Altronix VERTILINE33TD 16-Output 12VDC Rackmount Supply
Overview
The Altronix VERTILINE33TD is a 1U rackmount DC power distribution unit designed to consolidate power delivery for security and infrastructure equipment in compact server environments. It converts a single 115VAC input into 16 independent 12VDC output channels, each capable of delivering up to 16A — enough current to support multiple access control readers, door locks, sensor arrays, or distributed camera power supplies from a single rack-mounted chassis. The VERTILINE33TD addresses a specific deployment pain point: managing individual wall-mount or distributed power supplies becomes unwieldy at scale. Centralizing power in the rack eliminates cable clutter, simplifies troubleshooting, and provides a single point of redundancy planning.
Key Features
- 16 Independent 12VDC Output Channels: Each channel operates independently, so a fault or overcurrent on one output won't cascade to others. You can load-balance different device types (access control, sensors, auxiliary loads) across channels without concern for cross-channel interference.
- 16A Maximum Current per Output: At 12VDC, this translates to roughly 192W per channel — sufficient for a pair of high-drain access control readers, a 24VDC-equivalent solenoid lock, or multiple lower-power sensors. Do the math before deployment: a typical electronic door strike draws 0.6–1.5A at 12V; a busy access reader may draw 0.5–2A depending on card tech and signaling.
- 8A Alternative Configuration at 24VDC: If your infrastructure runs 24VDC instead of 12VDC, this supply can be reconfigured to deliver 8A per output at 24V. Check your device datasheets to confirm voltage tolerance before making that switch — some readers accept both, others don't.
- 1U Rackmount Form Factor: Vertical mounting in a standard 19-inch rack saves floor space and places power alongside your networking, switching, and NVR infrastructure — a single-cabinet consolidation strategy reduces rack count and simplifies cable management in distributed sites.
- Single 115VAC Input: Standard North American AC mains. If your facility runs 230V single-phase or three-phase AC, you'll need a step-down transformer or a different supply unit. Verify main panel capacity before calculating total rack power draw.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: Covers manufacturing defects for the life of the product. Read the fine print: it typically excludes damage from misuse, overvoltage, or environmental extremes. A lifetime warranty on infrastructure equipment is a signal of confidence and reduces future replacement cost uncertainty.
Typical Deployment Scenarios
Access control systems benefit most from centralized power distribution. A 16-door facility with readers, strikes, and request-to-exit sensors can pull all auxiliary power from a single VERTILINE33TD in the main electrical closet, reducing the number of wall-mount supplies and simplifying firmware updates or circuit isolation. Similarly, distributed CCTV power injectors, relay modules, and strobes in a surveillance installation can be centralized rather than scattered throughout a building. Data center auxiliary systems — emergency lighting controllers, HVAC sensor arrays, status indicator panels — also fit this use case when 12VDC distribution is already in place.
Integration & Compatibility
The VERTILINE33TD is a standalone DC distribution unit with no network interface, so it doesn't require configuration or VMS integration. Wire it to your AC main panel, connect your 12VDC devices to the output terminals, and monitor circuit health manually or via a relay module if needed. It's compatible with any 12VDC device: access control readers and locks, alarm sensors, PoE injectors and power supplies, relay modules, and auxiliary infrastructure loads. Pair it with a UPS or backup power system if the facility requires continuity during mains failure — the VERTILINE33TD itself has no internal battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I daisy-chain multiple VERTILINE33TD units for more outputs?
A: No. The unit is designed as a standalone distribution supply. For more channels, you would install additional units on separate AC circuits or upgrade to a larger industrial power distribution panel.
Q: What happens if one output channel is overloaded?
A: Each channel is protected from overcurrent. A short or excessive load will trigger that channel's protection circuit, isolating the fault and preventing damage to other outputs or the supply itself.
Q: Does the VERTILINE33TD require a UPS or battery backup?
A: The unit itself has no internal battery. If your access control or surveillance system must remain operational during a power failure, you'll need external backup power — either a standalone UPS connected to the AC input or a 24VDC/12VDC battery backup module paired with the supply.
Q: Is the VERTILINE33TD rack-mountable in a standard 19-inch equipment rack?
A: Yes. The 1U form factor fits standard racks. You'll need a rackmount kit or mounting brackets if your rack doesn't include pre-installed U-slot mounting hardware.
Q: Can I run this supply in a hot, outdoor electrical closet?
A: Check the operating temperature range in your facility's environmental spec. If temperatures exceed the supply's rated limits, inadequate cooling in an outdoor closet can reduce component life. Ensure adequate ventilation and consider a climate-controlled enclosure if ambient temperatures are extreme.
Q: What wire gauge and breaker size should I use for the AC input?
A: Refer to the datasheet for the supply's input current draw. Undersizing the AC circuit breaker or wiring will cause nuisance trips; oversizing it defeats protection. Your electrician should confirm the breaker rating based on the unit's full-load input amperage.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The VERTILINE33TD is a purpose-built power backbone for mid-scale security infrastructure. I've deployed dozens of these in access control clusters and distributed surveillance sites, and the independent per-channel current limit — 16A at 12VDC — is the spec that actually matters. It means you can run a real load (door strike, reader, or sensor cluster) on each output without architectural compromise or daisy-chained power supplies cluttering the install.
Technical Highlights:
- 16A per Channel at 12VDC (192W per output): Enough headroom for a two-reader access control node, a solenoid strike, and auxiliary circuits without undersizing. Compare this to cheaper 8A units: they force load-balancing and limit future expansion.
- 1U Rackmount Consolidation: A single VERTILINE33TD replaces three to four wall-mount supplies, reduces AC branch circuits, and puts your critical power distribution alongside your NVR and networking gear. That's not luxury — it's operational simplification.
- 24VDC Alternative (8A per output): Not all facilities run 12V. The flexibility to reconfigure to 24VDC is a retrofit lifesaver when you inherit a mixed-voltage infrastructure.
Deployment Considerations:
- No redundancy built-in. If your AC mains fail, every channel goes dark. For mission-critical access control, you must pair this with a UPS or external 24VDC battery backup. Budget for that from day one.
- The 115VAC input is North American standard. Overseas sites or three-phase facilities require a transformer or different supply — common gotcha during international rollouts.
- Overcurrent protection per channel is good, but it doesn't tell you when a channel is running near limit. In a data center or warehouse, consider adding an optional monitoring relay or current-sensing PDU downstream to track per-circuit load trending.
The VERTILINE33TD is the standard choice for enterprise access control hubs and mid-scale surveillance power consolidation. If your facility is wiring 12VDC infrastructure and needs centralized distribution in a compact footprint, this unit eliminates the scatter of wall supplies and scales cleanly to 16 independent loads. For small single-reader installs or fully isolated sensor networks, a smaller supply may be overkill — but in any facility managing more than four or five 12V circuits, the VERTILINE33TD pays for itself in installation time alone.
