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Cable Trays: Types, Sizes, Materials and Selection Guide
A cable tray system is a rigid structural assembly of sections and fittings, built to IEC 61537, used to support and route power, control, instrumentation, and communication cables through an electrical installation.
Cable trays are manufactured as perforated, ladder, angular ladder, and solid bottom. They also come with covers that are supplied as an accessory. Standard ranges of cable tray run from:
- 50–1500 mm in width
- 25–120 mm in height,
- 1.6–3.0 mm and above in thickness
Cable Tray Materials and Finishes are available in various material and finish options
Raw materials
- Mild steel
- Galvanised steel
- Aluminium
- Stainless steel
Finishes / corrosion protection
- Pre-galvanised (GI)
- Hot-dip galvanised (HDG)
- Powder coating
- Paint / epoxy coating
What Is a Cable Tray?
A cable tray system is made of three parts:
- Straight sections to carry the cable run
- Fittings that change direction or level
- Supports that carry the assembled tray at the required height
A cable tray is an open, bolted metal shelf that holds building wires. The cables can be laid, replaced, and inspected without being buried in a wall or duct.
Why is cable tray used instead of conduit?
Cable trays are preferred for installations with many cables, future expansion, and easy access for inspection and maintenance. Unlike conduits, they keep cables open and easy to install, inspect, replace, and separate when needed. They also make it easier to add or modify cables as the installation grows.
Cable Tray Standards and Specifications in India
The product standard for cable tray in India and internationally is IEC 61537. Besides, a set of Indian Standards (IS) governs the raw material, the steel section, and the galvanising or coating applied to it, which covers the sheet steel, the tube and section steel, and the zinc coating on an assembled tray.
IEC 61537 — what it actually covers
IEC 61537 sets the test requirements for cable trays. In the applicable SWL tests, longitudinal deflection is limited to 1/100 of the support span and transverse deflection to 1/20 of the tray width. Any load limit you see in a catalogue is just the manufacturer’s own test score.
| Standard & Latest Edition | What it Governs | Where it Applies to a Cable Tray |
|---|---|---|
| IS 2062 (Part 1): 2025 | Hot-rolled medium and high-tensile structural steel | Heavy-duty structural supports and brackets |
| IS 1079: 2017 | Hot-rolled carbon steel sheet and strip | Thick base sheet used for heavy tray bodies |
| IS 10748: 2025 | Steel strip for welded tubes and sections | Raw steel used to make hollow support channels |
| IS 513 (Part 1): 2016 | Cold-reduced low-carbon steel sheet | Precision-formed and perforated tray bodies |
| IS 277 : 2018 | Galvanised steel sheet and coating mass | Pre-galvanised (GI) sheets used to form trays |
| IS 2629 (Part 1): 2025 | Amalgamated code for hot-dip galvanising | Manufactured and coated to IS 2629 |
| IS 737: 2024 | Wrought aluminium sheet and strip | Raw metal used for lightweight aluminium cable trays |
What a project specification should state
Before sending out a quotation, you must fix these eight details to prevent mismatched vendor prices:
- Type: perforated, ladder, angular ladder, solid bottom, covers
- Width (mm)
- Height (mm)
- Sheet or section thickness (mm)
- Material grade
- Finish and coating mass or thickness
- Standard length
- Load or support-span requirement
Unclear details cause mismatched prices from vendors.
Types Of Cable Trays
Four types of cable trays are manufactured and specified: perforated, ladder, angular ladder, and solid-bottom tray. Covers are supplied as cable tray accessories.
Cable Tray Comparison Table
| Type | Base Construction | Ventilation | Typical Load Duty | Best Suited To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perforated | Slotted sheet, flanged rails | Moderate | Light to heavy | Mixed power & control; standard India choice. |
| Ladder Cable Trays | Open rungs between side rails | Maximum | Heavy | Heavy power cables; long spans; refineries. |
| Angular ladder cable tray | Ladder with angular rails | Maximum | Heavy | Elevation changes; heavy load capacity. |
| Solid Bottom | Continuous unperforated base | None | Light to medium | EMI-sensitive runs; dust/splash protection. |
| Cover | Accessory, not a tray type | — | — | Debris, sun, water, and impact protection. |
This is the most popular choice in India for mixing power and control cables because it provides a good balance with partial airflow. It is used in Indian industrial and commercial projects.
