Altronix EFLOW102NX8DV 12VDC 10A 8-Output Fire Alarm Interface Power Supply
Overview
The Altronix EFLOW102NX8DV is an 8-output, 12VDC at 10A distributed power supply engineered for international surveillance and access control deployments running on 220VAC mains. Designed around a Fire Alarm Interface (FAI) architecture, it cuts power to all eight protected outputs the moment a fire alarm event is detected — a code-critical function for door-hold-open and electric locking hardware that must fail-safe on alarm. If you're specifying power for an internationally sited facility with fire integration requirements, the EFLOW102NX8DV belongs on your short list before you finalize the design.
This unit fits within the broader Altronix power distribution catalog, specifically the EFLOW family built for high-capacity distributed power in commercial and enterprise environments. For integrators sizing a surveillance and access control power supply, the EFLOW102NX8DV handles the full 10A budget across eight individually PTC-protected circuits — which means a shorted device on one run won't cascade into a system-wide outage.
Key Features
- 220VAC Input (198–256VAC, 50/60Hz): Accepts the international mains standard with a wide ±15% tolerance window, so voltage sag events common in industrial or overseas grid environments won't drop the unit offline or damage downstream devices. The 50/60Hz dual-frequency acceptance means the same SKU deploys in both 50Hz European/Asian grids and 60Hz North American export facilities without a separate transformer.
- 12VDC at 10A Total Output: Delivers the full 10A budget across eight circuits — enough headroom to power eight camera or access reader loads simultaneously without throttling any single run. An additional 1A auxiliary output is available for ancillary low-draw devices, keeping your primary circuit budget clean.
- 8 PTC-Protected Outputs: Polymeric PTC (resettable) overcurrent protection on each of the eight outputs self-resets after a fault clears, eliminating the need to physically replace blown fuses during a service call. For multi-building or hard-to-reach installations, this is a meaningful maintenance advantage over fuse-based distribution boards.
- Fire Alarm Interface (FAI) — Disconnect on Alarm: The defining feature of this model: all eight outputs shut down on fire alarm activation. For installations with electrified door hardware (mag-locks, electric strikes) required to de-energize on alarm per NFPA 101 or local life-safety codes, this is the compliance mechanism. Without FAI-capable power distribution, you either need relay modules at every door or a separate disconnect panel — both add cost and failure points.
- Sealed Lead Acid / Gel Battery Charging: Onboard charger supports both SLA and gel battery chemistries, so the backup battery choice isn't locked to a single vendor or cell type. Size your battery bank to the runtime requirement; the charger handles the float cycle automatically.
- Five-LED Status Indication Panel: Dedicated indicators for AC Fail, Battery Fail, Battery Presence, AC Input active, and DC Output active give a technician instant triage visibility at the enclosure without pulling a laptop or meter. AC Fail and Battery Fail are the two indicators that matter most during a service call — both are discrete here.
- CE Compliance: CE marking confirms the unit meets EU electromagnetic compatibility and low-voltage directive requirements, which is the baseline documentation required for customs clearance and installation approval in EU member states and many CE-adopting markets.
Integration & Compatibility
The EFLOW102NX8DV is designed for integration with surveillance power distribution systems and access control panels where fire alarm interlock is a design requirement. The FAI input wires directly to a fire alarm control panel (FACP) supervised output; consult your FACP manufacturer's documentation for contact rating compatibility. The eight 12VDC outputs are suitable for IP cameras, analog cameras, card readers, REX devices, and other 12VDC-nominal security hardware within per-circuit current limits.
Battery backup integration uses standard SLA or gel cells — the charger circuit maintains float charge automatically. For larger installations requiring higher channel counts or 24VDC output, review the broader Altronix EFLOW line for matched enclosure and channel configurations. When planning your PoE network infrastructure alongside this unit, note that 12VDC direct-wire devices and PoE devices can coexist on the same installation — they draw from separate power domains, so this supply handles only the non-PoE, direct-wire load.
