Accidentally cut a black cable!!

New comer · 19-08-2014, 17:10

Hi All,

I am new here, and hope i can get some help. I accidentally cut a black cable while removing some of the old tile on my pavement. It run from the main road into my house.

I have no idea what cable is this, as my electric is there and it doesnt look like a fibre optic cable either.

Please could anyone shed some light on this?

many thanks.

Simon.

alferret · 19-08-2014, 17:24

Thats VM cable feed and phone (twin) I believe.

Osem · 19-08-2014, 17:34

Yes, it looks very similar to a roll of cable awaiting installation by VM next door.

New comer · 19-08-2014, 17:43

Thanks Guys. Much appreciated.

So should i just get a connector and reconnect them or get VM to do it for me? Will they charge me a fortune then?

Sirius · 19-08-2014, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by New comer

Hi All,

I am new here, and hope i can get some help. I accidentally cut a black cable while removing some of the old tile on my pavement. It run from the main road into my house.

I have no idea what cable is this, as my electric is there and it doesnt look like a fibre optic cable either.

Please could anyone shed some light on this?

many thanks.

Simon.

That's a Siamese drop cable used for phone and tv.

Uncle Peter · 19-08-2014, 18:25

Whew!!!

MovedGoalPosts · 19-08-2014, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by New comer

Thanks Guys. Much appreciated.

So should i just get a connector and reconnect them or get VM to do it for me? Will they charge me a fortune then?

Are you wanting VM services? If yes then it will need to be repaired. If no then you can probably ignore it.

A repair should be carried out by VM. Get it wrong and you risk causing noise (interference) to your own and neighbour's services. VM can often repair the cable, but sometimes will want to repull from the street cabinet. A charge for this is possible given it was you, not VM that did it. On the other hand the cable should have been a bit deeper and ideally in a green hose, so it would have had some protection.

New comer · 20-08-2014, 09:22

Thanks Rob. Will contact VM, much appreciated for all your help guys.

**Chris** · 20-08-2014, 10:11

Really, don't bother unless you have cable TV, or definitely want to get it in the near future. You'll spend an age on the phone trying to get to the right department, only to find they won't be interested unless you're already a customer. Or, if you do manage to get them interested in coming out to fix it, they will likely try to charge you upwards of £100 for repairing damage you have caused.

Unless you know you definitely need the cable, just leave well alone.

New comer · 20-08-2014, 10:23

Good tips Chris. I am about so sign up their Fiber Optic bundle ( Including TV and phone), so i think I will use it as my bargaining chip to have it repaired for free!!.

**Chris** · 20-08-2014, 10:28

If the cable isn't fit for use, they will replace it as part of the installation as a matter of course. When you phone to order, just let them know that there is a broken cable in the garden and they should arrange for the appropriate tech to come and put in a new one ahead of your install date.

New comer · 20-08-2014, 16:56

Thanks Chris.

General Maximus · 20-08-2014, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Are you wanting VM services?On the other hand the cable should have been a bit deeper and ideally in a green hose, so it would have had some protection.

yup, I can't remember what the exact regulation/law for it is but it is something like a minimum of 2ft below the surface and it has got to be clearly marked as a warning. If VM installed the cable and didn't do this then it is their own fault and the op shouldn't be charged.

qasdfdsaq · 21-08-2014, 04:41

I'd be a little concerned about noise, liquid, or corrosive ingress on the exposed cable end if left outdoors, but as stated by others above, it's not worth the effort trying to get VM to do anything about it anyway. It's really their responsibility to disconnect the drop at the cab if it's causing a problem. Assuming it's an area that actually has those kind of drops...

jb66 · 21-08-2014, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by General Maximus

yup, I can't remember what the exact regulation/law for it is but it is something like a minimum of 2ft below the surface and it has got to be clearly marked as a warning. If VM installed the cable and didn't do this then it is their own fault and the op shouldn't be charged.

Doesn't apply on private land