This is best for large, heavy power cables over long distances because the open gaps allow maximum cooling.
Used when your heavy-duty cables need to turn corners or change heights without losing support strength.
Selected when cables need protection from dust, water splashes, and electromagnetic interference. They are common in instrumentation, data, and cleanroom runs.
They are fitted on top of any tray to shield your cables from the hot sun, rain, dirt, or accidental damage.
How to choose the right cable tray types
| Application | Recommended type |
|---|---|
| Heavy power distribution | Ladder |
| Mixed power and control | Perforated |
| Data and communications | Perforated / solid bottom |
| Instrumentation and signal | Solid bottom |
| Dusty or corrosive environments | Solid bottom with cover |
| Cleanroom | Solid bottom, powder coated or SS |
| Outdoor, exposed | Perforated or ladder with cover, HDG or SS finish |
| Long unsupported spans | Ladder or angular ladder |
Cable Tray Sizes and Dimensions List
Standard cable trays in India are manufactured in different widths, heights, and thicknesses.
| Cable Tray Type | Width (mm) | Available Heights / Section Size | Standard Lengths (mm) | Thickness Options (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perforated Type | 50–1500 | 25–120 mm | 2500–6000 | 1.6–3.0 mm |
| Ladder Type | 150–1500 | Runner height: 50–100 mm | — | 1.6–3.0 mm |
| Angular Ladder Type | — | Runner angle size: 25 × 25 × 3 to 100 × 100 × 6 mm | 2500–6000 | 3.0 mm and above |
| Solid Bottom Type | 50–300 | 25 mm and 38/40 mm | 2500 or 3000 | 1.6, 2.0, 3.0 mm |
Common Sizes by Application
| Width | Typical application |
|---|---|
| 50–100 mm | Small control, instrumentation and data cables |
| 150–300 mm | Lighting circuits and small power cables |
| 450–600 mm | Larger power and control cable runs |
| 900 mm and above | Main power distribution and large cable routes |
Thickness and gauge
Available Thicknesses
- Standard sheet metal sizes: 1.6 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3.0 mm
- SWG (Standard Wire Gauge) sizes can be provided if you ask
How to Choose Thickness
- Do not guess: Thickness is a strict safety requirement
- What sets it: Cable weight, support gaps, and project rules
- The rule: Wide trays or heavy cables need thicker steel
How to calculate the cable tray size you need
Choose the tray size based on the number and size of cables, plus some extra space for future cables.
Step 1: Add the area of all cables. Step 2: Add extra space for future cables. Step 3: Divide the total area by the tray height to get the required width. Step 4: Choose the next available tray width.
Materials, Finishes and Corrosion Protection
Cable trays in India are manufactured from mild steel, galvanised steel (pre-galvanised or hot-dip galvanised), stainless steel, and aluminium, with powder coating or epoxy available as an additional finish for steel.
Mild steel (MS)
The base material for most Indian cable trays, manufactured to IS 2062, IS 1079, or IS 10748, with CRCA sheet to IS 513, is used where a smoother, more precisely formed section is required.
Pre-galvanised (GI) cable tray
Manufactured to IS 277, with the zinc coating mass measured in GSM. The critical point: zinc is applied to the coil before it is formed and punched, so every cut edge, slot edge, and weld zone on the finished tray is bare steel with no zinc protection.
Hot-dip galvanised (HDG) cable tray
Manufactured and coated to IS 2629 (Part 1): 2025, with coating thickness measured in microns. Here, the fabricated tray is dipped in molten zinc after forming, punching, and welding — so every cut edge, slot, and weld carries full zinc protection.
