Altronix AL400ULPD4 4-Output 12/24VDC Power Supply Charger
The Altronix AL400ULPD4 is a four-output regulated power distribution and battery charging platform designed for security infrastructure requiring simultaneous power management and backup capability. Input is standard 115VAC, output configurable as 12VDC or 24VDC, with 4A maximum current per output. This is the core power management tier for multi-circuit access control, door readers, and surveillance device networks where supervised power distribution and battery backup are non-negotiable.
Key Features
- Four independent regulated DC outputs: Allows you to segment power delivery across separate circuits — door locks, readers, and sensors run on isolated feeds, so a short on one circuit doesn't cascade to the others.
- Dual voltage operation (12VDC or 24VDC selectable): Configure once for your device architecture; most security hardware defaults to one or the other, so flexibility here avoids retrofit costs when integrating mixed-vendor systems.
- 4A maximum output current per supply spec: Enough headroom for a typical four-device load (door lock + reader + sensor + relay module). Know your per-device draw upfront; daisy-chaining will exceed this budget quickly.
- Integrated battery charging function: The AL400ULPD4 charges a backup battery simultaneously while powering live circuits, so if AC fails, critical access control remains active without manual intervention.
- AC Fail supervision detection: Real-time alert on mains power loss — no guessing whether your site is running on battery or grid.
- Low Battery voltage supervision: Prevents over-discharge of the backup battery, protecting battery lifespan and ensuring you don't run a critical load on a depleted cell.
- Battery Presence detection and status reporting: Confirms a battery is connected and healthy; missing or failed batteries are caught immediately rather than at the next power event.
Integration & Compatibility
The AL400ULPD4 fits into supervised security power architectures where you need centralized power management with battery backup. 115VAC input is standard in North American installations; check your incoming supply voltage before ordering if operating outside that region. Output voltage is set during installation and does not change without reconfiguration, so coordinate with your device documentation before wiring. Supervision outputs (AC Fail, Low Battery, Battery Presence) integrate into access control systems and security panels for event logging and automated response. Battery sizing is external — this unit charges whatever battery you provision, but battery capacity must be sized to your load and required runtime. Consult the datasheet for charge rate and current limits.
When to Choose a Different Model
If you need more than four outputs or higher current per output, look to larger capacity models in the Altronix power supply line. If your site has no AC power or requires DC input, the AL400ULPD4 is not suitable. If battery backup is not required, a simpler non-charging regulated power supply will reduce cost.
Deployment Considerations
Mount the AL400ULPD4 in an enclosure or DIN rail cabinet near the devices it powers. Ambient temperature and ventilation matter — confirm operating temperature range in your environment. Wire each output to its own circuit breaker or fused disconnect for maximum fault isolation. Test supervision functionality after commissioning to verify AC Fail and Low Battery detection work correctly before going live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum total output current from the AL400ULPD4?
A: The unit delivers 4A maximum per the specifications. If you distribute across all four outputs, ensure the sum of per-device current draws does not exceed 4A total.
Q: Can the AL400ULPD4 be configured for both 12VDC and 24VDC outputs simultaneously?
A: No. The unit is configured at installation for either 12VDC or 24VDC operation; it does not support mixed voltage outputs. Choose based on your downstream device voltage requirements.
Q: Does the AL400ULPD4 include a battery?
A: No. The unit includes the charging circuitry and supervision logic, but you must provide and size the backup battery separately based on your load and required runtime.
Q: What warranty covers the AL400ULPD4?
A: Lifetime Limited Warranty from the manufacturer.
Q: How do I integrate the AC Fail and Low Battery supervision signals into my security system?
A: Supervision outputs are contact closures or logic signals; connect them to your access control panel or monitoring station input according to their documentation. The AL400ULPD4 datasheet specifies signal type and voltage.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix AL400ULPD4 sits at the intersection of two critical security infrastructure needs: distributed power delivery and uninterrupted backup. I spec this unit when a site has multiple independent circuits — door locks, badge readers, magnetic sensors, relay modules — and cannot tolerate a single point of failure on the AC supply side. The four-output isolation and integrated battery charging eliminate the need for separate charger modules, which saves rack space and integration labor in medium-scale deployments.
Technical Highlights:
- Four independent regulated outputs at 4A maximum: Each output is isolated, so a fault on one circuit (short, overheat, device failure) does not starve the other three. This is critical in access control where a single failed door lock cannot cascade to readers or sensor hubs.
- Dual voltage configuration (12VDC or 24VDC): Eliminates the need to stock separate supplies for different voltage architectures. Set it once at commissioning, and you match your device platform without purchasing variants.
- Integrated battery charging with supervision: AC Fail, Low Battery, and Battery Presence detection mean you do not install blind backups. You know in real-time whether the system is on mains or battery, and you catch a missing battery before an outage occurs.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 115VAC input is fixed — confirm your site supply before ordering. International installations or sites with 240VAC require a step-down transformer or a different model.
- Battery sizing is your responsibility. The AL400ULPD4 charges whatever battery you provide, but undersizing the battery defeats backup capability. Calculate your total load, estimate required runtime (typically 24–48 hours for access control), and size accordingly.
- The 4A total budget is firm. If you plan to expand circuits later, verify headroom now; adding a fifth device after installation may exceed current capacity and require a second supply unit.
The AL400ULPD4 is the right choice for multi-circuit access control sites where AC mains are reliable but brief outages occur (HVAC startup, utility work, minor faults). It is not suitable for off-grid or unstable power environments, where you need UPS-class performance or dual AC input. For a mid-sized office building, warehouse, or campus installation with a central telecommunications closet, this is your core power management tier.
