Altronix AL176ULX Dual-Output Access Control Power Supply
The Altronix AL176ULX is a selectable 12/24VDC power supply purpose-built for access control system deployment. This unit accepts 115VAC 60Hz input and delivers a continuous 1.75A output — enough headroom for door locks, magnetic locks, and networked entry control modules without voltage sag. The AL176ULX ships in a compact BC300 enclosure (13.5" × 13" × 3.25"), fitting standard wall-mount or panel-mount installations where space is constrained but supervised power is non-negotiable.
Key Features
- Selectable 12VDC or 24VDC output: Configure once, no internal jumpers or modifications needed. This matters because 12V and 24V components often coexist in the same control cabinet; dual-voltage output eliminates the need for multiple supplies.
- 1.75A continuous current capacity: Sufficient for a magnetic lock (typically 0.5–1.2A) plus a card reader, door sensor, and request-to-exit device. Real-world deployments run 1–1.4A average, giving you headroom for transient spikes without nuisance brownouts.
- Integrated battery charging for backup: Accommodates up to two 12VDC/7AH sealed lead acid or gel-type batteries (sold separately). Battery backup duration depends on load — a locked-down mag lock draws roughly 1A, yielding ~7 hours of hold time on two 7AH packs. This is critical if your site needs failsafe hold during power loss.
- AC Failure and Low Battery Form C supervision contacts: Outputs a dry contact relay signal when AC input is lost or battery voltage drops below threshold. Direct integration with security panels and building management systems; no signal conditioning required.
- LED status indicators: Input voltage present and DC output powered status lights visible from the front of the enclosure. Removes guesswork during troubleshooting — you know instantly if AC is live and if the regulated DC rail is healthy.
- UL294 (Access Control), cUL CSA C22.2 No. 205-M1983, and MEA NYC Department of Buildings approval: Certifications confirm this unit meets North American electrical and building code requirements. Installation in NYC-regulated buildings requires MEA approval; the AL176ULX holds it, so no surprises at inspection.
- Signal Equipment Class 2 rated: Output circuits are low-voltage Class 2, meaning you can run DC wiring in the same conduit as data cables without isolation barriers — streamlines installation cost and routing complexity.
Integration & Compatibility
The AL176ULX pairs with standard access control panels (Honeywell, Salto, Assa Abloy, etc.) via the Form C supervision relay. Battery support enables graceful degradation during mains failure — locks remain energized long enough for backup power handoff or manual override. Mount in a 19" relay rack, wall cabinet, or standalone enclosure; the compact BC300 footprint adapts to tight installations. Input load is 0.6A at 115VAC, so a standard 15A branch circuit supports multiple supplies without circuit breaker nuisance trips.
Operating Environment
Rated for 0°C to 49°C (32°F to 120°F) operation. This range covers most indoor commercial spaces, but outdoor or unheated storage areas may exceed limits during extreme seasonal swings. Confirm your installation site stays within this window before specifying the AL176ULX; if ambient can drop below freezing or exceed 50°C, consider a fan-cooled or hardened enclosure variant.
Warranty
Lifetime Limited warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. Standard terms apply — does not cover physical damage, water ingress, or abuse. Register with Altronix for fastest claim processing if a unit fails in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if AC power fails and batteries are not installed?
A: The AL176ULX will immediately de-energize the DC output. If battery charging is disabled (no batteries present), the system relies entirely on AC mains. The Form C supervision relay will signal AC Failure to the panel. For failsafe door holds and continuity, batteries are mandatory in any deployment where access must persist during power loss.
Q: Can I daisy-chain two AL176ULX units for higher current capacity?
A: No — the AL176ULX is not designed for parallel or series operation. If you need more than 1.75A, specify a larger supply from the Altronix line (e.g., AL175UMX, AL176PD, or similar higher-amp variants). Check the Altronix catalog for models rated at 2.5A, 3A, or higher.
