How to Install, Maintain and Inspect Cable Trays

Cable trays refers to a system that forms a rigid support to cables and raceways.Electric cable trays are a necessity when it comes to commercial and residential wiring. Cable trays are also used in the data centers to achieve reliable cable management. It is advisable to set up your cables properly cable because it is time saving and will also cut down expenses of paying contractors large sums of money every now and then to help you out with cable installations, maintenance and inspection when you can do it at your convenience. This requires you to make your own managing system.

How to Install Cable Trays 
The process of laying out the cable tray is very sensitive and should be done while paying a lot of attention to delicate details lest you make some mistakes which could cost you dearly. The mistakes could be expensive because it could bring the whole system down. For best results, you’ll need a user’s guide because the installation varies depending on the specifications given by the cable tray manufacturer.

To start with, you’ll have to align the cables. Alignment of the trays is very important because it ensures that the electric cables fit together without bunching or slipping between the trays. The trays are aligned with their edges following each other closely. There are three components involved at this point, the free edge, the tray itself and a connector. The Free edge of the tray is clopped is clopped using the connector to the cable tray.  Connectors attached should be of a good quality to avoid experiencing short circuiting and unnecessary damages to the trays or the cables they intend to protect. A high quality connector designed precisely for use with the corresponding type of wire that is handled by the tray is recommended.

The sides have to be well clipped. Clipping the side supports is needed to help bend the trays. This help you in removing the two supports of the same section thus bending the trays round the overhead beams, alongside other structures which may avoid the normal usage of cable trays. Bending of the trays in some of the data centers may help in networking multiples of free stand server racks, to a single cohesive unit and the use of proper switches is advisable in t

The use of ceiling-mounted designs can also be applied in areas that do not allow the cable trays to easily attach on walls or to the server racks. Proper labelling of the trays should be done before putting the cables in the trays, to avoid confusion.

How to Clean and Maintain Cable Trays 
Cable trays which are made of low quality materials are not durable and thus easily succumb to damage, corrosion and other related problems. On the other hand, cable trays which are made of strong materials such as the PVC, stainless steel, etc. offer an additional strength, long life and also achieves good load bearing ability to the cable trays. The use of stainless steel provides excellent resistant to corrosion properties, more so if it’s coated.

Here are some basic ways of cleaning you’d apply on your cable trays for best results:

1.Use of Non Chloride Cleaners: Stainless steel cable tray products should be cleaned using non chloride cleaners since they are not harsh and may not corrode them.

2.Clean the products with soft clothes: In as much as the material used in making the cable trays are much strong, does not mean that they should be scrubbed with abrasive tools. A soft cloth is preferred to gently wipe away the dirt particles and make it shiny.

3.Using the correct tools: Cleaning of the cable trays should be done with the correct tools, if inappropriate tools are used, you’d end up damaging the trays and consequently reducing their lifespan. Abrasive tools should be avoided when cleaning or carrying out a routine maintenance of cable trays.

Inspection of Cable Trays 
There are two types of cable tray inspections. The first comes just before power or data is transmitted through the cabling system for the very first time and the second is a routine inspection done periodically. Inspection of Cable Trays is done to ensure that they are safe for their operation, and also to ensure that they meet the standards of NEC.

Cable Trays should be installed properly taking into account the manuals designed for each and every specific cabling products. Installation manuals goes hand in hand with the purpose in which the cable trays are intended for. After laying the cable trays, it is in order to safeguard the system by continuously cleaning and carrying out regular inspection.