Cable type, please...

[pirate]

Is this PILC?
Found today, running along an external wall, with some all-round band for extra support...
Always interested in odd cables, so please let me know!

 

[westward10]

It is almost certainly paper insulated but not lead sheathed, the outer looks like steel banding.

 

[pirate]

and a few bits of all-round "band" to help with the support!
It comes out of the ground, runs about 35 m along that exterior wall to the house, and disappears inside...the adjacent garage is fed by 4mm T&E pinned to the same wall

 

[telectrix]

It is almost certainly paper insulated but not lead sheathed, the outer looks like steel banding.

looks loike lead to me, under that wrappling.

 

[Deleted account]

Could it be a water pipe?

well insulated.

 

[westward10]

looks loike lead to me, under that wrappling.

Below and above the saddle you can see the band wrapping but yes there is likely to be a lead sheath below.

 

[pirate]

Many thanks for all your replies, I appreciate it.
Always trying to add to my knowledge base!
I don't think it's a water pipe, but that was a possibility at one point...however, no other water supplies run overground in this vicinity that I am aware of.
I suppose if I had to describe it, i'd say it was like a lead pipe, sheathed in what I used to know as Sylglass tape...not the metal foil covered stuff, just the basic stuff which was some kind of fabric mesh impregnated with a sticky goo...I expect some on here have never heard of it!
Whatever it is, thank you all again for your suggestions.

 

[westward10]

The cloth is likely to be hessian tarred on.

 

[telectrix]

Could it be a water pipe?

well insulated.

stick a nail in it. if it pees out it's water. if it hisses, it's gas. if it goes bang, it's leccy.

 

[7029 dave]

Looks like lead cable wrapped in graphite

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Bog standard PILC STA. Paper insulation, lead sheath, steel tape armour and tarred hessian serving that has weathered and peeled off. You can have PILC without the armour or with SWA, but the lead always has to be there underneath to provide the hermetic seal against moisture.

 

[pirate]

Thanks again! Now I know...