Altronix BC400SR Red Steel Enclosure 15.5H x 12.25W x 4.5D
The Altronix BC400SR is a compact steel enclosure designed for security infrastructure deployments requiring consolidated equipment mounting, power distribution, and battery backup integration. The 15.5"H x 12.25"W x 4.5"D form factor accommodates access control modules, power supplies, and emergency backup systems in a space-efficient profile suitable for wall or equipment rack installation. Powder-coated red steel construction resists corrosion in both indoor and outdoor environments, while the integrated battery shelf eliminates the need for auxiliary support structures when adding uninterruptible power systems to the deployment.
Key Features
- Compact Dimensions: 15.5"H x 12.25"W x 4.5"D footprint. Mounts to drywall studs or standard 19" equipment racks without requiring oversized wall space or dedicated frame cutouts.
- Powder-Coated Red Steel Construction: Multi-layer corrosion resistance rated for exterior installations subject to moisture, salt spray, or temperature cycling. Visual red finish aids identification on job sites with multiple equipment cabinets.
- Integrated Battery Shelf: Pre-fitted mounting point for backup power modules. Eliminates field fabrication of shelf brackets and accelerates battery integration during commissioning.
- Flexible Mounting Options: Designed for both wall-mount (via studs or masonry anchors) and 19" equipment rack installation. Adapter hardware sold separately for rack integration.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: Manufacturer coverage against manufacturing defects for the life of the product. Standard claim process through authorized service channels.
- Cable Management Ready: Interior dimensions accommodate standard DIN-rail power supplies, terminal blocks, and control modules commonly found in access control and surveillance backbone systems.
Access control systems deployed across multiple doors or floors often require distributed power and battery backup at each node. The BC400SR provides a standardized housing for this equipment at a fraction of the footprint of larger wall-mount or free-standing cabinets. On a 20-door multi-building access control system, housing power modules and backup batteries in compact, visually distinctive red enclosures dramatically simplifies troubleshooting and replacement logistics — field technicians can instantly identify the active backup supply unit without consulting site drawings.
The battery shelf is not merely decorative; it is engineered to support the weight of typical 24Vdc backup batteries (12Ah to 18Ah) without sagging or shifting under vibration. This design choice eliminates the operational risk of battery terminals coming loose during transport or installation. For surveillance systems in retail environments where power continuity is critical during storms, the BC400SR serves as the backbone enclosure for the UPS module feeding the NVR and PoE switch. The red finish provides instant visual recognition when auditing the installation — you spot every backup unit on the job walk-through without opening the network documentation.
Integration with Altronix power distribution and backup product lines is straightforward: the enclosure accepts standard 24Vdc power supplies, 12Vdc auxiliary supplies, and battery modules via pre-drilled mounting points and cable entry knockouts. ONVIF-compliant access control and video systems do not require any special configuration to interact with equipment housed in the BC400SR — it is a passive mechanical container. Wiring harnesses, terminal strip assignments, and backup battery circuit logic are the responsibility of the system integrator. The enclosure itself simply provides a secure, weatherproof housing that protects equipment from dust, moisture, accidental contact, and impact.
Outdoor deployments (parking-lot access gates, perimeter guard shacks, rooftop equipment rooms) benefit from the powder-coated red steel finish, which outperforms bare steel by a factor of 10 in humid or coastal environments. If you are specifying backup power for a video intercom system at a remote gate, the BC400SR mounted under an eave or in a weather shelter will remain corrosion-free for years without repainting. For indoor applications in data centers or secure server rooms, the compact footprint allows you to fit multiple BC400SR units in a single rack section, each serving a different access control zone or camera group, without consuming precious floor space or requiring room expansion.
Marty AllisonPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We have deployed the Altronix BC400SR across hundreds of access control and surveillance backbone installations, and it remains one of the most underestimated components in a system design. On the surface, it is just a red box. In practice, it is a standardized form factor that eliminates field improvisation and accelerates commissioning. We have seen integrators arrive on-site with power modules, backup batteries, and control relays, only to discover that the original designer had not accounted for physical housing. The result: site delays, ad-hoc bracket fabrication, and wiring bundles hanging from cable trays. The BC400SR exists to prevent that scenario. The integrated battery shelf is the key differentiator — it forces intentional equipment layout during the design phase, not during installation. For systems with mission-critical backup power requirements (hospital security checkpoints, data center access control, airport gate systems), the BC400SR pairs with redundant backup modules, and the red powder coat makes visual audits of backup readiness trivial. We have also seen the compact footprint save integrators when retrofitting legacy systems: a 20-year-old security panel with no backup power can be upgraded by mounting a BC400SR on an adjacent wall, running new circuits to the panel, and deploying a battery module — all without ripping out the original cabinet or expanding the electrical room. The lifetime warranty is real; we have never had a BC400SR fail structurally in the field, though powder-coat touch-ups are occasionally needed in coastal salt-spray environments after 5-7 years.
Technical Highlights:
- Integrated Battery Shelf Load Rating: Engineered for standard 12Ah-18Ah 24Vdc backup batteries (typically 15-20 lbs). Pre-drilled mounting holes prevent improvised shelf installation and reduce commissioning time by 30-45 minutes per unit.
- Powder-Coated Red Steel Finish: Multi-coat corrosion-resistant finish rated for ASTM B117 salt-spray testing (500+ hours). Outdoor deployments in coastal or high-humidity environments remain maintenance-free for 5+ years before recoating.
- DIN Rail Compatibility: Interior dimensions and mounting points support standard 35mm DIN rail for power supplies, terminal blocks, and relay modules. No field fabrication required.
- Flexible Mounting: Wall-mount via stud fastening (16" center spacing) or 19" equipment rack integration (adapter kit required, sold separately). Reduces site-specific design variance across multi-location deployments.
- Cable Entry Knockouts: Pre-drilled entry points for conduit and service loops. Eliminates on-site drilling and reduces damage risk to internal wiring during rough-in phase.
Deployment Considerations:
- The BC400SR is a passive enclosure — it does not supply power or manage battery charging. Pair it with an Altronix power supply and charge controller. Verify that the combined equipment (supply + battery + modules) does not exceed the interior thermal load for your ambient temperature range.
- Battery shelf mounting is rated for vertical installation only. If the enclosure is mounted horizontally (e.g., above a suspended ceiling), use supplementary strapping to secure the battery module — shelf alone will not prevent shifting under vibration or transport.
- Outdoor wall-mount installations should include a rain deflector or canopy above the enclosure to prevent standing water at the cable entry points. The powder coat is corrosion-resistant, not waterproof; prolonged water pooling will eventually find gaps.
- If you are integrating multiple BC400SR units in a single rack, space them vertically with at least 1" clearance for airflow around power supply vents. Stacked enclosures can trap heat and reduce battery life or power supply longevity.
- Red steel powder coat is cosmetic; scratches or gouges expose bare metal underneath. Touch-up paint (aerosol automotive-grade) is recommended for any installation exposed to vandalism risk. Deep scratches in coastal environments should be repaired immediately to prevent rust initiation.
The Altronix BC400SR is the right choice for system designers who want to eliminate field improvisation and standardize the physical layout of distributed power and backup systems across multi-site access control and surveillance deployments. Integrators managing 10+ locations or systems with mandatory backup power see immediate ROI in reduced commissioning overhead and fewer site callbacks related to equipment housing. Explore the full Altronix catalog for compatible power supplies, backup batteries, and control modules.
