VAC–256VAC, 50/60Hz) into eight individually controlled 12VDC or 24VDC PTC-protected outputs — making it a practical fit for mid-size commercial deployments running mag locks, electric strikes, and door holders off a single centralized power source.
Unlike a basic power supply that simply delivers DC voltage, the MAXIMAL1RHDV actively manages each output: every channel responds to a dry-contact trigger (NO or NC, switch-selectable) from your access control panel, card reader, keypad, or PIR, and can be individually configured for Fail-Safe or Fail-Secure operation. That per-output configurability is what separates this unit from simpler distribution boxes — you can mix door types on a single chassis without compromising your egress strategy.
For the access control integrator working with Altronix power products, this unit also includes a battery charging circuit (sealed lead acid or gel type) and instantaneous AC failover — so a power interruption does not translate to an unlocked facility. Batteries are sold separately; the optional RE2 rack battery enclosure mounts adjacent in 2U of standard EIA 19" rack space.
Key Features
- 220VAC Input with Wide Working Range (198–256VAC): designed for regions and facilities operating on 220VAC mains — eliminates the need for a step-down transformer in international deployments or domestic 220V equipment rooms. The ±10% working range accommodates typical utility voltage sag without nuisance shutdowns.
- Eight Independently Controlled PTC Outputs: each of the eight outputs is auto-resettable via PTC fusing, so a single shorted mag lock or strike does not take down the other seven doors. Faults clear automatically once the overcurrent condition is resolved — no technician trip required to reset a blown fuse.
- 12VDC @ 4A or 24VDC @ 3A (Switch-Selectable): set the output voltage to match your hardware. Facilities using 24VDC mag locks can run three amps of aggregate load; those standardized on 12VDC get four amps. Maximum current per ACM8R-M output is 2A — keep individual door hardware loads within that ceiling when laying out your circuit.
- Fail-Safe and Fail-Secure Per Output: each channel is individually configurable for Fail-Safe (power loss = door unlocks) or Fail-Secure (power loss = door stays locked). This means a single MAXIMAL1RHDV can serve egress-critical doors and secure storage areas on the same chassis without compromise.
- FACP Interface with Latching/Non-Latching Fire Alarm Reset: connects directly to your fire alarm control panel via normally open or normally closed dry contact, or via polarity reversal from a FACP signaling circuit. Each output's fire alarm disconnect is individually selectable — not a global kill switch. Remote reset capability supports latching mode without a local technician present.
- Battery Backup with AC Fail Supervision: the integrated charger supports sealed lead acid or gel batteries with instantaneous failover on AC loss. AC fail supervision uses form C contacts with a notification delay selectable for 30 seconds (factory default) or 6 hours — useful for avoiding nuisance alerts during brief utility interruptions. Low battery and battery presence are also supervised via form C contacts.
- Removable Terminal Blocks with Locking Screw Flange: field wiring terminates on removable, locking terminal blocks, which significantly reduces commissioning and service time — you can pre-wire terminal blocks before the chassis is racked, and swap them without disturbing adjacent wiring during a service call.
- Individual Output Status LEDs on Front Panel: each channel has a dedicated status LED visible from the front of the rack. Troubleshooting an access control fault in a live rack is faster when you can see at a glance which output is active, faulted, or de-energized without opening a laptop.
- 2U Standard EIA 19" Rack-Mount Chassis: the 19.12"W × 3.25"H × 8.5"D chassis integrates into any standard 19" rack or enclosure. Allow a half-U above and below for ventilation. At 11.7 lbs the unit is manageable for a single installer during rack build.
- Illuminated Master Power Disconnect Breaker with Manual Reset: the front-panel circuit breaker gives you a clear visual indication of energized state and a safe, code-compliant means to de-energize the chassis during maintenance — important in any environment where lockout/tagout procedures apply.
- Thermal and Short-Circuit Protection with Auto Reset: in addition to per-output PTC fusing, the unit includes overall thermal protection that resets automatically — reducing the likelihood of a nuisance service call in warm equipment rooms.
