You could try using subdivsions surfaces like this:
This is simply a rectangle that's been extruded. The subdivision level is set to 3 but you could add more sections or extrude a simple ellipse to get more detail and a lower subdiv. level).
The vertices are moved and the end surfaces are bevelled or indented (try setting the subdivision level without doing this to see why it's needed).
This makes a cable model much easier to edit and very small.
My quick example can be downloaded from:
www.ac3d.org/ac3d/forumpics/cable.ac
Andy