Which term describes systems that do not release dangerous electrical or thermal energy?

The term that accurately describes systems that do not release dangerous electrical or thermal energy is "intrinsically safe." This design principle is critical in environments that may contain flammable gases or explosive mixtures. An intrinsically safe system limits the electrical and thermal energy within the device to a level that is too low to ignite a specific hazardous atmosphere, even in the event of faults or failures.

The focus of intrinsically safe design is on preventing energy release that could result in an ignition hazard, making it suitable for use in potentially explosive areas without the need for additional protective measures. This approach offers a robust level of safety in environments where traditional safety measures may not suffice.

In contrast, explosion-proof refers specifically to enclosures designed to contain an explosion within the device, and fail-safe relates to systems designed to revert to a safe state in the event of failure. Remote-controlled pertains to systems operated from a distance but does not inherently address safety concerning electrical or thermal energy release.