Fail-secure

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The term Fail-secure is used to describe:

  • A device which, if (or when) it fails, fails in a way that will cause no harm or at least a minimum of harm to other devices or danger to personnel, but doesn't cause the system to be insecure. The primary use of the term is with regards to security doors and motorized gates. As far as motorized gates are concerned, a motor that has "Fail-secure" capabilities will, in case of a power outage, be able to be opened by using a supplied hand crank. A fail-safe motor would let anyone open the gate if the power goes out, where a fail-secure motor would only let someone open it with a supplied hand crank if the power goes out.