Altronix AL600ULX 12/24VDC 6A Power Supply Charger
The Altronix AL600ULX is a selectable 12/24VDC power supply and integrated battery charger rated at 6A continuous output. Housed in a compact BC300 enclosure, the AL600ULX delivers the voltage flexibility that access control, camera, and emergency lighting installations require without forcing you to stock multiple SKUs. Choose 12VDC or 24VDC via internal jumper configuration before installation — no external controls, no field reconfiguration complexity.
Key Features
- Dual-Voltage Selection (12VDC or 24VDC): Internal jumper lets you match whatever voltage your door readers, locks, or sensors demand. Single unit covers both legacy 12V and modern 24V deployments — reduces spare-parts inventory and simplifies procurement for mixed-voltage sites.
- 6A Continuous Output: Sufficient headroom for typical access control clusters. A single AL600ULX can power multiple door strikes, badge readers, and auxiliary relays without undersizing. Do the math: at 12VDC, you get 72W total; at 24VDC, 144W. Most single-door systems land well under 3A.
- Automatic Battery Backup & Instantaneous Transfer: When AC fails, the AL600ULX switches to battery power with no perceptible delay. Your door locks stay energized and your alarm remains armed through a power outage. Supports sealed lead acid and gel-type chemistries — both common and cost-effective.
- Integrated Supervision Outputs: Built-in AC Fail, Battery Fail, and Battery Presence signals let you trigger local alarms or remote alerts the moment power or battery health changes. No external monitoring relays needed.
- UL Listed, CSFM & MEA Approved: Meets North American electrical codes and California Fire Marshal requirements. If your jurisdiction mandates CSFM for emergency backup power, this unit clears that hurdle without additional certification overhead.
- BC300 Enclosure & Standard Mounting: Compact metal housing fits DIN rail or direct wall mounting. Takes up minimal cabinet space and integrates neatly into existing panel infrastructure.
Integration & Compatibility
The AL600ULX works in any access control or security system that uses standard 12VDC or 24VDC-rated hardware. Connect your AC line to the power input, wire the positive and negative DC rails to your devices, and attach a sealed lead acid or gel battery to the backup terminals. The supervision outputs (AC Fail, Battery Fail, Battery Present) wire to your alarm panel or monitoring system's input terminals — no special drivers or software required. Use this unit as the central power and backup engine for access control power supplies and emergency systems in small to mid-size deployments.
When to Choose a Different Model
If you need more than 6A continuous output, look for higher-capacity variants in the Altronix power supply line — typically rated at 10A, 12A, or higher. If your application requires 48VDC or a non-standard voltage, you'll need a specialized unit outside the AL600ULX family. For installations without battery backup requirements, a basic AC-to-DC converter may cost less, but you lose the instantaneous failover protection and supervision signals.
Typical Deployments
- Access Control Entry Points: One AL600ULX per door cluster (badge reader, strike, exit button, request-to-exit sensor). The 6A budget covers most single-door configurations with margin.
- Backup Power for IP Cameras: In locations where continuous operation is mandated, the AL600ULX powers a small camera or camera hub through a power outage. Gel batteries can sustain 4-8 hours depending on current draw.
- Emergency Lighting & Alarm System Power: Local fire codes often require battery backup for egress lighting and alarm signaling. The AL600ULX, paired with an appropriate battery, fulfills that requirement cost-effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I change the voltage after installation?
A: Yes, but only via internal jumper adjustment. You cannot field-swap voltage with a switch or relay — you must open the enclosure and move the jumper. Plan your voltage choice during design.
Q: What battery types work with the AL600ULX?
A: Sealed lead acid (SLA) and gel-cell batteries are supported. AGM batteries are a subset of SLA and will work. Lithium batteries require a different charger.
Q: How long will battery backup sustain power?
A: Duration depends on battery capacity (Ah) and the load current. A 12Ah battery powering a 2A draw at 12VDC will deliver roughly 6 hours. Your system integrator must calculate this based on actual device consumption.
Q: Is the AL600ULX approved for use in California fire-alarm systems?
A: Yes — CSFM approval is included, meaning it meets California Fire Marshal requirements for emergency backup power in monitored systems.
Q: Can I daisy-chain multiple AL600ULX units for higher current?
A: No. Each unit is independent. For higher total capacity, specify a higher-amperage power supply from the Altronix catalog instead.
Q: Do I need a separate relay card to wire the supervision outputs?
A: No. The AC Fail, Battery Fail, and Battery Presence outputs are integrated; they wire directly to alarm panel inputs, LED drivers, or bell circuits.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix AL600ULX hits a real deployment sweet spot: it's a single-box answer to the "do I stock 12V or 24V?" question that plagues small-to-mid-range access control and emergency backup projects. The 6A rating is honest — you won't squeeze a datacenter-scale system into it, but for a typical door cluster or small camera backup scenario, you get genuine redundancy without paying for overkill capacity.
Technical Highlights:
- Dual-Voltage Jumper (12/24VDC): One unit covers both legacy and modern voltage standards. At 12VDC you get 72W output; at 24VDC, 144W. Means a single SKU serves mixed-voltage sites and reduces spare-parts complexity on service calls.
- Instantaneous Battery Transfer: Zero-delay switchover keeps power flowing to door strikes and alarm circuits through an outage. Paired with a properly sized SLA or gel battery, you get hours of hold-up time, not minutes.
- Integrated Supervision Signals: AC Fail, Battery Fail, and Battery Presence outputs eliminate the need for external monitoring relays. They wire directly to alarm panel inputs or bell drivers — one less card to buy and wire.
- UL, CSFM & MEA Approval: Clears North American code inspection on the first pass. CSFM especially matters if your installation touches California fire-alarm or life-safety systems.
Deployment Considerations:
- Voltage Is a Pre-Installation Choice: You cannot swap 12/24VDC in the field with a simple switch — it's a jumper inside the enclosure. Lock down your voltage requirement during design phase, not during cutover. A wrong choice means opening the cabinet or swapping the whole unit.
- 6A Headroom Is Real but Not Infinite: Add up your strike amperage, reader standby draw, and relay loads carefully. Most single-door systems run 2–3A, leaving you safe margin. But a loaded multi-reader cabinet or a high-draw electronic lock can push you close to the limit — no second chances once you hit 6A.
- Battery Sizing Determines Backup Duration: The AL600ULX is the charger; *you* choose the battery capacity (Ah). A 7Ah SLA gives you maybe 2–3 hours at full load; a 17Ah costs more but delivers 8+ hours. Work backwards from your hold-up requirement.
Position the AL600ULX in single-door or small multi-reader access control clusters, local emergency lighting systems, and low-bandwidth camera backup deployments where CSFM compliance and cost-effective redundancy matter more than maximum amperage.
