Mystery Cable in Garden Found Just Below Surface of Soil Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[neschof]

Hello, 

This cable was just under the surface of the soil in my front garden. I didn't cut it - this is how I found it. The length of it is going away from my house and under the garden wall, out into the street.

From searches online it seems like it is probably a phone/internet cable from an old connection? If so, what should I do with it? I haven't touched it but my partner said it was hot. I don't know which company it might belong to.

Alternatively, it was found near to my gas meter and we've had 2 different smart meters from 2 different companies installed in recent years - is there a possibility it could be related to that?

Above all I'm worried it might be unsafe but I have no idea how to make it safe!

Thank you for any help you can give

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[Mr White]

The only way to know for sure is to follow the cable. You mention your gas meter, smart meters do not use cables. Judging by the connections you show, I would say its a phone cable. If its working on not ? it would need to be checked for voltage. You could (if the other end is free) coil it up and bury it if you don't want to cut it off.

[neschof]

Thanks,

Good to know it's not something to do with the gas meter.

You can't follow it - we pulled it up as far as it will go and it just goes out into the street, under the pavement.

I guess we'll just cut it off then, if that's safe.

Thanks

[Mr White]

we pulled it up as far as it will go and it just goes out into the street, under the pavement.

Where does it go if you follow it the other way?

[neschof]

It took some searching to find the other end but eventually I did!

The other side goes across the garden and then into the neighbour's garden. I can't trace it past there.