Electrical Installation and

Maintenance 4
Perform roughing-in activities, wiring and cabling works for single-phase distribution, power, lighting and auxiliary systems
Objectives:

Describe the uses of cable tray.

Differentiate the types of cables trays
Describe the PEC provisions of cable tray
Recognize the importance of cable trays
CABLE TRAY
What is a cable tray?

A cable tray is “a unit or assembly of

units of sections and associated
fittings forming a rigid structural
system used to securely fasten or
support cables and race ways”.
 What is a cable tray?

What is a Cable Tray System?

As per the National Electrical Code, a cable tray system is "a unit or assembly of units or sections
and associated fittings forming a rigid structural system used to securely fasten or support cables
and raceways."

What does this mean?

Cable trays support cable the way that roadway bridges support traffic.
Cable trays are used to hold up and distribute cables.
A bridge is a structure that provides safe passage for traffic across open spans.
Cable tray is the bridge that allows for safe transport of wires across open spans.
TYPES OF CABLE TRAY

1.Ladder Tray
2.Solid Bottom Cable Tray
3.Trough ( ventilated ) Cable Tray
4.Channel ( perforated )Cable Tray
5.Wire Mesh Cable Tray
6.Single Rail Cable Tray
 Ladder Cable Tray

1.Solid side rail protection and system strength with smooth radius fittings and a wide
selection of materials and finishes.
2.Maximum strength for long span applications standard widths of 150, 300, 450, 600,
750, and 900 millimeters
3.Standard depths of 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 millimeters
4.Standard lengths of 3 to 6 meters
5.Rung spacing of 150, 225, 300, and 450 millimeters
6.Ladder cable tray is generally used in applications with intermediate to long support
spans, 3 meters to 6 meters.
Ladder Cable Tray

Figure 1-1 I-Beam Figure 1-2 Channel Flange In In Figure 1-2 Channel Flange Out
 SOLID BOTTOM CABLE TRAY

1.Non ventilated continuous support for delicate cables with added cable protection available in
metallic and fiberglass.

2. Solid bottom metallic with solid metal covers for non plenum rated cable in environmental air
areas

3. Standard widths of 150, 300, 450, 600, 750, and 900 millimeters
4.Standard depths of 75, 100, 125, and 150 mm
5.Standard lengths of 3, 6, meters
 Solid Bottom cable tray is generally used for minimal heat generating
 Electrical or telecommunication applications with short to intermediate
Example of Solid Bottom Cable Tray

Figure 2-1 Pan Flange In

Figure 1-2 Pan Flange Out

Figure 2-3 Corrugated Bottom Figure 2-4 Solid Sheet on Top

of Ladder Rung
Trough Cable Tray

1.Moderate ventilation with added cable support frequency and with the bottom
configuration providing cable support every 4 inches. Available in metal and nonmetallic
materials.
2. Standard widths of 150, 300, 450, 600, 750, 900 millimeter
3. Standard depths of 75, 100, 125, and 150 millimeters
4. Standard lengths of , 3000, 6000 millimeters
5. Fixed rung spacing of 100 millimeters on center
Trough cabletray is generally used for moderate heat generatingapplications
with short to intermediate support spans of 0.6 meters to 3.6 meters
Figure 3-1 Corrugated Bottom with Holes

Figure 3-2 Pan with Louvers

Figure 3-3 Tray with Close Rung Spacing

 Channel Cable Tray

1.An economical support for cable drops and branch cable runs from the backbone cable tray system.
2. Standard widths of 75,100, and 150 millimeters in metal systems and up to 200 millimeters in
nonmetallic systems.

