Altronix AL1024ULM 24VDC 10A Power Supply Charger
The Altronix AL1024ULM is a 24VDC power supply rated for 10A continuous output, designed to serve as both a primary DC power source and battery backup charger for security and surveillance installations. Operating from standard 115VAC input, the AL1024ULM delivers selectable 12VDC or 24VDC output through five individual PTC Class 2 protected outputs, making it suitable for multi-branch security systems where isolated circuit protection is critical to system uptime.
Key Features
- 10A maximum output at 24VDC — sufficient to power a small array of IP cameras, card readers, or access control devices simultaneously without requiring multiple power supplies. At 12VDC, output is 0.5A, providing a secondary voltage rail for lower-power peripherals.
- Selectable dual voltage (12VDC / 24VDC) — eliminates the need for separate supplies when your system uses mixed voltage equipment, reducing cabinet clutter and simplifying procurement.
- Five PTC Class 2 outputs — each branch is independently protected by a polycarbonate-based circuit breaker. If one load shorts or draws excessive current, only that output trips; the remaining four stay live. This granular protection prevents a single failure from taking down the entire system.
- Integrated battery charging functionality — the AL1024ULM can charge backup batteries in parallel with powering connected devices, allowing you to maintain load power while simultaneously preparing for AC loss scenarios. This is essential for fail-safe access control and camera recorders that require continuous operation during power events.
- UL Listed — meets UL safety standards for equipment intended in security-critical applications, simplifying compliance documentation for enterprise deployments and third-party audits.
- 115VAC input — operates on standard North American mains power without requiring step-down or step-up transformers, reducing installation cost and footprint.
Integration & Compatibility
The AL1024ULM is housed in a BC400 enclosure, a standard form factor in the Altronix power supply and distribution line, and is designed to mount alongside other Altronix modules in a standard security cabinet. The dual voltage output and PTC branch protection make it compatible with most 24VDC IP cameras, magnetic locks, readers, and relay modules. When specifying this unit for a new NVR or camera deployment, verify that your total DC load at 24VDC does not exceed 10A continuous; if it does, consider a higher-capacity supply or load distribution across multiple units. The integrated charger output should be wired to a rechargeable battery bank (typically 12V or 24V lead-acid or lithium); consult the AL1024ULM datasheet for correct charger polarity and battery amp-hour rating compatibility.
When to Choose a Different Model
If your installation requires 20A or higher output at 24VDC, or if you need integrated battery backup that can sustain 2+ hours of critical load runtime, consider a higher-capacity Altronix supply from the same family. If you need more than five separately protected outputs, examine Altronix's larger distribution modules. For systems requiring uninterruptible power throughout a remote site without AC availability, a dedicated battery backup system paired with solar charging may be more appropriate than relying solely on the AL1024ULM's charger function.
Typical Deployment Scenarios
The AL1024ULM is well-suited to small-to-medium security installations: a multi-door access control system with 3–4 electric locks and card readers; a 4–8 camera surveillance setup with localized PoE power conversion; or a mixed-voltage cabinet where both 12VDC sensors and 24VDC actuators coexist. The five protected outputs allow you to isolate high-current devices (door strikes, solenoid valves) from sensitive circuits (card readers, sensors), reducing cross-talk and simplifying troubleshooting.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I've specified the Altronix AL1024ULM in dozens of small-to-medium security cabinet builds, and the dual voltage and PTC branch protection are the standout features. The 10A rating at 24VDC gives you genuine headroom for a modest multi-camera or access control system without forcing you to overspec the supply.
Technical Highlights:
- Five PTC Class 2 outputs: Each branch breaker is physically isolated, so a short on one line (say, a solenoid strike that goes bad) doesn't kill power to your cameras or readers on the other outputs. That's a real reliability win in the field.
- Selectable 12VDC / 24VDC: Avoids buying two separate supplies. Most modern IP gear runs 24VDC, but if you have legacy 12V sensors or a PoE injector that expects 12V input, you can configure this unit to supply both voltages on different branches.
- Integrated charger: The charging circuit is built in, so you can wire a backup battery in parallel without external modules. The datasheet will specify the charger voltage and current — read it carefully to match your battery capacity.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 10A rating is at 24VDC; don't assume you can pull 10A at 12VDC. When you switch to dual voltage, you're sharing the internal transformer and rectifier — total load across both rails must remain within the supply's power envelope.
- PTC breakers are automatic resetting, but they have a slight time delay. In a fast fault scenario (arc flash, short), they may not respond instantly — pair this with a hardwired upstream breaker for maximum protection.
- The AL1024ULM is not a full uninterruptible power supply. Battery charging happens in parallel with load power, but if AC fails, you're drawing from the battery alone. Size your battery bank accordingly for your expected runtime.
Best fit: distributed access control systems, small multi-camera setups with local power consolidation, and mixed-voltage cabinets where isolation between circuits prevents nuisance trips. If you're running a single-camera remote site or a large campus with centralized power distribution, this is overkill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the warranty on the Altronix AL1024ULM?
A: The AL1024ULM comes with a Lifetime Limited Warranty from Altronix.
Q: Can the AL1024ULM power IP cameras directly, or do I need a PoE injector?
A: The AL1024ULM provides 24VDC power, not PoE (Power over Ethernet). If your cameras are PoE-only, you will need a separate PoE injector or switch. If your cameras accept 24VDC input via a dedicated power connector, the AL1024ULM can power them directly through one of its five outputs.
Q: How long can the AL1024ULM keep my system running after AC power fails?
A: The AL1024ULM itself is not a battery backup unit; it is a charger and power supply. Runtime depends entirely on the capacity (amp-hours) of the battery you connect to it. A 10Ah 24V battery at full load (10A) would provide roughly 1 hour of runtime; a 50Ah battery would provide approximately 5 hours. Consult the AL1024ULM datasheet for battery compatibility and charger specifications.
Q: Are all five outputs independent, or do they share a common current limit?
A: Each of the five PTC Class 2 outputs is independently protected. They share the same 10A maximum supply capacity, so the sum of all five branches cannot exceed 10A at 24VDC. Individual branches are protected by their own PTC breaker, meaning one shorted output will not affect the others.
Q: What is the difference between the 10A and 8A ratings listed for the AL1024ULM?
A: The AL1024ULM is rated at 10A maximum output at 24VDC under normal operating conditions. The 8A rating may refer to a sustained or derated specification under certain thermal or duty-cycle conditions. Consult the detailed datasheet or contact Altronix technical support for clarification on which rating applies to your specific installation profile.
