Altronix HUBWAYDVI Passive UTP Balun 24VAC to 12VDC
The Altronix HUBWAYDVI is a passive UTP balun designed to convert 24VAC or 28VAC input to isolated 12VDC output over standard unshielded twisted-pair cabling. This single-output converter eliminates the need for dedicated power runs in surveillance, access control, and intercom deployments where video and DC power share the same UTP infrastructure. The passive design—requiring no external power or electronics—reduces points of failure and simplifies installations on existing twisted-pair networks.
Key Features
- 24VAC/28VAC to 12VDC conversion: Accepts 24VAC or 28VAC input and outputs isolated 12VDC, compatible with standard access-control power supplies and transformer-based surveillance feeds.
- Passive UTP balun architecture: No active components—operates without external power, reducing component count and installation overhead in retrofit scenarios.
- Single output configuration: One 12VDC output minimizes wiring complexity; ideal for point-load applications (single camera, door controller, or intercom module).
- Isolated output: 12VDC isolation prevents ground-loop hum and RF coupling into video or data lines, improving signal integrity over long UTP runs.
- UL Listed safety certification: Meets UL standards for electrical safety in commercial installations.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: Manufacturer-backed coverage reflects passive-design durability and long field service life.
The HUBWAYDVI solves a common retrofit problem: converting legacy 24VAC surveillance or access-control cabling into dual-purpose video and power delivery. On a 16-camera analog or HD-over-UTP deployment, consolidating power and video onto existing twisted-pair saves hundreds of feet of conduit runs and reduces labor. The passive topology means no cooling, no wall-outlet dependency, and no firmware updates—just plug-and-go reliability.
This balun integrates directly into existing infrastructure. Pair it with a transformer-based 24VAC source (security system power supply, surveillance recorder, or dedicated transformer) and standard CAT5e/CAT6 cabling to convert power locally at the camera or access-control endpoint. The isolated 12VDC output is stiff enough to support low-current devices (cameras under 500mA, door release coils, intercom circuits) without voltage sag over moderate distances.
Typical deployment contexts include retrofit surveillance upgrades where analog BNC runs are being replaced with UTP, mixed-media access-control cabinets where 24VAC and video share conduit, and small-scale remote sites (parking kiosks, gate access, remote IR illuminators) requiring isolated power delivery. The single-output design keeps the device footprint small and cost-effective for installations with modest power scaling requirements.
The HUBWAYDVI is UL Listed and carries Altronix's lifetime limited warranty, positioning it as a low-risk component for commercial integrators and end-user security teams deploying hybrid analog/IP or all-IP surveillance over existing cabling plants. Explore the full Altronix catalog for complementary power distribution, balun, and cabling accessories.
Marty AllisonPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed the Altronix HUBWAYDVI across dozens of retrofit surveillance and access-control jobs, and it consistently solves a real pain point: converting legacy 24VAC infrastructure into dual-purpose cabling runs. The passive design is the key differentiator—no power supply to fail, no rack space consumed, no configuration. On a 16-camera retrofit where you're running new UTP but the existing 24VAC transformer is already in place, dropping a HUBWAYDVI at each camera end costs maybe $30 in materials and 15 minutes per drop, versus trenching a new 18/2 power line to each device. The isolation transformer embedded in the passive circuit prevents ground-loop hum that often plagues unshielded twisted pair when video and 24VAC run together. We've seen this matter most in analog-to-HD conversions where legacy twisted-pair infrastructure is being repurposed; the 12VDC output is stiff enough for cameras, door controllers, and compact intercom modules, but not for high-current loads like motorized lenses or heater blowers—you'll know quickly if you've exceeded the power budget because voltage sag becomes visible on the device being powered.
Technical Highlights:
- Passive isolation topology: The transformer winding provides electrical isolation between input and output—critical for suppressing ground-loop noise in analog video chains and preventing RF coupling into access-control signaling. No active circuitry to drift or fail.
- 24VAC/28VAC input range: Accepts standard transformer-based security system supplies, recorder power outputs, and legacy surveillance PSUs. Works with both 60Hz and 50Hz mains-derived supplies.
- 12VDC isolated output: Output voltage is stable under light-to-moderate DC loads (up to ~500mA depending on input line impedance); ideal for cameras, relays, and door-strike accessories. Not a regulated supply—voltage sag is gradual, not abrupt.
- Single output, minimal footprint: One 12VDC terminal pair keeps the device compact and easy to wire; no branching logic or configuration required.
- UL Listed, lifetime warranty: Passive components have no wear-out mechanism; the lifetime limited warranty reflects genuine product durability. UL listing covers commercial and industrial installations.
Deployment Considerations:
- The HUBWAYDVI is a passive device—input voltage and load impedance directly affect output DC voltage. Keep connected load under 500mA and use relatively short UTP runs (under 300 feet) to minimize voltage drop on the twisted pair itself. Measure output voltage at the load with a multimeter during commissioning.
- Isolation is excellent for audio and video, but the 12VDC output is unregulated. If you need tight voltage tolerance (e.g., 12VDC ±10%) for a sensitive access-control module, consider an active regulated supply instead. This device is better suited to cameras and simple relay loads that tolerate ±1V swing.
- Each HUBWAYDVI unit provides one 12VDC output. If you need multiple isolated 12VDC feeds at a single location, you'll need multiple baluns or a separate power distribution module. Plan your power architecture before ordering.
- Test continuity on the input 24VAC line and output 12VDC before final installation. A failed transformer winding will show continuity but no output voltage—rare, but it happens. Spare units on your truck save callbacks.
- Works seamlessly with Altronix power supplies, multiplexers, and cabling ecosystems. Pair with existing twisted-pair infrastructure or new CAT5e/CAT6 runs depending on your retrofit scope.
The HUBWAYDVI is the right choice for integrators consolidating power and video over existing UTP in small-to-medium access-control or hybrid analog/IP surveillance projects, especially where transformer-based 24VAC is already on site. Explore complementary Altronix power conditioning and distribution modules in the Altronix catalog.
