Altronix SAV18D 18-Output 12VDC Power Supply
The Altronix SAV18D is an 18-output Class 2 power supply designed to deliver regulated 12VDC to distributed surveillance and access control installations. With 5 amperes available per output, the unit accepts both 115VAC and 230VAC input, making it adaptable to facility power configurations without requiring hardware changes. This is important because facility voltage standards vary — a single SKU that handles both input ranges eliminates the need to stock or order region-specific variants.
Key Features
- 18 independent 12VDC outputs: Each channel delivers up to 5A, totaling 90A theoretical capacity. For a mixed deployment — say, 12 analog PTZ domes (2–3A each) plus 6 access control readers (0.5A each) — you have breathing room and can add devices later without undersizing.
- Dual input voltage (115VAC / 230VAC): Eliminates the need to order separate units for different facility standards. Switch input voltage via a single terminal connection, reducing stockkeeping complexity in multi-site deployments.
- Class 2 power supply certification: Meets UL/NEC Class 2 safety requirements, meaning the output circuits are inherently current-limited and isolated from mains. This is essential for mixed analog/IP camera and access control installations where low-voltage safety isolation prevents shock hazards and interference.
- Individual output control and isolation: Each channel operates independently, so a short or overload on one output does not cascade to others. This isolation is critical in surveillance — losing power to one camera should not blind the entire system. Troubleshooting and maintenance become faster because you can isolate faults to a single device without powering down the rack.
- Compact form factor: Designed for rack or wall mounting, the SAV18D fits into standard security equipment enclosures without occupying excessive depth or footprint. In warehouse automation or enterprise facilities where space is constrained, compact power infrastructure reduces cabinet clutter and cooling load.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: Covers defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the product under normal use, providing cost predictability in long-term surveillance deployments.
Deployment Context
The SAV18D is purpose-built for analog CCTV and hybrid analog/IP camera systems where cameras and auxiliary devices (dome motors, IR illuminators, access readers) require regulated 12VDC from a centralized point. Rather than running individual power supplies to each camera or using ad-hoc 12V distribution, a centralized supply reduces wiring complexity, improves voltage regulation across all devices, and simplifies troubleshooting. In warehouse automation environments, the same supply can feed camera power, door lock actuators, and sensor inputs — as long as total current demand does not exceed available capacity.
The SAV18D is not suited for PoE (Power over Ethernet) cameras, which draw power from network infrastructure. If your system includes any PoE cameras, they will connect directly to a PoE switch or injector, and the SAV18D handles only non-PoE devices. For all-IP installations without legacy analog cameras, managed network switches with PoE support may eliminate the need for a separate 12VDC supply entirely.
Integration & Compatibility
The SAV18D outputs are bare 12VDC terminals — no integrated connectors. You will need to run wire (typically 18–14 AWG depending on run length and device amperage) from the SAV18D to each camera, dome, or device. Most analog and legacy IP cameras accept 12VDC terminal inputs directly; verify your specific camera datasheet to confirm barrel-jack or terminal compatibility. If cameras use proprietary connectors, terminal adapters or breakout harnesses will be required. The unit's independent channel isolation means each output can be fused or protected independently, a best practice in surveillance installations.
When to Choose a Different Model
If you need fewer outputs, Altronix offers smaller 4-output and 8-output variants in the same power supply family, which may better fit single-building or small-zone installations. If your system is 100% PoE or PoE+, you do not need the SAV18D at all — the switch infrastructure handles power distribution. If you require higher current density (more than 5A per camera), confirm your cameras' amperage with the manufacturer and, if needed, consider redundant supplies or oversizing channel usage across multiple outputs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use the SAV18D for both analog cameras and IP cameras?
A: Yes. The SAV18D delivers Class 2 regulated 12VDC suitable for both analog CCTV cameras and non-PoE IP cameras that accept 12VDC input. PoE-enabled IP cameras, however, receive power from the network switch and do not need the SAV18D.
Q: What happens if one output shorts or a device pulls more than 5A?
A: Individual output isolation means a short on one channel does not disable others. However, exceeding 5A per output may trip an internal circuit protection or damage connected equipment. Consult the datasheet to confirm current protection mechanism and always verify device amperage before connection.
Q: Do I need to install fuses or breakers between the SAV18D and my cameras?
A: Best practice is to fuse each output to protect the connected device and the SAV18D itself. Use a fuse or circuit breaker sized to the device's maximum current draw plus a 25% margin. The SAV18D output isolation provides secondary protection, but per-device fusing is standard in professional surveillance installations.
Q: Can I daisy-chain multiple SAV18D units for higher total capacity?
A: The SAV18D is a single-unit supply without built-in parallel-stacking capability. For installations requiring more than 18 outputs or higher aggregate current, install multiple SAV18D units on separate facility circuits. Ensure your facility power distribution can support the aggregate load (e.g., two SAV18D units at full capacity draw approximately 60–70A at 115VAC input).
Q: What input voltage should I use — 115VAC or 230VAC?
A: Select the voltage that matches your facility standard. 115VAC is typical in North America; 230VAC is standard in Europe and many other regions. The SAV18D input is switch-selectable, so you configure it once and do not change it during normal operation. Consult your facility electrical plan to confirm available input voltage at the installation point.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The SAV18D occupies a practical middle ground in 12VDC power infrastructure. At 5A per output with 18 independent channels, you're looking at roughly 90A aggregate capacity — enough for a small-to-mid warehouse or multi-zone facility installation without overprovisioning or undersizing. The key advantage is the output isolation: a single failed camera or shorted wire doesn't cascade into a brownout across the entire surveillance network.
Technical Highlights:
- 18 independent channels at 5A each: Eliminates shared power busses — each device gets its own dedicated output. In a 24-hour operation with mixed load profiles (high-current PTZ domes during active hours, low-current fixed cameras overnight), isolation prevents voltage sag on light-load channels when a dome motor surges.
- Dual input voltage (115VAC / 230VAC): A single SKU reduces inventory complexity across geographically dispersed sites. Set the input once, and you don't swap modules or order region-specific variants.
- Class 2 certification: Not just a safety checkbox — Class 2 isolation ensures low-voltage signals (cameras, readers, sensors) remain isolated from mains potential, critical for EMI immunity and personnel safety in mixed-voltage environments.
Deployment Considerations:
- Current per output is fixed at 5A maximum — if your PTZ dome or IR illuminator draws 6A peak, this supply cannot handle it. You'll need to oversize and either split loads across multiple outputs or upgrade to a higher-amperage supply. Check device datasheets before committing.
- The SAV18D provides raw 12VDC terminals; there are no integrated connectors or breaker modules. Plan for wiring runs, terminal blocks, and per-output fusing in your design. This increases installation labor but improves flexibility and troubleshooting.
The SAV18D is best suited to hybrid deployments: warehouses with a mix of analog dome cameras, fixed IP cameras, access readers, and door lock solenoids, all converging on a single centralized power rack. It won't replace a PoE switch infrastructure, but for the non-PoE portion of your system, it delivers predictable, isolated 12VDC without the complexity of multi-supply distribution.
