Cable Trays & Ladders
Cable trays and ladders are the structural support systems that carry power and control cables across a plant, building riser or process area, sized by load class and material to the number and weight of cables they'll actually carry. NLS Power sources galvanized and stainless steel trays and ladders to IEC 61537, matched to Saudi outdoor, corrosive and indoor routing conditions.
Cable tray and cable ladder both do the same basic job, carrying and supporting a run of cables along a fixed route, but they differ in how much ventilation and support the cables get. Perforated tray has a solid, punched-hole base that supports cable along its full length and lets some airflow through; ladder has rungs spaced along two side rails instead of a solid base, giving more airflow and easier access for adding or pulling cable later, at the cost of less continuous support, which matters for smaller or more delicate cables that could sag or be damaged between rungs.
Load classification is what actually sizes the system, not the tray's width alone. IEC 61537 sets test methods and load/span tables for tray and ladder, and a route carrying a dozen small control cables needs a very different support span and rating than one carrying heavy multi-core power feeders, even at the same physical width. Getting this wrong either wastes money on an oversized system or, more commonly, leaves a tray sagging under a cable load added after the original design, which is a routine failure on sites where cable additions aren't checked against the tray's original rating.
Material selection follows the environment. Hot-dip galvanized steel is the standard choice for general indoor and covered outdoor routing across most Saudi industrial and commercial sites, while pre-galvanized (sheet) steel is common for lighter indoor runs where cost matters more than long-term corrosion resistance. Stainless steel, usually 316 grade, gets specified for coastal sites, chemical plants, and any route exposed to a corrosive atmosphere where a galvanized coating alone won't last the plant's design life; this is a real consideration on Eastern Province coastal and process facility projects.
NLS Power sources cable tray, ladder, and associated fittings (bends, tees, risers, covers) in galvanized and stainless steel, sized to the load class and route length a project's cable schedule specifies. Quoting works from the route drawing, cable count and weight per meter, and the environmental exposure; NLS Power returns pricing in USD, with standard lengths generally available faster than custom fabricated sections.
Specifications
- ✓Test methods and load/span ratings to IEC 61537 (cable tray and ladder systems)
- ✓Perforated tray for continuous cable support, ladder for higher airflow and access
- ✓Materials: hot-dip galvanized steel (general use), pre-galvanized sheet steel (light indoor), 316 stainless steel (coastal/corrosive)
- ✓Load classification sized to actual cable count and weight per meter, not tray width alone
- ✓Standard fittings: bends, tees, reducers, risers, and solid covers
- ✓Route sizing accounts for future cable additions where the schedule specifies spare fill capacity
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use cable tray or cable ladder?+
Perforated tray gives continuous support and suits smaller or more delicate cables. Ladder gives better airflow and easier access for future cable pulls, and is generally preferred for heavier power cable runs where continuous base support matters less.
Who supplies stainless steel cable tray for coastal sites in Saudi Arabia?+
NLS Power sources 316 stainless steel cable tray and ladder to IEC 61537 for coastal and corrosive-atmosphere sites, alongside galvanized steel systems for general indoor and covered outdoor routing.
What determines the load rating of a cable tray?+
The actual cable count and weight per meter on that route, tested and rated per IEC 61537 span tables, not the tray's width. A tray sized only by width can look adequate on paper and still sag once real cables are pulled onto it.