Odd cable outside my home

[Trevor Wilson]

Whilst digging up the front yard, at my Hurstville (Sydney) home, on the
weekend, I (or rather my mattock) uncovered an odd cable running across the
front of my property. The cable was buried a mere 10cm below the surface,
about 30cm outside my boundary line and was not armoured, nor run in
conduit. The covering was a thick(ish) PVC(?) plastic, which responded
rather negatively to my digging. I noticed one brown conductor, but could
not see any more (but I'm sure there were others. I can't figure out who
owns the cable. Telstra have their own access point, off to one side and my
neighbours would access any of their communication requirements from the
Telstra access hole. In any case, the Telstra stuff runs in a 170mm conduit,
which is buried MUCH deeper than 10cm. Optus have their cable running
overhead, as is normal.

Any thoughts?

 

[Ken Taylor]

Whilst digging up the front yard, at my Hurstville (Sydney) home, on the
weekend, I (or rather my mattock) uncovered an odd cable running across the
front of my property. The cable was buried a mere 10cm below the surface,
about 30cm outside my boundary line and was not armoured, nor run in
conduit. The covering was a thick(ish) PVC(?) plastic, which responded
rather negatively to my digging. I noticed one brown conductor, but could
not see any more (but I'm sure there were others. I can't figure out who
owns the cable. Telstra have their own access point, off to one side and my
neighbours would access any of their communication requirements from the
Telstra access hole. In any case, the Telstra stuff runs in a 170mm conduit,
which is buried MUCH deeper than 10cm. Optus have their cable running
overhead, as is normal.

Any thoughts?

One brown? Wasn't another blue and one green/yellow, was there? Does it go
anywhere in particular or is it a scarap someone threw away?

Ken

 

[Trevor Wilson]

One brown? Wasn't another blue and one green/yellow, was there? Does it go
anywhere in particular or is it a scarap someone threw away?

**Absolutely not scrap. It was laid perfectly straight for the entire 1
Metre I uncovered. In any case, the cable has been there for a long time. I
can't recall anyone laying cables in at least the last ten years. Insulation
was too thin for mains cable and the insulation was very stiff. I noticed
some clear plastic insulation as well. I may dig it up, cut it and see who
turns up to repair it. I can't imagine that it has been legally laid at such
a shallow depth. Mind you, I did uncover my own Telstra 'phone line, which
was laid around 18 years ago (alongside the usual, lead covered stuff, from
the 50s). It was correctly laid in conduit, but at around 5 - 10cm, whilst
inside my property.

 

[Bob the builder]

you don't have reticulation do you ?

I have such crusty old cabling not in conduit running to the various
solenoids.

 

[Russ]

**Absolutely not scrap. It was laid perfectly straight for the entire 1
Metre I uncovered. In any case, the cable has been there for a long time. I
can't recall anyone laying cables in at least the last ten years. Insulation
was too thin for mains cable and the insulation was very stiff. I noticed
some clear plastic insulation as well. I may dig it up, cut it and see who
turns up to repair it. I can't imagine that it has been legally laid at such
a shallow depth. Mind you, I did uncover my own Telstra 'phone line, which
was laid around 18 years ago (alongside the usual, lead covered stuff, from
the 50s). It was correctly laid in conduit, but at around 5 - 10cm, whilst
inside my property.

Damn - I can't believe they could lay the phone cable so shallow. I'm under
the impression that underground power is meant to be 450-600mm, and assume
telephone would be something like that.

As for the mystery cable, if you cut it and some large portion of the
Internet plunges into darkness, I'll know who to blame.

Russ.

 

[Alan]

Whilst digging up the front yard, at my Hurstville (Sydney) home, on the
weekend, I (or rather my mattock) uncovered an odd cable running across the
front of my property. The cable was buried a mere 10cm below the surface,
about 30cm outside my boundary line and was not armoured, nor run in
conduit. The covering was a thick(ish) PVC(?) plastic, which responded
rather negatively to my digging. I noticed one brown conductor, but could
not see any more (but I'm sure there were others. I can't figure out who
owns the cable. Telstra have their own access point, off to one side and my
neighbours would access any of their communication requirements from the
Telstra access hole. In any case, the Telstra stuff runs in a 170mm conduit,
which is buried MUCH deeper than 10cm. Optus have their cable running
overhead, as is normal.

Any thoughts?

Telstra access points (pits) have to have cable feeding them. About a foot
or two outside the boundary sounds about right. When the cable was laid it
was probably 2 to 3 feet under ground. The same with your lead in. Over time
landscaping takes away the soil and leaves the cable close to the surface.
Try 1100 Dial-before-you-dig. They should be able to tell you if it belongs
to any one legit.

 

[Thomas McMechan]

**Absolutely not scrap. It was laid perfectly straight for the entire 1
Metre I uncovered. In any case, the cable has been there for a long time. I
can't recall anyone laying cables in at least the last ten years. Insulation
was too thin for mains cable and the insulation was very stiff. I noticed
some clear plastic insulation as well. I may dig it up, cut it and see who
turns up to repair it. I can't imagine that it has been legally laid at such
a shallow depth. Mind you, I did uncover my own Telstra 'phone line, which
was laid around 18 years ago (alongside the usual, lead covered stuff, from
the 50s). It was correctly laid in conduit, but at around 5 - 10cm, whilst
inside my property.

could it be a low voltage exterior light cable?!? how long have you been
living there?!?

I once discover my 'phone line' just laid about 5-10cm without any lead
stuff or conduit in my front yard. This was at my old place in
Hurstville Grove (syd)! Go figure?!?!?

 

[Phil Allison]

"Thomas McMechan" <zeabow@yahoo.

I once discover my 'phone line' just laid about 5-10cm without any lead
stuff or conduit in my front yard. This was at my old place in
Hurstville Grove (syd)! Go figure?!?!?

** The " black wire " tech from Telstra had a *very* urgent game of golf
to get to by midday.




........... Phil

 

[Arpit]

Dial before you dig

**Absolutely not scrap. It was laid perfectly straight for the entire 1
Metre I uncovered. In any case, the cable has been there for a long time. I
can't recall anyone laying cables in at least the last ten years. Insulation
was too thin for mains cable and the insulation was very stiff. I noticed
some clear plastic insulation as well.

I may dig it up, cut it and see who
turns up to repair it.

not so smart when its brown

 

[David Sauer]

Damn - I can't believe they could lay the phone cable so shallow. I'm under
the impression that underground power is meant to be 450-600mm, and assume
telephone would be something like that.

Telstra make their own rules for their own cables on the footpath.
They can bury them 5cm below the surface and then send you a repair
bill when you cut through 100 pairs feeding the street.

 

[The real Andy]

Telstra make their own rules for their own cables on the footpath.
Possibly.

They can bury them 5cm below the surface and then send you a repair
bill when you cut through 100 pairs feeding the street.

That I doubt. Anyone who is digging in the street should know to ring
telstra (and other utilities) befor digging. If you don't, then you deserve
to get the bill for being so stupid.