Not all cable trays are created equal. Three families dominate most projects—ladder, perforated, and wire mesh. Each balances strength, ventilation, and flexibility differently. Choosing the right one depends on span length, loading, environment, and the type of cable you need to support. Here’s a practical guide that helps you pick with confidence.
Ladder Cable Trays
Ladder trays use side rails connected by rungs. They offer the highest load capacity and excellent ventilation, making them ideal for long spans, heavy power cables, and industrial routes. Accessories like drop‑outs and barriers help manage bend radii and segregation. Choose galvanised steel or stainless for durability; aluminium for light weight; and FRP where corrosion is severe.
Perforated Cable Trays
Perforated (or solid‑bottom with ventilation holes) cable tray support mixed loads and smaller control cables while providing moderate airflow and better small‑item retention. They’re common in commercial buildings and light industrial areas where aesthetics matter and dust ingress must be limited. Use covers for outdoor runs or dusty plants.
Wire Mesh Cable Trays
Wire mesh, often called basket tray, is extremely flexible and quick to shape on site. It’s popular in data halls and IT spaces for light to medium loads, patch leads, and fibre. Edges can be formed to create tees and drops without special fittings. Ensure correct support spacing and protect fibre with smooth radius accessories.
How to Decide
- Load & Span: Heavy cables/long spans → ladder. Medium loads → perforated. Light & flexible routing → wire mesh.
- Cable Type: Power prefers ladder; data/fibre favours wire mesh; mixed circuits suit perforated.
- Environment: Coastal/chemical → stainless or FRP; indoor commercial → pre‑galv or aluminium.
- Future Growth: Choose sizes with 20–30% spare capacity.
Still unsure? Ned‑Tech’s engineers can run load tables and produce a material take‑off with supports, bends, tees, reducers, and barriers matched to your site conditions.
Need a bill of materials or sizing help? Contact Ned‑Tech Cable Tray Ltd for design assistance and fast delivery.