Tõrkeohutu

Tõrkeohutu is an Estonian term that translates to "fail-safe" in English. It describes a system or device designed to revert to a safe state in the event of a failure or malfunction. This safety state is typically one that prevents further damage, injury, or loss. The concept of fail-safe is widely applied across various fields, including engineering, computing, and safety systems.

In mechanical systems, a fail-safe mechanism might involve a component that automatically engages a brake or shuts down a power source when a critical parameter is exceeded. For example, a pressure relief valve in a boiler is a fail-safe device that opens to release excess pressure, preventing a catastrophic explosion. Similarly, in elevators, safety brakes are designed to engage automatically if the hoisting cable breaks or the motor fails, bringing the car to a halt.

In computing and electronics, fail-safe design is crucial for preventing data loss or system corruption. This can involve redundant systems that take over if the primary system fails, or error-checking mechanisms that detect and correct errors before they cause widespread problems. Software applications often incorporate fail-safe features to gracefully handle unexpected inputs or errors, ensuring that the program does not crash or behave erratically. The goal is always to minimize negative consequences when something goes wrong.