Terugsluiting

Terugsluiting is a Dutch term that denotes the act of returning something to a closed or sealed state after it has been opened, released, or opened for a period. The word combines terug (back) with sluiting (closing) and is mainly used in technical and operational contexts to describe the process of restoring a system to its closed condition.

In engineering and infrastructure, terugsluiting often refers to returning devices or facilities to a closed state after a period of operation or after a fault. In electrical engineering, a common usage is automatic reclosing of circuit breakers following a transient fault, where the system briefly opens and then closes again to reestablish power delivery. In hydraulic and civil engineering, terugsluiting can describe closing sluice gates, spillways, or valves after they have been opened to regulate water flow or perform maintenance.

Beyond purely technical settings, terugsluiting can also apply to mechanical systems and buildings, such as re-closing doors, hatches, or ventilation dampers after access or inspection work. In maintenance or safety protocols, the term may appear in procedures that require restoring a system to its secured, closed state.

Etymologically, the term is built from terug, meaning back, and sluiting, meaning closing or sealing. While it is common in technical literature, everyday Dutch more often uses general terms like sluiten or terugdraaien when describing related concepts.