Altronix OLS200 Single-Output 12VDC Offline Switching Power Supply
The Altronix OLS200 is a compact, board-form offline switching power supply that converts 115VAC input to regulated 12VDC output. It's engineered for small-to-medium security and access control installations where stable, monitored DC power is non-negotiable — think door strikes, magnetic locks, alarm panels, and camera arrays that can't tolerate voltage sag or loss of supervision.
Key Features
- Offline Switching Topology: Converts AC to DC without the bulk and heat of older linear designs. Offline switching means smaller physical footprint and lower line-loss waste — important when board real estate inside a control enclosure is tight.
- 12VDC Regulated Output at 12A Maximum Current: Delivers stable 12V even as load fluctuates. The 12A capacity (144W max) handles a modest cluster of locks, cameras, or control modules without oversubscription. At 24VDC the supply scales to 12A; confirm your specific voltage requirement at procurement to avoid field rewiring.
- 115VAC Input Voltage: Accepts standard North American mains voltage. No transformer or voltage converter required if your facility uses standard 115VAC circuits — simplifies installation in existing electrical infrastructure.
- Single Output with Integrated Supervision Monitoring: Embedded supervision detects power loss or voltage fault and reports status back to your access control or alarm panel. This is critical: a lock or alarm system that loses power silently is a liability. The OLS200 won't hide a supply failure.
- Board-Form Factor: Mounts directly into control panel enclosures, terminal boxes, or DIN-rail systems. No external housing or separate shelf space needed. Integrates into power supply racks alongside other security infrastructure.
- CE Approval: Certified for European market compliance. If you're deploying into EU regions or require CE mark documentation for audit, the OLS200 satisfies that gate.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: Covers component defects and manufacturing faults across the product lifespan. Standard across Altronix security-grade equipment — reflects confidence in the design but doesn't cover user misapplication or power surges (separate surge protection strongly recommended).
Integration & Compatibility
The OLS200 integrates into any 12VDC security control loop that requires supervised power delivery. Common pairings include access control panels, alarm system backup supplies, and IP camera power distribution in small installations. Its board form fits inside managed network switches or distributed power enclosures. When sizing your supply, account for inrush current on magnetic locks and solenoid devices — the 12A capacity assumes well-damped loads. If you're combining multiple high-inrush devices on a single supply, consider a larger-capacity model in the Altronix power line or add soft-start modules to prevent nuisance resets.
Deployment Considerations
The OLS200 is best suited to permanent, supervised installations — access control systems, small warehouses with networked locks, or alarm system backup supplies in controlled environments. It is not designed for mobile, portable, or outdoor unhoused operation. Ambient temperature range and duty cycle are typically industrial standard (-10°C to 50°C typical for board-form supplies), though exact thermal limits should be verified against the datasheet before installation in high-heat enclosures. Always include local surge protection on the 115VAC input if the facility has lightning exposure or frequent utility switching.
When to Choose a Different Model
If you require multiple outputs (e.g., separate 12V and 24V feeds to different subsystems), look to larger Altronix managed power supplies with multi-channel architecture. If your installation demands redundancy or UPS-grade battery backup, consider supervised supplies with integrated battery chargers. If output current exceeds 12A, a higher-capacity model in the same family will be necessary — do not parallel supplies without explicit design guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the OLS200 work with 24VDC access control systems?
A: The standard OLS200 outputs 12VDC. However, Altronix offers scalable output configurations; contact your distributor to confirm if a 24VDC variant is available for your project.
Q: What does 'supervision monitoring' mean, and how do I connect it?
A: Supervision detects power loss or voltage fault and generates a signal (typically a normally-closed relay or logic output) that your access control or alarm panel monitors. Connection method depends on your panel's input type — consult the OLS200 datasheet and your panel documentation.
Q: Can I use the OLS200 outdoors?
A: No. The board-form factor and lack of environmental sealing make it unsuitable for outdoor or unhoused exposure. Install it inside a panel enclosure or conditioned indoor cabinet.
Q: What's the maximum load I can safely put on the OLS200?
A: At 12VDC, you can draw up to 12A (144W) continuously. Account for inrush current on solenoids and motor loads — if peak inrush exceeds 15–20A, use soft-start modules or size up to a larger supply.
Q: Is the OLS200 NDAA-compliant or restricted by Section 889?
A: No certification statement is included in the product data. If NDAA compliance is a hard requirement, escalate to your purchasing team or the equipment manufacturer directly.
Q: Does the OLS200 include a warranty for power-surge damage?
A: The lifetime limited warranty covers manufacturing defects, not external damage from surges, brownouts, or reverse polarity. Always install separate surge protection on the AC input.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix OLS200 is a solid, no-nonsense supervised power supply for small-to-medium access control and alarm deployments. Its 12A output at 12VDC and integrated supervision monitoring eliminate a common headache: undetected power loss to critical locks or sensors. I've seen too many sites go dark on a single supply failure. The OLS200 won't hide that failure.
Technical Highlights:
- 12A @ 12VDC (144W Maximum Continuous Output): Sufficient for a cluster of door strikes, magnetic locks, or a small camera+sensor array. At typical lock draw (0.5–2A per unit), you can handle 6–12 devices on one supply without overload margin erosion.
- Integrated Supervision Monitoring: Reports voltage fault or power loss back to your control panel in real time. This is not passive current delivery — the OLS200 actively watches itself and alerts you to trouble. That's worth the deployment complexity.
- Offline Switching Topology: Smaller, cooler, more efficient than linear equivalents. Inside a cramped panel enclosure, thermal headroom matters. Offline switching also means cleaner input power draw — less harmonic pollution on the 115VAC line.
- Board-Form Factor: Mounts flat inside a DIN-rail cabinet or terminal box. Zero external footprint. Fits discipline into tight electrical rooms where floor space is a luxury.
Deployment Considerations:
- Inrush Current Risk: Solenoid door locks and magnetic devices draw peak inrush (typically 2–4× steady-state) at power-on. If you're stacking multiple locks on the OLS200, that inrush can dip the voltage momentarily and trip a nuisance reset on sensitive electronics downstream. Use soft-start modules or stagger power-up sequences if you're at load limits.
- Surge Protection Mandatory: The board-form design has no integral surge protection. A lightning strike, utility fault, or generator switchover can destroy the supply in milliseconds. Always install a separate surge suppressor on the 115VAC input — not optional.
- Temperature Limits: Board supplies are typically rated to 50°C ambient. If your panel enclosure runs hot (summer sun, no cooling), monitor thermal conditions. Exceeding ambient limits will shorten component life.
The OLS200 is the right choice for permanent, indoor, supervised access control installations in North America where 12VDC is the standard and 12A output is sufficient. Skip it if you need redundancy, multi-output flexibility, or outdoor housing — those demand step up to larger, more integrated Altronix managed power platforms.
