Calculator · Access control

Access control door power supply calculator

Enter the locks, readers and controllers on the supply and the current each one draws, from its data sheet. You get the total load, the supply rating to choose, and how long a battery of a given size will last.

Your figures

Locks

items
mA

Readers (optional)

items
mA

Controllers and expanders (optional)

items
mA

Other (optional)

items
mA
%

Extra capacity on top of the load. Set your own.

Check a supply and a battery (optional)
A

To check it is big enough.

Ah

For the standby time.

Result

Enter at least one group to see the result.

Working

supply rating = total load × (1 + headroom)

  • Total load is the sum of (number × current) for every group, in amps.
  • Supply rating is the total load plus headroom. The headroom is your choice.
  • Standby time on a battery is the battery amp hours divided by the total load in amps.

Source: the Paxton application note AN1043 for the supply and standby rules. Paxton adds 10%, which is the smallest allowance found. SDC says to add 30%, and a UK installer's guide keeps the load to 70 to 80% of the supply's rating instead. Paxton's standby formula ignores battery ageing. Use the figures on the supply's data sheet.

To check the voltage at the lock at the end of its cable, use the lock cable calculator.

For guidance only. Always check against the current edition of the standard and the manufacturer's data.

Built by the engineer behind Kerova, certificate software for fire and security firms.