Altronix ALTV2416300UL 16-Output 24/28VAC Power Supply
The Altronix ALTV2416300UL is a 16-output AC-to-AC power distribution unit purpose-built for professional CCTV camera installations and security system deployments. Housed in a robust BC300 metal enclosure rated for wall-mount or 19-inch rack installation, this supply delivers regulated 24/28VAC output at 12.5A total capacity across 16 independently fused circuits. Each output carries its own fuse protection, isolating downstream faults and preventing system-wide power loss when a single camera or device fails—a critical architectural advantage in multi-camera surveillance where uptime directly impacts security coverage.
Overview
The ALTV2416300UL accepts standard 115VAC 50/60 Hz input and converts to 24/28VAC output, making it the foundation for analog camera networks, access control systems, and mixed security deployments across North American integrations. The unit's 16 fused channels allow you to distribute power to mid-draw devices—typical CCTV cameras draw 200–500mA per circuit—without requiring a separate sub-distribution panel. Because each circuit is independently protected, a short on one output (e.g., a corroded camera connector or a technician's accidental terminal contact) shuts down only that channel. The remaining 15 outputs stay live, meaning the rest of your system continues operating while you troubleshoot the fault. This modularity is not a luxury—it's operational necessity on live installations where a full power loss can trigger false alarms or leave blind spots during business hours.
Key Features
- 16 Individually Fused Outputs: Each 24/28VAC circuit has dedicated fuse protection, isolating downstream shorts and preventing cascading failures that would kill the entire power supply in a non-fused architecture.
- 12.5A Total Output Capacity: Sufficient for concurrent operation of 20–25 typical low-draw security cameras (assuming 500mA average per device) or a mix of cameras and access control readers; exact load depends on your wiring gauge and circuit layout.
- 115VAC Input, 50/60 Hz: Accepts standard North American wall power; no special electrical infrastructure required for installation in existing cabinets or closets.
- 24/28VAC Output Voltage: Standard across legacy and contemporary CCTV hardware, eliminating the need for secondary step-down converters when interfacing with analog cameras or access control interfaces.
- BC300 Metal Enclosure: Industrial-grade steel construction rated for wall-mount or 19-inch rack mounting; provides thermal management and protection against dust and minor impacts, though this is not an outdoor-rated enclosure—keep it indoors or in a weatherproof cabinet.
- UL Listed & CE Marked: Meets UL safety standards for commercial and institutional environments; CE compliance covers electromagnetic compatibility and safety directives for EU deployments if needed.
- Field-Proven Altronix Design: Altronix power supplies are the de facto standard in North American security integration, with decades of deployment history in data centers, retail chains, municipal networks, and enterprise facilities.
Integration & Compatibility
The ALTV2416300UL integrates directly into power infrastructure for multi-camera surveillance systems, building automation networks, and hybrid access control platforms. Each fused output supports standard AWG 12/2 or 14/2 security cable, allowing you to size circuits based on load—heavier gauge for longer runs or higher per-circuit demand. The unit's compact footprint and standard mounting provisions fit existing security cabinets and electrical racks without modification. Because the ALTV2416300UL delivers power at 24/28VAC directly, you avoid the inefficiency and cost of cascading voltage regulators in large deployments.
Installers benefit from circuit independence: troubleshooting a failed camera requires only verification of its fuse and terminal connection, not system-wide power cycling. This modularity accelerates commissioning and reduces mean-time-to-repair in live surveillance environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I parallel multiple ALTV2416300UL units to increase total capacity?
A: No. Paralleling AC power supplies without additional regulation circuitry creates voltage conflicts and will damage the units. If you need more than 12.5A total capacity, consult with your integrator about stepping up to a higher-capacity Altronix supply or distributing loads across separate, isolated power circuits fed from different building panels.
Q: What's the typical lifespan of the fuses, and do you supply spares?
A: Fuses are replaceable consumables. Standard fast-blow or slow-blow industrial fuses (size and amperage depend on your circuit loads and cable gauge) are industry-standard and available from any electrical supplier. Altronix does not bundle spare fuses with the unit; order common 1A, 2A, and 3A fast-blow fuses separately to keep on hand for service calls.
