Trough straight-through cable trays should be installed with proper support, spacing, grounding, and secure connections to ensure safe, accessible, and durable cable management.

Planning and Preparation

Before installation, ensure you have the correct trough tray sizes and materials for your application, such as steel or high-strength aluminum, and the necessary fasteners, connectors, and grounding cables ( ). Plan the layout to avoid physical damage, maintain accessibility, and allow for future cable additions. Leave at least 12 inches (300 mm) of clearance above and to the sides of the tray for installation and maintenance ( ).

Support and Mounting

Install supports that can handle the working load of the cable tray system. Use structural members without cutting or compromising building integrity. Center tray hangers are typically used for straight-through sections, with spring nuts and bolts securing the tray to the support struts ( ). Maintain proper spacing between supports, generally every 1.5–3 meters depending on tray size and load.

Assembly and Connection

• Straight-through sections are connected using pre-fitted bolts or splice plates. Tighten nuts to secure tray sections ( ).
• Dropouts or cable exit points should be installed using field-drilled holes and brackets to maintain proper cable bend radius ( ).
• Pivot connectors allow minor horizontal or vertical adjustments (up to 6°) to align trays accurately ( ).

Grounding and Electrical Continuity

All trough trays must be electrically bonded to ensure grounding continuity. Connect horizontal trays to vertical ground wires and use connectors at junctions to maintain electrical continuity. Attach a 16 mm² ground cable to each tray and route it along with other system wiring ( ).

Covers and Cable Protection

Install covers to protect cables from dust, moisture, and mechanical damage. Ventilated covers help reduce heat buildup in cable bundles, while solid covers provide additional protection in sensitive environments ( ). Ensure all edges are rounded to prevent cable insulation damage and installer injury.

Final Checks

After installation, verify:

• Proper alignment and secure fastening of all tray sections
• Adequate clearance for cable installation and maintenance
• Electrical continuity and grounding connections
• Correct installation of dropouts, bends, and covers ( ) Following these steps ensures a safe, durable, and accessible cable tray system suitable for power, control, or data cabling applications.