Altronix AL1024ULXPD16 16-Output 24VDC Power Supply
The Altronix AL1024ULXPD16 is a UL-listed, distributed power platform designed for multi-zone security and access control installations where reliable 24VDC must reach multiple loads across a facility. This unit accepts 115VAC input and delivers regulated 24VDC through 16 independently fused outputs, each capable of handling up to 10A — a practical capacity that translates directly to real-world deployments: one output can power a door strike and sensor pair; another drives a mag lock; a third feeds a remote camera power injector. Independent fusing on each output means a fault in one zone won't cascade through the entire system, keeping unaffected circuits live while you isolate and repair the problem.
Key Features
- 16 independently fused 24VDC outputs: Each output has its own fuse, so a short or overcurrent on one channel won't collapse the entire supply — a critical safeguard in large door control systems where a single wiring fault could disable an entire floor's access points.
- 10A maximum current per output: Each fused output can deliver up to 10A at 24VDC, supporting loads from standard door strikes (typically 0.5–1.5A) to heavier mag locks and auxiliary control circuits — check your specific locks' current draw, but 10A covers the vast majority of electronic access hardware without requiring a secondary supply per zone.
- Battery backup with AC Fail supervision: The unit monitors for mains failure and triggers battery backup, keeping critical access points energized during power loss — essential in life-safety applications where evacuation doors must remain functional during outages.
- Low Battery and Battery Presence monitoring: Built-in supervision detects low battery voltage and confirms battery presence, preventing silent failures where the backup battery has failed or been removed; integrates with your control panel's supervision loop so you know immediately if backup capacity is compromised.
- 115VAC input: Standard North American building wiring — no special service required, simplifying installation in retrofit access control projects.
- UL Listed certification: Compliance with UL standards provides code-approved status for security and fire alarm applications; required in many jurisdictions for systems controlling life-safety equipment like fire-door mag locks.
Integration & Compatibility
The AL1024ULXPD16 integrates with any 24VDC access control, lock, or camera power system using standard wiring practices. Distributed architecture means you can position outputs near their loads — reducing wire gauge requirements and voltage drop across long runs. Supervision outputs (AC Fail, Low Battery) connect to your control panel's input module, enabling automated alerting and conditional lockdown logic. The unit works equally well in standalone setups or as a supplemental power layer in larger systems relying on a central UPS.
When to Choose a Different Model
If you require higher per-channel current capacity (above 10A), you may need a larger industrial-grade supply in the Altronix power platform line, or you should evaluate load consolidation — using a dedicated 24VDC supply for particularly heavy circuits. If your facility requires 240VAC input (common in some regional codes), confirm input voltage options with the datasheet. If you need integrated battery charging with greater runtime capacity, consider a UPS module paired with the AL1024ULXPD16 rather than attempting over-spec'ing a single unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I parallel multiple AL1024ULXPD16 units for higher total current?
A: Paralleling power supplies requires careful load balancing and protection circuitry — consult the datasheet and contact Altronix technical support before attempting this. Most large installations use a primary supply plus a dedicated secondary or UPS module instead.
Q: What is the maximum wire run distance from the AL1024ULXPD16 to a remote door strike?
A: Voltage drop depends on wire gauge, current draw, and distance. At 10A over 100 feet, use minimum 10 AWG; for longer runs, calculate drop using Ohm's law or refer to a voltage drop chart in the datasheet. Remote power injectors or secondary 24VDC supplies at the device may be more practical for distant zones.
Q: Does the AL1024ULXPD16 include a battery?
A: The unit provides charging and supervision circuits for an auxiliary battery but does not ship with one included. You must procure and install a compatible 24VDC backup battery separately.
Q: Is the AL1024ULXPD16 NDAA Section 889 compliant?
A: Altronix is a U.S.-based manufacturer, but for specific NDAA compliance documentation on this model, consult the product datasheet or contact the manufacturer directly for current certification status.
Q: What supervision outputs does the AL1024ULXPD16 provide?
A: The unit provides three monitoring circuits: AC Fail (signals loss of mains power), Low Battery (indicates backup voltage is dropping), and Battery Presence (confirms a battery is connected). These connect to your panel's dry-contact input terminals.
Q: Can I use the AL1024ULXPD16 to power IP cameras?
A: Yes — any camera or PoE injector rated for 24VDC input can draw from the AL1024ULXPD16 outputs. Confirm your injector or camera accepts 24VDC unregulated output; some precision instruments require tighter tolerance. Each output is independent, so you can mix loads (locks, cameras, sensors) across the 16 channels.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix AL1024ULXPD16 is the standard choice for distributed 24VDC access control in mid-to-large facilities where you need reliable power at multiple zones without running heavy cable runs back to a central UPS. The 10A per-output rating is the sweet spot — sufficient for most lock and sensor combinations, yet conservative enough that voltage drop over 50–100 foot runs remains manageable with standard 12 AWG wire.
Technical Highlights:
- 16 independently fused outputs: Zone isolation is not optional in access control — a single shorted wire in one lock circuit must not disable ten others. Each fuse on the AL1024ULXPD16 acts as that isolation boundary, so technicians can swap a fuse on one channel while the rest of the system stays live.
- 10A continuous per channel: Door strikes and solenoid locks typically draw 0.5–1.5A during energization. Mag locks are heavier, often 1–3A. At 10A, you can safely power a strike-and-sensor combination per output without derating or worrying about marginal headroom — practical for real-world lock hardware.
- AC Fail + Low Battery + Battery Presence supervision: Three independent supervisory signals mean your control panel has complete visibility into power integrity. This is non-negotiable in life-safety applications: you need to know if backup capacity exists before the mains fails.
Deployment Considerations:
- The unit requires an external 24VDC backup battery — it does not ship with one. Budget for a compatible sealed lead-acid or lithium battery sized to your runtime requirements. A 7Ah battery provides roughly 2–3 hours of reduced load hold-up, depending on which locks remain energized during outage.
- 115VAC input is standard, but confirm your facility's service voltages before specifying. If you have 240VAC-only infrastructure, check with Altronix for alternate input models.
- Wire gauge matters over distance: a 10A load fed 100 feet away on 14 AWG will drop roughly 3–4V, leaving only 20–21V at the lock — often acceptable but tight. Use 12 AWG for runs over 50 feet to maintain headroom.
The AL1024ULXPD16 is your default platform for mid-sized access control rollouts — schools, office parks, light industrial facilities — where independent zone power and battery backup are non-negotiable but you don't yet need a full enterprise UPS infrastructure. Pair it with a 24VDC battery and standard access panel supervision, and you have a resilient, code-compliant backbone.
