Outdoor electrical cable. What can I do with it?

[geoffken]

I moved into my home 10 years ago and noted a cable coming from the house under the garden but couldn't find the end. I have recently demolished my garage and I found an armoured cable underneath which was heavily taped at the end. As I am laying decking I decided I wanted to cut this so I tested the cable, imagine my shock(thankfully not literally) at finding this was actually a live cable. I isolated it and have cut it back and placed an outdoor socket on it to make it safer.
My question is what can i actually do with this? I want to add a security light to my home and decking lights and was just going to drill through my wall and plug in. Can I use this existing to add these or will I be looking at having to get a sparkie due to the dreaded part P.

For info I have no idea where this cable comes from in my home, although it appears to go directly into my fuse box.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Firstly do you know if this cable is fit for use?
Secondly as you have attached an outdoor socket to the cable, is the cable suitably sized, circuit suitably rated and is the socket RCD protected?
You will find that dealing with external electric within your garden will require building control notification.
As far as Part P is concerned, it is a building regulation, you need to comply to that regardless of notification, we all do!

 

[geoffken]

The cable is like new with no signs of wear and tear or and cuts. The socket is RCD protected. The socket is a 2 Gang 13Amp RCD. I have about 2 metres of 3 core cable but it is old (red/black/blank earth)
Looks like ill have to get a sparks as I have no idea where in my home this is attached. Yet another bodge job by the previous home owner

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The cable is like new with no signs of wear and tear or and cuts.

What about the underground section?

The cable needs to be tested for insulation resistance and continuity of conductors, especially the earth and the armour.

And how did you fit a socket to armoured cable anyway?

I have no idea where in my home this is attached.

So how did you isolate it?

Also, that means you have no idea if it is safe to use, i.e. if it is adequately protected.

 

[geoffken]

Calling an electrician tomorrow, after 10 years lying in my garden live, I'm presuming another night of this wiring won't make a difference.

To previous poster, when i said isolate it what I actually meant was turn off all my power, then I have put the socket on not to use, just to stop me having a live cable lying around in my garden. There is no longer any underground cable. If I knew where it was connected I would simply disconnect it.
Its not armour cable it's just really thick insulated wire.

As above I'm getting a pro to look at this. Thanks for your replays.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Sounds like it needs disconnecting completely.

if it is not armoured then it is probably not suitable for outdoor/buried/open to the elements cable runs.

You can make a good guess as to which cpd protects your mystery cable by turning off the mcbs in the consumer unit one at a time.

At least your electrician will have a head start then....

 

[JohnW2]

You can make a good guess as to which cpd protects your mystery cable by turning off the mcbs in the consumer unit one at a time.

Indeed - and actually better than a guess, now that he has put a socket on the end of it. If he plugs a lamp or somesuch into the socket and switches off the MCBs in turn, he'll find out which is the one.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

To previous poster, when i said isolate it what I actually meant was turn off all my power,

OK.

There is no longer any underground cable.

Right - OK. When you said it was buried under the garden and you didn't know where it went until you found it under the garage I assumed that still left the buried section.

Its not armour cable it's just really thick insulated wire.

So as TTC says it probably shouldn't be outdoors, so until the electrician turns up try to keep it safe from damage.

What's on the other side of the wall where it exits the house?