How To Calculate Cable Tray Size​? Let’s Find Out

In the modern world of industrialization, skipping or ignoring proper cable management can be very risky. For small or big businesses, commercial or industrial, residential or official sites, efficient cable management is non-negotiable. But how is it possible to get a cable tray size that fits your electrical space perfectly, is super flexible for your requirements, and can accommodate the number of wires needed? It is possible but with expert advice and professional supervision.

SimcoSteel, the leading cable tray manufacturers and suppliers in India, have brought up this small yet common issue among the cable tray buyers of how to calculate cable tray size and we are here to address it effectively. We will help you with every small aspect of cable tray installation in this journey. Trust us!

What Are the Cable Tray Types And Sizes?

Before we get into how to calculate cable tray size, we must understand different types of cable tray dimensions and their types. Some of the common types include:

1. Ladder Cable Tray: Structure of a ladder, these are the ideal choice for long-run cables, carrying heavy loads and prone to overheating. The open design ensures easy ventilation and high load-bearing capacity.
2. Wire Mesh Cable tray: A mesh-like structure with small pores for easy ventilation of cables in IT and data centres.
3. Solid Bottom Cable tray: Used for maximum cable protection areas, like that in offices, or homes where cables do not need ventilation but proper protection from external factors like dust, debris and others.
4. Perforated-Cable tray: Best for lightweight cables, these are a perfect option for wires that need ventilation and also regular maintenance.
5. Channel Cable Tray: For the areas which require minimal cable support these cable trays are an ideal choice.
6. Trough Cable tray: For the heavy wires to provide them intermediate support and proper visibility of cables, they are a perfect choice.

Dimension Availability:

Each of the cable tray types has its own dimensions. But the standard range of cable tray has following dimensions: Widths range between 50mm to 1000mm, heights range from 25mm to 150mm, and the length are typically from 2.5 metres to 3 meters. Although to fit in your respective area, the shape and cable tray size is easily customizable at SicmoSteel.

What is the Standard Cable Tray Sizes?

Cable tray manufacturers follow the industry’s standards to provide standard cable tray sizes, ensuring long-term durability, compatibility, and safety for years to come. The common cable tray dimensions include:

• Standard Length: 2.5 metres (2500mm) to 3 metres (3000mm)
• Standard Width: 50mm, 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 300mm, 450mm, upto 1000mm
• Standard thickness: 1.6mm to 3mm
• Standard height: 25mm, 50mm, 100mm, 125mm, 150mm

How To Calculate Cable Tray Size​? Step by step

To calculate cable tray size correctly it includes the following steps. The systematic method follows:

Step 1: Determine Quantity of cables, Load of cables & their diameter

The very first step involves calculating the total number of cables and their types.Further, check for their outer diameters.

Step 2: Total Cable Area calculation

For the calculation of the total cross-sectional area of cables required to fit in a standard cable tray size, use the below formula:

Total Area = ( (Cable Diameter2)2)

Step 3: Apply Fill Factor or Fill ratio

To allow for airflow, maintenance, and expansion of the cable number, industrial standards have rules of not using 100% of the cable tray area. The National Electrical Code (NEC) suggests to use:

• 40% fill ratio for power cables.
• 50% fill factor or fill ratio for instrumentation or control cables.

Step 4: Choose the Cable Tray dimension

Based on the result from the above step. Select the standard cable tray sizes or customize the tray’s height and weight as per your requirements. Make sure the dimension you choose align with the required shape, size and load of the cables along with proper spacing between the supports.

How do you select the appropriate cable tray dimensions?

Choice of the right cable tray types and sizes depends on several factors, including:

1. Cable Type & Volume: What type of cables are in the space? Whether heavier or high voltage cables or light-duty data wires, the different cable needs different cable trays of varying depth and strength.
2. Installation environment: Depending on where you need to install the cable trays, plays an important role in choosing the right size and type. As for outdoors, you need an anti-corrosive and ventilation cable tray while for indoor installation you need fully covered and shock-resistant cable trays for a safe environment.
3. Easy to maintain: For the areas that need frequent maintenance and the addition or removal of cable, going with wider trays is the best solution.

What is the formula to calculate cable tray size?

The formula for determining cable tray size is:

Cable Tray Width (W) = Total Cable Area 2Tray Depth 

How can Simco Steel help you?

SimcoSteel, being a trusted cable tray partner for years, has years of experience and knows well the critical role of having systematic cable management for your industrial and electrical infrastructure. Here’s how SicmoSteel can help you get the right choice of cable tray types and sizes every single time for various businesses.

1. Wide range of Standards & custom sizes: Get to choose from an array of standard or customized cable tray sizes and types, ensuring it meets all the different safety norms and dimensional requirements based on your project’s unique needs.
2. Precise Manufacturing: We follow strict quality and dimensional protocol to ensure every tray we make and deliver meets the exact expectations of our customers and complements the area with utmost specifications.
3. Material Versatility: From galvanized to powder-coated, our cable trays come with anti-rust and anti-shock properties, ensuring long-term durability, easy use, and safe working space.
4. Expert Construction: From the time you visit our store to even after the sales, our expert team is here to help you understand how to calculate cable tray size, choose from the right materials, and avoid under or over-sizing it.
5. On-time Delivery: Backed by a strong supply chain, we ensure timely dispatch and delivery of your ordered cable trays to your site.

FAQs on How To Calculate Cable Tray Size​?

Q1. How Do You Identify Cable Size?

Ans: Cables usually have a marking on them, to let you know what the cable size is or measure the outer diameter of the cables with a caliper and then refer to standard tables for identifying the cable size.

Q2. How long is a 100mm cable tray?

Ans: In most installations, a 100mm cable tray generally points out to its width or height as the length varies from 2500mm to 3000mm. However, for a customized order cable tray of length, 100mm is also available to the manufacturer.

Q3. How long is a 300mm cable tray?

Ans: Similarly, a 300mm cable tray length is generally a customized order. As for a standard cable tray, its length varies between 2500mm to 3000mm while the width and height varies between 50m to 1000mm respectively.