Altronix WAYPOINT17A8U 8-Output Outdoor CCTV Power Supply
Overview
The Altronix WAYPOINT17A8U is a hardened outdoor AC power distribution unit engineered specifically for CCTV installations that require centralized, fuse-protected power across multiple camera runs. Housed in a NEMA 4/4X, IP66-rated enclosure, it delivers eight independently fused 24VAC or 28VAC outputs capable of sustaining up to 7.25A or 6.25A of total current — enough headroom to drive a full complement of cameras, IR illuminators, and pan-tilt mechanisms from a single distribution point. If you're commissioning a parking structure, a loading dock perimeter, or an industrial yard where cameras are scattered across a wide footprint, the WAYPOINT17A8U eliminates the need for individual power adapters at each camera location and brings fault isolation down to the per-output fuse level. Explore the full Altronix power distribution line for companion products in this family.
Key Features
- Dual Voltage Output (24VAC / 28VAC): Field-selectable between 24VAC at 7.25A maximum and 28VAC at 6.25A maximum. The 28VAC option compensates for voltage drop on longer cable runs — a real factor when cameras are 300–500 feet from the power source. Select 28VAC and let resistance eat the margin rather than starving the camera.
- Eight Independently Fused Outputs (5A/32V): Each of the eight outputs carries a 5A/32V fuse, so a shorted or failed camera load trips only that branch. You keep seven cameras live while you troubleshoot the eighth — critical for 24/7 monitored sites where a full power-down isn't acceptable.
- NEMA 4/4X, IP66-11 Enclosure: NEMA 4X means corrosion-resistant construction in addition to the waterproof and dust-tight sealing of NEMA 4. IP66 confirms protection against powerful water jets. Install it on a pole, a wall, or inside a utility cabinet in a wash-down environment — the enclosure handles all three. See the full range of outdoor power supplies if this footprint doesn't match your panel layout.
- Wide Operating Temperature Range (-40°C to 60°C on 24VAC output): At 24VAC/7.25A, this unit is rated down to -40°C — meaningful in cold-climate deployments like outdoor parking garages in northern climates or unheated storage yards. The 28VAC/6.25A configuration extends the upper limit to 70°C, which matters in desert or rooftop installations where enclosure interior temperatures climb in summer.
- Universal AC Input (115VAC / 230VAC): Auto-selectable input accepts either 115VAC at 2.0A or 230VAC at 1.0A, 50/60Hz. International deployments and sites running 230VAC circuits don't require a separate transformer or model variant — one SKU serves both grid voltages.
- Individual Per-Output LED Indicators + Illuminated Master Switch: Each output has its own LED, so a technician can walk up to the enclosure and immediately identify which branch is live or faulted without a multimeter. The illuminated master power switch confirms at a glance whether the unit is energized — useful during night-time maintenance.
- NDAA and TAA Compliant: The WAYPOINT17A8U carries NDAA Section 889 compliance alongside TAA, making it a valid procurement item for federal installations, government facilities, and any project where supply-chain compliance is a bid requirement. UL (UL60950-1 and UL60950-22), cUL, CE, and BAA listings round out the compliance stack for domestic and international projects. For projects requiring NDAA-compliant camera infrastructure, pair with NDAA-compliant IP cameras.
- 230VA System Input Requirement: Total AC input demand is 230VA. Verify that the circuit breaker or UPS feeding this unit is sized appropriately — a 15A/115VAC branch circuit has ample headroom at 2.0A draw, but confirm the panel has capacity if you're stacking multiple power distribution units on the same circuit.
- Compact, Pole- and Wall-Mountable Form Factor (11.31"W x 13.31"H x 5.59"D): At 13.45 lbs (6.1 kg) product weight, the enclosure is manageable for a single-technician install on a pole or exterior wall. Optional PMK1 pole mount kit and WG1 NEMA-rated wire gland inlets are available accessories for clean, weatherproof cable entry. For guidance on designing a distributed camera power architecture, consult a camera power planning guide.
