A failsafe mechanism or fail-secure is a device or mechanism which minimizes the damage to machinery and personnel in the event of a failure in a system. Virtually all advanced technology has some form of failsafe.
List of known fail-safe programs and devices
Atlantis sub-aquatic fail-safe
The Lantean scientist Janus programmed Atlantis to rise to the surface of the ocean should the power level of the city fall to a critical point. By releasing the clamp holding Atlantis to the ocean floor, the city was allowed to float back up without any additional effort from the city itself. (SGA: "Before I Sleep")
Atlantis power supply fail-safe
The power supply systems of Atlantis have in place a program to ensure that if too much power is drawn from the Zero Point Module(s), they do not overload and destroy the city. This system does not appear to restrict the amount of power that the city can draw, so presumably protects the system in a different way to simply preventing too much power being drawn. (SGA: "Critical Mass")
SGC Self-Destruct
The Stargate Command Self-destruct device has often been referred to as a failsafe measure in that it will prevent any incursion coming through the Stargate by obliterating Cheyenne Mountain and either destroying or burying the Stargate under rubble. (SG1: "The Enemy Within")
Asurans
The Asuran Base code had in place a fail-safe that prevented Asurans modifying their own programming. Relying on this function were programs to prevent the Asurans from harming the Ancients in any way, along with other restrictions. After Dr. Rodney McKay made changes to the base code, the Asurans were able to themselves make changes and they disabled most, if not all, of their restrictions. (SGA: "Progeny")
304 Beaming Technology
The first 304 Daedalus was eqipped with Asgard beaming technology which had in place a fail-safe to ensure that it could not be used as a weapon-delivery method. At the insistence of Colonel Steven Caldwell, Dr. Lindsey Novak and Hermiod disabled this fail-safe to transport nuclear warheads aboard Wraith Hive Ships. (SGA: "The Siege, Part 3")
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