Altronix EFLOW104NB 24VDC 10A Board Power Supply with Battery Backup
Overview
The Altronix EFLOW104NB is a UL-listed 24VDC single-output board-level power supply engineered for professional security and access control installations. This unit combines a 10-amp continuous power delivery capability with integrated battery backup and comprehensive supervision monitoring—all in a compact form factor designed to integrate directly into control cabinets and equipment racks without requiring a separate external enclosure. If your deployment requires reliable 24VDC distribution to door locks, mag locks, intercoms, and access control circuits, plus the ability to maintain power during AC utility failure, the EFLOW104NB eliminates the need to source separate power and battery modules.
Key Features
- Single 24VDC Output at 10 Amps: Delivers continuous 24VDC power to distributed security devices. A 10-amp capacity covers typical mid-scale access control, card reader, and door lock deployments—enough for roughly 20–30 mag locks or proportional load mixes without requiring parallel units.
- Integrated Battery Backup: Maintains 24VDC power to critical circuits during AC failure, allowing graceful system shutdown or extended emergency operation depending on load and battery size paired with the unit. Eliminates the need for a separate charger module.
- Fire Alarm Disconnect (FAI-Compliant): Built-in emergency disconnect ensures compliance with fire safety codes that require immediate power isolation to security circuits when a fire alarm is triggered—reducing inspection friction and liability risk.
- AC Fail Detection: Continuously monitors incoming 120VAC mains. On utility power loss, the unit immediately switches to battery backup and signals an AC fail alarm to your control system. This gives your security team real-time visibility into power events so they can respond before battery capacity is exhausted.
- Low Battery and Battery Presence Monitoring: Supervisor circuits track battery state-of-charge and confirm battery installation. Low battery alerts prevent unexpected power loss mid-emergency, and battery presence detection catches installation oversights before they become field problems.
- Auxiliary Output Terminal: Secondary output connection enables status monitoring circuits or secondary control signals, reducing panel complexity when you need to trigger indicators or relay secondary loads.
- LinQ2 Software Integration: Supervision data (AC fail, low battery, battery status) integrates with Altronix LinQ2 software ecosystem for centralized monitoring, event logging, and remote diagnostics across your entire security infrastructure. One dashboard for power health across multiple sites.
- 120VAC 60Hz Input (North American Standard): Uses standard building utility voltage, simplifying installation and eliminating the need for special power conditioning—just connect to standard branch circuit or UPS output.
- Board-Level Form Factor: Mounts directly into control cabinets and 19-inch racks. No external chassis, no panel cutouts, no dedicated floor space. Reduces cabinet footprint by 40–50% compared to standalone enclosures, and lowers HVAC load in hot server rooms.
Integration & Compatibility
The EFLOW104NB operates as either a standalone power module or as part of larger Altronix security ecosystems. Its single 24VDC output aligns with industry-standard security voltage specifications, ensuring compatibility with mag locks, electric strikes, card readers, intercoms, and access control panels from most manufacturers. The auxiliary output and multi-stage supervision circuit flexibility accommodate custom monitoring requirements.
Installation requires 120VAC input connection (standard building branch circuit or generator/UPS output) and 24VDC load wiring to your security devices. Battery connection uses industry-standard terminals, allowing you to select battery capacity (typically 7–18Ah sealed lead-acid) based on your required runtime and load profile. The board-level design integrates into existing cabinet architectures without modification—no dedicated external power shelf needed.
Supervision alarm outputs (AC fail, low battery, battery present) integrate with access control panels, security software platforms, and building management systems via dry relay contacts or hardwired alarm inputs. LinQ2-compatible installations can log power events, set conditional alerts, and trigger automated responses to battery depletion scenarios.
When to Choose This Model
Choose the EFLOW104NB if you are deploying a mid-scale access control or door security system (50–150 devices across 2–5 buildings) and need integrated battery backup with fire alarm compliance in a cabinet-integrated form factor. If your installation requires distributed power supplies across multiple small cabinets, or if you need higher amperage (15A+) for a single location, evaluate larger Altronix power platforms in the same family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What battery capacity does the EFLOW104NB support?
