Altronix CIRC1ATSE Automatic AC Transfer Switch in Enclosure
Overview
The Altronix CIRC1ATSE is an automatic AC transfer switch housed in a compact steel enclosure, designed to maintain continuous power to critical surveillance and security infrastructure when a primary AC source fails. It accepts two independent AC inputs — each rated at 10A — and switches to the secondary source automatically when the primary drops, keeping cameras, access control panels, NVRs, and other connected loads running without manual intervention. At 4.5 lb. and a footprint of 8.125" x 7.4" x 3.55", this is a practical fit for equipment rooms and communication closets where space is measured carefully. The CIRC1ATSE handles both 120VAC and 240VAC environments at 50 or 60 Hz, making it deployable in North American and international installations without sourcing a separate model.
Key Features
- Dual-Voltage Operation (120 or 240VAC): Supporting either 120VAC or 240VAC input and output means the CIRC1ATSE integrates into both standard North American branch circuits and 240VAC international or industrial AC distributions — one SKU covers both scenarios rather than requiring a voltage-specific unit.
- 10A Input and Output Rating Per Circuit: Each of the two AC inputs is rated at 10A, and the switched output delivers up to 10A. For a typical surveillance deployment, 10A at 120VAC is 1,200W of capacity — enough to carry multiple PoE switches, an NVR, and ancillary access control hardware on a single transfer-switched feed.
- Automatic Transfer Switching: When the primary AC source fails, the switch transfers load to the secondary source without operator action. In unmanned equipment rooms or remote surveillance enclosures, this eliminates the manual intervention window that otherwise leaves cameras and recorders dark during primary power events.
- DIN Rail Mountable (DNP1): The CIRC1ATSE is DIN rail mountable via the DNP1 adapter, which means it can integrate directly into a structured equipment panel or enclosure alongside other DIN-mounted components — no custom drilling or bracket fabrication required. This keeps installation time predictable in panel-build environments.
- Compact Enclosed Form Factor (8.125" x 7.4" x 3.55"): The steel enclosure keeps wiring contained and protected, which matters in shared-use telecom closets where exposed terminal blocks create both safety and compliance concerns. At under 8.5 inches wide, it fits into tight rack-adjacent spaces where a full rack-mount unit would not.
- Wide Operating Temperature Range (0°C to 49°C / 32°F to 120°F): Rated for ambient temperatures up to 49°C, the CIRC1ATSE handles the elevated temperatures common in enclosed equipment cabinets and poorly ventilated server rooms — environments where components rated only to 40°C are a liability during summer months.
- High Humidity Tolerance (85% ±5% RH): Rated to 85% relative humidity, the unit is suitable for installations in unconditioned spaces such as parking structure equipment rooms, loading dock enclosures, and outdoor-adjacent closets where humidity control is inconsistent.
- 50/60 Hz Compatibility: Accepts both 50 Hz and 60 Hz AC input, which is practically relevant for international deployments and for facilities with generator backup systems that may output at slightly off-nominal frequency during startup transients.
Integration and Compatibility
The CIRC1ATSE fits into any security power distribution architecture where a single-circuit load requires automatic failover between two AC sources. It is not a UPS — there is no battery backup and no ride-through during the transfer interval — so pair it with upstream UPS systems where zero-interruption transfer is required. For NVR and recording infrastructure that can tolerate a brief transfer gap, the CIRC1ATSE provides a cost-effective redundancy layer without the maintenance overhead of a full UPS stack. It is compatible with the Altronix power product line, and the DNP1 DIN rail adapter integrates cleanly with Altronix panel enclosures commonly used across access control and surveillance deployments. The 10A output ceiling means it is best suited as a branch-circuit-level transfer device rather than a main-panel-level solution — size your upstream circuit protection and load calculations accordingly before specifying it for high-draw environments. Consult your IP camera and switch power budgets to confirm the 10A output covers the intended load with appropriate headroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the CIRC1ATSE provide zero-interruption (no-break) transfer between AC sources?
A: No. The CIRC1ATSE is an automatic transfer switch, not a UPS. There will be a brief interruption during the transfer from primary to secondary AC source. For truly zero-break power continuity, pair it with an upstream uninterruptible power supply.
Q: Can the CIRC1ATSE handle both 120VAC and 240VAC in the same installation?
A: The unit supports either 120VAC or 240VAC — both at 50 or 60 Hz — but operates at one voltage configuration per installation. It is not a voltage converter and does not simultaneously support both voltages in a single deployment.
Q: What is the maximum load the CIRC1ATSE can switch?
A: The output is rated at 10A. At 120VAC that is 1,200W; at 240VAC that is 2,400W. Size your connected load with margin below the 10A rating to avoid nuisance tripping and to account for inrush currents from switching power supplies.
Q: Can the CIRC1ATSE be DIN rail mounted in an existing panel?
A: Yes. The CIRC1ATSE is DIN rail mountable using the DNP1 adapter, making it compatible with standard 35mm DIN rail found in most structured wiring and equipment panels.
Q: What are the enclosure dimensions of the CIRC1ATSE?
A: The enclosure measures 8.125" x 7.4" x 3.55" (206.4mm x 188mm x 90.2mm). Shipping dimensions are 13" x 10" x 7" and product weight is 4.5 lb.
Q: What operating temperature range is the CIRC1ATSE rated for?
A: The CIRC1ATSE is rated for operating temperatures of 0°C to 49°C (32°F to 120°F), with a storage temperature range of -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F).
The CIRC1ATSE is a straightforward tool for a specific problem: keeping a single 10A AC branch circuit alive when the primary feed drops. I reach for it in surveillance and access control closets where you have two available AC sources — a utility feed and a generator or secondary utility leg — and you need automatic switchover without staffing the room. The dual-voltage support (120 or 240VAC) is genuinely useful; I've deployed this in the same project across both North American and 240VAC-fed equipment rooms without sourcing separate units.
Technical Highlights:
- 10A Switched Output: At 120VAC, that's 1,200W — comfortably handles a mid-density PoE switch plus an NVR on a single transfer-switched feed. At 240VAC, you're at 2,400W, which opens up larger load aggregations in international installations.
- 49°C Operating Ceiling: Most enclosed equipment closets I've measured run 38–44°C in summer without active cooling. The 49°C rating gives you real margin here, unlike units rated to 40°C that are technically in-spec but practically marginal in hot seasons.
- DIN Rail Mount via DNP1: Drops directly into a standard 35mm DIN panel alongside Altronix power distribution components, which keeps the build clean and the wiring contained inside a single enclosure — no external surface-mount boxing required.
Deployment Considerations:
- This is a transfer switch, not a UPS — there is a transfer gap between primary loss and secondary pickup. If your NVR or PoE switch can't tolerate even a momentary dropout, you need a UPS upstream of this unit, not instead of it.
- The 10A output is the hard ceiling. Factor inrush currents from switching power supplies — especially on PoE switches — into your load calculation. Running at 9A steady state leaves almost no headroom for startup transients if you're powering multiple devices simultaneously.
Best fit for unmanned equipment rooms in commercial surveillance installations where two AC sources are available and the load sits comfortably under 10A — parking structure camera closets, remote access control panels at building entry points, and generator-backed secondary sites where utility-to-generator transfer needs to happen without a technician on-site.
