Altronix RESERV1 CCTV UPS Power Supply with Dual AC/DC Outputs and Battery Backup
Overview
The Altronix RESERV1 is a dedicated surveillance power supply with integrated UPS (uninterruptible power supply) functionality — engineered specifically for CCTV and access control installations that cannot tolerate a power interruption. Unlike generic UPS units built for IT equipment, the RESERV1 delivers both 24VAC at 4A and 12VDC at 2A simultaneously from a single chassis, feeding mixed-voltage camera and door-control environments without a separate power shelf. The dual-battery configuration (2 × 12VDC/7AH) keeps cameras and associated hardware online during outages, and Form "C" dry-contact supervisory outputs for both AC failure and low battery give your monitoring head-end a real-time fault signal — not just a silent failure. UL/cUL and CE listed, the RESERV1 fits directly into commercial security specifications that mandate listed power equipment.
Key Features
- Dual-Voltage Output (24VAC + 12VDC): The RESERV1 supplies 24VAC at 4A and 12VDC at 2A on a single unit. That covers the vast majority of analog and IP camera power requirements alongside access control readers and door strikes without stacking two separate power supplies — fewer enclosures, fewer failure points, simpler commissioning.
- 16 PTC-Protected Outputs at 1A Each: Each of the 16 outputs carries its own resettable PTC overcurrent protection. A shorted camera run trips only that output, not the entire distribution rail. On a 16-camera analog deployment, this means one cable fault doesn't black out the whole site — a critical operational advantage during installations when cable insulation issues are common.
- Integrated 2 × 12VDC/7AH Battery Backup: The onboard dual-battery pack sustains output during AC failures. Actual runtime depends on connected load; at light-to-moderate CCTV loads this is measurable in hours rather than minutes. Batteries are housed inside the same enclosure — no external battery shelf required, which matters in tight IDF closets or wall-mount locations.
- Form "C" AC Failure Supervision: Dry-contact relay output signals AC mains loss to a monitoring receiver or alarm panel. For UL-listed central-station connected installations, this supervisory output is often a code requirement — the RESERV1 provides it natively rather than requiring an add-on module.
- Form "C" Low Battery Supervision: A second independent Form "C" contact alerts when battery voltage drops below threshold. Integrators wiring into a DSC, Bosch, or similar panel can assign this to a tamper or trouble zone and get proactive battery-health monitoring without manual site visits.
- 115VAC / 60Hz Input, 3.5A Draw: Draws only 3.5A from a standard 15A branch circuit — well within normal electrical infrastructure. No dedicated 20A circuit required. A single duplex outlet in a server closet is sufficient to source this unit.
- Wide Operating Temperature Range (-33°C to 30°C): Rated down to -33°C, covering unheated mechanical rooms, parking structure enclosures, and cold-climate utility spaces where standard commercial UPS units would shut down or fail prematurely. Storage up to 70°C handles summer shipping and warehouse staging without pre-conditioning.
- UL/cUL and CE Listed: Carries both North American (UL/cUL) and European (CE) agency listings. For Altronix power products, UL listing is the baseline for inclusion in any commercial security specification — and cUL extends that coverage to Canadian projects under a single SKU.
- Compact 13.5" × 13" × 3.25" Enclosure, 10.36 lbs: At just over 10 lbs with batteries installed, the RESERV1 is wall-mountable in typical security enclosures without requiring structural reinforcement. The 3.25" depth fits flush in standard 4" deep surface-mount boxes.
Integration & Compatibility
The RESERV1 integrates directly into mixed-voltage CCTV power distribution architectures. The 24VAC output feeds standard 24VAC IP cameras and analog dome cameras; the 12VDC output supports access control readers, door locks, and 12VDC-rated cameras without a converter. The 16 individually fused outputs accommodate up to 16 discrete device runs on the AC side — suitable for a single-floor analog camera deployment or a hybrid access/video installation. The Form "C" supervisory contacts wire directly to commercial alarm panels (Bosch, Honeywell, DSC, and equivalents) using standard NC/NO zone wiring. For integrators building UL-listed installations, the UL/cUL listing on this unit satisfies the listed-equipment requirement common in commercial security specifications. Pair with an appropriate PoE network switch for IP camera runs where centralized PoE injection is preferred over distributed 24VAC power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What battery capacity does the RESERV1 include, and are the batteries replaceable?
