What's This All About?

[Whitespirit66]

Have noticed recently on 2 nearby properties that have had new MDPE water supply pipes installed in trenches through front garden, that there is a single insulated electrical wire fixed to the outside of it.

It's only a thin cable to carry a low current, blue insulation I think. It fixed to the length of the pipe by insulation tape every 2 feet.

Can't think what its for. Is it for some new reg.? Seems too thin for bonding.

 

[kevplumb]

poss antenna for remote meter reading

just a shot in the dark mind

as the bishop said

 

[kevindgas]

fibre optic cable for cable TV/internet?
i know they are doing something in Bournemouth with cables through the sewers - smellyvision anyone!

 

[Whitespirit66]

But will that work if it's buried with the pipe? The wire does go all the way to the metre end, both pipes were sticking out of the end of their gardens awaiting meter/stoptap connection.

 

[Whitespirit66]

Kev, seems to be copper cable. Will try to get pic.

 

[Biggles..]

Could be trace heating.

 

[picasso]

thank you google

http://www.bristolwater.co.uk/customerservice/newFaq.asp

 

[Whitespirit66]

Ah, a trace wire so that detectors can trace the pipe run. Wonderbar.

Must be a recent thing, and a West country peculiarity.