Aluminium-conductor steel-reinforced cable coating thickness would be designated GC2. Higher strength grades of steel are designated high-strength (3), extra-high-strength (4), and ultra-high-strength (5). An ultra-high-strength galvanized steel core with class A coating thickness would be designated GA5. The use of higher strength steel cores increases the tensile strength of the conductor allowing for higher tensions which results in lower sag. Zinc-5% aluminium mischmetal coatings are designated with an "M". These coatings provide increased corrosion protection and heat resistance compared to zinc alone. Regular strength Class "A" mischmetal thickness weight coated regular strength steel would be designated MA2. Aluminium-clad steel is designated as "AW".
Aluminium-conductor steel-reinforced cable are normally galvanized, or coated with another material to prevent corrosion. The diameters of the strands used for both the aluminum and steel strands vary for different ACSR conductors. ACSR cable still depends on the tensile strength of the aluminium; it is only "reinforced" by the steel. Because of this, its continuous operating temperature is limited to , the temperature at which aluminium begins to anneal and soften over time. Cable which relies entirely on the steel for strength, and so can be used at temperatures up to , is called aluminium-conductor steel-supported (ACSS). The standard steel core used for