Altronix Power Supply

Altronix is the most widely specified brand of access control power supplies in North American commercial and institutional security installations. If you searched "altronix", "altronix power supply with fire alarm relay", "access control power supplies", "altronix single door power supply", "altronix power supply", "altronix power supplies", or "mag lock power supply" - every product in this category is stocked and ships same day from American Locksets. 

Why Altronix Is the Standard for Access Control Power Supplies

Every electrified door lock, magnetic lock, electric strike, and electronic latch in a commercial building needs a regulated, supervised power source to operate reliably. The wall outlet is not that source. Neither is a generic power adapter. Access control hardware - mag locks, electric strikes, electromagnetic door holders, electric latch retraction devices - requires clean DC power at the correct voltage, protected individual outputs to prevent one device failure from cascading to others, battery backup for continuity during power outages, and a fire alarm interface that releases every lock the moment the fire alarm control panel activates.

Altronix builds power supplies that handle all of that in a single listed unit. Every Altronix product in this category is UL 294 listed for access control system units, which is the standard that verifies the power supply meets the destructive attack, endurance, line security, and standby power requirements for commercial access control applications. That listing is not cosmetic - it's a code requirement in most jurisdictions for any access control power supply connected to a fire alarm system or used on a life safety egress path.

Altronix Power Supply with Fire Alarm Relay: How FACP Integration Works

What the Fire Alarm Disconnect Does

The most critical operational requirement for any power supply connected to electrified locking hardware on a fire-rated or egress door is the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) interface. When the fire alarm activates, every electrified fail-safe lock on an egress path must release. A power supply without FACP integration cannot accomplish this. It requires a separate relay or additional wiring to achieve the same result.

Altronix fire alarm relay power supplies accomplish it natively. The ULM suffix on Altronix model numbers designates fire alarm disconnect capability - models like the AL400ULM, AL600ULM, AL1024ULM, and AL300ULM. These units accept both normally open (N.O.) and normally closed (N.C.) supervised dry contact inputs from the FACP, as well as polarity reversal input from the FACP signaling circuit. When the fire alarm triggers, the selected outputs release simultaneously, unlocking all fail-safe devices connected to those outputs. The disconnect function is individually selectable - meaning each output can be set independently to release on fire alarm or remain active, giving the installer precise control over which devices respond to the alarm signal.

A form "C" dry output relay on fire alarm models also enables HVAC shutdown, elevator recall, or auxiliary device triggering when the alarm activates. That single relay output eliminates the need for additional interfacing hardware in most building automation scenarios.

Altronix ACM8 and ACM8CB series access power controllers extend this capability to multi-output configurations with individually selectable fire alarm disconnect per output - latching or non-latching, selectable per channel.

Altronix Single Door Power Supply: Right-Sizing for Your Opening

When One Output Is Enough

For a single door with one mag lock or one electric strike, a single output Altronix power supply is the correct specification. Models like the AL176UL, AL400ULX, AL1024ULX, and AL176ULX provide a single regulated, PTC-protected output at 12VDC or 24VDC with battery backup and fire alarm interface capability. These units include a built-in charger for sealed lead acid or gel type batteries, automatic switchover to battery when AC fails, and AC fail supervision via form "C" contact.

Single output models eliminate oversized infrastructure on simple one-door applications. A single mag lock drawing 500mA to 600mA at 12VDC does not need an 8-output power controller. Matching output capacity to the actual load reduces cost and simplifies the installation.

Scaling to Multi-Door and Multi-Output Configurations

For applications with multiple locking devices - a controlled entry corridor, a multi-door office suite, a server room with multiple access points - Altronix offers multi-output models ranging from 2 to 16 individually protected outputs. The AL400ULPD4 provides 4 fused outputs. The AL400ULPD8 and AL1012ULXPD16 scale to 8 and 16 outputs respectively. Each output is independently fused or PTC protected, which means a single device failure or short circuit on one output does not affect any other output on the same power supply.

The ACM8 and ACM8CB access power controllers provide 8 independently trigger-controlled outputs activated by open collector sink or normally open dry trigger inputs from access control panels, card readers, keypads, request-to-exit buttons, and PIR sensors. Outputs operate in both fail-safe and fail-secure modes and can be configured as switched power outputs, dry form "C" contacts, or any combination of both.

Mag Lock Power Supply: Voltage, Current, and Output Protection

Magnetic locks are the most common application for Altronix power supplies in access control. A standard single-leaf mag lock draws approximately 500mA to 600mA continuous at 12VDC or 24VDC. Multi-leaf or high-force mag locks can draw more. The power supply must deliver that current continuously, cleanly regulated, without voltage sag under load.

Every Altronix output in this category is filtered and electronically regulated. PTC protection (Positive Temperature Coefficient) on protected outputs automatically limits and resets current on overload without requiring a fuse replacement. Fused outputs on other models provide conventional overcurrent protection. Short circuit and thermal overload protection is standard across the full lineup.

For 12VDC mag locks, models in the AL125UL, AL175UL, AL400UL, and AL600UL lines cover output currents from 1A to 10A. For 24VDC mag locks, the AL1024UL series provides up to 10A output with the same fire alarm, battery backup, and supervision features.

Battery Backup, AC Supervision, and Low Power Protection

Every AL series Altronix power supply includes a built-in battery charger. Maximum charge current varies by model, typically between 400mA and 1.5A for sealed lead acid or gel type batteries. When AC power fails, the unit switches over to standby battery instantaneously with no interruption to the connected locking devices. AC fail supervision via form "C" contacts reports the AC loss to the access control panel or alarm system.

Low power disconnect protects batteries from deep discharge. Altronix units shut down DC output terminals when battery voltage drops below approximately 71 to 73 percent for 12V units, preventing the deep discharge that permanently reduces battery capacity. Battery fail and battery presence supervision via form "C" contacts report battery status to the access control panel.

Specifications Common to the Altronix Power Supply Line

All Altronix AL series power supplies in this category share these characteristics. Input is 115VAC 60Hz. Output voltage is 12VDC or 24VDC, selectable on most models. UL 294 listed for access control system units. Class 2 rated power limited outputs on ULM and ACM models. PTC or fused output protection. Filtered and electronically regulated output. Built-in battery charger. Automatic AC failover. AC and battery supervision. FACP interface on M-suffix models. Operating temperature 0°C to 49°C.

Frequently Asked Questions: Altronix Power Supplies

Q: What is an Altronix power supply used for?

 Powering access control hardware including mag locks, electric strikes, electromagnetic door holders, and latch retraction devices. Provides regulated DC power, battery backup, and fire alarm integration.

Q: What does the ULM suffix mean on Altronix models? 

ULM designates a fire alarm disconnect version - the power supply accepts FACP input and releases selected outputs when the fire alarm activates. Required on egress door applications.

Q: What is the difference between fail-safe and fail-secure?

• Fail-safe - lock releases when power is removed (maglock, electromagnetic holder)

• Fail-secure - lock stays locked when power is removed (electric strike on most functions)

Q: What is PTC output protection? 

Positive Temperature Coefficient - an auto-resetting overcurrent device. When a short circuit occurs on one output, PTC limits current and resets automatically without replacing a fuse.

Q: Does Altronix power supply include battery backup? 

Yes. All AL series models include a built-in charger for sealed lead acid or gel batteries. Automatic switchover to battery on AC loss is instantaneous.

Q: What voltage do mag locks typically require?

 Most mag locks operate at 12VDC or 24VDC. Verify the lock manufacturer's specifications. Altronix supplies are available in both voltages across the full output current range.