Is it normal for utility lines to be buried just a couple inches deep?

That sounds like a classic **low-voltage telecom drop**, likely for a phone line or an older fiber optic service. The fact that it was only two or three inches deep is actually pretty standard for those lines. Utility companies often use a vibrating plow that just tucks the wire under the sod rather than digging a proper trench, so finding them just below the surface is incredibly common.

Since you're seeing orange, pink, and blue wires inside a gray jacket, you're almost certainly looking at a 2-pair or 3-pair station wire. You didn't find any voltage with your multimeter because these lines generally only carry a small current when a phone is ringing or a modem is actively communicating. If you aren't using a landline and your internet is still working through a different provider like cable or a newer fiber ONT elsewhere, it's very likely an abandoned legacy line from a previous homeowner. But you should definitely double-check your internet speeds and any wired home security systems. Sometimes these lines are used for DSL or as a trigger for an old alarm panel. If your internet is fiber-to-the-home, check the box on the side of your house (the NID or ONT) to see if the gray cable leads back to it. If it does, you might have just cut your actual service line and you'll notice it the next time your router tries to sync up. If everything stays functional for the next 24 hours, you're probably safe to leave it buried. Just keep in mind that wrapping it in electrical tape won't keep moisture out for long. If that line actually turns out to be active, the copper will eventually corrode and cause signal noise or a total outage. If you find out you actually need it, you'll want to use **gel-filled scotchlok connectors** and a small piece of replacement wire to bridge the gap properly, as standard tape isn't rated for direct burial.

I hit one of those exact gray lines with my tiller last spring. It was barely an inch down near my flower beds. Since my internet was fine, I followed the wire back to the box on the side of the house and saw it wasn't even hooked up anymore. I ended up just yanking the whole run out of the dirt so I didn't have to worry about hitting it again or the mower catching a loose loop. If your internet is still solid after a day, I'd check that box. If it’s disconnected, just pull it out and save yourself the headache of dealing with it every time you want to plant somethig.

Have you ruled out that this might be part of a low-voltage landscape lighting system or an old irrigation controller setup? Gray jackets are pretty common for direct-burial sprinkler wire too. Since you didn't get a reading on the multimeter, it could just be that the timer isn't currently cycling. You might want to try manually turning on each zone or checking if any garden lights are out before you assume it's just a dead phone line. It'd be a pain to realize it's your solenoid wire only after your lawn starts turning brown next week.

That sounds like a Cat 3 or a legacy 22-gauge copper drop. If you're seeing those specific colors in a gray jacket, it’s a dead ringer for an old AT&T or Bell legacy line. Don't trust that multimeter reading for a second; if it's an active POTS line, you won't see the 48V DC unless the hook is open or someone’s calling. If you realy want to be sure, check your NID for a 110-style punch-down block and see if those pairs are terminated. If it’s dead, just snip it back. If you’re worried about moisture tracking back to the house, use some 3M Scotchcast 82-A1 to seal the ends properly.

I'm super new to this and honestly don't know much about wiring, but reading this makes me wonder—if I did accidentally cut a line for a security system or landline, whould it be dangerous to touch those gel-filled connectors you mentioned? I'm kind of nervous about getting shocked even if the multimeter says it's dead. Also, is there a specific way to tell the difference between a 'dead' line and one that's just 'waiting' for a signal? I'd hate to just leave it there if it's going to cause some wierd short circuit later on.