Altronix TP1650 16VAC 50VA Plugin Transformer
The Altronix TP1650 is a compact plugin transformer designed to convert 120VAC mains power into stable 16VAC output at 50VA capacity. This unit is purpose-built for distributed security and access control installations where isolated low-voltage AC supply is required but space is constrained or multiple standalone power sources are preferable to a central distribution panel.
Overview
The TP1650 addresses a specific integration need: powering door locks, electric strikes, proximity readers, and auxiliary control circuits in branch locations without running high-gauge wire back to a main panel or investing in a larger centralized supply. At 50VA, it delivers enough capacity to handle a single electronic lock or a small cluster of 12–24VDC loads when paired with a compatible step-down converter. The plugin form factor means no rail mounting, terminal block wiring, or breaker panel coordination — plug it into a standard 120VAC outlet and connect your load. This simplicity reduces on-site engineering complexity and accelerates commissioning, especially in retrofit access control upgrades or distributed warehouse automation sites.
The TP1650 operates from standard North American 120VAC mains. Output voltage is fixed at 16VAC, which is the standard level for most legacy access control equipment and security-grade solenoid coils. No adjustment or configuration is required; the unit provides regulated output across its rated load range, so voltage remains stable even as connected devices cycle on and off.
Key Features
- 16VAC Output at 50VA Capacity: Sufficient to power a single electronic lock or reader without undersizing — avoids the false economy of a 20VA supply that can't handle inrush current when a solenoid energizes. 50VA is the practical minimum for reliable single-point access control power.
- 120VAC Input Voltage: Accepts standard North American wall outlet power. No three-phase requirement and no special circuit isolation needed beyond what a standard 15A breaker provides.
- Single Output Terminal Configuration: One primary output keeps the wiring diagram simple and reduces the chance of miswired circuits. Ideal for installations where one load is dominant and auxiliary signals are minimal.
- Compact Plugin Design: Eliminates the footprint required by DIN-rail mounted supplies. Fits behind equipment racks, inside cabinet shelves, or on a short wall-mounted bracket without consuming panel real estate.
- Isolated 16VAC Supply: Isolation from mains ground prevents ground-loop hum in audio circuits and reduces RF interference in reader signal lines — meaningful when access control readers share conduit with alarm wiring or network cabling.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: Covers defective components and manufacturing faults for the operational life of the unit, provided normal operating conditions are met. Reasonable assurance for a simple passive device with no active components prone to thermal stress.
Typical Applications
- Single-Point Access Control: Door strike, lock cylinder reader, request-to-exit button, and status relay all powered from one TP1650 in a small office or warehouse entry.
- Distributed Warehouse Automation: Multiple TP1650 units deployed across loading docks or secure gates, each supplying its own zone rather than running long low-voltage runs from a central panel.
- Legacy System Refresh: Replacing failed or aging transformers in existing 16VAC systems without redesigning the entire power topology.
- Auxiliary Power for Monitoring Equipment: Powering relay outputs, pilot lights, or field control circuits in security subsystems that require isolated AC reference voltage.
Integration & Compatibility
The TP1650 outputs pure 16VAC; it is not a regulated DC supply. If your access control system or lock actuator requires 12VDC or 24VDC, you must pair this transformer with a compatible step-down rectifier or DC converter module rated for 16VAC input. Verify converter input voltage and current rating before connecting. The transformer itself has no electronic control, so it is compatible with any AC-load device within its 50VA envelope.
When to Consider Alternatives
If your installation requires multiple independent 16VAC circuits (e.g., separate power for two different doors), consider a larger panel-mount transformer with multiple taps, or deploy two TP1650 units on separate circuits. If output voltage must be selectable or adjustable, the TP1650's fixed 16VAC output is not suitable — consult a variable output transformer or regulated DC supply in the same Altronix product family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the TP1650 power a 24VDC lock directly?
