0

A previous homeowner had cut this cable and left it sticking out of the floor (with a caddy surrounding it). Unfortunately I am unable to trace it in our drop ceiling in the basement because it's running between venting and the subfloor. What kind of wire is this, and is it safe to push back through the hole and just ignore it or do we need to do something to handle it properly?

white casing with greyish blue insulation and a copper wire surrounded by white padding maybe?

white casing with greyish blue insulation and a copper wire surrounded by white padding maybe? Home was built in the 70s, but this was fed through flooring that was laid over existing floor sometime after construction.

Improve this question
4
  • 10
    Is this a Rorschach test? I see a cable television cable.
    – popham
    Commented Oct 21, 2023 at 19:12
  • 9
    Picture is fuzzy but your description sounds like your basic coax cable. Either from roof top antenna or cable company
    – crip659
    Commented Oct 21, 2023 at 19:12
  • 9
    why did you include such a bad picture? ... what prevented you from checking the quality of the picture and taking another one?
    – jsotola
    Commented Oct 22, 2023 at 6:15
  • @jsotola I suppose because people will happily upvote and answer such posts. So if all you want is an answer (to frame it nicely), and you get it almost immediately with a reward on top... then why expend any more effort?
    – Dan Mašek
    Commented Oct 22, 2023 at 14:57

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
9

Coaxial cable, typically used for cable TV. It's safe the leave or push back into the hole.

Not sure why they would have parked a Cadillac on it.

Improve this answer
1
  • Pretty sure "caddy" is only commonly used to refer to Cadillac in one or two of the English-speaking countries of the world.
    – Sixtyfive
    Commented Oct 22, 2023 at 8:24
3

It's a TV or sat dish cable. If it is part of a distribution network in your house, cutting and leaving it open may cause ghost images for other TV viewers who might get angry. In that respect, it isn't safe. It would make sense tracing the cable to the respective distribution point and putting a line terminator there.

If you are the only potential user on that antenna, it doesn't really matter, assuming the installation is done properly (like, with regard to lightning protection if there is burnable material around).

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.