Altronix EFLOW102NB 12VDC 10A Board Power Supply with Battery Backup

Altronix EFLOW102NB 12VDC 10A Board Power Supply with Battery Backup

Overview

The Altronix EFLOW102NB is a single-output 12VDC regulated power supply designed for security systems requiring integrated battery backup, fire alarm circuit supervision, and remote power monitoring. It accepts 120VAC 60Hz input and delivers up to 10A continuous output—enough headroom to power multiple access control readers, alarm panels, intercoms, or video encoders simultaneously without sacrificing system availability during AC loss. The board-mount form factor allows direct integration into custom enclosures and OEM security appliances, while built-in battery charging and LinQ2 protocol support position it within modern networked power management architectures.

Key Features

• 10A Maximum Output Current: Delivers 120W total regulated 12VDC power, sufficient for multi-device deployments (access control strikes, backup power to intercoms, alarm circuit supervision). Eliminates the need for multiple small supplies and reduces enclosure real estate.
• Integrated Battery Charger: Automatically manages float and charge cycles for backup batteries, keeping them conditioned without manual intervention. Critical for systems that must survive AC outages—batteries remain ready without overcharge risk.
• Fire Alarm Disconnect (FAI): Automatic load shedding on fire alarm activation ensures power routing compliance with NFPA 72 and local fire codes. Non-compliance can halt system certification and create liability during emergencies.
• AC Fail Supervision & Reporting: Real-time monitoring of input AC voltage triggers seamless transfer to battery power and reports status to the control system. Eliminates silent outages and enables automated emergency protocols (door unlocks, announcements, escalation alerts).
• Low Battery Supervision: Continuous voltage monitoring prevents system collapse from depleted backup batteries. Alerts flag degraded batteries before they fail, reducing unplanned downtime.
• Battery Presence Detection: Confirms backup battery installation and readiness at power-up and periodically during operation. Catches missing or failed batteries before an outage occurs.
• Auxiliary Output: Secondary regulated power rail for relay drivers, indicator circuits, or supplementary loads. Decouples critical circuits from main load, improving system resilience.
• LinQ2 Ready: Supports Altronix LinQ2 protocol for centralized power monitoring, battery health trending, and diagnostics across networked security infrastructure. Eliminates manual status checks and enables predictive maintenance.
• Board-Mount Installation: Compact design suits OEM manufacturing, custom panel builds, and retrofit into existing enclosures without requiring external case redesign.
• UL Listed: Third-party certification confirms safety and performance standards for security and fire alarm applications in North American deployments.

Integration & Compatibility

The EFLOW102NB integrates directly into security system designs requiring both primary power conditioning and battery-backed availability during AC loss. Fire alarm circuit supervision via FAI ensures NFPA 72 compliance—a mandatory requirement for integrated fire/security systems. The auxiliary output decouples supplementary circuits, allowing relay coils, status indicators, or secondary supply rails to operate independently of main load variations.

Board-mount form factor simplifies integration into access control panels, alarm monitoring stations, intercom hubs, or video encoding appliances. 120VAC 60Hz input is standard in North American commercial installations, reducing site-level power conversion complexity. AC fail and low battery supervision signals integrate directly into control system logic via standard signaling, enabling automated response sequences—emergency announcements, door unlock procedures, or escalation to monitoring stations.

LinQ2 readiness positions the EFLOW102NB within modern networked power management ecosystems, allowing remote monitoring and battery performance trending across multiple units. Organizations managing distributed access control or surveillance sites benefit from centralized power visibility and predictive alerts.

Typical Applications

Deploy the EFLOW102NB in access control systems protecting multiple doors where battery backup must survive extended outages. Alarm monitoring stations benefit from UPS-backed supervision circuits and fire alarm compliance. Integrated fire/security systems in schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings rely on FAI compliance for regulatory approval. Video encoders, intercoms, and control hubs benefit from the 10A capacity and auxiliary output flexibility. Multi-reader access control systems (badge readers, wireless readers, credential processors) draw peak current that the EFLOW102NB handles without voltage droop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum output current of the EFLOW102NB, and can it power multiple access readers simultaneously?

A: The EFLOW102NB delivers 10A maximum output at 12VDC (120W total). A single badge reader typically draws 0.5–1A, so the unit can power 8–10 readers or an equivalent multi-device mix (readers, strikes, intercoms, panel circuits) without exceeding its current limit. Use the auxiliary output for circuits needing isolated power to prevent load-shedding interactions.

Q: Does the EFLOW102NB comply with fire alarm supervision standards (NFPA 72)?