3. Standard depths of30 to 50 millimeters in metal systems and 25, 30, 40,and 50 millimeters in
nonmetallic systems

4.Standard length of 3, 4, and 6 meters

Channel cable tray is used for installations with limited numbers of tray cable when conduit
is undesirable.
Support frequency with short to medium of 1.5 meters to 3 meters
Figure 4-Ventilated Bottom Figure 5- 2 Solid Bottom
Wire Mesh Cable Tray

1. A job site, field adaptable support system primarily for low voltage, telecommunication
and fiber optic cables. These systems are typically steel wire mesh, zinc plated.
2.Standard widths of 25, 50, 150, 200, 300, 400, 450, 500, and 600 millimeters
3. Standard depths of 25, 50, and 100 millimeters
4. Standard length of about 3 meter
Wire Mesh tray is generally used for telecommunication and fiber optic
applications and are installed on short support spans of 1.2 to 2.4 meters
Example of Wire Mesh Cable Tray

Figure 5-1 Wire Mesh Cable Tray

Single Rail Cable Tray

1.These aluminum systems are the fastest systems to install and provide the maximum
freedom fort cable to enter and exit the system.
2.Single hung or wall mounted systems in single or multiple tiers.
 Standard widths are 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 inches.
3.Standard depths are 3, 4, and 6 inches.
4.Standard lengths are 10 and 12 feet.
Single Rail Cable Tray is generally used for low voltage and power cables
installations where maximum cable freedom
 Example of Single Rail Cable Tray

Figure 6.2 Single

Tier Wall Mount

Figure 6.2 Single Tier Wall Mount Figure 6.3 Multi Tier Wall Mount
Figure 6.1 Centre Rail Cable Tray
Cable Tray Installation Step
 Common Tools for Installation
The following tools are commonly used for installation of cable tray:

1.Metal cutting saw 9.Leveling device

2.Touch-up material 10.Tape measure
3.Screwdriver 11.Square
4.Drill with bits 12.C clamp
5.File 13.Torque wrench
6.Open-end wrench 14.Ratchet wrench
7.Nylon cord or laser 15 Offset bolt cutters (wire mesh)
8.Sealant for cut 16 Dust mask (fiberglass)
edges(fiberglass) 17 Appropriate safety equipment
9.Cutting saw (for fiberglass),
carbide- or diamond-tipped
 CABLE TRAY

Marking of Cable Tray

Using a square that reaches across the width of the cable tray, gauge
off the edge of one side rail and mark both flanges.
Mark the web of the rail. Marking can be done with a scribe, marking pen, or a pencil.
 Cutting & Fabrication of Cable Tray

The cutting can be made using a hand-held hack saw, a circular saw with
carbide-tip or diamond-dusted blade, a hand-held band saw, offset bolt cutters,
or a high-speed grinder (for wire mesh only).
It is important to get a square cut to ensure a good splice connection.
Cable tray manufacturers offer jigs and other devices to aid in field cutting.
After cutting, smooth the cut edges to remove any burrs.
Fiberglass material should be cut with a circular saw with a carbide tip or a
diamond dusted blade.
Cable Tray Bends & Offset
Fabrication Tables
 Examples of Cable Tray Cutting

Cutting with Hand-Held Hack Saw Cutting with Bolt Cutters

Channel Tray cutting

 DRILLING

 Holes for splice plates must be drilled in field-cut cable trays. The most common method
of locating the hole positions is to use a splice plate as a template.
 Drill jigs are also available. A short piece of side rail that is punched with the standard
factory hole pattern can be bolted to the splice plate to serve as a stop that rests against
the end of the field-cut side rail
 Clamp the splice plate to the rail, and drill through the splice plate holes and the side
rail . The correct drill size depends on the hardware supplied with the cable tray. Match
the holes that exist in the cable tray.
 After drilling, remove burrs
 Drilling with Punched Side Drilling with Clamp and Side
Drilling with Drill Rail Rail
Jigs
Examples of Trapeze Type Supports

Figure 1.3 C-Channel

Support
Figure 1-1 Strut Support

Figure 1-2 Angle Iron Support Figure 1.4 Strut (Exploded View)
Examples of Hanger Rod Clamp Supports

