Abstract: An electrical termination for use with a high voltage underground cable system wherein a large degree of arcing may occur between two electrical structures as they are brought together under short circuit conditions to complete a live high voltage circuit. Gas generating material is included as part of at least one of the structures such that gas is produced by the arcing between the structures as they are moved towards each other to form the desired electrical connection. The pressure build up of the gas within the termination acts upon a movable gas actuated means to cause movement thereof when the structures are brought close together under fault conditions. When moved by such a pressure build up, a portion of the gas actuated means transfers the arcing to a position away from the gas generating material to cause the cessation of gas production and thus permits the structures to couple and complete the circuit.