Cable trays are a part of a planned cable management system to support, route, protect, and provide a pathway for cable systems. All plants require numerous electrical cables with cable tray systems for installations.
Although cable trays are available in various shapes, straight type cable trays are the most common, and most industries use the ladder-type cable trays (i.e., the cables are supported by a traverse bar, similar to the rungs of a ladder, at regular intervals) due to their desirable characteristics, such as:
• They permit the maximum free flow of air across the cables, thus dissipating heat.
• They consume less space and require less labor for installation compared to other types
• The rungs provide a strong anchor position
• The rail flanges provide protection to the cables
• Faulty cables can easily be located/identified and replaced/repaired
Perforated cable trays
Perforated trays (i.e., punch type cable trays with holes) are another type of cable tray support system It is usually used for small bundles of cables for short distances and generally is used for cable branching.