{"id":3117,"date":"2026-10-18T03:20:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-18T00:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/%d8%aa%d8%b1%d9%83%d9%8a%d8%a8-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%83%d9%8a%d8%a8%d9%84-%d8%aa%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%8a\/"},"modified":"2026-10-18T03:20:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-18T00:20:26","slug":"cable-tray-installation-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mits.sa\/en\/cable-tray-installation-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Cable tray installation: spacing between supports, implementation steps, and common mistakes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Proper cable tray installation depends on three things: an appropriate spacing between supports based on cable weight, tray thickness, and manufacturer specifications (usually 1.5 to 2 meters in common routes), placing connectors close to the supports and not in the middle of the route, and maintaining continuous grounding along the entire path. Most problems that appear years later stem from simple errors at this stage.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mits-box\"><strong>In short:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The distance between supports is determined by the manufacturer&#039;s load-bearing tables and the weight of the cables, not by habit or guesswork.<\/li>\n<li>Place the connectors near the brackets, and add a bracket near each elbow, stump, and level change.<\/li>\n<li>Leave a gap above the tray for access and cable extension, and disconnect the power cables from the low-voltage cables.<\/li>\n<li>Treat every cut or hole on site with zinc-rich paint, and connect the track to grounding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Before installation: Planning and coordination<\/h2>\n<p>The biggest delay in installing a cable tray is discovering on-site inconsistencies: an air conditioning duct interfering with the path, a fire hydrant at the same level, or a false ceiling lower than expected. Before you begin:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Review the formatting diagrams:<\/strong> Make sure that the path of the tram does not interfere with the air conditioning, plumbing and fire protection, and that its height is appropriate.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Identify the path levels:<\/strong> If there are more than one tria above another, determine their order: the strong ones are usually on one level and the weak current is on another level.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check the ceilings and walls:<\/strong> The type of concrete, block, or metal structure determines the type of anchors and supports.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Receive and match the materials:<\/strong> Sizes, thicknesses, accessories and screws as per the specifications, and with the same type of galvanization.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prepare the safety equipment:<\/strong> Working at height requires suitable scaffolding or hoists and safety harnesses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What is the distance between the cable tray supports?<\/h2>\n<p>There is no single number that fits all situations. The distance depends on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cable weight per meter:<\/strong> Present and future.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Type of tricycle, its thickness, width, and side height:<\/strong> The slender can withstand longer distances than the drill-type.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Permissible smudging:<\/strong> According to the project specifications.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Additional loads:<\/strong> Such as covers, the possibility of a worker standing during maintenance, or wind in outdoor tracks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In common indoor tracks with light to moderate loads, the spacing is often between 1.5 and 2 meters. The exact value is obtained from the manufacturer&#039;s load-bearing tables and project specifications. As the load increases, the spacing is reduced or the thickness is increased. The relationship between thickness, load, and span length is detailed in a separate article. <a href=\"\/en\/cable-tray-thickness-load\/\">Cable tray sheet thickness and its relationship to load and length<\/a>.<\/p>\n<table class=\"mits-t\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Location<\/th>\n<th>Practical rule<\/th>\n<th>the reason<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>straight path<\/td>\n<td>Regular brackets according to load-bearing tables<\/td>\n<td>Prevent excessive sagging<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Connectors<\/td>\n<td>Near the carrier, not in the middle of the sea<\/td>\n<td>A joint is a weak point compared to a continuous segment.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Elbows and labyrinths<\/td>\n<td>Holder before and after the piece, and sometimes under it<\/td>\n<td>Concentration of weight and change in direction of forces<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Level change<\/td>\n<td>Supports at the beginning and end of the vertical elbow<\/td>\n<td>Preventing twisting and bearing the weight of vertical cables<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Vertical paths<\/td>\n<td>Fix it to the wall at regular intervals and connect the cables to the steps.<\/td>\n<td>The weight of the cables is borne on the mounting points.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>End of path<\/td>\n<td>Holder close to the end<\/td>\n<td>Do not leave a free end hanging<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>Steps for installing the cable tray on site<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Planning on the ceiling or wall:<\/strong> Draw the path line with a laser or tension string, and mark the locations of the supports.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fixing the pregnancy:<\/strong> Install the brackets, toothed rails, or wall angles, and level them so that the path is level without undulation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The structure of straight lines:<\/strong> Start from a fixed point such as the electrical room or main panel, and secure each piece to the brackets with mounting clips.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Connecting via links:<\/strong> Attach the pieces with the fasteners and screws, with the rounded head facing inwards so as not to damage the cables, and tighten them with the appropriate torque.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Installation of accessories:<\/strong> Elbows, tees, and reducers in their positions as per the diagram, instead of cutting and bending on site.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Grounding:<\/strong> Install flexible grounding connections at the joints and expansion joints, and connect the path to the grounding conductor at the specified points.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Shearing treatment:<\/strong> Any cuts or holes on the site should be cleaned and immediately coated with zinc-rich paint.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inspection before laying the cables:<\/strong> Straightness, levelness, tight screws, and absence of sharp edges.