Cable Trays Glossary

Accessories. Devices that are used to supplement the function of straight sections and fittings, and include such items as dropouts, covers, conduit adapters, hold-down devices, and dividers.

Cable Tray Connector. A device that joins cable tray straight sections or fittings, or both. The basic types of connectors are:

• Rigid
• Expansion
• Adjustable
• Reducer

Cable Tray Fitting. A device that is used to change the direction or size of a cable tray system.

Cable Tray Support. A device that provides adequate means for supporting cable tray sections or fittings, or both. The basic types of cable tray supports are:

• Cantilever bracket
• Trapeze
• Individual and suspension.

Channel Cable Tray. A prefabricated metal structure consisting of a one-piece ventilated bottom or solid bottom channel section, or both, not exceeding six inches in width.

Ladder Cable Tray. A prefabricated metal structure consisting of two longitudinal side rails connected by individual transverse members.

Solid Bottom Cable Tray. A prefabricated metal structure consisting of a bottom with no openings within integral or separate longitudinal side rails.

Trough Cable Tray. A prefabricated metal structure greater than four inches in width consisting of a ventilated bottom within integral or separate longitudinal side rails.

Horizontal Cross. A cable tray fitting that is suitable for joining cable trays in four directions at 90-degree intervals in the same plane.

Horizontal Bend. A cable tray fitting that changes the direction in the same plane.

Horizontal Tee. A cable tray fitting that is suitable for joining cable trays in three directions at 90-degree intervals in the same plane.

Cable Tray System. An assembly of cable tray straight sections, fittings, and accessories that forms a rigid structural system to support cables.

Reducer. A cable tray fitting that is suitable for joining cable trays of different widths in the same plane. The basic types of reducers are:

• Straight – A reducer with two symmetrical offset sides.
• Right-hand – A reducer, when viewed from the large end, has a straight side on the right.
• Left-hand – A reducer, when viewed from the large end, has a straight side on the left.

Straight Section. A length of cable tray that has no change in direction or size.

Ventilated Bottom. A cable tray bottom having openings sufficient for the passage of air and utilizing 60 percent or less of the plan area of the surface to support cables.

Vertical Bend. A cable tray fitting that changes direction to a different plane. The basic types of
vertical bends are:

• Inside vertical – Elbow changes direction upward from the horizontal plane.
• Outside vertical – Elbow changes direction downward from the horizontal plane.