Cold connections come in three different categories: adhered, pierced and embedded. In this article, we'll explore these 5 categories, and provide links to a more in depth discussion of the particular steel connection classification. The design is usually influenced by the voltage and current that the cable will carry and the operational environment. In comparison with thicker connections (t > 3 mm) the behaviour of connections in thin-walled elements is characterised by the small plates stiffness [Davies, 1991]. The second character refers to the connection system used (fin-plate. Our service spans the following five areas: The Steel Construction Institute, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7QN.