Altronix AL802ULADA NAC Power Extender 24VDC 8A

Altronix AL802ULADA NAC Power Extender

Overview

The Altronix AL802ULADA is a voltage-regulated remote NAC (Notification Appliance Circuit) power extender designed to expand fire alarm system capacity and provide auxiliary power to support system accessories. Operating from 120VAC input at 4A, the AL802ULADA delivers regulated 24VDC output suitable for any 24-volt Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP). This unit is UL864 listed for control units and accessories in fire systems, meeting the stringent safety and performance requirements demanded by security integrators, fire protection contractors, and facility managers.

Primary applications include NAC circuit expansion with ADA compliance support and auxiliary power distribution to fire system peripherals. The AL802ULADA can be configured as either two (2) Class A outputs or four (4) Class B outputs, providing flexibility for diverse notification appliance circuit topologies. The unit features dual NC dry contact trigger inputs rated at 8–30VDC with 6.5mA maximum draw from the FACP, allowing integration with standard fire alarm panels without excessive load.

Key Features

• Dual Configuration Support: Operates as 2 Class A or 4 Class B NAC outputs, accommodating both conventional and addressable fire alarm architectures
• 24VDC Power-Limited Output: Supplies 8A maximum total alarm current with 2.5A maximum per individual output, sufficient for horn/strobe synchronization and notification appliance operation
• 1A Auxiliary Output: Dedicated auxiliary power circuit for supporting system accessories and monitoring devices independent of primary NAC circuits
• Multi-Protocol Sync Mode: Supports Potter/Amseco, Gentex®, System Sensor®, and CooperWheelock® synchronization protocols; includes Temporal Code 3, Steady Mode, and Input-to-Output Follower Mode to coordinate audible (horn) and visual (strobe) notification appliances
• Filtered and Regulated Outputs: Voltage regulation maintains consistent 24VDC delivery; integrated filtering protects downstream notification appliances from supply noise
• Thermal and Short-Circuit Protection: Auto-reset protection maintains circuit supervision and prevents cascading failures in multi-output configurations
• Output Loop Supervision: Steered to Input 1 or Input 2 with signal circuit trouble memory to identify intermittent loop problems and enable rapid diagnostics
• Ground Fault Detection: Integral ground fault monitoring with common trouble input and output for external trouble signal integration
• Programmable Supervised Indicating Circuit: Compatible with 12VDC or 24VDC fire panels, providing vendor-agnostic integration across legacy and modern FACP systems
• Battery Charging Support: Accommodates sealed lead acid or gel-type batteries (sold separately) for DC backup during AC loss; instantaneous failover maintains notification appliance circuit availability
• UL864 Listed: Approved by UL, MEA NYC Department of Buildings, FM (Factory Mutual), and CSFM (California State Fire Marshal)
• Red BC400 Enclosure: Compact form factor (15.5" H × 12" W × 4.5" D) suitable for wall-mount or equipment room installation; red powder-coat finish provides visual identification in fire protection systems

Integration & Compatibility

The AL802ULADA connects to any 24-volt FACP via two NC dry contact trigger inputs, each rated 8–30VDC with 6.5mA maximum draw. Input specifications include 12V 6.5mA and 24V 6.5mA from the FACP, ensuring compatibility with standard fire control panel auxiliary outputs. The unit requires 120VAC, 60Hz input at 4A maximum; a dedicated 15A or 20A circuit breaker is recommended for reliable operation.

Battery charging capabilities enable UPS-style operation when paired with optional sealed lead acid or gel-type backup batteries. Upon AC loss, the AL802ULADA provides instantaneous failover to battery-powered operation, ensuring uninterrupted NAC availability during power events. This feature is particularly valuable for facilities requiring continuous fire alarm system operation under building code and insurance requirements.

Technical Specification Summary

Input: 120VAC, 60Hz, 4A maximum | Output: 24VDC, 8A total maximum, 2.5A per circuit | Auxiliary: 24VDC, 1A | Trigger Inputs: 2 × NC dry contact, 8–30VDC, 6.5mA maximum | Configuration: 2 Class A or 4 Class B outputs | Enclosure: Red BC400, 15.5" × 12" × 4.5" | Certifications: UL864, FM, CSFM, MEA NYC

Jerry Tildsen

I have specified and deployed the AL802ULADA in multi-building fire alarm expansions where FACP output capacity was insufficient for the notification appliance load. This unit delivers predictable, supervised power distribution with minimal FACP draw—critical in legacy systems where control panel auxiliary capacity is limited. The AL802ULADA addresses the common constraint of expanding NAC circuits without replacing the entire fire alarm control panel.

Technical Highlights:

• Voltage Regulation and Filtering: Regulated output with integral filtering protects strobes and horn circuits from supply transients, reducing nuisance troubles in sensitive notification appliance loads.
• Multi-Protocol Synchronization: Support for Potter/Amseco, Gentex, System Sensor, and CooperWheelock protocols means you can mix and match notification appliances from different vendors within a single NAC without compatibility risk.
• Supervised Dual-Input Architecture: Independent trigger inputs with per-input output loop supervision allow you to map each NAC circuit to a specific FACP zone, enabling granular troubleshooting and compliance with building code circuit segregation requirements.
• Low FACP Load Profile: At 6.5mA per input, the AL802ULADA imposes minimal burden on FACP auxiliary circuits, preserving capacity for other system accessories.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm your FACP auxiliary output voltage and current availability before installation; the AL802ULADA input specification is 8–30VDC, accommodating both 12V and 24V control panel outputs.
• If battery backup is required, budget separately for sealed lead acid or gel-type batteries; the unit does not include batteries and charge current is not specified in standard documentation—coordinate with your fire alarm service provider or system integrator on battery sizing.
• In Class A topologies, verify that notification appliances support the loop configuration; not all strobes and horns are rated for Class A (two-way) circuits, and mixed-appliance circuits may require individual supervision by the FACP.

The AL802ULADA is a cost-effective, field-proven solution for NAC expansion and auxiliary power distribution in existing fire alarm systems. Its multi-protocol support and low FACP load make it particularly well-suited to retrofit applications where panel replacement is not feasible. Specify the enclosure location near the FACP for minimal wire runs, and ensure a dedicated 120VAC supply branch is in place.