Altronix MAXIMAL3R 16-Output Access Power Controller
The Altronix MAXIMAL3R is a 2U rack-mount power supply and access control distribution unit built to handle centralized power management for door locks, card readers, and electromagnetic access devices across multi-door deployments. It delivers regulated 12VDC and 24VDC output with integrated battery backup, fire alarm disconnect capability, and comprehensive system supervision — critical features when you need to guarantee access control infrastructure stays live during power loss or emergency conditions.
Key Features
- 8 individually fused outputs: Each circuit is isolated and protected against shorts or overload, so a fault on one door lock won't cascade and blind your entire access system. Fuses are the simplest, most reliable way to kill a bad load before it takes out the whole panel.
- Dual voltage operation (12VDC and 24VDC) selectable per output bank: Different electromagnetic locks and readers pull different voltages. The MAXIMAL3R lets you configure outputs independently — some at 12V for lower-power readers, others at 24V for heavy-duty strike plates — without needing separate supplies.
- Integrated battery backup with automatic charger: When AC mains fail, the unit switches to battery seamlessly. The onboard charger keeps the battery topped up during normal operation, so you don't have to babysit a separate charger. Gives you exit time during a power event, which is often a code requirement.
- Fire alarm disconnect relay for emergency shutdown compliance: Building fire systems can signal the MAXIMAL3R to kill power to mag locks, forcing doors open for egress. This is a life-safety mandate in most jurisdictions — the unit handles it natively.
- AC fail, low battery, and battery presence supervision signals: You get hardwired supervision points that tell your access control panel or monitoring station what's happening with mains power and backup battery state. No guessing whether your backup is functional.
- UL Listed construction: Third-party validation that the design, materials, and assembly meet safety standards for professional security deployments. Matters for insurance, code compliance, and audits.
- 115VAC input for standard electrical infrastructure: Plugs into common US building power without needing special circuits or conditioning. Install it wherever you run access control logic.
Output Power and Capacity
The MAXIMAL3R delivers a maximum of 6A at 12VDC or 4A at 12VDC / 3A at 24VDC depending on output configuration. In a real deployment, that means you can run roughly 4–6 heavy-duty electromagnetic strikes (each typically 1–1.5A at 24V) before you hit capacity on a single bank. Multi-door sites with more locks will partition the load across multiple outputs or deploy multiple units in parallel.
Battery Backup and Reliability
The integrated battery backup is non-negotiable for access control. A 15-minute outage shouldn't lock your facility indefinitely. The MAXIMAL3R transitions silently to battery power the moment mains drop, and the charger restores the battery as soon as mains return. Supervision signals keep your access control panel aware of battery state so you can log the event and trigger alerts if the backup drains unexpectedly.
Integration and Deployment Context
The MAXIMAL3R is the power backbone for any multi-door access control power infrastructure. It assumes you're wiring it to a separate access control panel (Salto, Honeywell, Tyco, or legacy hardwired systems) that will handle the logic and relay the supervision signals. This is not a standalone panel — it is purely a regulated, supervised power distribution unit. Mount it in a 19-inch rack or server cabinet, feed it 115VAC, and connect your door lock circuits to the output terminals. The fire alarm relay integrates directly to your fire system's hardwired input, typically triggered by a smoke detector circuit or the main fire panel's access override output.
Why This Matters
Access control power failures cascade quickly. A single power supply failure shouldn't disable your entire facility's door management. The MAXIMAL3R's per-output fusing, battery backup, and supervision architecture means you stay operational during partial failures and have visibility into what's broken. For warehouses, data centers, or multi-tenant office buildings, that reliability directly translates to uptime and audit compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the warranty on the MAXIMAL3R?
A: Altronix includes a Lifetime Limited Warranty on the MAXIMAL3R, covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.
Q: Can the MAXIMAL3R power mag locks at both 12V and 24V simultaneously?
A: Yes. The unit supports dual voltage operation with selectable output banks. You can configure some outputs for 12VDC and others for 24VDC depending on your lock and reader mix. Check the output current limits at each voltage — 6A total at 12VDC, 3A total at 24VDC.
Q: Is the MAXIMAL3R compliant with fire alarm integration requirements?
A: The MAXIMAL3R includes a hardwired fire alarm disconnect relay, which is the standard interface for life-safety egress control. Your fire system's output must be wired to this relay. Consult your local fire marshal and access control integrator to confirm the setup meets your jurisdiction's codes.
Q: How do I monitor the battery backup status remotely?
A: The MAXIMAL3R provides hardwired supervision outputs for AC fail, low battery, and battery presence. These are dry relay contacts or voltage signals wired back to your access control panel or monitoring station. There is no built-in network interface, so remote monitoring depends on your panel's connectivity.
Q: Can I daisy-chain multiple MAXIMAL3R units?
A: Multiple units can be deployed in parallel to serve separate zones or doors, but they operate independently. Each unit has its own 115VAC input and battery backup. Coordinate input power distribution with your electrician to avoid overloading a single circuit.
Q: What size battery backup do I need?
A: Battery capacity is not specified in the MAXIMAL3R datasheet. Work with your integrator to size the backup based on the load you plan to run (amps) and the hold-up time you need (typically 15–30 minutes). A larger external battery can be connected if the internal backup is insufficient for your site.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix MAXIMAL3R is purpose-built as a supervised power node in access control architecture. Its per-output fusing and integrated battery backup solve the most common failure mode in door systems: a single shorted lock takes down everything. The MAXIMAL3R isolates each load, so you lose one output, not the entire panel.
Technical Highlights:
- 8 independently fused outputs: Shorts on one lock circuit don't propagate to others. Each fuse is a single point of failure isolation — far more reliable than relying on a central breaker or software monitoring.
- Dual voltage banks (12V and 24V): You can mix lock types on one power supply. No need to spec separate units for different voltage requirements. Output current maxes at 6A @ 12V or 3A @ 24V, so partition the load accordingly.
- AC fail and low battery supervision: Hardwired relay outputs report mains state and battery condition to your access control panel. Means you see power faults in real-time, not after a missed badge swipe. Fire alarm disconnect relay is life-safety critical — don't skip it on any multi-door deployment.
Deployment Considerations:
- Battery sizing is your responsibility: The datasheet doesn't specify internal battery capacity. You must calculate hold-up time based on your lock current draw and required egress window (typically 15–30 minutes per code). Undersize the battery and you'll fail a fire safety inspection.
- Not a standalone panel: The MAXIMAL3R is pure power distribution and backup. Your access control logic (lock/unlock decisions, badge validation) lives elsewhere — a separate hardwired panel or IP-based access controller. Wire the supervision signals back to that system to track power state.
- 115VAC only: No 220/240V input. If your facility runs 208V or 277V mains, you'll need a step-down transformer or a different supply. Check your electrical plan early.
The MAXIMAL3R is the right choice for warehouses, office parks, and multi-tenant buildings where you need to isolate door circuits and guarantee backup power for egress. If you're running more than 4 locks or expecting frequent power hiccups, consider whether a higher-capacity unit or parallel deployment makes sense. Most integrators will size this based on your lock count and local fire code requirements.
