Altronix AL400ULXPD8 Dual-Voltage Power Supply with Battery Charger
The Altronix AL400ULXPD8 is a selectable dual-voltage power supply and battery charger built for security infrastructure deployments where continuous power and autonomous backup are non-negotiable. It delivers 4A at 12VDC or 3A at 24VDC, with integrated automatic charging and switchover logic that keeps access control, alarm, CCTV, and intercom systems operational through AC mains failures. UL Listed construction confirms North American safety compliance for commercial and institutional installations.
Key Features
- Selectable 12VDC or 24VDC output: Match your system voltage without carrying two separate supplies — a real space and cost saver in tight cabinet installations.
- 4A @ 12VDC; 3A @ 24VDC maximum current: Supports moderate-load security devices (readers, locks, control panels, camera power modules, alarm repeaters) without strain. Verify your total draw before deployment.
- Integrated battery backup charging: No separate charger module needed. The AL400ULXPD8 automatically charges an auxiliary battery and switches to battery power on AC loss, keeping emergency egress locks and alarm supervision running.
- AC Fail supervision: The system receives real-time notification of mains power interruption, enabling alerting and logging of outage events.
- Low Battery monitoring: Prevents the supply from operating when the backup battery is depleted, avoiding false alarms and locking users out during extended outages.
- Battery Presence detection: Confirms a battery is connected and functional before relying on backup — eliminates the scenario where a missing or failed battery goes unnoticed.
- UL Listed safety certification: Meets UL standards for commercial security installations; required by code in many jurisdictions.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: Manufacturer defect coverage for the product lifespan; typical in the Altronix Altronix power supply catalog.
Integration & Compatibility
The AL400ULXPD8 pairs with access control panels, alarm control units, CCTV power distribution modules, and intercom systems that accept 12VDC or 24VDC input. The supervision outputs (AC Fail, Low Battery, Battery Presence) integrate into alarm and network video recorder supervision logic, enabling proactive alerts before backup capacity is exhausted. Access control power supplies in this category often include similar supervision features; confirm your control panel's voltage requirement and current budget before selection.
Deployment Context
Deploy the AL400ULXPD8 in unmanned or critical-uptime security locations — remote CCTV cabinets, access control closets, alarm stations, and intercoms in areas with unstable or intermittent AC power. The dual-voltage flexibility and battery supervision make it a practical choice for retrofit installations where voltage standardization is impossible. If you need guidance on power supply sizing and UPS selection, calculate total device current at your chosen voltage and confirm the supply capacity before installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What backup battery should I pair with the AL400ULXPD8?
A: The AL400ULXPD8 is designed for standard lead-acid or sealed lead-acid (SLA) backup batteries. Consult the datasheet or Altronix technical support for recommended battery capacities (Ah ratings) based on your load and desired backup runtime.
Q: Does the AL400ULXPD8 support 24VDC systems?
A: Yes. The output voltage is selectable via configuration — 12VDC or 24VDC. At 24VDC, maximum output is 3A (versus 4A at 12VDC).
Q: Can I use the AL400ULXPD8 for PoE camera power?
A: No. The AL400ULXPD8 provides 12VDC or 24VDC direct output, not Power over Ethernet. Use a PoE injector or PoE switch to power IP cameras. This supply is intended for non-PoE devices like access control readers, alarm panels, and intercom modules.
Q: What does 'AC Fail supervision' actually do?
A: The supply sends a signal (typically a relay contact closure or dry contact) to your alarm or control panel when AC mains power is lost. This enables your system to log the outage event and optionally alert building operators that the installation is running on battery backup.
Q: Is the AL400ULXPD8 UL Listed?
A: Yes. UL Listed certification confirms compliance with North American electrical safety standards and is often required by local building code for commercial security installations.
Q: What happens if the backup battery is not connected?
A: Battery Presence detection will signal the missing battery, typically alerting your control panel. The supply will not operate backup charging functions. Always confirm battery presence before relying on backup power.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I deploy the Altronix AL400ULXPD8 when a site needs continuous power and battery backup in a compact form factor. The selectable 12VDC / 24VDC design is a real advantage — you don't have to stock two separate supplies. The 4A @ 12VDC output is adequate for small-to-medium access control installations, alarm panels, and intercom systems, but you must calculate your actual load before committing.
Technical Highlights:
- Dual-voltage selection (12VDC @ 4A or 24VDC @ 3A): Flexibility across legacy and modern control panel installations without inventory duplication. Current derating at 24VDC is expected (inverse relationship to voltage step-up).
- Integrated battery charging and automatic switchover: No external charger or relay needed. When AC mains drop, the supply automatically shifts to battery power and the system keeps running. This is not a UPS-grade transition — verify your alarm panel tolerates the switchover timing.
- AC Fail, Low Battery, and Battery Presence supervision: Three independent monitoring signals give your control panel real visibility. AC Fail lets you log outages; Low Battery prevents false operation on a dead battery; Battery Presence catches missing batteries before a real power loss.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify your backup battery capacity (Ah) and runtime requirement before installation. The AL400ULXPD8 charges the battery but does not specify recommended capacity — that depends entirely on your load and how long you need to survive an outage.
- The 3A maximum at 24VDC is a real constraint if you have a 24VDC system with heavy load. Do the math: 3A × 24VDC = 72W total. A modern access control reader draws ~2–3W, so you have room for a control panel (~5–10W) and a couple of readers, but not much more without exceeding capacity.
- This supply is not a replacement for a full UPS or power distribution unit (PDU). If your site has dozens of cameras or large scale access control, you'll need a higher-capacity supply or a true UPS system.
The AL400ULXPD8 is a solid fit for remote CCTV power modules, small alarm stations, and retrofit access control cabinets where AC power is present but unreliable. It's not a big-facility workhorse — size your battery and load carefully, and confirm supervision integration with your control panel before going live.
