Is a cable tray considered equipment

Cable trays are not considered electrical equipment; they are structural support systems for wiring and cables.

Classification and Function

Cable trays are mechanical support systems designed to securely hold and route electrical conductors, including power, control, and communication cables, across open spans in buildings or industrial facilities (OSHA 1910. 399, NEC Article 392). They are typically made of metal or nonmetallic materials such as steel, aluminum, or fiber-reinforced plastic and come in various configurations like ladder, ventilated trough, solid bottom, or wire mesh.

Their primary purpose is to support, organize, and protect cables, not to perform electrical functions themselves.

Regulatory Perspective

According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), cable trays are explicitly not classified as raceways or electrical equipment; instead, they are recognized as a support system for wiring methods (NEC 392. 10). Metallic cable trays can serve as equipment grounding conductors if installed according to code, but this does not make the tray itself "equipment".

OSH

A also treats cable trays as structural components of a facility's electrical system rather than electrical equipment, emphasizing their role in cable management and safety.

Key Considerations

Cable trays must remain accessible and cannot be installed in areas subject to severe physical damage, such as hoistways or high-traffic zones. They are designed to support only electrical cables, raceways, and certain specialized electrical equipment; attaching unrelated equipment like plumbing or lighting fixtures is prohibited. Compliance with NEC and NEMA standards ensures proper installation, grounding, and load capacity, but the tray itself is still considered a support system, not operational equipment.

Summary

While cable trays are essential for safe and organized electrical installations, they are classified as structural support systems rather than electrical equipment. They provide a pathway and mechanical support for cables, may assist in grounding if metallic, and must comply with NEC and OSHA requirements, but they do not perform electrical functions themselves.