Description
Woodward 5441-413 Relay Interface Module
Product Overview
The Woodward 5441-413 is a 32-channel relay interface used in Woodward industrial turbine control hardware to provide discrete relay switching between controller outputs and external field circuits. Woodward identifies the unit specifically as a Discrete Output Relay — 32 channel, 10 A at 28 VDC, with one Form C contact per relay. This makes the Woodward 5441-413 a field-interface component rather than a standalone PLC CPU, governor controller, or general-purpose I/O processor.
Within the Woodward control architecture, the Woodward 5441-413 belongs to the relay/field-termination layer. Controller logic generates the discrete commands; the relay interface provides the electrical switching path to field devices. This distinction matters during a retrofit because replacing the relay interface alone does not replace the controller logic, configuration, or application software. Historical Woodward parts documentation also lists the 5441-413 alongside other relay FTMs and NetCon hardware, confirming its role in the field termination architecture.
For maintenance teams working with legacy Woodward turbine systems, the Woodward 5441-413 is primarily a compatibility item. Current documentation identifies the part as discontinued, while field references describe the unit as a 32-channel relay interface with an 18–32 VDC control-side input and approximately 3.9 A input rating.
The practical procurement issue is not simply finding a relay board with 32 channels. The relay contact arrangement, control-side wiring, cabinet termination, cable interface, contact rating, and board revision all need to match the installed Woodward system. A visually similar relay assembly is not automatically an electrical substitute.
Product Introduction — Non-Templated
When a legacy turbine cabinet still depends on discrete relay outputs, the relay interface can become the weak link in an otherwise functioning control system. The Woodward 5441-413 provides 32 Form C relay channels, with Woodward documentation specifying 10 A at 28 VDC contact capability.
For a DCS system upgrade or legacy replacement project, treat this part as a field-interface component, not as a replacement for the turbine controller itself. The exact cabinet wiring and Woodward controller architecture should be checked before substitution.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Model | 5441-413 |
| Manufacturer / Brand | Woodward |
| Product Type | 32-channel relay interface / Field Termination Module |
| Application | Industrial turbine control discrete-output interfacing |
| Relay Channels | 32 |
| Contact Configuration | 1 Form C contact per relay |
| Relay Contact Rating | 10 A at 28 VDC |
| Control-Side Input | 18–32 VDC |
| Published Input Current | Approximately 3.9 A |
| Field Interface | Relay contacts |
| Communication Protocol | Not applicable as a standalone communications module |
| Installation Context | Woodward control cabinet / field termination architecture |
| Status | Legacy / discontinued |
Woodward’s current Industrial Turbine Products Catalog explicitly lists 5441-413 as a 32-channel discrete-output relay with one Form C contact per relay and a 10 A at 28 VDC rating. A separate equipment record identifies the specific unit as Rev. D and gives the 18–32 VDC, 3.9 A control-side input specification.
5441-413
Major Features / Practical Advantages
1. 32 Independent Relay Channels
The 5441-413 consolidates 32 relay outputs into one field-interface assembly. That channel density is important in older turbine cabinets where numerous discrete commands must be routed from the control system to solenoids, contactors, annunciation circuits, permissives, or other field devices.
2. Form C Relay Contacts
Each channel uses one Form C contact according to Woodward’s catalog. This provides a common contact arrangement with normally open and normally closed switching capability, depending on the cabinet wiring design.
Do not assume every field circuit can be connected directly just because the relay is rated at 10 A. The actual load type matters. Solenoid coils, contactor coils, lamps, and resistive loads can produce very different electrical stresses during switching.
3. Designed for Woodward Control Architecture
The 5441-413 is associated with Woodward’s NetCon/industrial turbine control hardware and appears in historical Woodward component documentation as a relay interface / field termination component.
That means system compatibility is more important than generic relay specifications. The mating cable, controller output architecture, cabinet terminal arrangement, and field wiring should all be checked.
4. Suitable for Legacy Maintenance
For an existing turbine installation, retaining the original relay-interface architecture can avoid unnecessary changes to cabinet wiring. This is particularly useful where a control-system modernization is being performed in stages rather than as a complete turbine control replacement.
The catch is availability. The 5441-413 is identified by current equipment records as discontinued by the manufacturer, so procurement should include condition verification and functional testing rather than relying only on the external appearance of the module.
