Middle Atlantic PD-DC-300-12V DC Power Distribution Unit
Overview
The Middle Atlantic PD-DC-300-12V is a 300W DC power distribution unit delivering 12V across 24 individual outputs — purpose-built for surveillance and access control deployments where you need clean, centralized low-voltage power without running individual power supplies to every device. With a universal 100–240VAC input and a 6-foot IEC C-14 power cable, it drops into any rack internationally without an adapter. If you've wrestled with a nest of wall-wart supplies on a camera or access control rollout, this is the unit that cleans it up.
The PD-DC-300-12V (often searched as PD DC 300 12V) belongs to Middle Atlantic's power distribution line, a catalog that integrators have standardized on for rack-based AV and security infrastructure.
Key Features
- 300W / 25A Total Output Capacity: With 300W available across 24 outputs at 25A max total, you can feed a full rack of 12V cameras or door controllers — roughly 24 devices drawing ~12.5W each at full load. Size your draw before commissioning; 25A shared across 24 ports means high-draw devices reduce headroom for the rest.
- 24 Individual 12V DC Outputs: Twenty-four discrete outputs let you home-run each device independently. A fault or short on one run won't cascade to adjacent devices — a meaningful difference from daisy-chained supplies on large camera arrays. Browse the DC power distribution category to compare output counts across the family.
- Universal 100–240VAC Input at 50/60Hz: Accepts any mains voltage worldwide — no stepped-down transformer needed when deploying internationally or moving equipment between US and EU facilities. The 5A AC max input draw keeps your circuit loading predictable.
- 340W Max Input Power at 120VAC/60Hz: The ~13% overhead between 300W rated output and 340W max input accounts for conversion losses. Plan your branch circuit around 340W, not 300W, to avoid nuisance trips at sustained full load.
- IEC C-14 AC Input with 6-Foot Cable: The industry-standard IEC C-14 inlet means replacement power cords are available everywhere, and the 6-foot included cable reaches standard rack PDUs without extension cords.
- Rack-Ready Form Factor: Designed for integration into Middle Atlantic rack enclosures and standard EIA racks — keeps your camera installation power infrastructure organized and serviceable from a single point.
Integration & Compatibility
The PD-DC-300-12V is the right fit for 12V DC device ecosystems: analog and IP cameras on 12V supplies, electromagnetic locks, access readers, and intercom modules drawing regulated 12V. It is NOT appropriate for 24V or 48V PoE devices — confirm your device voltage before wiring. The IEC C-14 input integrates cleanly with rack-mounted UPS and PDU outputs, supporting centralized backup power strategies for the whole surveillance node.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum total current the PD-DC-300-12V can deliver across all 24 outputs?
A: The PD-DC-300-12V supports a maximum output current of 25A total across all 24 DC outputs. This is a shared budget — if several high-draw devices are connected, the remaining outputs have reduced available current.
Q: Can I use the PD-DC-300-12V outside the United States?
A: Yes. The unit accepts 100–240VAC at 50/60Hz, making it compatible with standard mains voltage in North America, Europe, Asia, and most other regions. A locally sourced IEC C-14 power cord may be needed depending on the destination outlet type.
Q: What type of AC input connector does the PD-DC-300-12V use?
A: It uses a standard IEC C-14 inlet with a 6-foot power cable included.
Q: Is the PD-DC-300-12V suitable for powering PoE IP cameras?
A: No. PoE cameras draw power over Ethernet at 48V DC from a PoE switch or injector — the PD-DC-300-12V provides 12V DC only and is not compatible with PoE-powered devices. It is appropriate for cameras or controllers that accept a direct 12V DC supply connection.
Q: What is the maximum input power draw I should plan for on the branch circuit?
A: Plan for 340W maximum input power at 120VAC/60Hz, not the 300W output rating. The difference accounts for conversion losses, and sizing your circuit to the input max prevents nuisance breaker trips at sustained full load.
The PD-DC-300-12V is one of those units I reach for when a project has a dense cluster of 12V devices — think a 16- to 24-camera analog or hybrid system where every camera needs a dedicated, clean 12V supply and you want it all terminated in one place rather than scattered across the rack. The 25A shared output ceiling means you need to do the load math before populating all 24 ports, but in practice a typical 12V camera drawing 500–800mA gives you comfortable margin well before you hit the wall.
Technical Highlights:
- 24 Discrete Outputs at 300W / 25A: Running each device on its own output means a wiring fault or device short is isolated to that port — unlike daisy-chained or multi-tap supplies where one bad device can pull down a whole group.
- 340W Max Input vs. 300W Rated Output: That 40W gap is your conversion loss buffer. Wire your branch circuit to 340W (about 2.85A at 120V) to keep the breaker from tripping under sustained full-load conditions.
- Universal 100–240VAC / IEC C-14 Input: The standard IEC C-14 inlet and included 6-foot cord means you can swap the power cable for any regional standard without touching the unit — useful for international deployments or when sourcing a replacement cord locally on a service call.
Deployment Considerations:
- Confirm every connected device is rated for 12V DC input — the PD-DC-300-12V has no voltage selection. Connecting a 24V device will likely damage it; connecting a PoE device accomplishes nothing since PoE requires 48V delivered over Ethernet, not a direct DC barrel connection.
- With 25A total shared across 24 outputs, a fully loaded rack of cameras drawing 1A each hits 24A — tight but within spec. Add any door controllers or higher-draw devices and you may need to split the load across two units or derate the camera count.
For hybrid analog/IP retrofits or access control closets where 12V is the dominant supply voltage and you need a clean, rack-mounted termination point for 16–24 devices, the PD-DC-300-12V is a straightforward fit. It is not the answer for all-PoE IP camera deployments — those belong on a PoE switch, not a 12V distribution unit.
