# Should I be worried about this? (Burned cable) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 8, 2010, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-this-burned-cable/531697 "2010-03-08T06:26:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-this-burned-cable/531697/21 "2010-03-12T05:05:05Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > Ya learn something new everday, as my dear sainted Mom used to say. I’ve replaced many a window, but have yet had to pull out the blowtorch. > > Why didn’t you notice the burned carpet when you moved in? There is no burning on the carpeting, just the floor underneath. I’m guessing they replaced the carpeting but somehow missed the cable. ETA: Spoke with my husband, who spoke directly with the manager. ‘‘Yeah, it was something. The wall was on fire.’’ _snerk_ ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-this-burned-cable/531697/22 "2010-03-12T17:50:40Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > My dearly departed uncle used thermite. Nothing cuts you a hole better than thermite he’d say. Slicker than a hot knife through butter. So the previous window was there without benefit of a hole? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![KastleBravo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ee7513/32.png) [@KastleBravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KastleBravo)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-this-burned-cable/531697/23 "2013-01-24T00:20:37Z")
I have a burnt cable tv wire under the eves of my house. The connection-where the service cable first meets the homes internal cabling-was too hot to touch, had melted the cable jacket and inner conductor insulation, and smelled like burning plastic and smoldering wood. Additionally, as I unscrewed the cable from the female-female adaptor, tiny sparks surrounded the cable-connector connection. The burnt cable under your carpet was from faulty wiring-a situation which your landlord lied to you about either because he was aware of the problem and could not find the faulty connection, or to prevent lawsuits and/or a good tennant to leave his building. Have an electrician check the wiring. I suspect a fire hazard remains. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-this-burned-cable/531697/24 "2013-01-24T00:31:49Z")
Too late. She died in a tragic fire 3 almost years ago. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-this-burned-cable/531697/25 "2013-01-24T00:55:56Z")
zombie or no the thread contains the answer. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-this-burned-cable/531697/26 "2013-01-24T01:04:24Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Too late. She died in a tragic fire 3 almost years ago. Dude, not cool. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-this-burned-cable/531697/27 "2013-01-24T01:10:47Z")
Since the issue in the OP was resolved almost three years ago, I’m closing this. If you wish to discuss a new problem, open a new thread. Colibri General Questions Moderator [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-worried-about-this-burned-cable/531697.md?page=1)