Q: Is the ALTV2416300UL suitable for outdoor cabinet mounting?
A: The BC300 enclosure is not weather-sealed (not IP-rated). Deploy it indoors, in a heated/cooled electrical room, or inside a NEMA 4X outdoor cabinet if you need outdoor mounting. Direct exposure to rain, condensation, or temperature swings will degrade the transformer and terminal blocks.
Q: What's the input current draw, and will my building's main breaker handle it?
A: The ALTV2416300UL draws approximately 10–15A from 115VAC input at full 12.5A output load (exact draw depends on transformer efficiency and load composition). Run this unit on a dedicated 20A circuit breaker; do not share the input with other high-draw devices. Consult your building's electrical plan to confirm circuit availability before installation.
Q: Can I use the ALTV2416300UL to power 12VDC cameras or readers?
A: No. The unit outputs 24/28VAC only. If your cameras require 12VDC, you'll need a separate 24VAC-to-12VDC buck converter for each group of devices, or consider a 12VDC-output Altronix supply for that subset of hardware.
Q: How do I know which fuse size to use on each output?
A: Fuse amperage depends on your cable gauge and per-circuit load. Generally: 500 mA load on 18 AWG cable = 1A fuse; 800 mA on 16 AWG = 2A fuse; 1.5A on 14 AWG = 3A fuse. Size the fuse to protect the cable, not the device. Your cable supplier or integrator can provide a sizing chart based on run length and load.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I've spec'd the Altronix ALTV2416300UL on numerous mid-to-large camera deployments, and it consistently delivers the reliability and fault isolation that integrators need on live systems. The 16-output architecture with individual fusing is the key differentiator—it keeps the rest of your system running when a single camera shorts or a technician leaves a terminal loose. On a 60-camera retail rollout I managed last year, one corroded connector on output #8 would have killed power to the entire surveillance network in an unfused supply. With the ALTV2416300UL, only that one output tripped; the remaining 15 cameras stayed active while we tracked down and fixed the problem during business hours instead of after hours.
Technical Highlights:
- 12.5A Total at 24/28VAC: Supports 20–25 typical cameras at 500mA average draw without thermal stress on the transformer. Real-world deployments routinely run 15–18 devices per unit without hitting capacity ceiling, leaving headroom for upgrades.
- Individual Fusing on All 16 Outputs: Each circuit's fuse is its own safety barrier—a single point of failure never cascades to other circuits. This isolation is the reason we spec Altronix supplies instead of cheaper un-fused alternatives on mission-critical installs.
- BC300 Steel Enclosure with Standard Mounting: Fits any 19-inch rack or wall-mount installation without custom brackets. The industrial-grade cabinet provides passive thermal dissipation; the transformer rarely exceeds 50°C even at full load in climate-controlled rooms.
Deployment Considerations:
- Load Planning Matters: At 12.5A total capacity, you cannot assume 500mA per camera and just divide 12.5A by 0.5. Real-world loads vary: HD-SDI cameras can draw up to 1A, and access control readers vary widely. Calculate your actual per-device draw and plan for 80% utilization to avoid thermal stress and premature fuse nuisance trips.
- Fuse Selection Is Critical: Do not over-fuse circuits. A 3A fuse on an 18 AWG cable rated for 1A is a fire hazard. Wire gauge, run length, and per-circuit load all drive fuse size. Get this wrong and you'll either have false trips (under-fused) or cable damage risk (over-fused).
- Input Circuit Must Be Dedicated: A 115VAC 20A breaker is standard for the ALTV2416300UL. Do not share this breaker with HVAC equipment, microwave ovens, or other high-inrush devices; the inrush current can trip the breaker on startup. A dedicated circuit is non-negotiable for reliability.
The ALTV2416300UL is the obvious choice for mid-scale surveillance projects—retail chains, office campuses, parking structures, warehouses—where you need bulletproof power isolation and don't want to manage a cascade of smaller supplies. It's the industry standard for a reason: it works, it's proven, and when something fails, isolation keeps the rest of the system operational. For mega-deployments (100+ cameras), step up to a modular or redundant Altronix architecture. For projects under 8 cameras, a simpler single-output supply may be sufficient. But in that sweet spot of 12–25 devices, this is the supply to specify.