Q: Does the AL176ULX meet NDAA or TAA requirements?
A: The provided evidence does not include NDAA Section 889 or TAA compliance documentation. Contact Altronix or your distributor directly to confirm compliance for federal, state, or institutional procurement.
Q: What is the warranty period on the AL176ULX?
A: Lifetime Limited warranty. Coverage includes manufacturing defects and component failures under normal use. Physical damage, water damage, and misuse are excluded. Register your unit with Altronix for fastest support and claims processing.
Q: Can I configure the AL176ULX for 12V and 24V simultaneously on two separate circuits?
A: No — the output is selectable between 12VDC or 24VDC, not simultaneous dual-voltage. You choose one or the other at install time. Both outputs share the same 1.75A capacity, so you cannot split the load between two voltage rails.
Q: Are batteries included in the box?
A: No — batteries are sold separately. The AL176ULX includes the charging circuit and battery connectors; you supply two 12VDC/7AH sealed lead acid or gel-type batteries (your preferred AH rating, within the 12VDC constraint).
Jerry TildsenPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix AL176ULX is a workhorse for access control cabinet power in buildings where failsafe door locks are non-negotiable. I spec this unit because it's bulletproof on the certification side — UL294 and NYC MEA approval remove permitting friction — and the 1.75A capacity handles real-world lock clusters (mag lock + reader + sensor + RTE) without voltage sag. The selectable 12/24VDC output is also underrated; many integrators overlook this, then discover their cabinet has mixed 12V and 24V devices and have to add a second supply. The AL176ULX solves that upfront.
Technical Highlights:
- Form C supervision relay with AC Failure and Low Battery signals: Direct integration with Honeywell, Salto, or any panel that reads dry-contact relay status. No signal conditioning or expensive modules — just wire the contacts to the panel's alarm input and you get instant notification when mains drops or battery voltage decays. That notification can trigger automatic lock retraction, alarm dispatch, or manual override procedures.
- 1.75A @ selectable voltage: A typical mag lock (Assa Abloy, HES, etc.) draws 0.5–1.2A depending on solenoid type and coil design. Two locks, a reader, a sensor, and a door operator can exceed 1.5A. The AL176ULX sits at the edge of that envelope; it won't choke, but it leaves minimal margin. If your load estimate is above 1.5A, escalate to a 3A or 5A supply in the same family.
- Two 12VDC/7AH battery support: Dual 7AH packs yield 14AH total. A locked mag lock (0.5–1.2A draw) runs roughly 11–28 hours on 14AH. Most building codes require a minimum 24-hour hold on failsafe locks during power loss; two 7AH batteries get you into that zone if your load is light. If you need 24+ hours with heavier draw, specify larger batteries or a dual-supply backup scheme.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 0–49°C operating window is standard for commercial indoor HVAC spaces. Confirm your cabinet is climate-controlled; unheated mechanical rooms or outdoor enclosures may violate this spec in winter or summer extremes. If ambient can swing outside that range, add a thermostat-controlled fan or move to a hardened variant.
- Input load is 0.6A at 115VAC — innocuous on a 20A branch circuit, but rack multiple supplies (or pair with other cabinet equipment) and you'll draw 2–3A aggregate. Run a 20A circuit dedicated to power supplies if density is high, not a shared general-purpose outlet.
- The AL176ULX does not provide surge suppression or transient filtering on the AC input. If your site is prone to lightning strikes or utility power glitches, add an external UPS or SPD (surge protective device) upstream — the battery charging circuit is relatively delicate and can fail under repeated voltage spikes.
Deploy the AL176ULX in mid-size access control cabinets serving 2–4 mag locks or electromechanical strikers in commercial buildings, retail, or light industrial facilities where 24-hour battery backup is mandated. Skip this model if you need more than 1.75A continuous current; instead, look at higher-amperage variants in the Altronix power supply line or consider a redundant dual-supply architecture.
