Earth wire

[kstevens101]

Hi can anyone advise please? Older house we have an earth wire on our BT line can this be removed? Or is there anything we can check to find out if still need?  Thanks in advance 

[iniltous]

An earth wire is an ( ancient ) throwback  to ‘shared service’ , and anyone under 50 probably has no idea what that was , 2 ‘phones’ ( usually in different houses ) using the same pair of wires back to the exchange, the telephones had an ‘call’ button that signalled which of the two was making a call ….so yes the earth can be removed, shared service was pretty much gone by 1980.

[licquorice]

It wasn't just for shared service, in the days of open 40lb CC conductors it was also used for lightning protection.

[kstevens101]

Thank you for your reply - So are you saying it is more to do with how the wire is used rather than the age of the wire itself? 

[licquorice]

An earth wire is no longer required under any circumstances and can be safely removed.

[kstevens101]

Thank you again and is it as simple as cutting it to disconnect or would we need to get an electrician - sorry complete DIY novice here 

[licquorice]

Are you sure it is associated with your phone line and not your electrical supply?

I can't imagine where it would be terminated (if it indeed it is actually connected) unless you have a connector block like the picture I posted.

If it is definitely associated with your phone line, just cut it or disconnect it from wherever it is terminated.