Cable Glands, Terminations and Joints
A practical guide to the points where cables connect — the gland that secures and seals a cable into an enclosure, the termination that joins a conductor to equipment, and the joint that connects two cables.
Most electrical failures happen not in the middle of a cable but at its ends — where it is terminated, glanded into an enclosure, or jointed to another cable. These connection points carry the full current, must stay mechanically secure, and must keep moisture, dust and fault energy under control. Getting them right is one of the most important parts of a durable installation.
A cable gland secures and seals a cable as it enters an enclosure; a termination connects the conductor to a terminal or busbar; a joint connects two cables together. Each has to maintain a low-resistance electrical path and the right environmental and, where needed, earthing and explosion protection. Poor workmanship here causes overheating, corrosion, water ingress and dangerous faults.
How it works
The termination. A conductor is connected to equipment through a termination — commonly a crimp lug or compression connector fixed to the conductor and bolted to a terminal, or a screw/clamp terminal that grips the conductor directly. A good termination has a large, clean, tight contact area so it carries current without excess resistance; a loose or under-sized termination develops a hot spot that can fail or start a fire.
Why connections heat up. Every connection has some contact resistance. Current through that resistance generates heat, and a poor connection (loose, dirty, corroded or wrong size) has high resistance and runs hot. Heat then loosens it further, so the fault gets worse over time. Correct preparation, the right lug, the correct crimp tool and the specified torque keep the connection cool and stable.
The cable gland. A gland mechanically secures the cable where it passes into an enclosure and seals against dust and moisture to an ingress-protection (IP) rating. For armoured cable (SWA), the gland also clamps and bonds the armour so it is earthed and can carry fault current, maintaining earth continuity through the connection.
Joints. Where two cables must be connected along a route, a jointing kit reconnects the conductors (by crimp or connector), rebuilds the insulation and screening, and restores the outer protection — often using resin-filled or heat-shrink systems. A joint must match the cable’s voltage grade and environment and is a skilled operation, especially at medium voltage.
Environment and special ratings. Glands, terminations and joints are selected for their environment: weatherproof and corrosion-resistant for outdoor and coastal use, higher IP ratings for wet or dusty areas, and certified explosion-protected (Ex) types for hazardous areas such as fuel or gas zones. The whole assembly must preserve the cable’s sealing, earthing and protection ratings.
Main types
In the UAE
- Terminations, glands and joints on connected installations in the UAE follow the wiring regulations of authorities such as ADDC and DEWA, which require correct earthing continuity and protection at connection points.
- The Gulf's heat, humidity and coastal salt make weatherproof, corrosion-resistant glands and properly sealed terminations essential to prevent water ingress and corrosion outdoors.
- In hazardous areas (fuel, gas and certain industrial zones) certified explosion-protected glands and terminations are required, and products are subject to UAE conformity assessment under ESMA.
How GPR applies this
GPR carries out cable terminations, glanding and jointing across Abu Dhabi to a consistent workmanship standard — correct lugs and crimps, specified torque, properly bonded SWA glands, and IP- or Ex-rated fittings matched to each environment. We restore earthing continuity and protection at every connection, use certified jointing systems at the right voltage grade, and test connections so installations meet ADDC/DEWA wiring regulations and remain safe in the Gulf climate.
Frequently asked questions
Why do most electrical faults occur at cable ends?
Because the ends — terminations, glands and joints — carry the full current and must stay tight, clean and sealed; a loose, corroded or under-sized connection develops resistance, overheats and can fail.
What does a cable gland do?
It mechanically secures a cable where it enters an enclosure and seals against dust and moisture; for armoured cable it also clamps and bonds the armour so it is earthed.
What is the difference between a termination and a joint?
A termination connects a conductor to equipment such as a terminal or busbar; a joint connects two cables together along a route, rebuilding insulation and protection.
Why is the correct crimp and torque important?
They create a large, tight, low-resistance contact so the connection carries current without a hot spot; under-crimping or under-torquing leaves resistance that generates heat and can start a fire.
When are explosion-protected (Ex) glands needed?
In hazardous areas such as fuel or gas zones, where certified Ex glands and terminations maintain the equipment’s protection and prevent the connection from igniting a flammable atmosphere.