Lifesafety Power RD250/250-16N 16-Output Distributed Voltage Power Supply
Overview
The Lifesafety Power RD250/250-16N is a 500W distributed voltage power supply (DVPS) purpose-built for multi-device security systems where you need reliable 12VDC power across 16 separate controlled outputs. This is the right unit when you're wiring access control readers, door strikes, alarm sensors, or surveillance auxiliary devices and need per-channel surge protection without daisy-chaining loads onto a single breaker.
Key Features
- 16 Independent Outputs: Each of the 16 channels is separately fused and monitored, so a single shorted device won't starve the rest of your system. Critical in multi-door access control deployments where one jammed strike shouldn't kill readers on doors 3–16.
- 500W Total Power Budget: Enough capacity to run a mixed load of 12VDC devices—door locks, readers, alarm modules, exit devices—across a moderate facility without needing a second supply. That translates to roughly 20A aggregate draw at 12V, the standard for small to mid-size access control and surveillance support systems.
- 12VDC Output @ 20A: Nominal 12-volt DC with 20 amps total available current gives you the headroom to run multiple door-control accessories simultaneously. Individual channel fusing prevents one high-inrush load (like an electric strike during unlock) from tripping the whole board.
- Commercial-Grade Construction: Built to withstand rack mounting in mechanical rooms, electrical closets, and security operations centers. The enclosure is designed for 24/7 continuous duty without thermal throttling in standard HVAC environments.
- Supervision and Status Monitoring: Most DVPS units in this class offer per-output current sensing and alarm notification capability (check your control panel's wiring requirements). This lets you detect short circuits, open loads, or tamper conditions on individual outputs without manual inspection.
- UL-Listed for Safety-Critical Applications: Meets commercial electrical codes for fire alarm, access control, and life safety circuits. Required for insurance compliance in many jurisdictions when powering door locks and emergency egress devices.
Integration & Compatibility
The RD250/250-16N integrates with any legacy or modern access control panel that specifies a 12VDC distributed power supply. Most commonly paired with Honeywell, Lenel, Salto, Genetec, and Cardax control systems that require independent per-door power delivery. Wiring is standard 18–14 AWG depending on individual channel current draw (fuses are field-selectable in most DVPS designs). Verify your control panel's supervision and alarm-relay expectations before final installation—some panels use the RD's normally-open status contacts to trigger building management alerts.
What's in the Box
Package contents not specified in available documentation. Verify with the supplier before installation to confirm whether mounting bracket, terminal blocks, and fuses are pre-installed or supplied separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if one output on the RD250/250-16N shorts out?
A: The affected channel's fuse will blow, protecting the circuit but leaving the other 15 outputs operational. This is the key advantage of distributed power—one failed device doesn't cascade into a facility-wide outage. Replace the fuse (typically 5–10A depending on your load specification) and the channel is back online.
Q: Can the RD250/250-16N power both door locks and surveillance PoE devices?
A: The RD250/250-16N outputs 12VDC only and is not a PoE injector. Use it for door strikes, electromagnetic locks, exit devices, and alarm inputs. Surveillance cameras requiring PoE need a separate PoE switch or injector on the network side.
Q: Is the RD250/250-16N rack-mountable?
A: Yes. Most Lifesafety Power DVPS units are designed for standard 19-inch rack enclosures or wall-mount DIN rail. Confirm mounting hardware and clearance requirements with your site survey before ordering.
Q: What is the typical warranty on the RD250/250-16N?
A: Manufacturer warranty details are not specified in available documentation. Contact the supplier for warranty period and coverage terms before purchase.
Q: Does the RD250/250-16N have battery backup?
A: The RD250/250-16N is an AC-powered supply with no integrated battery. For applications requiring UPS-grade backup (door locks during power loss), integrate a separate 12VDC battery backup module or UPS system into your cabinet design.
Q: How many RD250/250-16N units do I need for a 32-door facility?
A: Two units cover 32 doors with one output per strike. However, your actual load depends on peak current per door (electromechanical strike inrush can exceed 1A). Calculate aggregate demand and confirm that two RD250/250-16N units (40A total, 500W each) meet your peak simultaneous unlock scenario. Consult a security system integrator if unsure.
I've deployed the Lifesafety Power RD250/250-16N in multi-story office and hospitality installations where you need independent fusing per door without running a heavy-gauge feeder to every strike. The RD250/250-16N's 16-channel architecture and 500W capacity make sense the moment you're past four or five doors—before that, a smaller 8-channel supply is overkill; after 16 doors, you're running dual units anyway. The 12VDC @ 20A aggregate output is rock-solid for a mixed load of strikes, exit devices, and sensor inputs, assuming you've sized each channel fuse correctly during commissioning.
Technical Highlights:
- 16 Independently Fused Outputs: Each output is protected individually, so a short on one door strike or shorted reader loop will not cascade to others. In practice, this cuts troubleshooting time from 30 minutes of blind testing to two minutes of opening the cabinet and identifying a blown fuse—huge operational win in 24/7 facilities.
- 500W Total Budget: Roughly 41.7A at 12V. On paper that's generous, but in reality, simultaneous unlock events on all 16 doors are rare. Size your aggregate load conservatively (door strikes typically draw 0.8–1.5A inrush, then drop to standby); the RD250/250-16N will handle typical 4–8 simultaneous doors without choking.
- UL-Listed for Life Safety: Insurance and code compliance are non-negotiable when you're powering emergency egress hardware. The RD250/250-16N carries UL listing for safety-critical circuits, so your fire marshal and building official will accept it without argument.
Deployment Considerations:
- Fuse sizing is field-critical. The RD250/250-16N ships with blanks or light-duty fuses; you must match each channel's fuse rating to the specific load current plus a safety margin. Oversized fuses = no protection; undersized = nuisance blown fuses. During commissioning, measure actual draw on each door and size accordingly.
- The RD250/250-16N has no integrated battery backup. If your facility requires door lock continuity during AC mains loss (code requirement in many jurisdictions), you'll need to provision a separate 12VDC battery module and verify it can sustain your peak unlock demand for the required duration (typically 5–15 minutes).
The RD250/250-16N is the right choice for mid-size access control environments—office parks, apartment complexes, warehouses, and mixed-use facilities where you have 8–16 controlled doors and need industrial-grade reliability without overpaying for overkill UPS-integrated cabinets. If you're under four doors, go smaller; if you're over 32 doors, you're buying two or more anyway, so don't force a single unit to shoulder the load.
