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 while delivering reliable auxiliary power to notification appliances and system accessories. Operating from standard 120VAC, 60Hz input at 4A, the unit converts and regulates power to a consistent 24VDC output rated for 8A maximum total current—enough to drive synchronized horn and strobe combinations across multiple zones without supply sag or noise interference affecting notification timing.
This enclosure is UL864 listed for control units and accessories in fire alarm systems, meaning it meets the safety and performance standards required by code authorities including the MEA NYC Department of Buildings, Factory Mutual (FM), and the California State Fire Marshal (CSFM). That certification matters: it removes design approval friction at inspection and installation, particularly in critical facilities where third-party validation is non-negotiable.
Key Features
- Dual NAC Configuration (2 Class A or 4 Class B): Flexibility to match your fire control panel topology—Class A loops offer greater noise immunity over longer distances, while Class B is conventional and faster to provision. The AL802ULADA supports both, so you configure at installation time without hardware changes.
- 8A Maximum Output with 2.5A Per Individual Loop: Total capacity of 8A across all outputs means you can run multiple synchronized notification appliances (horns, strobes, buzzers, visual signage) without overloading. The 2.5A per-loop limit ensures even distribution and prevents a single failed device from starving the rest.
- 1A Dedicated Auxiliary Output: A separate, isolated 1A circuit for powering system accessories—relay modules, monitoring devices, power supervisory circuits—independent of primary NAC loops. This segregation prevents accessory faults from disrupting alarm notification.
- Dual NC Dry Contact Trigger Inputs (8–30VDC, 6.5mA Max): Two independent trigger inputs rated for any voltage between 8 and 30VDC, each drawing no more than 6.5mA from the fire control panel. That low draw means the AL802ULADA won't stress legacy FACP auxiliary outputs designed for minimal load, a real advantage when integrating into older systems that have tight current budgets.
- Multi-Protocol Synchronization (Potter/Amseco, Gentex, System Sensor, CooperWheelock): Supports Temporal Code 3, Steady Mode, and Input-to-Output Follower modes to align horn and strobe timing across mixed-brand notification appliances. This eliminates the annoying audio-visual lag that confuses building occupants during evacuation drills.
- Filtered and Regulated 24VDC Delivery: Integrated voltage regulation and filtering maintain rock-solid 24V output even when AC supply fluctuates or large inductive loads switch on. Cleaner power means fewer false device resets and longer service life for downstream notification appliances.
- Auto-Reset Thermal and Short-Circuit Protection: Automatic protection circuits detect overload or short-circuit conditions and shut down the affected output, then reset without manual intervention once the fault clears. In a multi-zone setup, a shorted horn or strobe doesn't knock out the entire system—just that zone.
- Output Loop Supervision and Ground Fault Monitoring: Built-in supervision on output loops (steer to Input 1 or 2) with trouble memory catches intermittent wiring or device faults before they become real problems. Ground fault detection with common trouble output integrates seamlessly with your FACP's trouble relay logic.
- Programmable Supervised Indicating Circuit (12VDC or 24VDC Compatibility): Works with 12V or 24V fire panels without modification—key for mixed-equipment facilities or retrofit projects where the control panel voltage may differ from the notification appliance supply.
- Battery Backup Support: Accommodates sealed lead acid or gel-type backup batteries (sold separately) for instantaneous DC failover if AC is lost. The AL802ULADA maintains full output power to notification appliances during an outage, ensuring alarm signaling continues regardless of utility supply.
- Compact Red BC400 Enclosure (15.5" H × 12" W × 4.5" D): Wall-mountable form factor fits into equipment rooms, electrical closets, or beside existing control panels. The red powder-coat finish provides quick visual identification in mixed alarm and security infrastructure, reducing the chance of mistaken service calls to the wrong device.
Integration & Compatibility
The AL802ULADA integrates with any 24-volt fire alarm control panel via its two NC dry contact trigger inputs. Each input is rated 8–30VDC at 6.5mA maximum draw—a spec that matters because many legacy FACP auxiliary relays are undersized, and a unit that draws less than 7mA won't trip protection circuits or degrade panel reliability.
