Altronix T2RM78SD 8-Output Rack Mount Power Supply Chassis
Overview
The Altronix T2RM78SD is a rack-mountable power distribution chassis designed for commercial access control and surveillance installations where centralized, multi-output DC power delivery matters. Housed in a 19-inch rack-mount enclosure — standard fit in any IDF closet, head-end rack, or security equipment room — the T2RM78SD provides eight independently fused outputs at selectable 12VDC or 24VDC, drawing from a 115VAC input at up to 4.2A. At 40.5 lb and 3.25" x 19.0" x 33.1", this is a substantial chassis built for permanent, load-bearing installation, not a temporary bench supply. If your project calls for powering multiple access control readers, door strikes, or auxiliary surveillance devices from a single disciplined power plant, this is the class of device to evaluate.
Key Features
- Eight Independent Outputs: Eight discrete output circuits mean each door controller, reader, or device gets its own fused path. A fault or short on one output does not cascade and drop the rest of the installation — critical in multi-door access control deployments where a single power failure across all outputs would unlock or lock all controlled doors simultaneously.
- Selectable 12VDC / 24VDC Output Voltage: Supporting both 12VDC and 24VDC output lets this chassis serve a mixed device ecosystem — 12V for most legacy card readers and proximity devices, 24V for door strikes and some electrified hardware — without running separate power supplies for each voltage tier. Verify your load voltage requirements against the output configuration before wiring.
- 10A Total Output Capacity at 24VDC: With 2.5A per output and a 10A aggregate at 24VDC, the T2RM78SD can support eight outputs at moderate loads. For installations with high-draw devices (mag-locks, electric strikes drawing 500mA–1A each), budget your per-output load carefully against the 2.5A per-circuit limit. Over-subscription is the most common commissioning error on multi-output chassis.
- 115VAC Input, 4.2A Draw: A single standard 115VAC feed powers the entire chassis. At 4.2A input draw, this unit fits on a standard 20A branch circuit with substantial headroom — no dedicated 30A circuit, no special outlet type required. Plan for a properly rated UPS upstream if uptime during utility outages is a project requirement.
- Rack Mount Form Factor (19" Standard): The 19-inch rackmount chassis integrates directly into standard two-post or four-post network and security equipment racks without adapters. At 3.25" (roughly 2U), it consumes minimal rack space relative to its eight-output capacity. Verify rack depth — at 33.1" deep, this chassis requires a deep four-post rack; shallow two-post open frames will not provide the physical support needed at 40.5 lb.
- CE Agency Listing: CE listing confirms the T2RM78SD has been evaluated against applicable European safety and EMC directives. For domestic US installations, confirm with your AHJ whether CE alone satisfies local inspection requirements, or whether UL listing is required for the installation type.
- Operating Temperature Range 0°C to 49°C: Rated for environments from freezing to 49°C (120°F), this chassis handles typical equipment room conditions without derating. However, it is not rated for outdoor or uncontrolled environments — install in a conditioned or semi-conditioned space. Storage down to -20°C means the unit can be warehoused in cold climates without damage before installation.
- PTC Overcurrent Protection: The model designation includes PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) protection, which self-resets after an overcurrent event clears — no manual fuse replacement required. This reduces service calls on installations where transient overcurrent events (door hardware inrush, wiring shorts during construction) would otherwise require a technician visit just to swap a fuse.
Integration & Compatibility
The T2RM78SD fits naturally into Altronix power and access control infrastructure as a centralized DC distribution point. It is designed to work within the ALTX/MERC product family, making it a logical pairing with Altronix access control enclosures and power management modules. When integrating with third-party access control panels, confirm that your panel's auxiliary power outputs can share ground reference with this chassis — ground loop issues are the leading cause of erratic reader behavior in multi-supply installations. For installations requiring battery backup, plan an external UPS or Altronix battery backup module upstream on the AC feed; this chassis does not include an integrated battery. Consult your power supply selection guide when sizing backup runtime against total load.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the per-output current limit on the T2RM78SD?
A: Each of the eight outputs is rated at 2.5A. The total aggregate output capacity is 10A at 24VDC. Do not exceed 2.5A on any single output circuit.
Q: Does the T2RM78SD include battery backup?
A: No. The T2RM78SD does not include an integrated battery or battery backup module. For uninterruptible operation during AC power outages, install a suitable UPS upstream on the 115VAC input feed.
Q: Can the T2RM78SD be mounted in a standard 19-inch equipment rack?
A: Yes. The chassis is 19.0 inches wide and fits standard 19-inch two-post or four-post racks. Note the depth is 33.1 inches and the unit weighs 40.5 lb — a deep four-post rack with proper rail support is required.
Q: Is the T2RM78SD CE listed?
A: Yes, the T2RM78SD carries a CE agency listing. For US installations, verify with your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) whether CE listing satisfies local code requirements or if UL listing is needed for your specific installation type.
Q: What output voltages does the T2RM78SD support?
A: The T2RM78SD supports both 12VDC and 24VDC output, allowing it to power a mixed device environment — card readers, door strikes, and other access control or surveillance hardware — without separate power supplies for each voltage.
Q: What is the operating temperature range for the T2RM78SD?
A: The operating range is 0°C to 49°C (32°F to 120°F). The unit is rated for indoor, conditioned equipment room environments and is not designed for outdoor or uncontrolled temperature installation.
The T2RM78SD is the kind of chassis I reach for on mid-size commercial access control jobs where you need eight disciplined DC outputs in a single rack unit without babysitting individual wall-mount power supplies across the floor. The 10A aggregate at 24VDC with PTC self-resetting protection is what makes it practical in real installations — transient overcurrent events during door hardware commissioning won't send a tech back to the rack to swap fuses.
Technical Highlights:
- 8 Independent PTC-Protected Outputs: Each circuit at 2.5A max with self-resetting protection — a fault on one door does not cascade to the other seven, and recovery is automatic once the fault clears.
- Dual Voltage (12VDC / 24VDC) Support: Running mixed hardware (12V readers alongside 24V strikes) from a single chassis eliminates the separate-supply multiplication problem on larger door counts.
- 115VAC / 4.2A Input Draw: Fits comfortably on a standard 20A branch circuit. At 40.5 lb and 33.1 inches deep, plan your rack selection before ordering — this is not a shallow-rack unit.
Deployment Considerations:
- Rack depth is the number-one installation surprise on this chassis: 33.1 inches requires a full-depth four-post rack with proper rail support. Confirm rack depth and weight rating before mounting.
- CE listing satisfies EU compliance requirements; for US installations requiring UL-listed power, verify with your AHJ before rough-in — correcting this after drywall close is expensive.
This chassis fits cleanest in new-construction commercial access control head-ends — corporate lobbies, multi-tenant office buildings, or campus security rooms — where a disciplined, rack-integrated power plant for eight doors or device circuits is preferable to scattered wall-mount supplies that are harder to monitor and service.
