Page 12 - IEC Insights Nov-Dec21_WEB

FEATURE

HOW TO

CHOOSE A

CABLE TRAY

SYSTEM BY ERIC GERTIE

A look inside facilities across industries – from commercial and

industrial construction to power distribution to communication –
reveals a growing trend in managing cabling: squeezing power,
bandwidth, and throughput demands into a confined space.

Enter the cable tray system, which provides a modular, flexible tool for managing
cables and an alternative to mechanically protected wiring (i.e. conduit).

The National Electrical Code (NEC) defines a cable tray system as, “a unit or assembly of units or sections
and associated fittings forming a structural system used to securely fasten or support cables and raceways.”
What’s more, cable trays can provide labor savings and increase system scalability, reliability and safety.

But complex configurations can overwhelm even the most experienced electrical contractor. Knowing
how to develop an appropriate cable support system, including cable tray straight sections, fittings and
accessories starts with understanding the different designs.

10 Insights Magazine | November/December 2021 | www.ieci.org