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cable laying and arrangement:<\/strong> With pull rollers at bends, and cables tied with suitable ties at regular intervals, especially in vertical paths.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Covers and definition:<\/strong> Install covers where necessary, and place identification tags for tracks and systems.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Details about elbows, labyrinths, and their types are discussed in an article. <a href=\"\/en\/cable-tray-fittings-accessories\/\">Cable Tray Accessories<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>gaps and separation between systems<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The space above the tray:<\/strong> Leave sufficient space between the tray and the ceiling or any obstruction above it to allow the technician to run and add cables later. A tray too close to the ceiling makes any future additions a difficult process.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Between levels:<\/strong> When installing more than one tray on top of the other, leave a gap to allow access and ventilation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>the chapter:<\/strong> Separate the power cables from the low-voltage and data cables, either with a separate path or a divider within the tray, according to project specifications.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stay away from heat sources:<\/strong> Do not run the tray next to hot pipes, chimneys, or over ovens.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Breaking through walls and ceilings:<\/strong> The openings through which the trellis passes between areas are closed with approved fire-stopping materials according to the requirements of the Civil Defense and the project specifications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Cable tray installation in outdoor routes and solar systems<\/h2>\n<p>External pathways on rooftops and in solar power plants have additional considerations:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use trays, brackets, and screws that are hot-dip galvanized or have suitable outdoor protection.<\/li>\n<li>Secure the covers well so that the wind does not tear them off, and do not leave any loose ends.<\/li>\n<li>Add expansion joints in long runs that are exposed to temperature changes between day and night.<\/li>\n<li>Raise the tray slightly off the ground or surface to avoid water and sand accumulating.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid leaving cables hanging outside the tray in direct sunlight.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Cable management in solar systems is part of the quality of implementation, and it is one of the points we mention in <a href=\"\/en\/solar-installation-mistakes\/\">Common mistakes when installing solar energy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Common mistakes in cable tray installation<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Spaced-out stands to save time:<\/strong> The tray becomes stiff after being loaded with cables.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Place the link in the middle of the sea:<\/strong> Instead of being close to the pregnant woman.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cutting and bending on-site instead of ready-made accessories:<\/strong> Poor shape, sharp edges, and exposed iron that rusts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Forgetting to treat the shear edges with zinc:<\/strong> The beginning of rust in the external and damp paths.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Neglecting grounding connections:<\/strong> The grounding connection at the connections is interrupted.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cable piling beyond the fill level:<\/strong> Higher temperatures and difficulty in adding and maintaining.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Screws with weaker protection than the tray:<\/strong> It rusted before it could be found outside.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The tray is attached to the ceiling:<\/strong> There is no room to lay a new cable.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do not connect cables in vertical paths:<\/strong> Its weight pulls the cables downwards and puts pressure on the elbows.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"mits-tip\"><strong>\ud83d\udca1 Tip:<\/strong> Before laying the cables, conduct a quick inspection of the entire route: stand under each joint and elbow, ensuring a support bracket is nearby, the bolts are tightened, and the grounding connector is in place. Correcting a mistake before laying the cables takes minutes; afterward, it can take days.<\/div>\n<p>If you are in the procurement phase, you can estimate sizes and quantities via <a href=\"\/en\/cable-tray-calculator\/\">Cable Tray Calculator<\/a>MITS factory manufactures <a href=\"\/en\/factory-products\/cable-tray-for-electrical-cables\/\">Cable tray for electrical cable routes<\/a> With accessories and stands.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mits-faq\">\n<h3>Can the cable tray be installed directly on the false ceiling?<\/h3>\n<p>No, a false ceiling is not designed to support the weight of the trellis and cables. The trellis is suspended from the structural ceiling or fixed to walls or a freestanding structure.<\/p>\n<h3>Does the cable tray need to be perfectly level?<\/h3>\n<p>It should be as straight and level as possible without undulation, because undulation indicates uneven load-bearing and affects the load distribution and appearance of the execution.<\/p>\n<h3>How do I connect the cables inside the cable tray?<\/h3>\n<p>Environmentally friendly ropes are used at regular intervals, and more densely in vertical tracks. Outdoors, UV-resistant ropes are used.<\/p>\n<h3>What should be done if the tray sags after the cables have been laid?<\/h3>\n<p>An intermediate support is added in the middle of the sagging sea, then the cause of the problem is checked: heavier than expected weight, unsuitable thickness, or widely spaced supports.<\/p>\n<h3>Does the cable tray require maintenance after installation?<\/h3>\n<p>It is preferable to inspect it periodically, especially on external routes: tighten the screws, check for rust at the edges and connections, and make sure that the covers and grounding connections are secure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mits-cta\">\n<p><strong>Are you preparing for an electrical wiring project?<\/strong> MITS factory in Al-Kharj manufactures cable trays, accessories and brackets in the required sizes and in hot-dip galvanized iron, and our team helps you determine the quantities from your plans.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/contact\/\">Request a price quote<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/966575993880\">WhatsApp 0575993880<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/cable-tray-calculator\/\">Cable Tray Calculator<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Steps for installing cable trays on site: from planning and determining the distance between supports to grounding and cable laying, with a list of the most common implementation errors.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3118,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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