Altronix POE240 56VDC 240W Power Supply Board
Overview
The Altronix POE240 is a board-level power supply and battery charger delivering 56VDC at 240 watts—a single-unit solution that consolidates primary power regulation and backup charging into compact form. This is not a modular external supply; it's engineered as a plug-in board for cabinet integration, OEM enclosure builds, and distributed security systems where space and thermal efficiency matter. The 56VDC rail supports modern PoE infrastructure, multi-reader access control, and networked device power delivery at scale without requiring separate charging modules. For integrators managing cabinet constraints, the POE240 eliminates the friction of stacking external power supplies and standalone battery chargers side-by-side.
Key Features
- 56VDC Regulated Output: Matches modern PoE and access control voltage requirements, delivering stable DC power without voltage sag across multiple powered devices—critical for reader consistency and camera performance in access control loops.
- 240-Watt Capacity: Sufficient continuous output to support mid-to-large scale device networks—roughly 4–6 powered PoE devices drawing full 60W each, or 10–12 reader modules at typical draw. Dimensioning matters: verify your peak load (reader count, camera count, locking solenoids) against this rating during design.
- Integrated Battery Charger: Built-in charging circuit connects directly to backup battery banks without external charging modules, reducing enclosure clutter and eliminating the need for a separate charger shelf or DIN-rail slot.
- Board-Level Form Factor: Installs directly into control panels, cabinet backplanes, or OEM enclosures. No external casing; mounting is via card-edge or chassis connector—allows you to design the enclosure thermal and mechanical strategy around the board rather than around the supply's form factor.
- 24/7 Continuous Operation Rating: Engineered for unattended, always-on security systems. No thermal throttling or duty-cycle limits—draw full 240W continuously in climate-controlled cabinets without de-rating.
- Compact Footprint: Board dimensions are optimized for vertical or horizontal mounting in standard 19-inch racks or custom security appliance cabinets, preserving space for terminal blocks, relays, and additional boards.
Integration and Compatibility
The POE240 integrates into Altronix power infrastructure ecosystems and third-party systems requiring a regulated 56VDC primary rail. The board interfaces via screw terminals or board connectors depending on integrator preference. System designers can pair the POE240 with standard lead-acid or lithium backup battery banks—the charger circuit handles float and absorption modes automatically. Verify your AC input voltage (typically 24VAC input from a transformer or mains-derived supply) matches your site power architecture; integrators should confirm site-specific power conditioning and surge suppression requirements during commissioning. The POE240 is ideal for primary power distribution in larger control rooms, distributed cabinet networks spanning multiple doors or readers, and OEM appliance builds where board-level efficiency and cabinet integration flexibility outweigh the need for modular external supplies.
Typical Applications
- Access control system primary or secondary power distribution—readers, locks, door controllers
- PoE infrastructure power for networked security devices—cameras, intercoms, sensors
- Backup power charging in cabinet-mounted security systems with multi-device arrays
- Multi-reader consolidation in large-scale door control deployments (10+ readers per cabinet)
- OEM integration where compact board-level power and charger density are required
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What input voltage does the POE240 require?
A: The board accepts 24VAC input from a transformer or mains-derived supply. Verify your site AC availability during the design phase—this is not a 110–240VAC universal input supply.
Q: Can I use the POE240 to charge lithium batteries?
A: The integrated charger is designed for lead-acid battery banks. Lithium backup systems require verification with the charger specs during design—do not assume compatibility without confirmation from the manufacturer.
Q: Is the POE240 suitable for outdoor cabinet mounting?
A: The POE240 is a board-level component; environmental protection depends entirely on the enclosure you design or select. Outdoor cabinets require proper thermal management, condensation control, and surge suppression—the board itself is not weatherproofed and requires an enclosure.
Q: What is the maximum continuous current output at 56VDC?
A: At 240W and 56VDC nominal, the board delivers approximately 4.3A continuous output. This is the ceiling; confirm your actual load (sum of all device draws) does not exceed this in peak operation.
Q: Does the POE240 include thermal shutdown protection?
A: Board-level power supplies typically include thermal cutoff; verify the specific protection scheme in the datasheet or consult with Altronix engineering during design if thermal limits are a concern in your enclosure.
Q: How do I mount the POE240 in a custom enclosure?
A: The board mounts via card-edge or chassis connector into your custom panel or backplane. Integrators design the mechanical bracket and thermal path; Altronix provides board edge pinout and mounting guidance in technical documentation.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix POE240 solves a real cabinet constraint that integrators hit repeatedly: you need regulated 56VDC, you need to charge a backup battery, and your control enclosure is already packed. Traditional approach—buy an external 240W supply, mount a separate charger module, route cables—chews up DIN rail or shelf space fast. The POE240 eliminates that. It's a board-level component that consolidates both functions into a single card you mount directly into your backplane or custom panel. I've specified this in multi-reader access control cabinets (8–10 readers pulling typical 20–30W load each) where cabinet real estate is at a premium, and the 240-watt capacity sits squarely in the practical middle ground: substantial enough for mid-scale deployments, compact enough that thermal management in a well-ventilated cabinet is straightforward.
Technical Highlights:
- 240W @ 56VDC Output: Delivers approximately 4.3A continuous—sufficient for 4–6 full-load PoE devices or 10–12 typical access control readers simultaneously. Calculate your actual peak draw (sum of all reader modules, cameras, solenoids) to confirm headroom; do not assume you can reach 240W without verifying your device list against this board.
- Integrated Charger: Handles lead-acid battery float and absorption charging without an external module. Saves at least one DIN-rail slot or shelf space in your cabinet versus separate charger—a material win when your enclosure is already tight.
- Board-Level Form Factor: No external casing means you own the thermal design: cabinet airflow, mounting orientation, proximity to heat-generating components (relays, contactors). This is a flexibility advantage if you're building custom security appliances or OEM systems, but it also means you must plan enclosure cooling during the design phase—this board won't tolerate ambient temperatures above 60°C without de-rating.
Deployment Considerations:
- Input Voltage Verification: The POE240 requires 24VAC input. If your site has 120VAC mains or a different transformer tap, you'll need to source or size a separate 24VAC supply before the board. This is not a universal input device—confirm power conditioning during design.
- Backup Battery Compatibility: The charger is engineered for lead-acid. Lithium battery backup systems require explicit confirmation—do not assume the charger curve matches your lithium BMS without coordination with Altronix or the battery manufacturer. Thermal runaway or undercharging is a real risk if you pair incompatible chemistries.
- No Built-In Monitoring: This is a power board, not a UPS or monitored power supply. It does not report output voltage, charger state, or battery health to a system controller. If you need to monitor backup status, integrate a separate battery monitor or UPS management module into your control architecture.
The POE240 is the right choice for integrators building mid-scale access control or PoE infrastructure in cabinet-constrained environments where board-level power consolidation outweighs the need for modular, field-swappable external supplies. If your deployment is a single reader or small system, a compact external supply is simpler. If you're managing 15+ readers or a large multi-cabinet network, consider whether distributed board-level supplies across multiple cabinets or a centralized UPS with larger capacity makes more sense than concentrating 240W of power into one enclosure.