Integration & Compatibility
The MAXIMAL1RHDV integrates with virtually any access control power supply ecosystem that uses dry-contact trigger inputs. Compatible trigger sources include access control system panels, card readers, keypads, push buttons, and PIR sensors — any device with a NO or NC dry-contact output. Output hardware support includes mag locks, electric strikes, and magnetic door holders operating on 12VDC or 24VDC. The FACP interface supports polarity reversal inputs from fire alarm signaling circuits, making integration with conventional FACP panels straightforward without additional relay modules. For battery backup, pair with Altronix's RE2 rack battery enclosure (sold separately) to maintain power continuity in a compact, rack-native form factor. If you are sizing a larger deployment, review the access control power distribution line for higher-channel or higher-amperage alternatives in the Maximal family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What input voltage does the MAXIMAL1RHDV require?
A: The MAXIMAL1RHDV requires 220VAC input with a working range of 198VAC to 256VAC at 50/60Hz, drawing 1.0A. It is not compatible with standard 120VAC North American circuits without a step-up transformer.
Q: Can each output be set to a different operating mode (Fail-Safe vs. Fail-Secure)?
A: Yes. Each of the eight outputs is individually configurable for either Fail-Safe or Fail-Secure operation, and the fire alarm disconnect is also individually selectable per output — so you are not forced to apply a single mode across the entire chassis.
Q: What is the maximum current per output channel?
A: The maximum current per ACM8R-M output is 2A. Total output current for the chassis is 4A at 12VDC or 3A at 24VDC. Plan your per-door hardware loads accordingly to stay within both the per-output and aggregate limits.
Q: Does the MAXIMAL1RHDV include batteries?
A: No. The unit includes a battery charger compatible with sealed lead acid or gel type batteries, with instantaneous failover on AC loss, but batteries are sold separately. Altronix's RE2 rack battery enclosure is the recommended companion for rack-native battery storage.
Q: What type of fire alarm interface does the MAXIMAL1RHDV support?
A: The FACP interface accepts normally open or normally closed dry contact inputs, as well as polarity reversal input from a fire alarm control panel signaling circuit. Each output's fire alarm disconnect is individually selectable for latching or non-latching mode, and remote reset is supported for latching mode.
Q: What is the warranty on the MAXIMAL1RHDV?
A: Altronix offers a lifetime warranty on the MAXIMAL1RHDV per the manufacturer's published warranty policy.
The MAXIMAL1RHDV is the unit I reach for on international facility projects or domestic sites wired for 220VAC distribution — the 198–256VAC working range is wide enough to handle real-world voltage variance without nuisance trips, and the eight independently triggered PTC outputs mean I can serve a full floor of doors from a single 2U chassis instead of stacking multiple smaller supplies.
Technical Highlights:
- Per-Output PTC Auto-Reset Fusing: a shorted strike or mag lock faults that channel only — the other seven stay live and auto-reset once the fault clears, which matters on a busy campus where you cannot afford a full-chassis lockout for one bad door.
- Dual-Voltage Output (12VDC/24VDC): running 24VDC gives you 3A aggregate; 12VDC gives you 4A. That difference is real when you are hanging heavier 24VDC mag locks — keep your individual door loads under the 2A-per-ACM8R-M ceiling or you will hit the per-channel limit before the aggregate.
- Individual FACP Fire Alarm Disconnect per Output: latching or non-latching mode is set per channel, and polarity reversal from a conventional FACP signaling circuit is a supported input — no external relay module needed to integrate with most commercial fire panels.
Deployment Considerations:
- The MAXIMAL1RHDV ships without batteries — budget for sealed lead acid or gel cells and the optional RE2 2U rack battery enclosure if runtime continuity is a project requirement. Altronix's instantaneous failover is only as useful as the batteries behind it.
- Ventilation clearance matters: Altronix specifies a half-U above and below the chassis. In a fully loaded 2U-dense rack, confirm you have that space before finalizing your rack elevation drawing — the 12VDC heat load runs approximately 25 BTU/Hr and 24VDC approximately 37 BTU/Hr, which is manageable but not zero.
This unit earns its place in a managed equipment room serving a multi-door commercial tenant fit-out on 220VAC infrastructure — particularly where the AHJ requires per-output fire alarm integration and you need mixed Fail-Safe/Fail-Secure door assignments on a single power chassis.
