Altronix EFLOW102N Two-Output 12VDC Power Supply/Charger
The Altronix EFLOW102N is a UL Listed AC/DC power supply designed to serve as primary or backup power for distributed security and access control equipment. It accepts 115VAC input and delivers regulated 12VDC output across two independent channels, each isolated to prevent cross-load interference. Total capacity is 6A, making the EFLOW102N suitable for powering low-draw devices like door strikes, electronic locks, auxiliary camera power, and DVR charging circuits in retrofit or new installations.
Key Features
- Two isolated 12VDC outputs: Each output operates independently, so a fault or surge on one channel won't cascade to the second. This isolation is critical when powering mixed devices—say, a door strike on channel one and a camera on channel two—where you can't risk one failure taking out the other.
- 6A total current capacity: Distributed across two outputs, this allows flexible load sharing. For example, you could run a 3A door strike on one channel and a 2A camera power draw on the other, leaving 1A as headroom. The 6A ceiling is a hard limit; exceeding it will trigger protection.
- 115VAC input voltage: Matches standard North American wall power, eliminating the need for a step-down transformer in most facility deployments. Standard building circuits will power the unit without special conditioning.
- UL Listed safety approval: Meets underwriters' standards for electrical safety. When your integrator or customer asks "is this code-compliant," this certification closes the conversation. It's required for any system destined for a commercial or institutional building.
- BC300 enclosure mounting format: The EFLOW102N is designed to fit into BC300-standard housings, which means it plugs into existing Altronix cabinet infrastructure without custom fabrication. If you're expanding or upgrading a system that already uses BC300 frames, this is a plug-and-play fit.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: Altronix backs the unit for the life of the product, provided it's not misused. In practice, this means you're covered against component failure, though abuse, incorrect wiring, or overage voids coverage. Typical terms exclude normal wear and user error.
Integration and Deployment Context
The EFLOW102N works well in access control backups, emergency door-release systems, camera auxiliary power chains, and multi-door lock environments where you need regulated 12VDC without a full-size industrial PSU. Its two-channel design avoids the temptation to daisy-chain multiple devices onto a single output, which increases nuisance trips and complicates troubleshooting.
In a typical install, channel one might power a door strike rated 3A @ 12VDC, and channel two might service an auxiliary camera or a secondary lock. The isolation means if the strike jams and draws excess current, the protection will cut power to that channel without affecting camera feed or a secondary access point on channel two.
If you need higher per-channel current (e.g., powering a high-draw mag lock pair), the EFLOW102N is not your answer—you'd be looking at a higher-amperage supply or parallel units. Conversely, if you only need a single 12VDC output, a single-channel supply might trim cost and footprint, though the two-channel design costs little premium and buys you flexibility for future expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use the EFLOW102N as a primary power supply or just for backup?
A: Both. It's designed for continuous operation, so it can serve as primary power to distributed devices like door strikes or camera auxiliaries. Many integrators use it as always-on supply with battery backup connected in parallel for redundancy.
Q: What happens if I exceed 6A total draw?
A: The supply includes overcurrent protection that will shut down output to prevent damage. You'll lose power to the connected loads until the fault is cleared. Always calculate your total load before installation.
Q: Is the EFLOW102N suitable for outdoor enclosures?
A: The unit itself is rated for the BC300 housing environment, typically indoor or semi-protected. If you're deploying it in a true outdoor cabinet, confirm that your enclosure provides adequate thermal and moisture control for the supply's operating range.
Q: Can I connect a battery backup to the EFLOW102N?
A: Yes. The EFLOW102N includes circuitry for battery backup integration, making it suitable for access control systems that require uninterruptible power. Wire the battery in parallel per the wiring diagram in the datasheet.
Q: Will the EFLOW102N work with 230VAC or international power?
A: No. The unit is rated 115VAC input only. International or higher-voltage installations require a step-down transformer or a different supply model.
Q: What is the physical form factor and how does it mount?
A: The EFLOW102N is designed for BC300 enclosure footprints, so it mounts vertically inside a standard Altronix cabinet frame using the BC300 slot system. No additional brackets or custom mounting is needed.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The EFLOW102N is a straightforward workhorse—no magic, no overselling. It does one job: deliver regulated 12VDC across two isolated channels in a BC300-compatible footprint. That isolation between outputs is what makes it worth specifying. Too many integrators cheap out and daisy-chain multiple devices onto a single output, then blame the power supply when a door strike draws spike current and dims the camera. The EFLOW102N's two independent 12VDC rails eliminate that false economy and keep you from chasing ghosts on the bench.
Technical Highlights:
- Two isolated 12VDC outputs at 6A total capacity: The isolation means a fault on one channel—say, a shorted strike coil—won't propagate to the second output. In a mixed load environment (lock + camera, for example), this containment keeps half your system running while you troubleshoot the other half.
- UL Listed design: Non-negotiable for any system entering a commercial building. Code inspectors and your customer's facilities team will ask; this certification closes that discussion before it starts.
- BC300 mounting format: If your customer already has BC300 infrastructure, the EFLOW102N slots in without custom brackets or power distribution board rewiring. Retrofit cost and lead time drop immediately.
Deployment Considerations:
- Current distribution matters: 6A is your ceiling. If you're tempted to load both outputs at 3A each, you've used 100% headroom. A 3.5A spike on either channel will trip protection. Plan conservatively—3A on one channel, 2A on the other, and you've got 1A for inrush events.
- Battery backup integration is built in, but you must wire it correctly: If you're adding a 12V backup battery, the EFLOW102N expects it to be connected in parallel, and you need to follow the battery sizing and charging equation in the datasheet. Under-sizing the battery or missing the float-charge threshold will leave you with a dead backup when the power actually fails.
The EFLOW102N fits best in access control retrofits, secondary power chains for distributed cameras, and emergency door-release backup circuits where you need isolation, UL compliance, and cabinet-ready integration without industrial-grade overkill. Don't reach for it if you need single-channel simplicity or higher amperage; reach for it when you're building a multi-device power backbone that has to be bulletproof and auditable.
