What's the purpose of that little strip of string in a Cat5 cable?

[vi edit]

Every cat 5 cable I've used has a single threading of some sorts running through it. When ever I go to make my own patch cables that string is hanging out just bugging the crap out of me(yes, I know I'm anal ) I usually use my crimping tool to cut it back and get it out of the way.

What's the point of it? Does it serve some hidden purpose that I don't know about? Is it just to annoy anal retentive people such as myself?

Thanks

 

[bigshooter]

I always used that string to make a slit in the cable jacket. That way you can cut the jacket off easier without having to worry about hitting the wires. Just pull down on it and it should cut the jacket. I've had some strings that wouldn't cut the jacket so I just trimmed off the string and got rid of it.

 

[ishmael2k]

It is there to strengthen the cable so you don't put pressure on the wires while pulling/running the cable.

This is especially important when you are doing runs that are in excess of 100'.

Rb

 

[Poontos]

ishmael is correct -- those thin copper wires and plastic sheathing can only take so much pressure before they snap. The longer the cable, the more pressure on the wire, obviously. The thread strengthens the cable.