Integration & Compatibility
The WAYPOINT17A8U is designed as a drop-in upgrade path — it directly replaces the WayPoint17A4U, WPTV244175UL, and WPTV248175UL models, which simplifies retrofit projects where an existing Altronix outdoor power supply is being swapped out for higher output count or updated compliance certifications. The unit powers any 24VAC or 28VAC CCTV camera, PTZ drive, IR illuminator, or compatible accessory within the per-output 5A fuse ceiling. It does not provide DC output or PoE — for IP camera deployments requiring 802.3af/at PoE, pair the WAYPOINT17A8U with analog cameras or combine with a separate PoE switch for IP devices on the same site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the WAYPOINT17A8U NDAA Section 889 compliant?
A: Yes. The WAYPOINT17A8U carries verified NDAA compliance, making it eligible for federal and government installations subject to Section 889 supply-chain restrictions. It also holds TAA and BAA compliance.
Q: What is the warranty on the WAYPOINT17A8U?
A: Altronix provides a Lifetime Warranty on the WAYPOINT17A8U, as listed in the manufacturer's documentation.
Q: Can the WAYPOINT17A8U be used in extremely cold outdoor environments?
A: Yes. When configured for 24VAC output at 7.25A, the operating temperature range extends down to -40°C (-40°F). At 28VAC/6.25A, the lower limit is also -40°C, with the upper end raised to 70°C. The NEMA 4X enclosure provides corrosion resistance alongside weatherproofing.
Q: Does the WAYPOINT17A8U accept both 115VAC and 230VAC input?
A: Yes. The unit accepts 115VAC at 2.0A or 230VAC at 1.0A, 50/60Hz — a single SKU that works on either grid voltage without modification.
Q: How are faults isolated on the eight outputs?
A: Each output is protected by an individual 5A/32V fuse. A fault or short on one camera run blows only that output's fuse, leaving the remaining seven outputs unaffected. Per-output LED indicators make it straightforward to identify the affected branch.
Q: What accessories are available for the WAYPOINT17A8U enclosure?
A: Altronix offers the PMK1 Pole Mount Kit for outdoor pole installations, WG1 NEMA-rated wire gland inlets for weatherproof cable entry, and the LOCK1WP padlock for enclosure security.
The WAYPOINT17A8U is the unit I spec when a project has eight or more analog cameras spread across a large outdoor area and the design can't tolerate individual wall-wart failures scattered across the site. The -40°C lower operating limit on the 24VAC output is the spec that often seals the decision — most competing units are only rated to -20°C or -10°C, and that gap matters the moment you're quoting a job in Minnesota or Alberta.
Technical Highlights:
- Dual Voltage Selection (24VAC / 28VAC): The 28VAC option at 6.25A total is specifically valuable on long wire runs — voltage drop across 300+ feet of 18-gauge wire can push a 24VAC nominal feed down below camera operating minimums. Running 28VAC from the source lets you absorb that drop and still arrive at the camera within spec.
- Per-Output 5A/32V Fusing: Eight discrete fuses mean a short or failed camera load is isolated in seconds — no hunting through a shared fuse for the whole unit. In a monitored installation, you stay at seven cameras while you clear the fault. That's the correct behavior for any life-safety or loss-prevention application.
- NEMA 4X / IP66 Enclosure: NEMA 4X adds corrosion resistance that NEMA 4 alone doesn't guarantee — relevant on coastal sites, chemical plant perimeters, or anywhere wash-down cleaning is routine. The 11.31" x 13.31" x 5.59" footprint is compact enough to mount to a pole stub with the PMK1 kit without requiring a concrete pad.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 230VA total AC input draw means this unit pulls 2.0A on a 115VAC circuit. If you're stacking two WAYPOINT17A8U units on the same 15A branch, you're at 4.0A — well within limits — but confirm the panel has two available slots and the circuit isn't shared with high-inrush loads like compressors or lighting ballasts.
- The WAYPOINT17A8U does not supply DC or PoE. It is strictly an AC distribution unit. Mixing it into an IP camera deployment requires a separate PoE switch for the IP devices — don't assume the 24VAC output is interchangeable with 24VDC that some legacy cameras require. Verify camera voltage type before wiring.
This unit earns its place on perimeter camera systems at industrial facilities, cold-storage warehouses, transit yards, and outdoor commercial lots where eight AC-powered cameras need centralized, compliance-verified, fault-isolated power in a single weatherproof enclosure — and where the -40°C rating isn't a marketing footnote but a real operational requirement.
