What is the ring which wires wrap through and around?

[dirkomatic]

I've seen this before for a lot of wires...  I'm preparing to hack a Logitech Nascar wheel and pedals and the wires for the buttons wrap through and around a ring before being plugged into the board.  I'm planning on cutting these wires and joining them to a DB25 cable so I can extend them and make it pluggable.  What is the purpose of the ring?  Can I leave it off or move it?

[sinkhead]

If it's what I think you're talking about, it stops the wires being ripped off the PCB if the cable is yanked. When you pull on the cable all the tension is on the ring, and the wires to the PCB are still slack.

[dirkomatic]

I'll take a picture when I get a chance, but that could be the case since they are the buttons on the wheel...  If that's truly the case, then I'm not going to need it.

[Dr Zero]

I bet its a Ferrite bead!

You ever notice on some power cords a cylinder around one end encased in plastic it a ferrite bead used to reduce interference in wires.
 
High end stereo shops used to sell them to go around speaker wires to cut down on hum and the likes from all the electronics in the house.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrite_bead

http://www.gbrcaa.org/ntoa/Filters,%20Chokes%20and%20OIs.htm

[dirkomatic]

oh...

So I need one then?!?!

Crap.

I'm planning on splicing these into a DB25 cable so I can put the board in the cabinet instead of in the wheel...  I'm not going to be able to wrap the DB25 cable through and around this ring.

Digikey has a bunch of them...  Which one would be the right one to get?

[Dr Zero]

oh...

So I need one then?!?!

Crap.

I'm planning on splicing these into a DB25 cable so I can put the board in the cabinet instead of in the wheel...  I'm not going to be able to wrap the DB25 cable through and around this ring.

Digikey has a bunch of them...  Which one would be the right one to get?

Eh probably not but for like $2 bucks why not here is a link they have one that you can just snap on the outside of the cable.
Some cable also is shielded also so might not need it but here is the link in case

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/235/Ferrites/1.html

[MonMotha]

In general, ferrites are not required for proper operation, though they can improve noise performance in analog circuits (analog joysticks, audio, video, etc).   Ferrites are most often installed to meet FCC regulations regarding stray electromagnetic (radio) emissions.  You can usually remove them if you want, but if other stuff in your house (or your neighbor's) starts acting funny, you'd best put them back on.

[dirkomatic]

As inexpensive as they are, I'll just get a couple of them from digikey when I make my order.  Thanks for all the information guys!