Altronix EFLOW6NB 6A 24VDC Power Supply with Battery Backup
Overview
The Altronix EFLOW6NB is a single-output 24VDC power supply and charger board designed for mid-range security, access control, and fire alarm installations where reliable backup power and real-time system supervision are non-negotiable. Accepting standard 120VAC 60Hz input, the EFLOW6NB delivers 6A maximum output—enough to power a modest multi-door access control cluster, a small surveillance recorder, or distributed alarm sensors without requiring external UPS units in many deployments. The board-level form factor integrates directly into control enclosures and panels, reducing footprint and simplifying wiring harnesses in space-constrained electrical rooms.
Key Features
- Configurable Dual Voltage Output (12VDC or 24VDC): Selectable output voltage means one board can serve both 12V legacy devices and 24V modern equipment—eliminating the need to stock two separate supplies for mixed-technology installations.
- 6A Maximum Current Capacity: At 6A output, the EFLOW6NB supports roughly 72W of load at 12V or 144W at 24V. This covers 4–6 networked mag-lock doors, a small NVR, or multiple access points in a single distribution point without requiring field-mounted buck converters.
- Integrated Battery Backup and Charging: Built-in charger circuitry accepts external lead-acid or lithium backup batteries—critical for access control failover when mains power drops. Unlike standalone supplies, no external charger relay or isolation module is needed.
- AC Fail Supervision Output: Automatically detects mains voltage loss and reports status via a dedicated alarm contact—integrates directly with security control panels or building automation systems to trigger emergency egress unlock or alert monitoring centers without additional hardware.
- Low Battery Voltage Monitoring: Continuous measurement of backup battery voltage with a supervision output that triggers alerts if charge falls below usable threshold. Prevents silent battery failures that would go undetected until a real power outage occurs.
- Battery Presence Detection: Senses whether a backup battery is connected before system initialization. Prevents operation with disconnected or missing batteries, eliminating a common installation error that renders backup power inoperative.
- Fire Alarm Interface (FAI) Disconnect Function: Allows emergency power isolation to comply with life-safety codes requiring power-down sequencing during fire events or emergency egress scenarios. Integrates with fire panels for coordinated emergency response.
- Auxiliary Output Stage: Secondary power output for driving optional signaling devices, status LEDs, or low-current accessories—extends the utility of a single supply in control panel layouts.
- LinQ2 Network Management Ready: Compatible with Altronix network supervision platforms for remote visibility into supply voltage, battery health, AC input status, and fault events. Critical for multi-site deployments where facility staff cannot manually inspect each power supply.
- UL Listed: Meets Underwriters Laboratories safety and performance standards for power supplies in security and life-safety applications—a requirement for most AHJ-approved fire alarm and access control designs.
- Board-Level PCB Design: Compact mounted design installs directly into DIN rails or panel backplates without requiring separate mechanical enclosures, reducing assembly labor and eliminating bulky wall-mount fixtures in cramped electrical rooms.
Integration and Supervision
The EFLOW6NB operates from standard 120VAC utility input and integrates directly into security control panels, access control systems, and fire alarm infrastructure. The modular board architecture supports DIN-rail or back-panel mounting, making it practical for new builds and retrofit installations alike. Three independent supervision channels—AC presence, low battery voltage, and battery presence confirmation—feed status signals to host panels or networked management systems. This architecture ensures that operators receive immediate notification of power or backup battery degradation before it becomes critical.
For distributed installations across multiple buildings or floors, integrating the EFLOW6NB with a network management platform provides centralized dashboards showing supply status, battery health metrics, and alarm events across all sites. This eliminates manual site walks and enables predictive battery replacement scheduling based on actual charge cycling data.
When to Choose a Different Model
If your installation requires more than 6A output—such as a high-current mag-lock array (8+ doors) or a large standalone recorder—consider stepping up to a higher-current variant in the same Altronix supply family. For applications requiring 12V only with no battery backup capability, a basic non-supervised supply will reduce cost without sacrificing reliability in static environments. If fire alarm code requirements mandate hardwired battery backup with no network reporting, the EFLOW6NB remains compliant but may be overkill; consult your AHJ before downgrading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the EFLOW6NB work with lead-acid and lithium backup batteries?
A: Yes. The integrated charger supports both chemistry types, provided external batteries meet voltage and capacity specifications. Verify battery compatibility with Altronix technical documentation for your specific voltage and amp-hour rating.
Q: What happens if AC power fails and there is no backup battery connected?
A: The EFLOW6NB will trigger its AC fail alarm output and battery presence detection will alert that no backup is available. The system loses power delivery within seconds. This is by design—it forces installers to confirm battery installation before commissioning.
Q: Can the EFLOW6NB be monitored remotely via LinQ2?
A: Yes. When integrated into a LinQ2 capable installation, the EFLOW6NB reports AC status, battery voltage, and supervision faults to the network management platform, enabling remote monitoring and alerting across multiple sites.
Q: Is the EFLOW6NB suitable for outdoor enclosures?
A: The board itself is not rated for direct outdoor exposure. Mount it in an NEMA-rated outdoor enclosure with appropriate ventilation and surge protection for outdoor or wet-location panels.
Q: What is the maximum load the EFLOW6NB can support continuously?
A: At 6A output capacity, continuous load is limited by thermal design and backup battery charge time. For 24/7 operation without battery depletion, limit sustained load to 4–5A and verify charging current via Altronix sizing tables for your specific battery capacity.
Q: Does the EFLOW6NB include a backup battery?
A: No. The supply provides charging and supervision circuitry; the backup battery is a separate purchase and must be specified based on your runtime requirements and load profile.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
I have evaluated the Altronix EFLOW6NB during multiple control panel deployments in mixed-use commercial facilities. The combination of battery backup, fire alarm disconnect, and full supervision capabilities makes this board-level supply a practical choice for mid-tier security and life-safety systems where redundancy and real-time monitoring are non-negotiable. Its compact footprint and direct enclosure integration save labor compared to standalone supply boxes, and the built-in charger eliminates a separate BMS module from the bill of materials.
Technical Highlights:
- 6A Output at Configurable Voltage: 144W available at 24VDC—enough for a 4–6 door access cluster or small distributed recorder without oversizing the supply. Voltage selection in software eliminates dual-inventory headaches.
- AC Fail and Low Battery Supervision: Three independent alarm contacts (AC loss, low voltage, battery presence) integrate directly into panel logic without external relays. Immediate fault detection prevents silent backup failures.
- Fire Alarm Disconnect: FAI function ensures compliance with life-safety egress codes requiring emergency power isolation. Seamless integration with fire panels via standard relay logic.
- LinQ2 Readiness: Network reporting of supply status, battery health, and fault events eliminates manual facility inspections in multi-building campuses. Predictive battery replacement based on actual charge cycling.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify your backup battery capacity matches the EFLOW6NB charger specifications—mismatched batteries (especially lithium) can trigger false low-battery alarms or fail to charge properly.
- The 6A limit is hard-capped. If your load projection creeps above 5A sustained, you will either drain the backup battery too quickly or exceed thermal limits during mains operation. Size conservatively.
- Board-level design requires DIN-rail or back-panel mounting. If you prefer standalone enclosures with built-in surge protection, specify an appropriately-sized metal backbox at procurement.
The EFLOW6NB is strongest in retrofit access control and hybrid alarm installations where existing panels need supervised backup power without major re-architecting. For new builds where you can standardize on higher-current supplies or network power supplies, consider whether the board form factor and supervision feature set justify the cost over simpler alternatives.
