Magnetic Ethernet patch cord?

[AlbertL]

Had a little surprise yesterday.  On my bench, an Ethernet patch cord brushed across a magnet - and it stuck!  I found several more of the same brand ("eje"), and they are all magnetic.  I don't remember if I bought the cords separately or if they came packaged with a device.  The cords are Cat5, 4-pair, UTP.  They appear to be well-made and have the proper markings.

[amyk]

Not magnetic, just ferromagnetic... Copper-coated steel conductors?

[AlbertL]

Yes, steel wire is the only explanation I can think of.  The cable is marked UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) and the attraction extends even to the clear plastic head, so it's not the shield.  Looking at the connector, the exposed ends of the wires definitely don't look like copper.

I know there's some aluminum Ethernet cable being sold, but steel? Wow! 

[nctnico]

Steel cables aren't that uncommon. Steel is often used for heavy duty wires which are subjected to lots of twisting & bending. Copper is way too prone to breaking for such applications. Professional headphones often have steel wires.