Lifesafety Power FPO150-B100C8D8E2M 150W Board Power Supply
Overview
The Lifesafety Power FPO150-B100C8D8E2M is a 150W board-level power supply engineered for distributed power architecture in mid-scale security and access control installations. This is not an encased standalone unit—it is a bare board assembly designed to be integrated into custom backplanes, power distribution chassis, or legacy 12V/24V camera racks. The FPO150-B100C8D8E2M delivers either 12VDC at 12A or 24VDC at 6A, making it suitable for deployments where centralized UPS topology is impractical, cost-prohibitive, or where modular power scaling is preferred.
Key Features
- Dual-Voltage Output (12VDC @ 12A or 24VDC @ 6A): Select output voltage to match your endpoint devices—12V for legacy analog and early IP camera systems, 24V for modern PoE switches and higher-voltage door controllers. The 150W capacity bridges medium-scale arrays without requiring a large centralized supply.
- Board Assembly Form Factor: No external enclosure means lower cost and flexibility to integrate into existing backplane infrastructure. You mount the board inside a metal chassis with forced-air cooling if ambient temperature exceeds 70°F continuously, keeping thermal management under your control.
- PoE-Compatible Topology: Pairs naturally with modular PoE switch backplanes and legacy 12V/24V power distribution shelves, simplifying upgrades to older camera systems without complete infrastructure replacement.
- Scalable Current Capacity: At 12A on the 12V rail, the FPO150-B100C8D8E2M can reliably supply up to eight typical 2MP IP cameras at normal operating load, or up to twelve lower-draw access control nodes. Exact capacity depends on per-device current signature—verify each endpoint in the target device datasheet before final assignment.
- No Integrated Battery or Supervision: This board delivers raw DC power only. Pair it with an external UPS system or monitoring relay if redundancy or power-loss notification is required. This modular approach lets you add supervision only where the deployment demands it, avoiding over-specification.
- Proper Voltage Drop Control via Conductor Gauge: Deploy AWG 14 minimum for 12V runs under 20 feet, AWG 12 for longer spans, to keep voltage drop below 2% and ensure endpoint devices receive stable power. Terminal lugs and torque fasteners must meet UL 486A-B standards for safety and longevity.
Integration & Compatibility
The FPO150-B100C8D8E2M integrates into modular PoE switch backplanes, legacy 12V/24V camera racks, and auxiliary power shelves feeding analog or older IP camera systems. Confirm the voltage and current draw of each endpoint before final assignment. Because this is a board assembly, always mount it inside a metal enclosure or power backplane with appropriate cooling; do not operate it exposed to ambient air without thermal protection. Validate your conductor gauge and run distances before deployment to prevent voltage sag that could reset cameras or cause false door-strike alarms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use the FPO150-B100C8D8E2M to power both 12V and 24V devices simultaneously?
A: No. The board is configured to output either 12VDC @ 12A or 24VDC @ 6A. You select one voltage at installation and cannot mix outputs. If you need both voltages, deploy two separate FPO150 boards or consult a higher-capacity supply with dual-rail capability.
Q: Does the FPO150-B100C8D8E2M include battery backup?
A: No. This board supplies DC power only—it has no integrated battery or charger. Pair it with an external UPS system if you require power continuity during mains failure or power supervision/monitoring.
Q: What cooling do I need if the ambient temperature is above 70°F?
A: Mount the board inside a metal enclosure or power chassis and provide forced-air cooling (small 12V or 24V axial fan) to dissipate heat. Continuous operation above 70°F ambient without cooling will reduce component lifespan and may cause thermal shutdown.
Q: How do I know if the FPO150-B100C8D8E2M can power my camera system?
A: Calculate the sum of current draw (in amps) across all devices on the selected voltage rail. For example, eight 2MP IP cameras typically draw ~1.5A each at 12V, totaling 12A—the maximum for the 12V output. Always leave a 20% headroom margin. Check each device's datasheet for actual current consumption under normal operation and peak load.
Q: What conductor gauge and distances are acceptable?
A: Use AWG 14 minimum for 12V runs under 20 feet, AWG 12 for longer runs, to keep voltage drop below 2%. For 24V, slightly smaller gauge is acceptable due to lower current, but verify the calculation. Voltage drop formula: (2 × length in feet × current in amps) ÷ (1000 × conductor cross-section in circular mils).
The FPO150-B100C8D8E2M is a pragmatic choice for modular power in mid-scale distributed deployments—particularly when you're retrofitting older infrastructure or scaling incrementally without overbuying centralized capacity. The board format cuts cost compared to encased supplies, and the dual-voltage output (12V @ 12A or 24V @ 6A) maps cleanly to legacy camera racks and modern PoE switch backplanes. That said, this is a bare board, not a plug-and-play unit, so expect integration work.
Technical Highlights:
- 150W Capacity at Selectable Voltage: Choose 12VDC @ 12A for eight typical 2MP IP cameras, or 24VDC @ 6A for higher-voltage door controllers and modular PoE systems. No wasted capacity for smaller installations.
- Board Assembly = Cost Efficiency + Integration Flexibility: No external enclosure overhead means lower unit cost and the ability to design your own thermal and mechanical integration. The tradeoff is you must provide the chassis and forced-air cooling if ambient exceeds 70°F continuous.
- No Integrated Supervision or Battery: Raw power delivery keeps the board simple and leaves redundancy decisions to you. For critical applications, pair with an external UPS or relay-based monitoring instead of overspecifying the board itself.
Deployment Considerations:
- Conductor gauge is non-negotiable: AWG 14 minimum for 12V under 20 feet, AWG 12 for longer runs. Voltage drop above 2% will cause camera resets and access control faults. Calculate before you pull wire.
- Thermal management is your responsibility: forced-air cooling is required if the board sits above 70°F continuously. Without it, component life drops and thermal shutdown risk climbs. Plan for a small 12V or 24V axial fan if the enclosure lacks natural convection.
- Current budget strictly enforced: 12A at 12V is the hard ceiling—no overload recovery. Count every amp of every endpoint before final assignment, and always leave 20% headroom for transient spikes and future expansion.
Ideal for warehouse automation camera arrays, legacy analog-to-IP retrofit projects, and access control racks where modular power scaling beats big centralized UPS. Skip this if you need integrated battery backup, multiple simultaneous voltages, or remote power monitoring—use a full power management system instead.
