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Selection principles for cable trays in clean workshops
2025/10/29
The following are the specific selection principles:
01 Select based on environmental conditions
The environment is a key factor influencing the structural form of the bridge frame. Priority should be given to characteristics such as corrosiveness, dust, humidity and temperature.
Corrosive environments (such as chemical workshops, coastal areas) : Structures with strong sealing properties should be selected to reduce the erosion of cables by corrosive media (such as acid and alkali mists, salt mists). Give priority to trough-type cable trays (with covers), as their fully enclosed structure can effectively isolate corrosion sources. If the environment is highly corrosive, anti-corrosion coatings (such as galvanizing or epoxy spraying) or non-metallic materials (such as fiberglass reinforced plastic cable trays) can be used.
Dusty/humid environments (such as cement plants, food processing workshops) : It is necessary to avoid dust accumulation or direct intrusion of water vapor into the cables. Trough-type cable trays (with covers) or tray-type cable trays (with covers) are preferred. Both are semi-enclosed or fully enclosed structures, which can reduce dust adhesion and water vapor penetration. If the dust particles are relatively large (such as wood chips or slag), the pallet-type hollowed-out bottom plate (with certain gaps) is easier to clean and is superior to the completely enclosed trough type.
For dry and clean environments (such as office buildings and distribution rooms), if the protection requirements are relatively low, open or semi-open structures can be selected to reduce costs and facilitate heat dissipation. For instance, ladder-type cable trays (open type, with only baffles on both sides and a ladder frame in the middle) or trough-type cable trays (semi-enclosed, with a flat plate with holes on the bottom plate) are suitable for natural heat dissipation of cables.
Outdoor environments (such as outdoor cable trenches, open-air laying) : Protection from sun exposure, rain, and ice and snow is required. Trough-type cable trays (with covers) or tray-type cable trays (with covers) are preferred, and the covers must have waterproof designs (such as lap seals). If the span is large (such as cross-road laying), the ladder-type cable tray (with strong load-bearing capacity) can be used in combination with a rain cover.
02 Select based on the characteristics of the cable
The type, quantity and specification (outer diameter, weight) of cables directly affect the structural strength and laying convenience of the cable tray.
Cable type
Power cables (with large current-carrying capacity and obvious heat generation) : Open structures (such as ladder type and tray type) should be preferred to facilitate heat dissipation. If mechanical damage prevention is required, a tray type with a cover can be selected.
Control cables/communication cables (susceptible to interference and requiring wear resistance) : A closed structure is needed to reduce electromagnetic interference and mechanical collisions. Trough-type cable trays (fully enclosed to shield interference) are preferred. If the quantity is small, the pallet type (semi-enclosed) can also meet the requirements.
High-voltage cables (such as 10kV and above) : Due to their large outer diameter and heavy weight, the cable tray needs to have high strength. Ladder cable trays (with strong load-bearing capacity and a ladder structure to distribute weight) or reinforced tray-type cable trays are preferred.
Cable quantity and specification
If there are a large number of cables and they are densely arranged (such as the outgoing lines of a large distribution room), a large-capacity structure should be selected:
Trough-type or tray-type cable trays (enclosed/semi-enclosed, can be laid in layers to save space);
If the outer diameters of the cables vary greatly (such as when power cables and fine-diameter control cables are laid simultaneously), the combined cable tray (which can flexibly splice units of different specifications) is more convenient for classified laying.
03 Select based on the installation conditions
The installation method (suspension, wall-mounted, ground, shaft, etc.) and space constraints (span, height) determine the structural adaptability of the bridge frame
Large-span installation (such as spanning factories and roads, with a span greater than 6 meters) : Structures with strong load-bearing capacity should be selected to prevent deformation of the bridge frame. Give priority to using ladder-type cable trays (which are made of steel and have high bending strength) or reinforced tray-type cable trays (with thickened bottom and side plates), both of which are suitable for large-span suspension or support installation.
Narrow Spaces (such as shafts, equipment mezzanines) : Compact structures are required. Trough-type cable trays (closed and with small cross-sections) or modular cable trays (which can be spliced into narrow units as needed) are preferred for easy installation in limited Spaces.
Vertical laying (such as in shafts) : To prevent cables from sliding, it is necessary to give priority to using trough-type cable trays (fully enclosed and can be used with fixed supports) or tray-type cable trays with baffles to avoid cables falling due to their own weight.
04 Select in accordance with protection and safety requirements
It is necessary to meet specific protective requirements such as mechanical damage prevention, electromagnetic interference prevention, and fire prevention
Mechanical damage prevention (such as workshop passageways, personnel activity areas) : Cables are prone to collision, crushing or foreign object falling, and a fully enclosed structure is required. Trough-type cable trays (with covers) are preferred, as their covers and side plates can form protective shells to resist external impacts. If it is a heavy machinery area (such as a machine tool workshop), thickened channel type or metal material (such as steel) should be selected.
Anti-electromagnetic interference (such as communication rooms, precision instrument areas) : To shield electromagnetic signals (such as interference from power cables to control cables), metal trough-type cable trays (fully enclosed, and a shielding layer can be formed through grounding) are preferred. If the interference is extremely strong, a trough-type cable tray with partitions (to separate the power cables from the control cables) can be selected.
Fire protection requirements (such as high-rise buildings, fire protection power distribution circuits) : Fireproof structures should be selected. Trough-type cable trays (lined with fireproof boards) or tray-type cable trays treated with fireproof coatings should be preferred. Their closed structures can delay the spread of flames. Combined with fireproof sealing (such as fireproof cotton), they should meet fire protection regulations.
05 Select based on maintenance and economy
Maintenance convenience
If the cable needs frequent maintenance (such as regular inspection and replacement), open or semi-open structures should be preferred to avoid the trouble of removing the cover plate. For example:
Ladder-type cable tray (fully open, allowing direct contact with cables)
Tray-type cable tray (semi-open, with holes on the bottom plate for easy observation and operation). If the cable does not require frequent maintenance (such as fixed power cables), trough-type cable trays (with good sealing performance and reduced external interference) can be selected.
Economy
Under the premise of meeting the functional requirements, give priority to choosing the structure with lower cost.
Ladder-type cable trays (with the least material usage and the lowest cost) are suitable for dry, non-corrosive and low-interference scenarios.
Tray-type cable trays (with medium cost) are suitable for semi-enclosed requirements.
Trough-type cable trays (with relatively high costs) are only selected when full enclosed protection is required.
06 Comply with norms and industry standards
It is necessary to comply with national/industry standards (such as "Code for Design of Cable Tray Engineering" CECS 31:2006, "Code for Design of Low Voltage Distribution" GB 50054), for example:
In chemical and explosive hazardous environments (such as gas stations), explosion-proof cable trays (such as trough type + sealed structure) should be selected.
In building electrical systems, fire protection cable trays need to be laid separately, and their structural forms must meet the requirements of fire protection grades.
07 Summary
The selection logic for the structural form of cable trays can be simplified as follows: First, consider the environment (anti-corrosion/dust-proof/outdoor) → then look at the cables (type/quantity/heat dissipation) → combine installation (span/space) → take into account maintenance and cost. The core is to ensure that the cable tray can not only protect the safe operation of the cables but also adapt to the actual working conditions, avoiding "excessive protection" or "insufficient protection".
