Altronix R2416ULI 16-Output 24VAC Rack Mount Power Supply
The Altronix R2416ULI is a 2U rack-mount power distribution platform purpose-built for centralized 24VAC delivery across multi-camera and access control installations. With 16 electrically isolated output circuits, each rated for 25A maximum current, the unit eliminates the complexity of managing dozens of individual 24VAC power supplies scattered across a facility. It converts standard 115VAC building power into regulated 24VAC, making it a single point of failure management and circuit protection for distributed security deployments.
Key Features
- 16 Isolated Output Circuits: Each output is independently protected, so a short or overload on one device won't cascade to others. This isolation is critical in multi-tenant or multi-zone facilities where you can't afford a single fault to black out an entire security perimeter.
- 25A Maximum Current Per Output: Sufficient for high-inrush PTZ motors, solenoid door strikes, and multi-camera trunk lines. A single output can support 3–5 standard camera installations or one power-hungry PTZ head without needing secondary distribution.
- 2U Rack Form Factor: Fits standard 19-inch equipment racks alongside NVRs, switches, and control panels. Saves floor space in control rooms and server closets where every inch of rack real estate matters.
- 115VAC Input from Building Mains: No special wiring required — connects to any standard 15A or 20A circuit in your facility's electrical panel. This simplicity means faster deployment and fewer coordination calls with building maintenance.
- 24VAC Output Voltage: Universal across security hardware: IP cameras, access control readers, electric locks, intercom systems, and buzzer circuits all speak 24VAC natively. No need to source multiple voltage platforms or design custom step-down topologies.
- UL Listed and CE Approved: Meets North American and European regulatory requirements, reducing compliance risk in multinational or regulated facilities (healthcare, finance, data centers). Simplifies insurance and audit sign-offs.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: Manufacturer stands behind the hardware for the life of ownership, reducing total cost of replacement for permanent installations.
Integration & Deployment Context
The R2416ULI is the backbone of centralized 24VAC power distribution for professional security and access control. Typical deployments include:
- Multi-camera CCTV plants where IP cameras and analog models share common 24VAC infrastructure at a central rack rather than distributed power supplies at each camera location.
- Enterprise access control systems with distributed door readers, card encoders, and strike locks across multiple floors — all powered from a single rack, all protected by individual circuit breakers.
- Warehouse automation environments with motion sensors, door sensors, and light triggers requiring independent failsafe operation.
- Critical infrastructure facilities where power distribution audit trails and circuit isolation are compliance requirements.
Its isolation topology makes it ideal for integration with UPS battery backup systems: pair the R2416ULI with an industrial UPS, and you maintain power to critical circuits (door strikes, alarm panels, camera core) even during mains loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I daisy-chain multiple R2416ULI units to expand output count?
A: Yes. Multiple units can be deployed in parallel on the same 115VAC input (provided your building circuit can handle the aggregate draw) or on separate circuits. Each unit operates independently with its own output isolation.
Q: What happens if an output is overloaded or short-circuited?
A: Each of the 16 outputs is individually protected by internal circuit logic. A fault on one output will not affect the other 15, allowing the rest of the installation to remain operational while you troubleshoot the problem circuit.
Q: Is the R2416ULI suitable for outdoor or hazardous locations?
A: The unit is designed for indoor rack installation in controlled environments (control rooms, server closets, equipment vaults). It is not rated for outdoor, wet, or explosion-proof applications. Install it in a secure, temperature-controlled enclosure.
Q: Can I use the R2416ULI with analog CCTV cameras?
A: Yes. The 24VAC output is compatible with analog cameras, IP cameras, and any 24VAC-rated security device. It makes no distinction between device types — only power delivery.
Q: How do I know which circuit is which?
A: The unit ships with 16 labeled terminal blocks. You label and document each output in your system design phase. Many integrators use a patch panel or terminal label printer to mark circuits by location or function (e.g., 'Camera 1–4', 'Door Strike North', 'Reader Zone A').
Q: Is there voltage regulation or surge protection?
A: The unit supplies regulated 24VAC, protecting downstream equipment from input mains fluctuations. For lightning or transient surge protection on individual outputs, consider field-installable surge suppressors at the circuit terminals if the deployment is in a high-risk environment.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix R2416ULI occupies a specific and important niche: it's a power supply for integrators who need rock-solid, isolated 24VAC distribution across 10–20+ devices without the complexity of managing dozens of individual wall-wart supplies. In smaller deployments (2–4 cameras), a single DIN-rail supply is often sufficient. But once you cross into multi-zone access control or CCTV with PTZ motors, the R2416ULI's 16 isolated circuits and 25A per-output capacity justify the rack footprint.
Technical Highlights:
- 16 Isolated Outputs at 25A Each: The key word is isolated. A fault on output 7 does not trip output 1. In access control or mixed-load environments, this isolation prevents a single shorted lock coil from dropping power to your entire camera array — a scenario that feels obvious until it happens at 3 a.m. on a Friday.
- 115VAC Input Simplicity: No three-phase wiring, no 208V negotiation with facilities. Any standard building circuit works, which accelerates deployment and reduces coordination overhead with site electrical staff.
- 2U Rack Mounting: Assumes you have an equipment rack already (NVR, switch, control panel). If your site is a distributed node with a closet-mounted DVR and a switch, the R2416ULI integrates immediately. If your site is a bare-wire-and-relays scenario, you'll need to justify the rack purchase alongside it.
Deployment Considerations:
- The unit is rated for indoor, temperature-controlled environments. Don't attempt to mount it outdoors or in an unheated warehouse in winter without external conditioning. Thermal stress will degrade transformer life.
- At 25A per output, a fully loaded R2416ULI (16 outputs × 25A) theoretically draws 400A at 24VAC. The 115VAC input will see that proportionally transformed — you're looking at roughly 1.8 kW of input power draw under full load. Verify your site's 115VAC service can sustain it without voltage sag. A 20A building circuit is the safe maximum; anything larger requires dedicated infrastructure or a second unit on a separate breaker.
- Label your outputs from day one. After 18 months, nobody remembers which terminal feeds the north-side door readers versus the camera trunk.
Position the R2416ULI as your centralized power backbone when deploying multi-zone access control or a distributed IP camera network across 3+ floors of a building. Pair it with a managed switch for network distribution and a battery-backed UPS for failsafe circuit protection during mains loss.
