What is this?

[Ruzzell]

I'm intrigued too now.

How big are they?

Thanks, all, for your input. I'm attaching a couple more photos. Several of these were buried just under the surface of the ground next to my garage. We live in suburban Philadelphia, so I don't think I have to worry about them being some of kind of leftover war ordinance or something. But I am a little hesitant to try to cut them open, in case they are a type of detonator or so. I'm intrigued and surprised that they aren't instantly recognizable to the electricians in this forum.

 

[littlespark]

Telephone joint box?
Or simply a terminal for capping off a single cable.
How many cores?

It’s much smaller than I initially thought from the first photo.

 

[Baddegg]

Agree with @littlespark,looks like telephone cable are they hard to touch?....gel filled?

 

[Dan]

Can you cut one open and see if there are markings on anything inside?

 

[DPG]

Ah, it's transparent plastic. I thought it was crimped metal tubing. Could just be a cable joint, although why you've got so many of them I don't know.

 

[telectrix]

hit it with ahammer. if it don'tgo bang, then it's not an electrical problem..

 

[Devonchris]

Area limit for automatic mower ?

 

[telectrix]

it's a condom for a guy who's had the snip/infertile.

 

[freddo]

What is at the other end of the wire? A single core, several wires?

 

[James]

I was originally thinking they might be temperature sensors or p.h level sensors.
however, I am leaning toward the mole repellent device that was mentioned by @marconi

it seems the most logical suggestion so far.

as if it was a sensor, it would probably not need to be in a large sealed tube.

please don't take what is below too seriously **

If you are at all concerned about them being explosive, then DO NOT put them all in a bag, bang them down on the counter of your local council and say "are these things explosive?"

You will get an answer, I am sure, but you might have to wait a couple of days (under guard) whilst they do a few checks on both you and the contents of the bag.

 

[static zap]

I know some radio hams love burying supplemental earthing , expecting in a star formation ... but insulated !
Was there ever a radio station near by (free energy project !)
(still need clues to how much copper / reistance to rule out some weird heater ! )

 

[static zap]

looks like telephone cable ...

How to tell if it's telephone cable - That stuff is amazingly springy ,resists bending straight a bit like spring steel ? (in UK at least)
{May explain curly ness , unless it was wound up for shot}

 

[Marvo]

I vaguely remember the many years ago they used to make LED net lights and fairy light strings similar to that where the enclosed the LED's and their associated components in little heat sealed plastic sleeves to try to give them some form of IP rating.
[automerge]1574640671[/automerge]
Cut one open and post a few pictures of the components inside please.

 

[Lou]

Have you found out what it is?

 

[DPG]

He's gone a bit quiet. Maybe it blew up?

 

[static zap]

I'm hoping things have gone quiet ,due to a "downed" telephone cable !
( snagged a few in town helping a bus get thru in the snow -another cold winter )
( he had unwanted rear end steer on a slight slope/camber )

 

[Ruzzell]

He's gone a bit quiet. Maybe it blew up?

Ha! Not yet. Thanks, all. I will take my chances and try cutting it open. Will send pics.

 

[freddo]

How to tell if it's telephone cable - That stuff is amazingly springy ,resists bending straight a bit like spring steel ? (in UK at least)

That's just the crap copper clad steel rubbish that most of the wholesalers seem to stock now. Proper telephone cable is solid copper. That steel stuff is really awful, shouldn't be allowed to be sold.

 

[static zap]

Oh well.

just the crap copper clad steel rubbish that most of the wholesalers seem to stock

Was hoping for some exotic brass/bronze .

 

[marconi]

Ruzzell - Do you have an update or any more pictures on these as yet unknown terminations? I cannot hold my breath much longer.