5. Electrical Loading Requires Verification
The published 10 A at 28 VDC figure is a contact rating, not a statement that every one of the 32 channels can continuously carry 10 A simultaneously. Cabinet power distribution, relay derating, load type, wiring, fuse protection, and enclosure temperature all have to be considered.
This is one of those details that gets overlooked during emergency replacement work. Check the original cabinet drawings before increasing a field load.
Related Products
- Woodward 5441-407 — 28-channel relay module rated at 5 A; useful when comparing lower-capacity relay-interface configurations.
- Woodward 5441-409 — 28-channel relay interface with 10 A relay capacity; similar relay-interface application but different channel count and configuration.
- Woodward 5441-419 — 16-channel relay interface with two Form C contacts per relay; different contact arrangement from the 5441-413.
- Woodward 5441-421 — Another 32-channel relay-interface assembly appearing in Woodward component references; exact electrical interchangeability must be verified.
- Woodward 5441-661 — 28-channel, 24 VDC relay interface rated at 5 A; not an automatic substitute.
- Woodward 5441-693 — Discrete I/O field-interface assembly combining inputs and relay outputs; functionally different from the 5441-413.
- Woodward 5437-051 — 32-channel relay interface with PLC control and channel indication; different interface architecture.
- Woodward 1751-6091 — 16-channel DIN-rail discrete-output relay assembly rated at 10 A at 28 VDC.
FAQ
What is the Woodward 5441-413 used for?
It is a 32-channel relay interface / field termination module used to interface discrete controller outputs with external field circuits in Woodward turbine-control installations. Woodward classifies it as a discrete-output relay assembly.
Is the 5441-413 a PLC CPU or turbine governor?
No. It should not be treated as the turbine controller or digital governor. Its primary role is relay-based field interfacing. Some commercial listings incorrectly describe the part as a digital governor or controller; the Woodward catalog identifies it specifically as a discrete-output relay FTM.
How many relay channels does it have?
The 5441-413 has 32 relay channels, with one Form C contact per relay.
What is the relay contact rating?
Woodward specifies 10 A at 28 VDC for the 32-channel discrete-output relay configuration. This should not be interpreted as permission to load all 32 channels at 10 A simultaneously. Actual cabinet loading and field-device characteristics must be reviewed.
Can I hot-swap the 5441-413?
Do not assume hot replacement. The relay interface is connected to field circuits that may contain energized DC loads and stored energy. Follow the turbine control system’s maintenance procedure, isolate the relevant power and field circuits, and verify the absence of hazardous voltage before removing the module.
Does the 5441-413 support Modbus RTU or Ethernet?
There is no reliable basis for treating the 5441-413 itself as a Modbus or Ethernet communications module. Its documented function is relay field interfacing. Claims found in some commercial listings about multiple communication protocols are not consistent with the Woodward catalog description.
Is 5441-413 still a current Woodward product?
Available equipment records identify the 5441-413 as discontinued. For a legacy installation, replacement sourcing should therefore verify exact part number, revision, connector arrangement, relay condition, and functional test status.
Does a New Surplus 5441-413 guarantee factory-new condition?
No. “New surplus,” “unused,” and “factory new” can describe different supply histories. For a discontinued relay interface, request photographs of the actual nameplate, part number, revision, connector condition, and packaging where applicable. Functional testing is preferable when the module is intended for a critical turbine-control circuit.
Will replacing the relay interface preserve my turbine logic?
The 5441-413 is a relay interface rather than the application controller. Replacing it does not inherently transfer or modify controller logic. Before maintenance, preserve the controller configuration and cabinet wiring documentation so that the replacement is installed against the correct channel assignment.
Procurement Note
For a Woodward 5441-413 replacement, verify these items before purchase:
- Exact part number: 5441-413
- Hardware revision shown on the nameplate
- 32-channel relay configuration
- Form C contact arrangement
- Control-side 18–32 VDC requirement
- Existing cable and field-terminal arrangement
- Field load voltage and current
- Relay contact condition, especially on frequently switched channels
- Physical connector and terminal condition
- Functional test documentation for used or surplus stock
A substitute with the same channel count is not automatically equivalent. The relay contact arrangement and controller-to-FTM wiring are the points most likely to create commissioning problems.
For critical turbine service, compare the replacement against the original cabinet drawings and Woodward system documentation before energization. The 5441-413 is a legacy field-interface component, so compatibility should be demonstrated rather than assumed.
