SPX8-X60 - sensorProbeX+ (SPX+) Standard Configuration

The AKCP SPX8-X60 sensorProbeX+ is AKCP's largest standard dry-contact configuration — a two-unit kit that delivers sixty dry contact inputs and eight intelligent sensor ports, managed through a single IP address and a standard web browser.

The kit consists of two separate 1U units: the master controller (SPX-U-S-D2) with eight intelligent sensor ports and twenty dry contact inputs, and a BEB expansion unit (SPX-BE-U-2D2) with forty additional dry contact inputs. Both mount in a standard 19" rack using the included 17" 1U brackets, occupying 2U total. The BEB expansion unit connects to the master via the BEB port and appears in the same web interface — no additional configuration required.

Sixty dry contact inputs is the right spec for facilities that need to aggregate alarms across an entire site: multiple generator control panels, power distribution units, HVAC systems, security panels, fire suppression zones, water detection circuits, UPS units, and more — all collected into one monitoring point. Each of the sixty inputs is independently configurable as I/O, isolated input with internal 5V, or isolated input with external 5–30V.

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

The master unit's EXP port remains available for additional long-range expansion — connecting AKCP EXP units up to 1,000 feet (300 m) away — or for use as an RS485 Modbus gateway for integrating generators, HVAC systems, or other Modbus-capable equipment alongside the onboard monitoring.

At this scale of deployment, Quicklime — AKCP's full DCIM platform available from Grid Connect — is the recommended management layer. It provides a unified dashboard across all your AKCP devices with 3D data center visualization, thermal risk mapping, capacity planning, and AI-driven analytics.

What's In The Box

• 1x SPX-U-S-D2 — master SPX+ controller (8 intelligent sensor ports + 20 dry contact inputs, 1U, 17" rack brackets included)

• 1x SPX-BE-U-2D2 — BEB expansion unit (40 dry contact inputs, 1U, 17" rack brackets included)

• 8x Intelligent RJ-45 sensor ports (on master unit)

• 60x Dry contact inputs total — 20 on master, 40 on BEB (configurable per input: I/O, isolated input 5V, or isolated input 5–30V)

• 1x 10/100 Ethernet port (on master)

• 1x EXP / Modbus RS485 port (on master — available for additional expansion or Modbus integration)

• 10x Virtual sensor licenses

Expansion Architecture

BEB (Basic Expansion Bus) — Internal and External Expansion

The included BEB expansion unit connects to the master controller via the BEB port, adding its 40 dry contacts to the system. Up to 3 additional BEB units can still be daisy-chained from the expansion unit if more capacity is needed (maximum 4 BEB units total from the master, maximum chain length 33 feet / 10 m).

EXP — Long-Range Expansion

The master unit's EXP port is available for connecting AKCP EXP expansion units up to 1,000 feet (300 m) away over standard CAT5 cable, or for use as an RS485 Modbus interface. This allows the SPX8-X60 to also monitor remote equipment panels or integrate Modbus devices alongside its onboard 60 dry contacts.

Factory-Configured Add-On Modules

Additional modules can be factory-configured on the master unit at time of ordering. All modules must be specified before purchase — they cannot be added to an existing unit after purchase. Contact Grid Connect to configure your unit before placing an order.

• 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

Both units are managed through a single IP address on the master controller — the BEB expansion unit appears automatically in the same web interface. No software installation is needed. Two access levels are available: Administrator and View Only.

Centralized Management with Quicklime

Deploying multiple SPX8-X60 systems or managing them alongside other SPX+ controllers? 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 — the recommended management layer at this scale.

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 enclosures — 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