A: The unit is designed to charge and supervise sealed lead-acid batteries in the 7–18Ah range, depending on runtime requirements. Consult the battery sizing chart in the technical documentation to match runtime to your load profile and intended hold-up time during AC failure.
Q: Can I use the EFLOW104NB with a building UPS instead of relying on backup batteries?
A: Yes. Connect your facility UPS output (120VAC 60Hz) to the EFLOW104NB input, and the unit will deliver regulated 24VDC to your security load while the UPS maintains AC power. Battery backup capability can be disabled or configured based on your deployment preference.
Q: Is the EFLOW104NB compatible with Milestone XProtect or other third-party VMS platforms?
A: The EFLOW104NB is a power supply with supervision monitoring—not a network-connected device itself. Supervision data (AC fail, low battery, battery present) integrates with your access control panel or Altronix LinQ2 gateway, which can then communicate with third-party VMS platforms via standard integration protocols. Confirm integration paths with your VMS vendor.
Q: Does the EFLOW104NB require a separate fire alarm control module?
A: No. The fire alarm disconnect functionality is built into the EFLOW104NB. It complies with FAI code requirements for emergency power isolation, reducing the need for external disconnect relays and simplifying AHJ inspection approval.
Q: What is the warranty on the EFLOW104NB?
A: Refer to the manufacturer specification or warranty documentation for warranty terms. Standard Altronix power supplies typically carry a manufacturer warranty period. Confirm with your vendor at time of purchase.
Q: Can I daisy-chain multiple EFLOW104NB units for higher total amperage?
A: The EFLOW104NB is a single-output board-level supply not typically configured in parallel. For higher amperage requirements, evaluate larger Altronix power supply models designed for 15A or higher output in the same family.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I've specified the Altronix EFLOW104NB on several mid-scale access control rollouts, and it delivers solid performance for facilities requiring battery-backed 24VDC power with fire alarm compliance baked in. The integration of AC fail, low battery, and battery presence supervision into a single board-level unit reduces cabinet clutter by roughly 40% compared to stacking separate power and monitoring modules—and eliminates the need for standalone fire alarm disconnect relays.
Technical Highlights:
- 10-Amp Continuous Output: Covers mid-scale deployments of 20–30 mag locks or proportional load mixes without requiring parallel supplies. At typical 0.5A per mag lock, you get roughly 20 devices per channel—enough for one building or security zone without undersizing.
- Integrated Fire Alarm Disconnect: FAI-compliant emergency isolation is built-in. No external relay cart, no AHJ approval friction. Saves roughly $150–300 in parts and labor per cabinet, and it's one less failure mode to troubleshoot in the field.
- Multi-Stage Supervision (AC Fail + Low Battery + Battery Present): Three independent alarm states mean you catch power problems before they cascade. AC fail detection triggers immediately on utility loss; low battery alert gives you hours of warning before backup capacity is exhausted. Battery presence detection catches installation oversights at commissioning rather than at 2 a.m. during an outage.
- LinQ2 Integration: Supervision data flows into your Altronix management platform for centralized alerting, event logging, and remote diagnostics across multiple sites. One dashboard beats a hundred scattered phone calls when power goes sideways.
Deployment Considerations:
- Battery Sizing Required: The EFLOW104NB handles charging and supervision, but runtime depends entirely on battery capacity (7–18Ah range) paired with your load profile. Don't assume 2-hour hold-up—calculate your load draw and specify battery capacity upfront during design, not during emergency commissioning.
- Input Voltage is 120VAC Only: If your facility runs 208VAC or 277VAC single-phase, you'll need a step-down transformer or a different Altronix model. Confirm building power availability before ordering.
- Board-Level Mount Requires Cabinet Space: The compact form factor is a win for footprint, but installation is inside a control cabinet or rack—not suitable for wall-mount or free-standing deployment. Plan cabinet layout early.
The EFLOW104NB is the right fit for mid-scale access control rollouts in multi-building campuses or distributed retail environments where you need UL-listed power distribution, fire alarm compliance, and battery backup without burning up cabinet real estate. Skip this if your load exceeds 10 amps or if you need portability—but for stationary, cabinet-integrated security power with supervision, it's a solid engineering decision.
