Description
Product Introduction
The Woodward 5501-412 is a heavy-duty power supply module engineered for Woodward MicroNet and MicroNet TMR (Triple Modular Redundant) control chassis. Positioned directly in the main rack, it converts raw station DC power into low-noise, regulated supply rails required by CPU boards, memory cards, and digital/analog I/O modules across the backplane.
Unlike commercial industrial rack power supplies that suffer thermal decay under continuous heavy loading, the 5501-412 features industrial-grade filtering and high surge suppression. It maintains stable backplane voltage levels even during severe battery-bank voltage dips or external line transients, preventing erratic logic resets in critical turbine control systems.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Compatible Platform | MicroNet Simplex & MicroNet TMR Expansion Chassis |
| Input Voltage Range | 18 to 32 VDC (24 VDC nominal) |
| Output Voltages | Regulated +5 VDC, \pm 15 VDC, +24 VDC backplane rails |
| Efficiency | >80\% at full rated backplane load |
| Isolation | 500 Vrms input-to-output and input-to-chassis ground |
| Status Monitoring | Front panel Power/Fault LEDs, discrete power-ok relay contacts |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +70°C ambient |
| Mounting | Dedicated MicroNet chassis power slot (Ejector handles) |
Application Scenarios & The “Trench” Experience
When a power supply module fails in a single-bus control system, the whole rack drops offline in a split second—closing fuel gas shutoff valves and causing an immediate forced outage. We dealt with a cogeneration site where an aging power card was leaking AC ripple onto the backplane 5V rail. The noise was tripping CPU memory parity checks twice a month. Swapping in a pre-tested 5501-412 cleaned up the internal rails, eliminated the spurious processor reboots, and restored plant availability.
- Gas Turbine Main Chassis Powering – Supplying redundant, ripple-free backplane current to high-density CPU and I/O cards in high-temperature turbine enclosures.
- Steam Turbine Trip & Throttle Controls – Maintaining continuous logic power through station battery transfer switching sequences without dropouts.
- Offshore Compressor Train MicroNet Racks – Operating reliably under high vibration and salty maritime air in offshore platform control rooms.
5501-412
5501-412
Transparency SOP: Quality Assurance & Testing
We don’t just ship boxes; we test them on actual Woodward MicroNet test chassis. Every 5501-412 power module goes through our rigorous 5-step bench validation protocol before shipping:
- Inbound Mechanical Audit: Detailed check of backplane connector pins, chassis heat sinks, and casing structural integrity.
- Full-Load Thermal Burn-In: Powered at maximum input voltage (32 VDC) and subjected to a 4-hour full rated load burn-in to verify thermal dissipation.
- Ripple & Noise Measurement: Output DC rails (+5V, \pm 15V) are scope-tested to confirm voltage ripple stays well below maximum OEM tolerances.
- Fault Logic & Relay Check: Input undervoltage and overvoltage conditions are simulated to verify front diagnostic LEDs and power-ok alarm contacts function properly.
- ESD-Safe Preparation: Backplane connectors are cleaned with contact enhancer, and the module is wrapped in heavy static-shielding bags.
The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide (Crucial Value-Add)
- ⚠️ Never Pull Under Live Backplane Load: Pulling a 5501-412 module out of a live chassis while powering active CPUs will cause an inductive voltage kick across the backplane. Isolate input station power first, or verify the second redundant supply is carrying full rack load before removing.
- ❗ Check Input Power Polarity and Wire Gauge: Reversing 24VDC feed polarities or using under-sized supply wiring will cause significant voltage drops during high backplane current draws. Use short, high-gauge power leads to avoid low-voltage shutoffs during startup spikes.
- ⚠️ Inspect the Chassis Backplane Slot First: Before sliding the replacement 5501-412 card into the rack, shine a light into the power supply slot. Look for bent backplane pins or debris from an older blown module—inserting a fresh card into a shorted slot will damage the new module instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ for Conversion)
Q: Can I run dual 5501-412 power modules for redundancy?
A: Yes. MicroNet chassis support dual power supply modules operating in parallel diode-OR’d configurations, allowing seamless load sharing and hot-standby power redundancy.
Q: What happens if the input voltage drops below 18 VDC?
A: The 5501-412 will trigger its internal low-voltage lockout logic, drop its “Power OK” alarm contact, and shut down backplane rails cleanly to prevent erratic CPU code execution.
Q: Does the 5501-412 power module require software configuration or GAP programming?
A: No. The 5501-412 is a purely hardware-based power conversion module. It begins delivering regulated DC power to the backplane immediately upon applying valid input voltage.
Q: What condition are these surplus units in?
A: We stock both factory-sealed New Surplus modules and fully reconditioned, load-tested surplus units. Every unit is 100% electrically validated under load before leaving our shop.
Q: What warranty is included with this power card?
A: All Woodward 5501-412 power supply modules sold come backed by a full 12-month replacement warranty from the invoice date.
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