Glossary Updates12 new terms added to the glossaries · October 2, 2026, 22:44 CEST
AI TechDocKnowledge

Glossary · Fault behavior and system states

Recovery behavior

Also known as: recovery

In systems engineering, recovery behavior is the defined behavior for restoring operation after a fault, stop or degraded condition, including the checks, resets and resynchronization needed before normal operation resumes.

  • Functional safety
  • Integrated systems

In one sentence

Recovery behavior defines how a system returns to operation after a fault, stop or degraded mode, without unexpected startup or lost state.

Example

After an emergency stop in a robot cell, the operator acknowledges the fault, performs a manual reset outside the cell, and the robot resumes only after a new start command.

How it applies

  • Machine safety: Resetting a safety function must not by itself restart the machine; a separate, deliberate start command is needed. Manual reset and restart prevention are the design measures here, and unexpected startup is the hazard to avoid.
  • Integrated systems: Before operation resumes, resynchronize states between systems, discard or re-validate buffered commands and confirm positions. Define recovery as transitions in the state model.
  • Technical documentation: Recovery procedures are among the most frequently used instructions. Write them as step-by-step tasks that include the required checks.

Recovery behavior vs. reset

A reset acknowledges a fault or a stopped safety function. Recovery behavior is the whole defined path back to operation, of which the reset is one step.

By knowledge.aitechdoc.world · Published September 25, 2026 · Last reviewed

Source: AI TechDoc Knowledge editorial definition, based on ISO 14118:2017, Safety of machinery — Prevention of unexpected start-up

Definitions follow the cited standards and specifications. Where a source is a copyrighted publication, such as an ISO, IEC or EN standard, the definition is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation, so as not to infringe copyright. We recommend reading the original publication. The sections “How it applies” are editorial commentary by AI TechDoc Knowledge and are not part of any standard.

Seen a mistake? Send us a note!