Physical installation fits the standard EFLOW XL enclosure at 4.50 × 12.25 × 15.50 in, weighing 9.7 lbs — rack or wall-mountable depending on the enclosure configuration. Plan conduit routing accordingly; the XL form factor accommodates battery backup hardware inside the same enclosure cavity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What input voltage does the EFLOW102NX8DV accept, and is it compatible with European 220VAC mains?
A: Yes. The EFLOW102NX8DV accepts 198–256VAC at 50 or 60Hz, which covers standard European, Asian, and other international 220VAC grid environments with voltage tolerance for typical sag conditions.
Q: How does the Fire Alarm Interface (FAI) function on this unit?
A: When a fire alarm signal is received at the FAI input, the EFLOW102NX8DV cuts power to all eight 12VDC outputs simultaneously. This is the standard mechanism for de-energizing electric locking hardware (mag-locks, electric strikes) on alarm, as required by life-safety codes such as NFPA 101 for egress compliance.
Q: Can I use both SLA and gel batteries with the EFLOW102NX8DV?
A: Yes. The onboard battery charger supports both sealed lead acid (SLA) and gel battery chemistries, giving you flexibility in battery sourcing and replacement without requiring a charger change.
Q: What happens if one output circuit is shorted or overloaded?
A: Each of the eight outputs is individually protected by a resettable PTC (polymeric positive temperature coefficient) device. A fault on one circuit trips only that circuit's PTC; the remaining seven outputs continue operating. The PTC resets automatically once the fault is cleared — no fuse replacement required.
Q: Is the EFLOW102NX8DV CE certified for EU installations?
A: Yes. The unit carries CE marking, meeting EU electromagnetic compatibility and low-voltage directive requirements. This is the baseline compliance documentation needed for installation approval in EU member states and many CE-adopting markets.
Q: What does the auxiliary 1A output provide, and how should it be used?
A: The auxiliary 1A output is a secondary power tap intended for low-draw ancillary devices — such as a control panel status indicator or a small sensor — that you want powered independently of the main eight-circuit load. It keeps your primary 10A budget available for security hardware loads.
The EFLOW102NX8DV is the right answer when a project calls for international-voltage power distribution with life-safety integration baked in at the panel level rather than bolted on with relays. The 198–256VAC input range is the detail that often gets missed during overseas project spec reviews — that 15% tolerance window is the difference between a supply that rides through grid events and one that trips out and generates a nuisance alarm at 2am.
Technical Highlights:
- 10A / 8-Output PTC Architecture: Distributing 10A across eight individually PTC-protected circuits means a single shorted camera or reader run is self-contained — it trips its own resettable device, the other seven outputs stay live, and the tech resets it without opening the enclosure to swap fuses. That's the spec that matters on a 64-camera, multi-building installation.
- Fire Alarm Interface Disconnect: All eight outputs de-energize on FAI activation — that's the code path for mag-lock and electric strike compliance under NFPA 101 egress requirements. Integrating this at the power supply level eliminates the per-door relay approach and the associated wiring complexity.
- Five-Indicator LED Panel: Separate discrete indicators for AC Fail, Battery Fail, Battery Presence, AC Input, and DC Output mean a technician can triage the supply status in under five seconds at the enclosure. On a 220VAC international site where a translator may be in the loop, unambiguous visual indicators are a practical advantage.
Deployment Considerations:
- Wire the FAI input to a supervised output on your FACP — verify the contact rating on your specific panel before connecting. The EFLOW102NX8DV's FAI input must see the correct signal type; an unsupervised dry contact wired incorrectly can result in nuisance disconnects or a failure to trip on alarm.
- At 9.7 lbs and 15.50 inches tall, the XL enclosure is a two-person mount in most wall installations — plan the rough-in accordingly and confirm the wall substrate can support the weight with a fully loaded battery inside the enclosure.
This unit is purpose-built for international corporate campuses, embassy or government facilities, and manufacturing sites operating on 220VAC infrastructure where local fire code requires power de-energization at door hardware on alarm. If your project fits that profile, the EFLOW102NX8DV delivers the FAI function and the 10A/8-circuit distribution capacity without requiring a separate disconnect panel.
