Altronix AL175ULX Dual-Output Access Control Power Supply/Charger
The Altronix AL175ULX is a dual-output power supply and battery charger purpose-built for access control systems requiring flexible voltage selection and supervised power distribution. Operating from standard 115VAC, 60Hz mains, the AL175ULX delivers 1.75A continuous maximum per output across two independent Class 2 rated circuits—enough capacity for mid-scale multi-door locks, readers, and strike hardware with battery backup. This is a compliance-first design: UL 294 listed for access control, CSFM approved for fire-rated installations, and NYC Department of Buildings compliant, which matters if you're deploying in jurisdictions with specific code requirements.
Key Features
- Selectable 12VDC or 24VDC output: Choose voltage at install time based on your lock and reader hardware—no field redesign needed if you later swap brands. Both rails stay isolated, so you aren't forced into a one-size-fits-all deployment.
- Two independent Class 2 rated circuits: Class 2 safety certification means low-voltage, low-energy distribution. Each output can be supervised and independently monitored, critical if one door's power fails and you need the system to know about it immediately.
- 1.75A per output, continuous: Sufficient for a typical 2–4 door installation with electric strikes and card readers. If you're pushing beyond that, plan for a secondary supply or step up to a higher-capacity model in the Altronix line.
- Battery backup and charging integrated: The supply includes charging circuits—no external charger needed. When AC fails, backup batteries take over automatically. This is table stakes for life-safety access control, but the AL175ULX handles it onboard.
- AC fail supervision circuit: The supply monitors mains presence continuously. If AC drops, the system signals a fault condition to your access control panel. Prevents silent failures where the backup battery drains unnoticed.
- Fire alarm disconnect function: In a fire event, the system can cut power to magnetic locks, allowing emergency egress. This is a code requirement in many jurisdictions and the AL175ULX provides the switching logic onboard.
- BC300 form factor (13.5″ × 13″ × 3.25″): Standard Altronix industrial enclosure. Fits into 19″ rack rails or mounts on a standard wall. Industrial-grade steel chassis handles rough warehouse and mechanical room environments without corrosion issues.
- 115VAC input, 0.6A draw: Low inrush current. Won't stress a shared office or warehouse electrical circuit, and the supply runs cool (0°C to 49°C operating range) so no ventilation fuss in a tight equipment closet.
Integration & Compliance
The AL175ULX holds UL 294 (Access Control Equipment) listing, CSA C22.2 No. 205-M1983 certification, and CSFM approval for fire-rated applications. NYC Department of Buildings and MEA approval rounds out municipal compliance. If your project requires documented adherence to access control safety standards—especially in multi-tenant commercial or healthcare facilities—this certification chain is already validated. You skip the cert headaches.
Lifetime Limited Warranty covers the power supply hardware. No consumables; the battery is user-supplied and replaceable, so you manage that lifecycle separately based on your backup runtime requirements.
When to Choose a Different Model
If you need more than 1.75A per output or more than two independent circuits, consider a higher-capacity Altronix power supply in the same family. If your application requires 48VDC (less common in access control, but used in some large electric strike systems), check Altronix's 48V line. If you need to split a single power budget across four or more doors without a second supply, step up to a four-channel unit.
Real-World Deployment Note
The dual-output, dual-voltage flexibility makes the AL175ULX a good hedge against equipment swaps. Buy it once, deploy it with 24VDC strikes, and if you later migrate a door to a legacy 12VDC reader, one output stays available. Battery runtime depends entirely on your choice of backup battery—the AL175ULX charges whatever you wire in, but don't assume 8 hours of holdover without doing the math: capacity in amp-hours ÷ load in amps = runtime. Plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use both 12VDC and 24VDC outputs simultaneously on the AL175ULX?
A: No. The output voltage is selectable at install—you set it to either 12VDC or 24VDC for both circuits. Both outputs deliver the same voltage; you cannot split one to 12V and one to 24V. Each output is independent in terms of current (1.75A max per rail), but voltage is a single selection.
Q: What backup battery does the AL175ULX require?
A: The supply accepts standard rechargeable lead-acid or sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries—typically 12V or 24V units depending on your voltage selection. Battery is not included; you specify capacity (amp-hours) based on the runtime you need (strike power consumption × desired holdover time in hours). Check the datasheet for connector and terminal specifications.
Q: Is the AL175ULX suitable for outdoor installations?
A: No. Operating range is 0°C to 49°C (32°F to 120°F). For outdoor deployments, the power supply itself must be housed in a heated/cooled cabinet or enclosure. The supply is rated for dry indoor environments.
Q: Does the AL175ULX work with standard 115VAC only, or can it accept 230VAC input?
A: Input is 115VAC, 60Hz fixed. It does not support 230VAC or international 50Hz mains. Verify your mains voltage before purchase.
Q: How much current does the AL175ULX draw from AC mains?
A: 0.6A maximum. Low inrush; it won't trip a standard 20A branch circuit and plays well on shared office/facility power.
Q: Is the AL175ULX NDAA Section 889 compliant?
A: No NDAA or Section 889 compliance statement is provided in the product documentation. Altronix power supplies are not typically marketed with NDAA compliance. If federal procurement applies to your project, verify directly with the manufacturer before quoting.
Jerry TildsenPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I've deployed the AL175ULX across a range of small-to-medium access control jobs, and it earns its place in my standard spec list. The dual-circuit, dual-voltage design solves a real problem: lock and reader hardware from different vendors often don't share voltage requirements, and the AL175ULX lets you hedge that bet at install time without throwing away a power supply later.
Technical Highlights:
- 1.75A per output, two independent circuits: Real-world: a 12VDC solenoid strike draws roughly 0.5–0.8A when energized; a card reader pulls 0.2–0.4A standby. You can comfortably run two full doors (strike + reader + supervisor) on a single output. Push beyond that and voltage sag becomes visible—plan a second supply if you're at five doors or more.
- Class 2 safety isolation: Each circuit is individually supervised. If one door's reader shorts or a wire gets pinched, you get a fault alert without taking down the second circuit. In a multi-tenant building, that isolation is a code win.
- AC fail supervision built in: The supply monitors mains 24/7. When AC drops (brownout, outage, tripped breaker), the supervision circuit triggers immediately—your panel knows about it without waiting for backup battery voltage to stabilize. That's the difference between a graceful failover and a silent lockout.
- Fire alarm disconnect logic onboard: Hard-wired relay for emergency egress. When the fire panel signals, strikes drop instantly. No software dependency; it's relay logic, so it works even if your controller is offline.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 115VAC mains input is US-only, 60Hz fixed. If your facility runs 230VAC or is on a different frequency standard, the AL175ULX won't help—you'll need a step-down transformer or a different supply entirely. Check your mains first.
- The operating temperature range (0°C to 49°C / 32°F to 120°F) is tighter than industrial standard. A boiler room in summer or an unheated garage in winter can push beyond that. If your equipment closet isn't climate-controlled, account for it.
- Battery is customer-supplied; the AL175ULX only charges whatever you wire in. Runtime = battery amp-hours ÷ total load in amps. I've seen jobs where a 7Ah battery gives only 30 minutes of holdover because nobody did the math. Do the math first, size the battery, then buy the supply.
Position the AL175ULX for access control systems requiring supervised dual-door power distribution with battery backup in commercial buildings, warehouses, or multi-unit facilities where code compliance (UL 294, CSFM, NYC DoB) is non-negotiable. If you're wiring up a single-door reader closet in a small office, it's overkill. If you're building out a 4+ door lobby with fire-rated egress requirements, the AL175ULX's compliance certifications and built-in supervision logic justify the cost over cheaper single-rail supplies.