2.1. Single Cable Tray Hanger

2.3. Double Cable Tray Hanger

1.2 Single Cable Tray Hanger 1.4. Double Cable Tray Hanger
 Center Hangar Support

Figure 3.2 Center Hangar Support

Figure 3.1 Center Hangar Support

4. Wall and Cantilever Brackets
Secure the brackets to the structure or wall making sure they are level and aligned with each other

Figure 4-1 Single Strut Cantilever Bracket

Figure 4-2 Gusset Cantilever Bracket

Figure 4-3 Fiberglass Cantilever Bracket Figure 4-4 Single-Rail Direct Wall Mount
CODE PROVISIONS
DEFINITION

Cable Tray System. A unit or

assembly of units or sections and
associated fittings forming a structural
system used to securely fasten or
support cables and raceways.
 Uses Permitted

 Cable tray shall be permitted to be used as a support system for

service conductors, feeders, branch circuits, communications
circuits, control circuits, and signaling circuits.
 Cable tray installations shall not be limited to industrial
establishments.
 Where exposed to direct rays of the sun, insulated conductors
and jacketed cables shall be identified as being sunlight
resistant.
 Cable trays and their associated fittings shall be identified for
the intended use.
 In Industrial Establishments.

 The wiring methods in Table 3.92.1.3(a) shall be permitted to be

used in any industrial establishment under the conditions described
in their respective articles.
 In industrial establishments only, where conditions of maintenance
and supervision ensure that only licensed electrical practitioner or
non licensed electrical practitioner under the supervision of a
licensed electrical practitioner service the installed cable tray
system, any of the cables in 3.92.1.3(b)(1) and (b)(2) shall be
permitted to be installed in ladder, ventilated trough, solid bottom,
or ventilated channel cable trays.
Uses Not Permitted.

 Cable tray systems shall not be used in hoistways or

where subject to severe physical damage.
 Cable tray systems shall not be used in ducts, plenums,
and other air-handling spaces, except as permitted in
3.0.1.22, to support wiring methods recognized for use
in such spaces.
 Construction Specifications.

 (a) Strength and Rigidity. Cable trays shall have suitable strength and rigidity to
provide adequate support for all contained wiring.
 (b) Smooth Edges. Cable trays shall not have sharp edges, burrs, or projections that
could damage the insulation or jackets of the wiring.
 (c) Corrosion Protection. Cable tray systems shall be corrosion resistant. If made of
ferrous material, the system shall be protected from corrosion as required by 3.0.1.6.
 (d) Side Rails. Cable trays shall have side rails or equivalent structural members.
 (e) Fittings. Cable trays shall include fittings or other suitable means for changes in
direction and elevation of runs.
 (f) Nonmetallic Cable Tray. Nonmetallic cable trays shall be made of flame-retardant
material.
 Installation. (a) Complete System.

 Cable trays shall be installed as a complete system.

 Field bends or modifications shall be so made that the electrical continuity of the cable tray system and
support for the cables is maintained.
 Cable tray systems shall be permitted to have mechanically discontinuous segments between cable tray
runs or between cable tray runs and equipment.
 The system shall provide for the support of the cables in accordance with their corresponding articles.
 Where cable trays support individual conductors and where the conductors pass from one cable tray to
another, or from a cable tray to raceway(s) or from a cable tray to equipment where the conductors are
terminated, the distance between cable trays or between the cable tray and the raceway(s) or the
equipment shall not exceed 1 800 mm.
 The conductors shall be secured to the cable tray(s) at the transition, and they shall be protected, by
guarding or by location, from physical damage.
 A bonding jumper sized in accordance with 2.50.5.13 shall connect the two sections of cable tray, or the
cable tray and the raceway or equipment.
INSTALLATION

