Abstract: An optical fiber cable for bundled drop applications has a plurality of optical fiber sub-units stranded together in an S-Z lay configuration and a jacket surrounding and holding the sub-units in the S-Z configuration without assistance from binder threads. The jacket contacts at least some of the sub-units and has one, but preferably at least two, longitudinally disposed grooves on an external surface. With at least two grooves, the sub-units are accessed by bending the cable until the jacket buckles between the grooves, cutting the jacket at the buckle, and peeling back a portion of the jacket longitudinally between the grooves.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable for bundled drop applications has a plurality of optical fiber sub-units stranded together in an S-Z lay configuration and a jacket surrounding and holding the sub-units in the S-Z configuration without assistance from binder threads. The jacket contacts at least some of the sub-units and has one, but preferably at least two, longitudinally disposed grooves on an external surface. With at least two grooves, the sub-units are accessed by bending the cable until the jacket buckles between the grooves, cutting the jacket at the buckle, and peeling back a portion of the jacket longitudinally between the grooves.

Abstract: An electrical power cable has an insulation shield with at least one path of weakness along a length of the cable to facilitate stripping. When the path of weakness is a score or groove, a thickness of the insulation shield—between a bottom of the at least one groove and the outer surface of the underlying insulation layer is about 1-15 mils. Preferably, blades arranged around the circumference cable following extrusion of the insulation shield cut the at least one groove continuously into the shield along the cable's length. The at least one groove, or other means for imparting weakness, enables an installer to easily strip the insulation shield in the field with minimal use of specialized tools.