Identifying metal box in garden.

[rimmeruk]

Anyone got a clue what this octagonal metal box is in our garden? it has 2 handles to lift it but appears to be bolted to something on at least one side. My first thought was some old BT / GPO hardware but had no luck looking it up on google.

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tags like I've done for you above - Rilot

 

[rimmeruk]

Ok sorry for lack of replies. Finally got the bolt out only to find it was still bolted right down the back against the fence. some fiddly adjustable spanner work later and the box is off. Its not a ww2 bomb (actually in telford now not plymouth so wasnt expecting that anyway) and its not a sewage relief valve - its something much scarier than a sewage relief valve considering the metal box!

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[rimmeruk]

Western Power have been out and it's live! it's a mains feed tower for the 9 houses behind us. each of the black cables is a 240V supply and each of the red cables is someones house supply. He'd never see a box like ours either, apparently they've normally got a lockable door on them. He was shocked it was still live and considered it very dangerous, He was contemplating getting the workmen out tonight to dig it up and replace it but eventually decided to get them out tomorrow.

 

[rimmeruk]

Woah, 3ph supply coming in and each phase being split off to each house. Looks well dodgy!

Is the inside of the box insulated? Could have seriously injured yourself or killed you if you had touched any of the live parts with the metal box!

Yeah the box was insulated, good job as had been kicking the **** out of it trying to loosen it before i found the bolt