Why do Xbox controllers have breakaway cables?
The Xbox and Xbox 360 controllers have extra connections a few inches after the male USB connector. What is the purpose of this extra connection?
Solution 1:
It's so that the controller becomes unplugged at the breakaway point when the cable is pulled a little, rather than yanking on your console or controller. This design mitigates the age old "tripped on the controller cable; yanked my NES off the entertainment center" conundrum.