A: The RESERV1 includes two 12VDC/7AH sealed lead-acid batteries housed inside the enclosure. Battery replacement in Altronix UPS units of this type is a standard field procedure using equivalent 12V 7AH SLA batteries, though confirm the specific replacement procedure with Altronix technical support.
Q: Can the RESERV1 power both 24VAC cameras and 12VDC devices simultaneously?
A: Yes. The RESERV1 provides 24VAC at 4A and 12VDC at 2A as simultaneous independent outputs. You can run 24VAC cameras on the 16 PTC-protected outputs while supplying 12VDC to access control readers or 12VDC-rated devices from the DC output — all from one unit.
Q: How does the RESERV1 notify a monitoring panel of a power failure?
A: Two independent Form "C" (SPDT) dry-contact relay outputs are provided — one for AC mains failure and one for low battery condition. These wire directly into standard alarm panel zones using conventional NC or NO wiring, triggering trouble alerts at the head-end or central station.
Q: Is the RESERV1 UL listed?
A: Yes. The RESERV1 carries UL/cUL and CE agency listings, making it suitable for use in UL-listed commercial security installations in both the United States and Canada.
Q: What is the operating temperature range for the RESERV1?
A: The RESERV1 operates from -33°C to 30°C (approximately -27°F to 86°F), covering unheated mechanical rooms, cold-climate utility spaces, and parking structure enclosures. Storage temperature range is -20°C to 70°C.
Q: How many camera outputs does the RESERV1 support?
A: The RESERV1 provides 16 individually PTC-protected outputs rated at 1A each on the AC distribution side, suitable for powering up to 16 cameras or devices. Each output self-resets after an overcurrent event clears, without requiring manual fuse replacement.
The RESERV1 is the unit I reach for when a CCTV installation calls for mixed-voltage power with supervised battery backup in a single enclosure. What sells it for me is the dual-format output: 24VAC at 4A and 12VDC at 2A running simultaneously, which covers the vast majority of analog and hybrid camera-plus-access-control topologies without stacking hardware. The 16 individually PTC-protected outputs are the operational differentiator on a real site — a shorted cable run trips one output, not sixteen cameras.
Technical Highlights:
- 2 × 12VDC/7AH Battery Plant: 14AH total capacity in a self-contained chassis — no external battery shelf, no separate battery cabinet. That matters in tight closet installs where every cubic inch is allocated.
- Dual Form "C" Supervision Contacts: Separate AC failure and low-battery Form "C" outputs give a monitoring panel two distinct fault states. Most competing single-output UPS units only flag AC loss — you're flying blind on battery health until it fails under load.
- -33°C Cold-Temperature Rating: Standard commercial UPS equipment typically floors out at 0°C or above. The RESERV1's -33°C rating is the difference between a working system in an unheated parking structure riser and a dead battery on a January morning.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 30°C upper operating temperature limit is a hard constraint — mount this unit in a ventilated enclosure or conditioned space. A sealed metal box in a south-facing mechanical room on a summer day will exceed that ceiling and shorten battery life.
- At 10.36 lbs with batteries, wall-mounting in drywall without a backing plate or stud anchor is not a good idea — plan the mount accordingly during rough-in.
The RESERV1 is a well-matched fit for mid-size retail or light commercial surveillance deployments — 8 to 16 analog or 24VAC IP cameras on a single floor — where the spec sheet requires UL-listed power equipment, supervised battery backup, and a single-enclosure solution that an electrician can source and terminate without custom power engineering.
