What is cable termination?
How a cable end is finished where it meets equipment — prepared, fitted with a lug, bolted to the terminal, insulated and identified.
Cable termination is the work of finishing a cable end where it meets equipment, such as the CCR output terminals or a terminal block. The jacket and insulation are cut back, a lug is crimped onto the conductor, the lug is bolted to the terminal, an insulating boot covers the connection, and the end is labelled so the circuit can be identified.
A loose or damp termination has high resistance, so it can overheat or arc, and it can open the series loop and put every lamp out. This is different from circuit termination, where the loop starts and ends at the CCR; that circuit termination is made up of two cable terminations. Make terminations with the circuit isolated, locked out and proved dead, tighten them to the specified torque, and treat the cable as live until then.
- Isolate. CCR off, locked out and tagged; prove the circuit dead and earth it at the work point (see Entry 13, Circuit Isolation).
- Prepare. Cut back the jacket and insulation to the right length; clean the conductor.
- Fit the lug. Crimp or compress the lug onto the conductor.
- Secure. Bolt to the terminal at the specified torque.
- Insulate & label. Fit the boot or cover and label the circuit and cable end.
- Test & record. Continuity and insulation resistance; log the readings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is cable termination in airfield ground lighting?
Cable termination is the work of finishing a cable end where it connects to equipment such as a CCR output terminal or a terminal block. The end is prepared, fitted with a lug or connector, secured to the terminal, insulated, and identified.
Q2What are the parts of a cable termination?
A cable end with the jacket and insulation cut back to the right length, a lug or connector crimped onto the conductor, the terminal it bolts to, an insulating boot or cover over the connection, and a label that identifies the circuit and cable end.
Q3How is cable termination different from circuit termination?
Circuit termination is where the series loop starts and ends, at the CCR output terminals. Cable termination is the physical work of finishing a cable end, which happens at many points, including at the CCR, so the circuit termination is made up of two cable terminations.
Q4Why must a termination be tight and insulated?
A loose connection has high resistance, which can overheat or arc, and can open the series loop so every lamp goes out. An exposed or poorly insulated end is also a shock hazard and can leak current to earth.
Q5How is a cable termination checked?
With the circuit isolated, locked out and proved dead, by inspecting the lug, insulation and label, checking the tightness against the specified torque, and testing continuity and insulation resistance, then comparing the readings with the commissioning baseline.
Q6How is a termination different from a cable joint or a connector?
A joint is a permanent connection between two cable lengths. A connector is a plug-in coupling that can be disconnected. A termination finishes a cable end where it meets equipment, usually with a lug and a bolted or clamped terminal.
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