GI vs HDG
| Feature | GI | HDG |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc applied | Before fabrication | After fabrication |
| Cut and punched edges | May expose base steel | Zinc-coated during galvanising |
| Coating specification | Coating mass / grade as specified | Coating mass and/or thickness as specified |
| Relative cost | Generally lower | Generally higher |
| Suitable environment | Indoor and moderately corrosive environments | Outdoor, humid, and more corrosive environments |
| Corrosion protection | Good | Higher protection for fabricated steel in corrosive conditions |
This is especially important for perforated trays, which have many cut edges.
Stainless steel SS 304 and SS 316
SS 316 is genuinely required where chlorides are present — coastal sites, chemical plants, and marine-adjacent installations. SS 304 covers most other stainless requirements. Specifying 316 where 304 would do is a common source of unnecessary cost.
Aluminium
Manufactured to IS 737. Offers a weight advantage over steel, is non-magnetic, and suits marine and rooftop installations — at the cost of a lower load capacity for the same section size.
Powder coating and epoxy
Available for colour coding and cleanroom-grade finish, to a specified RAL shade. One consequence worth noting: a powder or epoxy coating is an electrical insulator, which matters at joints — see earthing and bonding in the installation section below.
| Environment | Recommended material / finish |
|---|---|
| Indoor, dry | MS, pre-galvanised (GI) |
| Indoor, humid | Hot-dip galvanised (HDG) |
| Covered outdoor | Hot-dip galvanised (HDG) |
| Exposed outdoor | Hot-dip galvanised (HDG), with cover |
| Coastal | SS 316 or HDG with additional protection |
| Chemical / corrosive | SS 316 |
| Cleanroom | Powder coated or SS 304, solid bottom |
| Underground / trench | HDG or SS, solid bottom |
Choosing a finish by environment
Non-metallic trays also exist in the Indian market: PVC, FRP, and GRP cable trays are used for corrosive and non-conductive applications where metal trays are unsuitable. Aparna does not manufacture these materials.
Cable Tray Fittings and Accessories
Fittings that change direction
A cable tray run changes direction using horizontal bends, vertical inside and outside bends, equal and unequal tees, crosses, and reducers – supplied at 45° and 90°. The fitting’s bend radius is selected to match the largest permitted bending radius of any cable in the run, not the other way round.
Jointing and support components
Sections are joined and supported using coupler plates, splice plates, hold-down clamps, dividers, edge protection strips, and cover clamps.
Cable tray fittings and accessories are available according to project requirements. Contact the technical team for dimensions, specifications, and part numbers.
Cable Tray Supports and Mounting
Cable tray is supported using trapeze hangers, centre-hung rod supports, C-hangers, cantilever brackets, wall brackets, and floor stands or pipe stanchions, chosen according to the mounting orientation and load of the run.
Support methods
- Trapeze hanger (single or multi-tier) — the standard method for ceiling-suspended runs carrying one or several trays.
- Centre-hung rod support — a single central rod, used where access from both sides of the tray is needed.
- C-hanger — a quick-fit support for lighter runs from an overhead structure.
- Cantilever bracket — for wall-mounted runs with access from one side only.
- Wall bracket — direct wall fixing for shorter, lighter runs.
- Floor stand / pipe stanchion — for ground-level or plant-room runs not fixed to a structure overhead.
Mounting orientation
Cable tray is installed ceiling-suspended, wall-mounted, floor-mounted, as a vertical riser, or overhead on rooftops — the orientation drives the support method chosen above. Recessed floor and underfloor cable routing is handled by raceway systems rather than trays; see raceway systems → for that application.
Support spacing and span
Cable trays are typically supported every 1.5 to 3.0 metres horizontally and every 1.5 to 2.0 metres vertically, with additional support within 1.5 metres of bends. Exact spacing depends on tray width, thickness, material, cable weight and the required load and deflection performance. Project-specific span calculations should be used for final specification.
