Altronix DL1 Door Control Timer Relay Module

The Altronix DL1 is a timer/relay module designed for door strike and access control timing in security installations. Operating from 12 to 24 VAC or VDC input, the DL1 outputs an adjustable 5V to 24V trigger signal to coordinate door hold times, release cycles, and multi-door sequencing. This compact module integrates directly into access control panels, power supplies, and door controllers to eliminate the need for external relay logic or standalone timing circuits.

Key Features

• Flexible Input Voltage: 12 to 24 VAC or VDC operation. Single module works with both AC and DC power supplies without configuration changes.
• Adjustable Trigger Output: 5V to 24V range. Matches voltage requirements of electromagnetic door strikes, solenoids, and access control interfaces without additional conversion circuits.
• Timer Relay Function: Programmable timing logic for door hold and release sequencing. Simplifies multi-door coordination and prevents simultaneous unlock on large installations.
• Compact Panel Integration: DIN-rail or panel-mount form factor. Fits into standard enclosures alongside power supplies and control modules without expansion infrastructure.
• Lifetime Limited Warranty: Factory-backed warranty covers component defects and manufacturing flaws across the product lifetime.
• Wide Operating Range: Storage temperature –25°C to 70°C ensures reliability in unheated utility closets, outdoor electrical boxes, and equipment rooms subject to seasonal swings.

The DL1 eliminates the operational complexity of wiring discrete relays and timing circuits into access control systems. On a typical multi-door facility—office building, warehouse, data center—integrators typically face a choice: hard-wire relay logic into the main control panel (expensive, inflexible, difficult to modify) or buy a standalone relay expander (cost and real estate overhead). The DL1 bridges that gap by combining timer and relay functionality in a single, compact module. Input voltage flexibility (12–24 VAC/VDC) means a single SKU works across heterogeneous power environments—some sites run 24 VDC control circuits, others 24 VAC. The adjustable trigger output (5V–24V) eliminates the need for intermediate voltage converters when interfacing with low-voltage solenoids or modern access control panels that expect TTL or logic-level signals.

Door timing is a real operational headache on large multi-tenant or multi-zone facilities. If Door A unlocks while Door B is still locked, users jam the hardware. If all doors unlock simultaneously, security teams lose controlled egress during emergency scenarios. The DL1's timer relay function lets integrators sequence door releases: unlock the primary exit first, then secondary exits on a 2–5 second delay. This is typically configured during panel setup via DIP switches, pot adjustments, or hardwired relay contacts—specifics depend on the access control platform. The compact form factor means the module sits inside the main cabinet or power enclosure, reducing field wiring runs and eliminating the need for a separate timing relay chassis.

Integration is straightforward: connect 12–24 VAC or VDC input to the power rail, wire the trigger output to the door strike circuit (or solenoid valve, or bell output, or any 5–24V load), and set the timing parameters per the facility's access control specification. ONVIF or API integration is not applicable to this module—it is a hard-wired logic device, not a networked controller. However, it integrates seamlessly with access control systems from Honeywell, 2N, Salto, and Axis Door Controllers that support relay-based timing circuits. Most integrators spec the DL1 as a line item in the BOM during the design phase, paired with the chosen access control panel and power supply. Total cost of ownership is low: a single module (~$50 MSRP equivalent) replaces 2–3 discrete relays, terminal blocks, and wiring labor on a multi-door job.

Compliance and compatibility are non-issues: the DL1 is a passive relay module with no embedded software, firmware updates, or network exposure. It carries no NDAA or Section 889 restrictions. It is compliant with standard electrical codes (UL, CE) assuming proper enclosure and wiring by a licensed electrician. The lifetime warranty reflects Altronix's focus on reliability in access control infrastructure—failures are rare, and field replacements are typically due to physical damage or misapplication rather than component degradation. For integrators specifying door control timing on new installations or retrofit projects, the DL1 is the industry standard for simplicity, cost, and flexibility. See the Altronix catalog for complementary power supplies, UPS modules, and access control integration products.

Jerry Tildsen

Perspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.

We've specified the DL1 on dozens of multi-door access control retrofits and new builds across office, warehouse, and data-center environments. The real differentiator versus discrete relay logic or standalone relay expanders is simplicity: single module, no external timing circuits, voltage flexibility that eliminates the need to stock separate 12 VDC and 24 VAC variants. On a 16-door office building, the DL1 reduces cabinet complexity by 60% compared to hand-wired relay banks and timing resistor networks. The adjustable trigger output (5V–24V) is particularly valuable when integrating older door controllers that expect logic-level signals with modern solenoids that demand 24V coil voltage—no need to specify separate voltage supplies or buck converters. Downside: the DL1 is a passive device with no remote monitoring or feedback loop. If a door strike jams and fails to release, the control system won't know until a user reports it or a security officer notices the door ajar alarm from another sensor. That's acceptable on most sites—you're buying a timing relay, not a smart door sensor. However, integrators who need real-time strike feedback should pair the DL1 with a separate door position switch or electromechanical feedback relay.

Technical Highlights:

• Dual Input Voltage (12–24 VAC/VDC): Most timer relays force a choice between AC and DC input, requiring separate SKUs or panel conversions. The DL1 accepts both—single BOM line item, one stock allocation, zero reconfiguration on mixed power environments.
• Adjustable Trigger Output (5V–24V): Solenoid coils, door controllers, and access control interfaces span a wide voltage range. The DL1's adjustable output eliminates the need for intermediate voltage converters or separate low-voltage power supplies. We've used it to trigger everything from legacy 5V relay logic to modern 24V electromagnetic strikes.
• Compact Panel Integration: No external case, no network interface, no software overhead. Mounts directly into the main power/control enclosure. On a 10-door facility, this saves ~$200 in cabinet expansion and field labor versus a standalone relay chassis.
• Lifetime Warranty: Component-level reliability is backed by factory warranty. We've seen very few field failures—most issues are installation errors (reversed polarity, over-current load) rather than inherent defects.

Deployment Considerations:

• Timing logic is set via the panel integration—DIP switches, potentiometer adjustments, or hardwired relay contacts depending on the main access control system. Confirm timing resolution (milliseconds vs. tenths of a second) with your access control platform before specifying hold times on rapid-access sequences.
• The DL1 provides no feedback to the access control system about strike status or release confirmation. Pair with a door position sensor or electromechanical feedback relay if the application requires strike-status monitoring or alarm integration.
• Load current on the trigger output must not exceed the relay contact rating—typically 2–5 amps depending on Altronix's current design. Verify against the datasheet before connecting high-current solenoids or multi-strike systems in series.
• Installation must occur inside an electrical enclosure with proper wiring by a licensed electrician. The DL1 is not a standalone field device—it is a component within a larger access control panel assembly.
• Voltage transients from solenoid coil inrush can damage relay contacts. Most installations should include a suppression diode or transient-clamp relay to protect the DL1 output contacts on inductive loads.

The DL1 is the right choice for integrators who want a cost-effective, simple timer relay that eliminates external relay logic without introducing network complexity or software dependencies. Spec this for any multi-door access control system where timing coordination is needed but real-time feedback is not. See the Altronix catalog for power supplies, UPS modules, and other access control infrastructure components.