A: No. The TP1650 outputs 16VAC, not DC. You must add a rectifier/converter module that accepts 16VAC input and outputs 24VDC at the required current. The transformer alone cannot drive DC loads.
Q: What is the maximum load current at 50VA?
A: At 16VAC, 50VA yields approximately 3.1 amps (50 ÷ 16). In practice, assume 2.5–3A continuous after accounting for transformer efficiency losses. A typical solenoid lock drawing 1.5A on energize will operate safely within this margin.
Q: Is the TP1650 isolated from mains ground?
A: Yes. The transformer provides galvanic isolation between the 120VAC primary (mains) and the 16VAC secondary (output), eliminating ground loops and reducing hum in adjacent control circuits.
Q: Can I use the TP1650 outdoors or in wet environments?
A: The transformer is not rated for outdoor exposure. It is designed for indoor wall-outlet installation. For outdoor or damp locations, mount it inside a NEMA 4X enclosure or use a weatherproof outdoor power distribution box, and run the 16VAC output to your field equipment via conduit.
Q: Does the TP1650 have thermal overload protection?
A: The transformer does not include built-in thermal cutoff or current limiting. Sustained overload (load exceeding 50VA) will cause the unit to heat. If your load approaches or exceeds 50VA, install a separate thermal fuse or circuit breaker on the primary side (upstream of the transformer) rated for the expected inrush current.
Q: What warranty period applies?
A: Lifetime Limited Warranty covers manufacturing defects. It does not cover damage from overload, moisture ingress, or misapplication. Review the full warranty terms in the product documentation for exclusions and claim procedures.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Altronix TP1650 solves a problem that doesn't always feel urgent until you're standing in a warehouse loading dock trying to extend access control power to a new gate without running conduit fifty feet back to the main panel. At 50VA capacity with fixed 16VAC output, the TP1650 is a straightforward AC isolation transformer — no regulation circuits, no smart features, just a reliable step-down from 120VAC mains to the 16VAC level that legacy solenoid locks and proximity readers expect. If your load is a single door strike or a reader with minimal auxiliary circuits, this unit will handle it without oversizing and burning money on a larger panel-mounted supply you don't need.
Technical Highlights:
- 50VA at 16VAC Output: Yields approximately 3.1 amps maximum available current — sufficient for a single solenoid lock energizing at 1.5–2A inrush. Don't expect to run two locks from one unit; know your load headroom before connecting.
- Galvanic Isolation: The transformer primary and secondary are not connected to a common ground, which eliminates ground-loop hum. In access control systems sharing conduit with alarm wiring, this isolation is the difference between a clean reader signal and a noisy one susceptible to false reads.
- Plugin Form Factor: No breaker coordination, no DIN-rail mounting, no terminal block ordering. Plug into any standard 120VAC outlet. Commissioning time for a single-point power retrofit is measured in minutes, not hours of panel work.
Deployment Considerations:
- No Overload Protection Built In: If a connected solenoid or load draws continuously above 50VA, the transformer will heat and degrade. Install a circuit breaker or thermal fuse on the primary side upstream of the TP1650 — don't rely on the mains breaker alone to protect a faulty or miswired load.
- 16VAC Only, No DC: Many modern access control readers and locks require 12VDC or 24VDC input. Verify your end device can accept 16VAC, or budget for a separate step-down converter module. The TP1650 is AC output; it is not a regulated DC supply.
- Indoor Installation Only: The transformer lacks environmental rating for outdoor use or damp enclosures. Mount it indoors, inside climate-controlled cabinets or protected wall-mount positions. If the outlet is near a wet location, use a weatherproof cover or relocate the outlet circuit.
Position the TP1650 in distributed access control architectures where a small, single-point power source reduces wiring runs and panel complexity. It is the right choice for branch-office retrofits, warehouse dock gates, or lab entry points where a dedicated low-voltage supply is preferable to extending infrastructure back to a central distribution point. For multi-zone facilities or locations requiring redundant power supplies, combine multiple TP1650 units on independent circuits.
