Altronix AL175X220 Dual-Output 12/24VDC Power Supply

Altronix AL175X220 Access Control Power Supply Charger

Overview

The Altronix AL175X220 is a dual-output switching power supply and charger engineered for access control systems and fire alarm panel integration applications. Converting 220VAC 50/60Hz input into two individually PTC-protected auto-resettable outputs, the AL175X220 delivers reliable power and battery charging in a compact, DIN-rail mountable enclosure. This unit is rated for continuous operation at 1.75A per output and supports sealed lead acid or gel-type battery backup for failover scenarios. The AL175X220 provides instantaneous battery switchover upon AC loss and supports supervised latching or non-latching fire alarm disconnect with Form C contacts.

Key Features

• Dual PTC-Protected Outputs: Two individually protected power-limited outputs eliminate the need for external circuit breakers and provide automatic reset upon fault clearance
• Selectable Voltage Output: Field-configurable 12VDC or 24VDC output accommodates diverse access control and auxiliary power requirements
• 1.75A Continuous Rating: Delivers sufficient current capacity for controllers, strike locks, and supplementary devices in medium-to-large deployments
• Integrated Battery Charger: Charges up to two 12VDC/7AH sealed lead acid or gel batteries for uninterrupted operation during AC power loss
• Short Circuit and Thermal Overload Protection: Dual fail-safes prevent damage to connected equipment and provide predictable shutdown behavior
• Fire Alarm Integration: Supervised Form C contacts with latching or non-latching configuration enable integration with fire alarm control panels
• Wide Input Voltage Range: Operates reliably across 198VAC to 256VAC, accommodating international supply variations and brownout conditions
• Redundant Output Configuration: Fail-safe/fail-secure lock output (switched) and auxiliary power output (unswitched) provide independent circuits for critical and non-critical loads
• Compact DIN-Mount Design: 13.5" H × 13" W × 3.25" D enclosure fits standard panel installations with minimal footprint
• Low Power Dissipation: Thermal output of 11 BTU/Hr at 12VDC and 22 BTU/Hr at 24VDC reduces cooling requirements in enclosed cabinets
• Input Status Indication: LED indicator confirms AC input voltage presence for quick visual diagnostics
• Powered Trigger Input: Dedicated trigger input supports external alarm or monitoring integration

Integration & Compatibility

The AL175X220 serves as a backbone power platform for access control systems requiring battery backup and fire alarm supervision. Its dual-output architecture supports separation of fail-safe lock control (switched output) from auxiliary devices like door sensors and card readers (unswitched output), eliminating cross-load interference and simplifying wiring. The fire alarm disconnect supervision with Form C contacts provides direct integration with life-safety panels, allowing monitored shutdown during emergency conditions. AC failure failover is instantaneous—no delay or conditioning—ensuring that battery-backed devices maintain operation immediately upon AC loss. The powered trigger input accommodates external alarm signals, enabling system-wide notification during power or fault events.

Technical Specifications

Input: 220VAC, 50/60Hz, 0.3A (working range 198VAC–256VAC)

Output Voltage: 12VDC or 24VDC (field selectable)

Output Current: 1.75A continuous maximum per output

Output Protection: PTC auto-resettable, short circuit and thermal overload protected

Battery Support: Accommodates up to two 12VDC/7AH sealed lead acid or gel batteries (sold separately)

AC Failure Response: Instantaneous battery failover

Fire Alarm Supervision: Form C contacts, latching or non-latching

Physical Dimensions: 13.5" H × 13" W × 3.25" D (342.9mm × 330.2mm × 82.55mm)

Shipping Dimensions: 15" H × 13.875" W × 4.75" D (381mm × 352.4mm × 120.6mm)

Weight (Product): 8.4 lbs (3.81 kg)

Weight (Shipped): 9.4 lbs (4.26 kg)

Operating Temperature: 0°C to 49°C (32°F to 120°F)

Storage Temperature: –20°C to 70°C (–4°F to 158°F)

Relative Humidity: 85% ±5%

Thermal Output: 11 BTU/Hr (12VDC), 22 BTU/Hr (24VDC)

Ted Perry

Perspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.

I have specified the Altronix AL175X220 across multiple medium-scale access control retrofits and new installations. This supply charger delivers the reliability and feature depth that integrators expect when designing systems that cannot tolerate power loss. The dual PTC-protected outputs and 1.75A continuous rating provide sufficient headroom for controllers, electrified locks, and auxiliary devices without undersizing, and the selectable 12/24VDC output removes the need to stock multiple SKUs.

Technical Highlights:

• Instantaneous Battery Failover: Upon AC loss, the AL175X220 immediately transfers to battery power with no delay or voltage dip, critical for fail-secure lock control and uninterrupted reader operation
• Integrated Fire Alarm Supervision: Form C contacts with latching/non-latching configuration allow direct integration with fire alarm panels, enabling coordinated emergency shutdown without additional relays or modules
• Dual-Circuit Output Architecture: The switched fail-safe/fail-secure output can be isolated from the unswitched auxiliary output, preventing nuisance trips when auxiliary loads spike
• Wide Input Tolerance: 198–256VAC operating range handles international supply variations and protects against nuisance resets during brownout conditions common in older buildings

Deployment Considerations:

• Battery selection is critical—verify that 12VDC/7AH sealed lead acid or gel batteries are sized for your runtime requirements and backup load profile before shipment
• The PTC auto-reset protection means nuisance short circuits will recover automatically; verify that downstream wiring is fully inspected to prevent repeated fault cycles
• The 1.75A continuous rating assumes both outputs are loaded equally; if one output carries sustained load greater than 1.75A, derate or add a secondary supply
• Thermal output of 11–22 BTU/Hr is modest but will accumulate in fully loaded outdoor cabinets; ensure adequate enclosure ventilation or cabinet cooling in high-ambient installations

The AL175X220 is a dependable, spec-complete platform for access control systems where battery backup and fire alarm supervision are non-negotiable. Its compact form factor, dual-output redundancy, and automatic protection make it a solid choice for integrators planning long-term support.