Methods for manufacturing shield structures for use in communication cables

A method for forming a continuous shield for use in a cable, the method comprising:

• providing a first layer of dielectric material that extends in a longitudinal direction;
• forming a second layer of electrically conductive material on the first layer of dielectric material, the second layer comprising a thickness between 0.5 mils and 3.0 mils and extending in the longitudinal direction;
• and
• forming, at a plurality of spaced locations along the longitudinal direction, respective gaps through both the first layer and the second layer, each gap spanning partially across a width of the second layer,
• wherein, at each of the plurality of spaced locations, the gaps result in the formation of one or more fusible elements of the electrically conductive material spanning between an adjacent set of longitudinally spaced segments of the electrically conductive material, and
• wherein each fusible element provides electrical continuity between the adjacent set of longitudinally spaced segments and has a minimum fusing current between 0.001 amperes and 0.500 amperes.