| CR | See PCP CSM see CSP |
| CSPE | Chlorosulphonated polyethylene |
| EPDM | Ethylene propylene terpolymer rubber |
| EPM | See EPR |
| EPR | Ethylene propylene rubber |
| EVA | Ethylene vinyl acetate |
| HDPE | High density polyethylene |
| HEPR | Hard EPR |
| IIBR | Isoprene isobutylene (butyl) rubber |
| NBR | Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber |
| NR | Natural rubber |
| PC | Polycarbonate |
| PCR | Polychloroprene rubber |
| PE | Polyethylene |
| PET | Polyethylene terephthalate |
| PP | Polypropylene |
| PPL | Polypropylene paper laminate |
| PTFE | Polytetrafluoroethylene |
| PVA | Polyvinyl acetate |
| PVC | Polyvinyl chloride |
| SBR | Styrene butadiene rubber |
| SR | Silicone rubber |
| TPR | Thermoplastic rubber |
| VP | Vulcanized rubber |
| XPLE | Cross-linked polyethylene |
| ABS | American Bureau of Shipping |
| ASTM | American Society for Testing Materials |
| BASEC | British Approvals Services for Electric Cables |
| BS | British Standard |
| BSI | British Standard Institution |
| CEE | International Commission for Conformity Certificate of Electrical Equipment |
| CENELEC | European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation |
| CMA | Cable Makers Association (UK) |
| EEC | European Economic Community |
| IEG | International Electrotechnical Commission |
| IEE | Institution of Electrical Engineers (UK) |
| IEEE | Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (USA) |
| IPCEA | Insulated Power Cable Engineers Association (USA) (now ICEA) |
| ISO | International Standards Organization |
| LRS | Lloyd’s Register of Shipping |
| NAO | National Approval Organization (E.E.C) |
| NEMA | National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association (USA) |
| OCMA | Oil Companies Materials Association |
| SABS | South African Bureau of Standards |
| UL | Underwriter’s Laboratories (USA) |
| SANS | South African National Standards |
| CNE | Combined neutral and earth |
| CPC | Circuit protective conductor |
| CSA | Corrugated seamless aluminum (sheath) |
| CTS | Cabtyre sheath |
| DWA | Double wire armour |
| ECC | Earth continuity conductor |
| GSW | Galvanized steel wire |
| HOFR | Heat and oil resting flame retardant |
| HR | Heat retardant |
| MI | Mineral insulated |
| NR | Nitrile rubber OF oil-filled |
| OFR | Oil resting and flame retardant |
| PIAS | Paper insulated aluminum sheathed |
| PILSPILS | Paper insulated lead sheathed |
| PME | Protective multiple earthed |
| PWA | Pliable wire armour |
| RNN | Rubber/neoprene/neoprene |
| RPS | Reduced flame propagation sheath |
| SAC | Solid aluminum conductor |
| SL | Separately lead sheathed |
| SNE | Separate Neutral and earth |
| STA | Steel tape armour |
| SWA | Single wire armour |
| TRS | Tough rubber sheath |
| AWG | American wire gauge |
| CV | Continuous vulcanizing |
| EHV | Extra high voltage (imprecise) |
| HV | High voltage (imprecise) |
| LV | Low voltage (imprecise) |
| MCM | Thousand circular mils (also kc mil) |
| MV | Medium voltage (imprecise) |
| UD | Underground distribution (USA) |
| UHV | Ultra-high voltage (imprecise) |
| LD | ULight duty |
| ND | Normal duty |
| HD | Heavy duty |
