Altronix PD8CB 8-Output Power Distribution Module
The Altronix PD8CB is a board-form power distribution module engineered for multi-device security system installations. This device breaks out a single 28VAC or 28VDC input into eight independently supervised outputs, each protected by a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) resettable fuse. The PD8CB is designed to integrate into larger security power architectures—particularly access control, surveillance, and multi-sensor deployments where centralized power management and per-output fault isolation are required.
Key Features
- Eight Independent Outputs: Each output is supervised and protected individually. When a fault occurs on one output line, only that branch trips—the other seven remain live. This containment prevents a single short circuit or overcurrent event from disabling your entire system.
- PTC Protection Per Output: Integrated PTC fuses on each channel reset automatically after the fault clears, eliminating the need to replace blown fuses manually. Critical for unattended installations or systems where field service is costly.
- 28VAC/VDC Compatibility: Accepts both AC and DC inputs at the same voltage nominal. Useful when integrating with legacy transformer-based power systems or modern regulated DC supplies without redesign.
- Board Form Factor: The PD8CB mounts directly into control panels, power shelves, or integration chassis. No separate enclosure required—reduces footprint and wiring complexity in rack-mounted or wall-mounted security cabinets. Mounting provisions support standard DIN-rail or panel screw installation depending on your integration frame.
- Supervised Topology: Each output can be monitored for open or short conditions via contact closures or analog supervision signals, allowing your control panel or management system to detect branch failures in real time.
- Compact Integration: Board-level design eliminates the bulk of standalone distribution boxes, critical when space inside a control cabinet is limited or when you are consolidating multiple small power supplies into a single managed distribution point.
Integration & Deployment Context
The PD8CB is typically deployed as a secondary distribution stage in access control systems (feeding card readers, mag locks, REX buttons, and sensors), surveillance power architectures (supplying auxiliary cameras, IR illuminators, and outdoor sensors), and integrated security cabinets where 28V DC or AC is the standard backbone. Its per-output protection and supervision simplify troubleshooting: a fault on one device (e.g., a shorted lock coil) doesn't cascade and kill all downstream loads.
This board is particularly valuable in warehouses, industrial facilities, and campuses where multiple security endpoints are distributed but power originates from a centralized UPS or transformer. Rather than running individual fused drops from the main supply, a single feed to the PD8CB carries supervised, protected power to eight branches.
Warranty & Support
The PD8CB includes a Lifetime Limited Warranty, consistent with Altronix's commitment to industrial-grade reliability. Typical support includes documentation, integration guidance, and access to the Altronix product portfolio for related power conditioning, distribution, and UPS equipment.
When to Choose a Different Model
If you need more than eight outputs, consider a modular stacking approach: multiple PD8CB units fed from a common 28V supply, each handling a subset of loads. If supervision and per-output fusing are unnecessary and you simply need a passive splitter, a non-supervised distribution block will be cheaper but offer no fault isolation. If your application requires higher voltage distribution (120V/240V AC industrial power), you will need a different class of distribution device entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the PD8CB handle both 28VAC and 28VDC on the same board without jumper changes?
A: Yes. The PD8CB is designed to operate on either 28VAC or 28VDC without internal reconfiguration. Simply apply the appropriate voltage to the input terminals and all eight outputs will distribute that voltage with PTC protection active.
Q: What is the typical per-output current rating on the PD8CB?
A: Refer to the product datasheet for exact per-output current specifications. PTC fuses are rated to reset after a transient fault; continuous overload will keep the PTC latched open until current drops below the reset threshold.
Q: Does the PD8CB require external supervision monitoring, or is supervision built in?
A: The PD8CB includes built-in PTC fuse supervision. Many installations wire the contact closures from each PTC to a control panel or alarm monitoring device for real-time fault reporting, but basic over-current and short-circuit protection is automatic.
Q: What is the footprint of the PD8CB board, and how does it mount in a cabinet?
A: The PD8CB is a compact board-form device designed for DIN-rail or panel-screw mounting inside control enclosures. Exact dimensions and mounting details are provided in the manufacturer datasheet.
Q: Can I daisy-chain multiple PD8CB units from a single 28V power supply?
A: Yes. Multiple PD8CB boards can be fed from a common 28V source (such as a redundant UPS or regulated supply). Each board will independently protect its eight outputs, allowing you to scale from 8 to 16, 24, or more supervised branches without compromising fault isolation.
Q: Is the PD8CB compatible with the Altronix surveillance and access control camera lines?
A: The PD8CB distributes 28V power; compatibility depends on whether your end devices (cameras, readers, locks, sensors) are rated for 28VAC or 28VDC. Most legacy Altronix access control equipment and non-PoE surveillance sensors operate on 28V, making the PD8CB a natural fit for those deployments.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix PD8CB is a straightforward but essential building block in any multi-load 28V security power infrastructure. Its core strength lies in per-output PTC protection—each of the eight supervised channels is isolated from faults on its neighbors, a reliability trait that saves troubleshooting time and keeps your system running when a single shorted sensor or reader coil would otherwise cascade and kill all eight branches.
Technical Highlights:
- Eight Independent PTC-Protected Outputs: A fault or short on one output trips only that channel; the other seven remain energized. This containment is critical in distributed security cabinets where you cannot afford a single bad load to kill the entire power tree.
- 28VAC/VDC Dual Input: No reconfiguration needed when switching between AC and DC supplies. Particularly valuable when integrating older transformer-based power with newer regulated DC UPS systems in the same cabinet.
- Automatic PTC Reset: When a transient fault clears (e.g., a momentary short during sensor installation), the PTC fuse resets itself without manual intervention. In unattended cabinets or remote sites, this eliminates the need for field service visits to replace blown fuses.
Deployment Considerations:
- The PD8CB is a board-level device—it assumes you have a suitable enclosure, DIN rail, or integration frame. Do not order this expecting a standalone housed unit; it mounts inside your control cabinet or power shelf.
- Per-output supervision contact closures should be wired to your control panel, NVR, or alarm monitoring system if you want real-time fault reporting. Without that integration, you have protection but no remote alert mechanism.
- Total capacity depends on your 28V supply and per-output PTC ratings. The datasheet specifies the current limit for each channel; exceeding it will latch the PTC open until the fault is removed and voltage drops below the hold current.
The PD8CB fits squarely into access control power distribution, multi-camera surveillance backup circuits, and industrial security cabinets where fault isolation on individual loads is non-negotiable. If your site is consolidating power from a single 28V UPS to eight or more separate devices (mag locks, readers, sensors, auxiliary cameras), this board eliminates the complexity of running individual fused drops and gives you per-branch visibility into failures.
