Altronix T1AA3CK3 12VDC Access Control Power Supply with Battery Backup
Overview
The Altronix T1AA3CK3 is a hardwired 12VDC power supply and battery backup unit purpose-built for commercial access control and surveillance installations. It draws 120VAC/60Hz from a standard branch circuit, converts to a regulated 12VDC output at 6A continuous, and keeps a 7AH standby battery on float charge so your doors and cameras stay powered through brief utility outages — without a separate UPS or external charger to manage. The T1AA3CK3 is pre-wired for two RI2M relay input modules, which means the field wiring headache of integrating relay logic is handled at the factory before the unit ships.
This is an Altronix power supply designed for integrators who need a UL-listed, code-compliant power source in a single enclosure — not a collection of loose components assembled in the field. The 16-gauge galvanized steel enclosure meets the physical security expectations of most AHJ inspections and provides a clean, professional-looking termination point for field wiring.
Key Features
- 6A Continuous Output at 12VDC: Six amps of regulated DC is enough to drive multiple electric strikes, mag-locks, or camera heads simultaneously. Unlike supplies rated at peak current, the 6A figure is continuous — meaning it's the sustained load the unit is designed to handle, not a momentary burst rating you'll exceed in normal operation.
- 7AH/12VDC Battery Backup: A 7 amp-hour battery provides meaningful holdover time during power interruptions. Depending on the actual load, this translates to several hours of continued operation for low-draw door hardware — enough to cover most utility brownouts and brief outages without triggering a door-fail condition.
- 120VAC/60Hz Input, 5A/250V Fused: The unit runs on standard North American mains power with a 5A/250V input fuse protecting against line-side overcurrent. No special circuit or step-down transformer required — connect to any properly rated 120VAC branch circuit.
- 3.5A Input Current Draw: At 3.5A from the AC mains, the T1AA3CK3 won't trip a 15A branch circuit even when shared with other loads, and its power factor characteristics are suitable for standard commercial electrical panels.
- UL294, cUL CAN/ULC-S319-05, and CE Listed: UL294 is the access control equipment listing that most AHJs require for door hardware power supplies in commercial and institutional buildings. The cUL/CAN-ULC listing extends acceptance into Canadian jurisdictions. CE marking covers European regulatory compliance. These aren't optional conveniences — they're the credentials an inspector will ask to see.
- 16-Gauge Galvanized Steel Enclosure: Heavier-gauge steel than the thin-wall enclosures common on budget power supplies, which matters both for physical tamper resistance and for long-term corrosion resistance in mechanical rooms and utility closets where humidity can be variable.
- Operating Range 0°C to 49°C: The rated operating envelope covers conditioned mechanical rooms and most indoor utility spaces. Storage down to -20°C means the unit can be warehoused or staged in unheated spaces without damaging internal components before installation.
- Pre-Wired for 2 RI2M Relay Input Modules: Factory pre-wiring eliminates the on-site assembly step for relay module integration, reducing installation time and the risk of wiring errors on relay logic circuits. For multi-door or supervised input configurations, this is the difference between a clean factory-terminated harness and a field splice.
Integration & Compatibility
The T1AA3CK3 is built around standard 12VDC output compatible with the majority of commercial electric strikes, electromagnetic locks, and IP security cameras that accept 12VDC power input. Its relay module pre-wiring is specific to the Altronix RI2M modules, so verify your panel or controller's relay input requirements match the RI2M form factor before ordering. For installations using access control power supplies in multi-door configurations, the 6A continuous rating is the load ceiling — calculate your total door hardware draw before committing to this unit for high-load applications. Consult your panel manufacturer's integration notes for supervised input and relay output timing compatibility with the RI2M modules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What certifications does the T1AA3CK3 carry?
A: The T1AA3CK3 is listed under UL294 (access control equipment), cUL CAN/ULC-S319-05 (Canadian access control standard), and carries CE marking for European regulatory compliance.
Q: What battery does the T1AA3CK3 use, and what's the holdover time?
A: The unit is designed for a 7AH/12VDC standby battery kept on float charge. Actual holdover time depends on the connected load — at lighter loads, several hours of operation during a utility outage is a realistic expectation. Calculate your specific load to estimate holdover time accurately.
Q: What does 'pre-wired for 2 RI2M' mean?
A: The enclosure and internal harness arrive from the factory already wired to accept two Altronix RI2M relay input modules. This eliminates the field-assembly step for those modules, reducing installation time and the risk of wiring errors. The RI2M modules themselves may need to be ordered separately — confirm what's included in your specific kit configuration before ordering.
Q: What is the maximum continuous output current?
A: The T1AA3CK3 delivers 6A continuous at 12VDC. This is a sustained load rating, not a peak figure — size your connected hardware to stay within this ceiling.
Q: What input power does the T1AA3CK3 require?
A: It requires a standard 120VAC/60Hz supply and draws 3.5A from the AC mains. A standard 15A or 20A North American branch circuit is appropriate. The unit includes a 5A/250V input fuse.
Q: Can the T1AA3CK3 be used in outdoor or unconditioned spaces?
A: The rated operating temperature is 0°C to 49°C. The steel enclosure is not rated for outdoor or wet location use. Install in a conditioned mechanical room, electrical closet, or similar indoor space within the rated temperature range.
The T1AA3CK3 is the unit I reach for when an access control installation needs a UL294-listed, battery-backed 12VDC source in a single enclosure and the AHJ won't accept a cobbled-together solution. The 6A continuous output is the number that matters most here — not a peak rating, an actual sustained figure that you can plan a real load budget around without derating.
Technical Highlights:
- 6A Continuous / 12VDC: Enough headroom for two or three typical electric strikes plus a camera or two at 12V — but calculate your load carefully; 6A is also the hard ceiling, and inrush from mag-locks on simultaneous door release can spike briefly above steady-state draw.
- 7AH Battery Backup: On a 2A average load, a 7AH battery gives you roughly 3–4 hours of holdover before voltage sags below the minimum for most door hardware — enough for most utility interruptions, but not a substitute for generator backup on life-safety systems.
- UL294 + cUL Dual Listing: Covers both US and Canadian jurisdictions from a single SKU, which simplifies procurement for multi-site programs spanning the border.
Deployment Considerations:
- The pre-wired RI2M harness is a time-saver on multi-door deployments, but confirm your controller's supervised input specs match the RI2M output characteristics before the unit ships to the job site — fixing a relay mismatch in the field costs more time than verifying it in pre-con.
- Operating temperature tops out at 49°C — fine for conditioned mechanical rooms, but a concern in non-HVAC utility closets in warm climates. Verify the installation space stays within range under worst-case summer conditions.
This unit is the right fit for a 1–3 door commercial access control installation in a conditioned mechanical room where UL294 compliance is a hard AHJ requirement and you want factory-terminated relay module wiring rather than a field-built harness.
