Galvanized Cable Tray Series Manufacturers

How to choose galvanized cable tray? Thickness, load and standard specification guide

Galvanized cable tray is a key infrastructure in the power, communication, construction and other industries. Its anti-corrosion performance, load-bearing capacity and installation specifications directly affect the safety and service life of the project.

1. Selection of galvanizing process: anti-corrosion performance is the key

Galvanized cable trays are mainly anti-corrosion through hot-dip galvanizing (HDG) and electrogalvanizing (EG) processes. The application scenarios of the two are significantly different:

Hot-dip galvanizing (HDG)
The zinc layer thickness is usually between 45-100μm. The metallurgical bonding layer is formed by high-temperature zinc immersion. The anti-corrosion life can reach 20-50 years. It is suitable for high-corrosion environments such as outdoor, chemical plants, and coastal areas. The international standard is mainly ASTM A123, which is more expensive but has better long-term cost performance.

Electrogalvanizing (EG)
The zinc layer thickness is only 5-15μm. The zinc layer is attached by electrolysis process. The anti-corrosion ability is weak (5-10 years), but the cost is low and the surface is smoother. It is suitable for dry indoor environments (such as weak current systems in office buildings) and must comply with ASTM B633 standards.

Selection principles:
Hot-dip galvanizing must be selected for humid, acidic and alkaline environments;
When short-term projects or budgets are limited, electrogalvanizing can be used in non-critical areas.

2. Bridge thickness and load capacity: core parameters of safety

The steel plate thickness of the bridge directly determines its mechanical strength and load-bearing capacity, which needs to be comprehensively evaluated based on the cable weight and installation method (suspended/bracket):

(1) Thickness classification reference
Light (C1): side plate 0.8-1.2mm, bottom plate 0.8-1.0mm, suitable for light load scenarios such as communication cables.

Medium (C2): side plate 1.2-1.5mm, bottom plate 1.0-1.2mm, suitable for ordinary power cables in commercial buildings.
Heavy duty (C3): side plate 1.5-2.0mm, bottom plate 1.2-1.5mm, used in densely laid environments such as industrial plants and substations.
Ultra-heavy duty (C4): side plate ≥2.0mm, bottom plate ≥1.5mm, specially designed for data centers and heavy machinery.

(2) Load matching recommendations
Light bridge static load ≤50kg/m, limited to weak current systems;
Medium bridge load 50-100kg/m, can cover most low-voltage cable needs;
Heavy bridge load 100-200kg/m, suitable for high-voltage cable or long span (>3m) installation;
Ultra-heavy bridge load ≥200kg/m, needs to be used with reinforced crossbars.

Key tips:
When actually selecting, the total cable weight should not exceed 80% of the bridge nominal load;
In suspended installation or vibration environment, one thickness grade needs to be increased.

3. International standards and compliance requirements

Different regions have clear requirements for the technical specifications of galvanized bridges. When selecting, you need to focus on the following standards:
North American market: follow the NEMA VE-1 standard, emphasizing the thickness of the galvanized layer and fire resistance (UL certification required);
Internationally used: IEC 61537 specifies test methods such as structural strength and grounding continuity;
Chinese market: GB/T 21762 is equivalent to the IEC standard, and additionally requires load classification identification;
European market: BS EN 10346 specifies that the zinc layer of the hot-dip galvanizing process is ≥45μm.

Compliance points:
The hot-dip galvanized layer must pass the salt spray test (such as ISO 9227);
Fire protection scenarios require flame retardant certification (such as UL 1565).

4. Special environment adaptation solution

High corrosion environment: hot-dip galvanized bridge + epoxy resin coating, or stainless steel;
High temperature area (such as steel mill): choose thickened type (≥2.0mm) or heat-resistant coating;
Electromagnetic shielding requirements: use non-magnetic galvanized bridge and ensure the integrity of the grounding system.