SPX4-X10 - sensorProbeX+ Standard Unit

The AKCP SPX4-X10 sensorProbeX+ is built for sites where environmental monitoring and infrastructure alarm collection need to happen in one place. It provides two capabilities in a single 1U enclosure: four intelligent RJ-45 sensor ports for AKCP environmental sensors, and ten dry contact inputs for integrating signals from third-party equipment.

Dry contacts are the universal alarm interface across the industry. Any device with a relay output can be wired directly to the SPX4-X10 — UPS systems, generator control panels, PDUs, HVAC controllers, door and window switches, motion detectors, fire suppression systems, and more. Each of the ten inputs is independently configurable as I/O, isolated input with internal 5V, or isolated input with external 5–30V, so it works with virtually any equipment regardless of how the relay is wired.

The four intelligent sensor ports connect to the full range of AKCP sensors: temperature and humidity probes, water/leak detection cables, airflow sensors, thermal map arrays, cabinet door switches, RFID swing handle locks, and more. Sensors auto-identify on plug-in — no per-sensor configuration required.

Network communication, SNMP traps, email alerts, and web-based configuration all run through the onboard MCU. No software installation is required — the unit is managed entirely through a standard web browser. Two access levels are supported: Administrator and View Only.

The EXP port serves a dual function: it connects AKCP EXP expansion units up to 1,000 feet (300 m) away over CAT5, and simultaneously acts as an RS485 Modbus interface for integrating generators, HVAC controllers, or other Modbus devices. The BEB port handles short-range in-rack expansion up to 33 feet (10 m), with up to 4 BEB units daisy-chained from the base unit.

The unit ships with 1U rack ears included and supports 0U toolless rack mounting, wall mount (optional brackets), or DIN rail (optional brackets). All add-on modules are factory-configured at time of order — contact Grid Connect to specify your configuration before placing an order.

Expansion Architecture

BEB (Basic Expansion Bus) — Short-Range Expansion

Up to 4 BEB units can be daisy-chained from the base unit, with a maximum total chain length of 33 feet (10 m). Ideal for adding sensor ports or dry contacts within the same rack or adjacent cabinet.

EXP — Long-Range Expansion

EXP units connect via RS485 over standard CAT5 cable and can be placed up to 1,000 feet (300 m) away from the base SPX4-X10. Ideal for monitoring equipment in remote panels or distant enclosures — one cable run replaces many individual twisted pairs back to a central location.

What's In The Box

• 1x AKCP SPX4-X10 sensorProbeX+ unit (1U rack ears included)

• 4x Intelligent RJ-45 sensor ports (on the unit)

• 10x Dry contact inputs (configurable per input: I/O, isolated input 5V, or isolated input 5–30V)

• 1x 10/100 Ethernet port

• 1x EXP / Modbus RS485 port

• 1x BEB (Basic Expansion Bus) port

• 1x External 5.5V 3A power adapter (100V–240V input, 0.22A) — power supply included

• 10x Virtual sensor licenses

Factory-Configured Add-On Modules

The SPX4-X10 supports a range of add-on modules that expand its capabilities. All modules must be specified at the time of ordering and factory-installed — they cannot be added to an existing unit after purchase. Available combinations are constrained by the 1U form factor of the base unit. Contact us to configure your unit before placing an order.

• Sensor4 — Adds 4 additional intelligent sensor ports

• Dry10 / Dry20 — Adds 10 or 20 additional dry contact I/Os; configurable as I/O, isolated input (internal 5V), or isolated input (external 5–30V)

• 4G Cellular Data Modem — Primary or backup communication via cell network; enables SMS alerts; optional GPS for location tracking

• Mini UPS — Internal battery backup using 4x AA rechargeable batteries (not included); ~1.5 hours runtime (30 min with cellular modem active)

• 4x Mini Relays — Switch low-current devices or drive larger relays; for building automation and industrial control

• 4x Analog Inputs — Connect third-party 0–5VDC or 4–20mA sensors

• 2x Mini Relays + 2x Analog Inputs — Combination module

• AC Voltage Detection — Monitor 10x or 20x AC circuits for presence/absence of voltage (5–30VAC); does not measure voltage level

• Dual DC Power Supply — Internal 12–24VDC or 48–60VDC supply with dual redundant inputs; 48–60VDC version ideal for telecom DC environments

• PoE Option — Power over Ethernet; can serve as redundant input alongside DC jack

No Special Software Required

The SPX4-X10 is configured and monitored entirely through a standard web browser — no software installation needed. Enter the unit's IP address from anywhere on your network to access the secure web interface. Two access levels are available: Administrator and View Only.

Centralized Management with Quicklime

Managing multiple SPX4-X10 or other SPX+ units? Quicklime is AKCP's full-featured data center infrastructure management (DCIM) platform, available from Grid Connect. It consolidates all your AKCP devices into a single browser-based dashboard with real-time 3D visualization, thermal risk mapping, capacity planning, and AI-driven analytics.

What Quicklime adds over the built-in web interface:

• Unified dashboard for all your AKCP devices — firmware updates and remote configuration from one place

• Real-time 2D/3D digital twin with live PUE, ΔT/ΔP, humidity, power, and security status

• Thermal risk mapping — catches rack hotspots before they cause damage, aligned to ASHRAE recommendations

• Capacity planning — identify available rack space, power headroom, and stranded capacity

• sensorCFD (free add-on) — live CFD airflow simulation with AI diagnosis and corrective recommendations

• Capacity AI — AI-matched rack suggestions based on space, cooling, and weight requirements

• Video AI — build video-analytic sensors using natural language; review footage against sensor events

• SNMP virtual sensors — monitor third-party PDUs, UPS systems, and other SNMP devices alongside AKCP sensors

• Kubernetes-based architecture — on-premise or cloud

Built to Last

AKCP, founded in 1981, is the world's oldest and largest manufacturer of networked environmental monitoring equipment, with over 130,000 installations worldwide.

• MTBF of 10,950,000 hours — fewer than 4 RMA replacements per year across ~5,000 deployed SPX+ units

• Runs on just 1 Watt of power — no fans, no special cooling required

• Aluminum enclosure — built for demanding environments

• Rated to operate reliably at 70°C (158°F) — tested in environmental chambers

• Every unit burn-in tested for 96 hours at the factory before shipment

• AKCP writes all its own firmware — full control over bug fixes and feature updates