When it comes to planning the construction of an industrial plant, or even an additional installation within it, the most important part is often left until the last minute to devise: the electrical system. Because these details were left out until needed, the parts used to create the lines is often more expensive than they need to be, because what is used is whatever is on hand at the moment, whether it will work or not. If this stage was as well planned as the rest, perhaps it would cost less, go smoother, and be more organized, all courtesy of using a cable tray instead of costly piping to shield the wiring.

Less Expensive

One of the biggest advantages that using a cable tray has is that it costs a lot less than other methods of protecting wiring cables on the production floor. Some production machines are run with numerous caustic or corrosive chemicals as a byproduct. If these are allowed to leak all over the cables during operation, it will not be too long before they will need to be replaced, sending production costs up once more. Some of the tray systems currently available can easily solve this problem, by either completely shielding them, or sweeping them up and out of the way.

Reliability

Because of their durability and efficient design, the wiring tray systems are simply more reliable than some of their long used counterparts, like galvanized or PVC conduit piping. Conduits are not invulnerable, and can be damaged during machine operation, just like the wiring bundles they are meant to protect. The tray systems, however, are designed to be flexible in installation, and can be placed anywhere adjacent to the machines they will serve, out of harm’s way.

Adaptability

Because trays and their installation kits are essentially designed to create an open cable storage system, it also makes for a highly adaptable system that can easily be fit into any industrial, mechanical, and electronic design. So adaptable, in fact, that they make expanding an existing system a literal piece of cake, with every single wiring bundle organized and easily accessible. Within a few hours, it could be possible to add to or move an entire operation, from the machinery to the earthing strip.

Maintenance

With a system so efficient and easy to use as the trays, it is no wonder that maintenance is also made easier by its use. The biggest draw for converting from a conduit system to one made up of trays is that all cables protected in this fashion will be instantly visible for maintenance checks. Instead of having to dismantle a series of pipes, all that is needed is to look, pick up, and replace.

Safety

A tray system is also less vulnerable to being a channel of hazardous byproducts. PVC conduits can build up moisture, over time, and channel it throughout, from the earthing strip to the production line connection. Conduit pipes also channel heat from an external fire directly into the insulation on the cables it protects. In comparison, yards of cable destroyed inside closed pipes, versus a few feet leading to an easily accessible tray.