Non-fail-safe actuators have no fail-safe mechanism to provide movement during power outages. This makes them more compact and easier to maintain than fail-safe actuators. They open and close dampers for non-critical components and infrastructure.

Fail-safe actuators control connected dampers while ensuring they function safely in an emergency. They use a motor to move the connected damper and feature a spring-return mechanism to move them to a safe position in the event of a power loss. They are recommended for critical infrastructure components that must remain open or closed during an emergency.