A: Yes. The FAI (Fire Alarm Interface) input and automatic load shedding on fire alarm activation ensure compliance with NFPA 72 supervision requirements. The unit is UL listed for security and fire alarm applications, confirming its suitability for integrated systems.

Q: How does the battery charger work, and what backup battery types are supported?

A: The integrated charger automatically manages float and charge cycles for sealed lead-acid (SLA) or gel-cell backup batteries. It monitors battery voltage continuously and prevents overcharge, keeping batteries conditioned without manual intervention. Battery presence detection confirms a battery is installed and reports status to the control system.

Q: What happens if AC power is lost? Does the EFLOW102NB automatically switch to battery power?

A: Yes. AC fail supervision continuously monitors input voltage. When AC fails, the charger circuit automatically transfers the load to the backup battery, and the unit reports AC loss status to the control system. This seamless transfer enables automated emergency protocols (door unlocks, announcements, alerts) without manual intervention.

Q: Is the EFLOW102NB compatible with Altronix LinQ2 networked power monitoring?

A: Yes. The EFLOW102NB is LinQ2 ready, supporting centralized power monitoring, battery health trending, and diagnostics across networked security infrastructure. This enables predictive battery maintenance and eliminates manual status checks across multiple sites.

Q: Can the auxiliary output power independent circuits, and what is its current rating?

A: Yes. The auxiliary output provides a secondary regulated power rail suitable for relay coils, indicator circuits, or supplementary loads independent of the main 10A output. This isolation improves system resilience by decoupling critical circuits. Consult the datasheet for specific aux current ratings and load requirements.

Ted Perry

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

The Altronix EFLOW102NB hits a real sweet spot for mid-scale access control and alarm system deployments where AC outages are a genuine risk. The 10A output with integrated battery charger means you don't have to source a separate UPS module—it's built in, and the automatic float/charge management eliminates the "forgot to check the battery" failure mode that catches too many integrators. Fire alarm disconnect compliance is non-negotiable for any integrated fire/security system, and this unit handles that requirement cleanly via the FAI input.

Technical Highlights:

• 10A @ 12VDC (120W): Sufficient to power 8–10 access readers, multiple strikes, or a mix of panels, intercoms, and monitoring circuits without voltage sag. The auxiliary output adds isolation for relay circuits, preventing load interactions that cause nuisance failures.
• Integrated Battery Charger with Presence & Low-Voltage Monitoring: Batteries stay conditioned automatically; the system knows immediately if a battery is missing or degraded. Eliminates the "backup power failed silently" scenario that blindsides deployments.
• Fire Alarm Interface & Automatic Load Shedding: Direct FAI compliance without external relays. When fire alarm activates, the unit sheds load per code—critical for certification in schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings. NFPA 72 compliance is a checkbox item that shouldn't require field engineering.
• AC Fail Supervision & Seamless Transfer: The EFLOW102NB monitors input AC continuously and switches to battery without command. Control system receives AC loss status, enabling automated responses (announce, unlock, escalate). No silent outages.
• LinQ2 Readiness: Organizations managing 10+ access control sites benefit from centralized power monitoring and battery health trending. Predictive alerts catch aging batteries before failure, reducing emergency service calls.

Deployment Considerations:

• Board-Mount Form Factor: The EFLOW102NB installs directly into custom enclosures or OEM appliances—no standalone case required. For retrofit or panel-build integration, verify enclosure space before ordering. Thermal dissipation is minimal at nominal loads, but verify ventilation if mounting near other heat-generating components.
• Battery Selection & Sizing: The unit supports sealed lead-acid (SLA) and gel-cell batteries. Runtime depends on battery capacity—a 7Ah battery supports roughly 45–60 minutes of 10A discharge (worst case). Size backup batteries based on hold-up time requirements (typically 4–8 hours for access control systems). Undersized batteries are a common integration mistake.
• 120VAC 60Hz Input Requirement: Standard in North America, but international deployments require line voltage conversion or a regional variant. Confirm site power spec before procurement.
• FAI Circuit Compliance: The FAI input expects a dry contact signal from the fire alarm panel or addressable sensor module. Verify signal voltage and contact rating match the security system's output before wiring. Incorrect signal levels won't trigger load shedding.

The EFLOW102NB is the right choice for access control hubs, alarm monitoring stations, and integrated fire/security systems where battery backup and fire code compliance are non-negotiable. It eliminates the "bolt-on UPS + separate charger" complexity and delivers the supervision signals your control system needs to respond intelligently to power events. Size your backup battery correctly, and this unit becomes invisible—it just works.