Cable Tray

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sdurborow

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Aiea, HI
NEC 2011 Article 392 Cable Trays. Although not specifically defined as a raceway the way EMT is per Article 358; is cable tray considered a raceway?

If in the affirmative, does Article 800.100 (A)(1) then apply to cable trays as listed in Article 300?
 

qcroanoke

Sometimes I don't know if I'm the boxer or the bag
Location
Roanoke, VA.
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Sorta retired........
NEC 2011 Article 392 Cable Trays. Although not specifically defined as a raceway the way EMT is per Article 358; is cable tray considered a raceway?

If in the affirmative, does Article 800.100 (A)(1) then apply to cable trays as listed in Article 300?

IMO No.

Article 392. Cable Trays

This Article covers cable tray systems. These include ladder, ventilated trough, ventilated channel, solid bottom, and other similar structures. A cable tray system is a unit or assembly of units or sections and associated fittings forming a structural system used to securely fasten or support cables and raceways.

I don't know what article 800 (book isn't here) is but it's a moot point because it's not a raceway.
 

sdurborow

Member
Location
Aiea, HI
Cable Trays

Cable Trays

Then why could the same argument not be made for conduits as not a raceway? Is this because of the words "structural system" a/o "securely fasten"?

How is tray excluded from A1 since the tray is listed in Chapter 3?

Is their concurrence for B in that raceway fill of Chapter 3 and 9 do not apply?

We are in the midst of a design discussion that the designed cable tray with 25% spare capacity is in compliance with 800.110.

FYI: The correct NEC reference is NEC 2011 V. Installation Methods Within Buildings 800.110 Raceways for Communications Wire and Cables.

(A) Types of Raceways. Communications wires and cables shall be permitted to be installed in any raceway that complies with either (A)(1) or (A)(2).
(1) Raceways Recognized in Chapter 3. Communications wires and cables shall be permitted to be installed in any raceway included in Chapter 3. The raceways shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3.

(2) Other Permitted Raceways. Communications wires and cables shall be permitted to be installed in listed plenum communications raceway, listed riser communications raceway, or listed general-purpose communications raceway selected in accordance with the provisions of 800.113, and installed in accordance with 362.24 through 362.56, where the requirements applicable to electrical nonmetallic tubing apply.
(B) Raceway Fill for Communications Wires and Cables. The raceway fill requirements of Chapters 3 and 9 shall not apply to communications wires and cables.



IMO No.

Article 392. Cable Trays

This Article covers cable tray systems. These include ladder, ventilated trough, ventilated channel, solid bottom, and other similar structures. A cable tray system is a unit or assembly of units or sections and associated fittings forming a structural system used to securely fasten or support cables and raceways.

I don't know what article 800 (book isn't here) is but it's a moot point because it's not a raceway.
 

don_resqcapt19

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Illinois
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retired electrician
Cable tray is not a raceway, but there is nothing in Article 800 that says you can't use cable tray for communications cables.
 

don_resqcapt19

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Illinois
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retired electrician
Cable tray is not a raceway, but there is nothing in Article 800 that says you can't use cable tray for communications cables. In fact 800.110(H) specifies the types of communications cables that are permitted to be installed in cable tray. Since the articles in Chapter 8 are stand alone and there is no reference to Article 392, there is no fill requirements for the cable tray where used to support communications conductors.
 

sdurborow

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Location
Aiea, HI
Cable Tray

Much to my surprise that cable tray is not considered a "raceway"; however, my perspective on this is from the field not the code.

Mahalo to all who responded, much appreciated.
 

don_resqcapt19

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Illinois
Occupation
retired electrician
Much to my surprise that cable tray is not considered a "raceway"; however, my perspective on this is from the field not the code.

Mahalo to all who responded, much appreciated.
When you are using the code you have to use the code definitions....one of the most important parts of the code is Article 100.

There are often differences between the "field language" and the "code language", and you have to be careful with that.
 

qcroanoke

Sometimes I don't know if I'm the boxer or the bag
Location
Roanoke, VA.
Occupation
Sorta retired........
When you are using the code you have to use the code definitions....one of the most important parts of the code is Article 100.

There are often differences between the "field language" and the "code language", and you have to be careful with that.

:thumbsup:
 
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