Power input is 120VAC, 60Hz at 4A maximum. A dedicated 15A or 20A breaker is recommended to avoid nuisance trips from other equipment sharing the same circuit. The unit's regulated 24VDC outputs are suitable for any standard notification appliance listed for 24V operation, including horns, strobes, and combination units from major manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the AL802ULADA power both notification appliances and auxiliary devices at full current simultaneously?
A: The 8A total budget is shared across NAC loops and the auxiliary output. A typical deployment runs 6–7A on NAC circuits and reserves 1A for accessories, but you can redistribute as needed. Check your specific device current draws to avoid exceeding the 8A total.
Q: Does the AL802ULADA work with addressable fire alarm panels?
A: Yes. It supports both conventional (Class A/B) and addressable topologies via its dual configuration option. Your panel's auxiliary output triggers the extender's input; the extender then powers the notification appliances on its configured loop.
Q: What happens if AC power fails?
A: Without battery backup installed, the unit loses output immediately. With an optional sealed lead acid or gel battery connected, the AL802ULADA switches to DC power automatically and sustains full notification appliance operation until AC is restored or the battery is depleted.
Q: Is the AL802ULADA suitable for outdoor installation?
A: No. The unit is designed for indoor equipment-room or wall-mount installation. Outdoor applications require an environmental enclosure and UL-listed weather-sealed cabinet.
Q: Which synchronization protocol should I choose?
A: Match the protocol to your notification appliances. Temporal Code 3 is most common in modern systems; Steady Mode works with any horn/strobe; Input-to-Output Follower copies the trigger input directly to all outputs. Check your appliance manual for the required protocol.
Q: Can I use a standard UPS or uninterruptible power supply instead of a fire-rated backup battery?
A: No. Fire alarm systems require UL-listed sealed lead acid or gel batteries specifically tested for this application. Standard UPS systems do not meet UL864 requirements and may void your system approval.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The AL802ULADA AL802ULADA solves a real problem: most fire alarm control panels have limited auxiliary output capacity, especially older systems with tight current budgets. This extender pulls only 6.5mA from the panel's trigger relay—well below what would stress a legacy FACP—and then independently regulates and filters 24VDC at up to 8A for notification appliances. That isolation prevents power supply noise from the main panel from creeping into your alarm signaling circuits.
Technical Highlights:
- 8A Regulated Output vs. Panel's 4A 120VAC Input: The unit steps down AC, rectifies, and regulates it to a clean 24VDC supply. That means you can run considerably more horn and strobe load than the panel's auxiliary relay alone could support—roughly double the capacity in typical installations.
- Dual Trigger Inputs with 6.5mA Maximum Draw: Two independent NC contact inputs mean you can drive the extender from separate zones of an addressable panel or separate outputs of a conventional panel. The sub-7mA draw per input is critical for older panels with undersized relays.
- Multi-Protocol Sync (Potter/Amseco, Gentex, System Sensor, CooperWheelock): Real-world installations mix brands. The AL802ULADA's protocol flexibility ensures audio-visual timing stays locked across a heterogeneous notification appliance fleet—no lag, no confusion during evacuation.
- Ground Fault Monitoring with Trouble Memory: Catches intermittent wiring faults and tells you whether the problem is permanent or transient. That diagnostic granularity cuts troubleshooting time significantly in sprawling facilities.
Deployment Considerations:
- Configuration Upfront: Decide Class A vs. Class B topology at installation. Class A is higher-impedance and noisier (better for long distances); Class B is conventional and simpler. Once mounted, you can't easily change this without a FACP reprogramming step.
- Battery Backup is Optional but Highly Recommended: Without a UL-listed sealed lead acid battery, the AL802ULADA loses output if AC fails. Most codes expect notification appliances to operate for at least 15 minutes on battery. Budget for the battery cost upfront rather than discovering the gap at final inspection.
- Auxiliary Loop Supervision Must Be Steered: The programmable indicating circuit output can route to Input 1 or Input 2. Make sure your FACP can accept that supervision signal on the intended input, or you'll see false troubles.
The AL802ULADA is essential in any retrofit where the original fire alarm panel is undersized for current notification appliance loads, or where a new system needs NAC expansion without replacing the control panel. It's also the right choice for mixed-brand environments where synchronization protocol flexibility prevents that annoying audio-visual lag. Pick this unit when code-compliance and clean power matter more than cost-cutting.
