Cable management systems are essential part in any industry that has loads of loose wires to be managed. When it comes to cable management, it is not just about selecting the right cable tray but also choosing the right material is also equally essential. For any given industry, depending on the environmental conditions, fitting requirements, durability aesthetics and cost, one should select electrical cable trays for their industry. However, cable tray as such comes in a wide variety of materials. So, one needs to even consider what to buy depending on the need of the industry. Today a large number of cable tray manufacturers in India are offering a range of cable tray system made of various materials. Some of them include stainless steel, galvanised steel, aluminium; GRP and Plastic to name a few that are commonly used for cable management industry.
Every material has their won benefits and deemed suitable depending on the requirements of the industry. Stainless Steel cable tray (SS cable Trays) is a popular choice as they can be used in various equipment’s across industry. Available in varying grades of SS cable tray, they are used in installations for standard factory builds to harsh environments of chemical and offshore. SS cable trays are the best material grade for they have a superior resistance to corrosion as well as known for their durability and resistance. Provided these stainless-steel installations are maintained rightly, they are highly unlikely to be replaced for many years to come.
On the other hand, Galvanised steel is highly reputed for its excellent durability and reasonable cost. However, considering its longevity, galvanised steel’s zinc oxide coating tends to eventually wear off leaving it exposed to corrosives and harsh weather conditions. Hence one might have to consider this factor before investing in GI cable tray system. For projects that are tight on budget plastic is said to be a cheaper alternative to metal. However, with plastic you would need to replace them regularly for the lack of its robustness and durability. In fact, this results into plastics being more expensive considering the costs incurred to replace and fit the new ones. One must consider various factors before finalizing or selecting the one that best fits their bill. Ideally you must consider the following factors while selecting a cable tray material.
- Whether the material is corrosion resistant
- Their Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa)
- The frequency of replacements required for the equipment
- How ease they are for cleaning
- Consider whether they are suitability for harsh environment
- Whether they are suitability for certain critical environmental condition
- Consider the aesthetic of the material
- Whether or not the material is recyclable/reusable
Taking all of the above factors into consideration you must make a choice of cable tray that suits your requirement. Every industry has its own requirement when it comes to cable management. So, depending on the industry, their requirement and feasibility, one can opt from the above-mentioned type’s materials for installation of electrical cable trays.