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I think we clipped a communications cable of some sort....

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J

John L

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We were planting a couple bushes next to a sign and my helper nicked the casing of a cable buried at only about 9"-10" below the surface. The cable is about 5/8.. maybe 3/4 diameter with a black plastic covering. There was no ID tape above it. I can see where he nicked a small aluminum (maybe) piece off just below the black covering so I am worried we damaged something here. I didn't touch it or cover it back up or anything. Just wondering what to do, what to expect? What would this be? Who should I call Monday? Thanks!
 
I also wanted to ask.. if this is T-1, cable TV, or telephone, or whatever it is... shouldn't this have been deeper in the ground? I always thought buried underground electric of most any kind needed to be at least 18" below Grassy areas. Any views appreciated.
 
It sounds like CATV from the description, but who knows. Is this cable in a pretty direct line between two pedestals that you can see? I find CATV often just below the sod. Even when they plow it in, it's not all that deep.
 
I'd vote for CATV as well.
You should call your state's One-Call locating services. And not to sound like your mother, but you should have called the first of this week.
 
Thanks for the response. I really appreciate that.

I just called my help back after reading your post a few minutes ago.

My guy says he suspects it is coming from the lowermost line on a telephone pole that's within about 40' or so of the area we were diggin in. He said there is a line (matching the same color/size description) originating from a small box attached to the lowermost line strung across the poles. The cable comes from this box and goes down the pole and he suspects this is the same cable he hit.
 
480sparky said:
And not to sound like your mother, but you should have called the first of this week.
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Yep, you are right... and I miss my mom. I will call Monday. Just trying to find out how big a boo boo I done. I don't wanna be next weeks headline.

I promise, I just didn't expect something so close to the surface. (famous last words in some cases I suppose).
 
hahahahahaha.

I meant I'll be calling the cable people. Mom passed away a few years ago. My best buddy she was.

Yep, I keep ending up at poor slob. This place is a school, they aren't suppose to be watching TV in there anyway.

Thanks
 
John,
You should have called the "one call" locate service for your state before doing any digging. You can call 811 from anywhere and get connected to the correct locate service. This is required by law in most if not all states.
As far as the depth, the communications cables are often only a few inches below grade if they are running to a dwelling unit. Even major cables like the 300 pair I cut the other day with multiple T-1s are often less than 2' below grade. The one I cut was only 16". It is a good thing I had called and had a valid dig number for my job or the repair and lost revenue would have cost my company at least $10,000.00. If you have a valid dig number and you damage an unmarked cable like I did, you don't have to pay, but if you don't have a dig number you have to pay the costs of the repair and maybe the lost revenue. I understand that for some major fiber lines the lost revenue may be in the are of $1,000,000 per hour.
Don
 
mdshunk said:
Yeah, CATV is the lowest on joint use poles. Looks like you know who's cable it is now.
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Around here the TELCO is the lowest with the CATV above it.
 
Just keep in mind that calling One-Call (811) will only locate the public utilities, not any private lines that may be on a property. If you are installing signs, this would include the power circuit to the sign, lawn irrigation, etc. You will need to hire a private contractor to do any locating of private utilities.
 
stickboy1375 said:
Unheard of... they won't do it do to everyone being sue happy...
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I've had them do it for me, but they don't mark them out nearly as nicely. Just a couple of dots here and there... enough for you to get the idea by connecting the dots in your mind's eye.

My only big dig-in goof up wasn't really my fault either. It was with cable also, which was marked. The cable people had a very large figure 8 slack loop buried where I was digging. The paint marks were just in a line from A to B, and didn't account for the big slack loop they had buried for whatever reason.
 
stickboy1375 said:
Unheard of... they won't do it do to everyone being sue happy...
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Here you strike up some small talk, offer to buy his lunch($20 goes a long way) and you will be suprised.

Not only will he locate what your looking for, he'll go back to the utilities he already sprayed and dead nuts nail them with depths!
 
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