 (b) Completed Before Installation. Each run of cable tray shall be completed
before the installation of cables.
 (c) Supports. Supports shall be provided to prevent stress on cables where they
enter raceways or other enclosures from cable tray systems.
 Cable trays shall be supported at intervals in accordance with the installation
instructions.
 (d) Covers. In portions of runs where additional protection is required, covers or
enclosures providing the required protection shall be of a material that is compatible
with the cable tray.
INSTALLATION

 (g) Through Partitions and Walls. Cable trays shall be permitted to extend
transversely through partitions and walls or vertically through platforms and floors in
wet or dry locations where the installations, complete with installed cables, are made
in accordance with the requirements of 3.0.1.21.
 (h) Exposed and Accessible. Cable trays shall be exposed and accessible except as
permitted by 3.92.1.6(g).
 (i) Adequate Access. Sufficient space shall be provided and maintained about cable
trays to permit adequate access for installing and maintaining the cables.
Self-Check
 Self Check

1. Solid side rail  A. Ladder Cable Tray

protection and system  B. Solid Bottom Cable Tray
strength with smooth  C. Trough Cable Tray

radius fittings and a  D. Channel Cable Tray

wide selection of  E. Wire Mesh Cable tray

 F. Single Rail Cable Tray
materials and finishes.
 Self Check
2. Non ventilated
continuous support for
delicate cables with added
cable protection available
in metallic and fiberglass.
 A. Ladder Cable Tray
 B. Solid Bottom Cable
Tray
 C. Trough Cable Tray
 D. Channel Cable Tray
 E. Wire Mesh Cable tray
 F. Single Rail Cable Tray
 Self Check
3. Moderate ventilation with
added cable support frequency
and with the bottom
configuration providing cable
support every 4 inches.
Available in metal and
nonmetallic materials.
 A. Ladder Cable Tray
 B. Solid Bottom Cable
Tray
 C. Trough Cable Tray
 D. Channel Cable Tray
 E. Wire Mesh Cable tray
 F. Single Rail Cable Tray
 Self Check
 A. Ladder Cable Tray
 B. Solid Bottom Cable
4. An economical Tray
support for cable drops  C. Trough Cable Tray
and branch cable runs  D. Channel Cable Tray
from the backbone
 E. Wire Mesh Cable tray
cable tray system.
 F. Single Rail Cable Tray
 Self Check

5. A job site, field  A. Ladder Cable Tray

adaptable support  B. Solid Bottom Cable
system primarily for low Tray
voltage,  C. Trough Cable Tray
telecommunication and  D. Channel Cable Tray
fiber optic cables  E. Wire Mesh Cable tray
 Self Check
6. These aluminum
systems are the fastest
systems to install and
provide the maximum
freedom fort cable to enter
and exit the system.
 A. Ladder Cable Tray
 B. Solid Bottom Cable
Tray
 C. Trough Cable Tray
 D. Channel Cable Tray
 E. Wire Mesh Cable tray
 F. Single Rail Cable Tray
 Self-Check: True or False

 7. Cable tray shall not 8. Cable tray

be permitted to be used installations shall
as a support system for
service conductors, be limited to
feeders, branch circuits, industrial
communications circuits,
control circuits, and
establishments.
signaling circuits.
Self-Check: True or False

9. Where exposed to

direct rays of the sun, 10. Cable trays and
insulated conductors their associated
and jacketed cables fittings shall be
shall be identified as identified for the
being sunlight intended use.
resistant.
Self-Check: True or False

11. Cable tray  12. Cable tray systems

systems shall not shall be used in ducts,
plenums, and other air-
be used in handling spaces to
hoistways or where support wiring methods
subject to severe recognized for use in
such spaces.
physical damage.
Self-Check: True or False

13. Cable trays shall

not have sharp 14. Cable trays
edges, burrs, or shall be installed
projections that could as a complete
damage the insulation system.
or jackets of the
wiring.
Self-Check: True or False

15. Supports shall be provided to

prevent stress on cables where
they enter raceways or other
enclosures from cable tray
systems.
Self-Check: True or False