Expansion joints and thermal movement
Long runs and any run installed outdoors need expansion joints to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the steel — omitting them is a common cause of buckled tray on exposed rooftops and outdoor installations.
Cable Tray Installation
The Installation sequence of cable tray includes:
- Route survey and level check
- Support installation
- Tray laying and jointing
- Fitting installation at direction changes
- Earthing continuity established
- Cable laying and dressing
- Cover fitting
- Inspection
Cable laying and dressing
Power, control, and instrumentation circuits are segregated on separate trays or tiers to avoid interference. Large power cables are laid in a single layer rather than bunched, spacing is maintained to protect current-carrying capacity, and cables are tied down securely on vertical and inclined runs to prevent slippage.
Cable fill and future capacity
A tray is sized to a stated fill percentage with spare capacity reserved for future cables, rather than filled to its physical limit — overfilling a tray reduces heat dissipation and degrades the current-carrying capacity of every cable on it.
Earthing and electrical continuity
IEC 61537 requires verified equipotential bonding across the whole cable tray system. This matters in particular at joints on painted or powder-coated trays: the coating is an electrical insulator, so a deliberate bonding jumper is needed at every joint to maintain continuity, whereas plain galvanised joint faces conduct without a separate jumper.
Site receiving and inspection checklist
- Coating uniformity at cut and slot edges
- Weld condition
- Straightness of sections
- Burr-free edges
- Batch marking and traceability
- Dimensional check against the BOQ
- Documentation received against the order
Common installation mistakes
- Under-supporting the tray for its loaded weight
- Ignoring thermal expansion on long outdoor runs
- Using GI where HDG is required in humid or coastal conditions
- Mixing power and instrumentation cable without segregation
- Skipping bonding jumpers on painted or powder-coated joints
- Specifying on initial price alone, without checking coating and gauge against the environment
Cable Tray Applications by Industry
Cable trays are used across industries like power plants and substations, data centres and infrastructure, pharmaceutical and healthcare, oil and gas refineries, metro rails and air transport infrastructure, and commercial buildings and solar plants.
Power plants and substations
Heavy-duty ladder and angular ladder tray, typically 450–900 mm wide in 2.5–3.0 mm thickness, hot-dip galvanised. Long runs and high-load duty drive the section and finish chosen.
Data centres and IT infrastructure
Perforated or solid bottom tray, selected according to cable type, ventilation requirements, segregation requirements and project specifications.
Pharmaceutical, cleanroom and healthcare
Solid bottom tray, powder coated or in SS 304, specified for dust control and a wipeable finish rather than for load capacity.
Oil, gas, chemical and refinery
Hot-dip galvanised or SS 316 ladder tray, selected for chemical exposure and long unsupported spans across plant structures.
Metro rail, airports and infrastructure
Mixed perforated and ladder tray across large sites, specified to project-specific IS/IEC documentation and typically procured in high volume.
Commercial buildings and solar plants
Commercial buildings commonly use perforated and ladder trays for power, control, and data cable distribution. Solar installations require tray selection based on cable weight, support spacing, outdoor exposure, thermal movement, and corrosion protection. Hot-dip galvanised trays with covers are suitable for exposed outdoor runs where protection from moisture, debris, and environmental conditions is required.
How is cable tray priced?
Cable tray pricing is typically quoted per kilogram. The main cost drivers are dimensions, material thickness, coating type, order quantity, and raw material costs. For a relative comparison, a thicker tray with a heavy-duty coating will be priced higher than a thinner tray with a standard coating due to the added weight and processing steps.
Documentation supplied
Standard documentation provided with a cable tray order includes raw material test certificates, coating inspection reports, dimensional compliance logs, packing lists, and project-specific testing records.
Lead time, order quantity and packing
Standard sizes are typically available with shorter lead times than made-to-order sections. For custom sizes, the lead time is between 14 days and 45 days. Minimum order quantities and packing methods vary by product specifications and are confirmed at the quotation stage, with standard transit protection applied for delivery.
