Are phone / Internet cables dangerous?

[Beorning]

I have a question:

today at work, thoughtlessly, a grabbed an Internet-providing cable by its plug. Was it dangerous? Did I risk electrocution by touching the metal connectors in the plug?

[Zorak]

No. 

As a general rule, signal cables do not carry an electrical charge UNLESS something is VERY VERY wrong (I've seen it happen when a metal desk was on top of an electrical cable, and wore through the insulation.  Since the signal cable (in that case, a co-axial cable TV cable) is GROUNDED, you'd get a shock if you touched the cable, and the desk, together.  But that was really really weird.

If you're using an old-fashioned telephone cable, it might be possible to get a tiny buzz of a shock (like from a 9 volt battery) if you're touching the wrong connectors at just the right time when someone calls the phone, and the phone company sends out a ring-charge.

BUT

In your office, the only wires that can shock you, are ones that lead to an electrical outlet :)

[Beorning]

Thank you :)

BTW. Zorak! From the Space Ghost cartoon! Ha!  ;D