Abstract: A cable assembly having a critical conductor and a sacrificial conductor and a critical conductor which has a fatigue life of a predetermined first length and the sacrificial conductor has a fatigue life of a predetermined second length shorter than the predetermined first length such that exposure of the cable assembly to repeated flexure or deteriorating substance causes the sacrificial conductor to fail before the critical conductor fails. Additionally, sacrificial conductors to be insulated with an insulation material less suited for the application so that the sacrificial conductors insulation will fail prior to the failure of the critical conductors. Positioning of sacrificial conductors around the circumference so failure from abrasion and chaffing will occur prior to critical conductors. A cable condition monitoring system for generating an alarm signal in response to the detection of a fault in the sacrificial conductors and a method for monitoring the condition of a cable assembly are also provided.