Delivery and project supply
Aparna Rollform ships products across India directly from its Patancheru plant in Hyderabad. Using a strong transport network, Aparna Rollform delivers to project sites in India and global markets.
Cable Trays from Aparna Rollform
Aparna Rollform, a division of Aparna Enterprises Limited, mass-produces galvanised steel cable trays using continuous roll forming from coils. This process ensures a consistent profile along the entire length of the run and across all batches. Coating is applied in-house.
Our cable trays and structural products are supplied for industrial, commercial and infrastructure applications. Manufacturing is certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018.
Aparna Rollform manufactures cable trays for industrial, commercial, and infrastructure projects across a range of materials and finishes.
Ready to specify or order cable tray? Submit your details today, or 📞speak to our technical team if you’re still finalising the specification.
Frequently Asked Questions On Cable Trays
What is a cable tray?
A cable tray is a rigid structural assembly of sections and fittings, built to IEC 61537, used to support and route power, control, instrumentation, and communication cables through a building or plant instead of burying them in conduit or trunking.
How many types of cable tray are there?
Four types are manufactured: perforated, ladder, angular ladder, and solid bottom, with covers supplied as an accessory.
What are the standard cable tray sizes in mm in India?
Standard widths run from 50 mm to 1500 mm, heights from 25 mm to 120 mm, and thickness from 1.6 mm to 3.0 mm and above, in standard lengths of 2,500 mm to 6,000 mm.
How do I calculate the cable tray size I need?
Total the cross-sectional area of all cables in the run, add spare capacity for future cables, divide by the tray’s usable height, and round up to the next standard width.
What is the difference between a cable tray and a cable ladder?
A ladder tray is a type of cable tray with open rungs between two side rails, offering maximum ventilation and high load capacity; cable tray is the broader category that also includes perforated and solid bottom constructions.
What is the difference between a cable tray, trunking, and a raceway?
Cable tray is an open, ventilated support structure for multiple cables; trunking is a fully enclosed channel with a removable lid, typically used indoors; a raceway is a recessed or underfloor channel system for floor-level cable distribution.
Cable tray or conduit — which should I use?
Cable tray suits runs with many cables, a growing circuit count, or a need for ongoing access; conduit suits single or few circuits, or where full mechanical enclosure of the cable is required.
What is the difference between GI cable tray and hot-dip galvanised cable tray?
In a pre-galvanised (GI) tray, zinc is applied to the coil before forming, so cut and slot edges are bare steel; in a hot-dip galvanised (HDG) tray, the fabricated tray is dipped after forming, so every cut edge, slot, and weld carries zinc protection.
Which IS and IEC standards apply to cable trays in India?
The product standard is IEC 61537; material and coating are governed by applicable standards including IS 2062, IS 1079, IS 10748, IS 513, IS 277, IS 2629, and IS 737, depending on the material and finish specified.
At what spacing should a cable tray be supported?
Cable trays are supported every 1.5 to 3.0 metres horizontally and every 1.5 to 2.0 metres vertically, plus within 1.5 metres of bends. Exact spacing depends on tray width, material, and cable weight, so always use a project-specific IEC 61537 load calculation.
Does a cable tray need to be earthed?
Yes. IEC 61537 requires verified equipotential bonding across the system; painted or powder-coated cable tray needs a deliberate bonding jumper at each joint because the coating insulates the joint face, while galvanised joints conduct without one.
Can cable trays be used outdoors?
Yes, with hot-dip galvanised or stainless steel finish, expansion joints on long runs, and covers where the run is exposed to sun, rain, or debris.
Can you walk on an installed cable tray?
No. A cable tray is designed to carry cable load, not foot traffic, and walking on an installed tray can deform the section and compromise the cables it carries.
Applications
Industrial Facilities
Commercial Buildings
Data Centres
Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
Residential Construction
Power Plants
Oil and Gas Industry
Transportation Infrastructure
Educational Institutions
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Telecommunication Networks
Retail and Shopping Centres
Entertainment Venues
Laboratories
Military Installations
Cleanroom Environments
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