What is the difference between a cable tray and a trough?

Cable management is integration with the infrastructure of electricity and telecommunications. These are function- and construction-oriented cable guiding or supporting systems, for example, cable trays and cable troughs. Although many people won’t recognize them, they look almost exactly alike at first. Cable trays and cable troughs are two different systems of cable management, each with its own unique features that distinguish it from the other. The article discusses the primary differences between cable trays and cable troughs and their advantages.

What is a Cable Tray?

A cable tray is a structure, basically like an open ladder, employed to support and route cables in buildings and other associated structures. It may typically consist of side rails connected by rungs or a solid bottom. The design of cable trays is lightweight but strong, for easy installation as well as having the capacity to support a large number of cables.Steel, Aluminum, FRP, what Else? From ladder to trough, solid bottom to wire mesh, Meandering to what exactly is a Cable Trough?

What is a Cable Trough?

A cable trough is a covered channel (or duct) that is used for the protection and housing of cables. Unlike the situation with cable trays, troughs are usually more enclosed and offer much more protection from environmental factors in general. Cable troughs are very often installed underground or just at ground level: this makes them perfect for outdoor applications or anywhere that aesthetics are important.

Cable troughs may be of concrete, polymer concrete or even FRP. Normally provided with removable covers for placing and maintenance of cables. Cable troughs are designed to have higher protection against physical damage, moisture and other environmental hazards.

While cable trays are of side and bottom, cable troughs are entirely different in form as enclosed channels with removable covers. This basic difference in design reflects their applications and level of protection to cables. Installation: Normally, the cable trays are installed overhead or on walls while cable troughs are laid down on earth or laid underground. Generally, the troughs demand more installation work, especially when they are applied underground.

Cable trays are more exposed to environmental factors since they are not fully enclosed. They are less exposed to dust and moisture compared to the use of troughs, making them more preferred. Troughs will definitely articulate some ventilation and at the same time dissipate heat.

Cable trays usually offer more capacity for cables and are easily expandable or modifiable. The fixed capacity of a cable trough is dependent on size and is comparatively easier to install. Whereas cable trays find applications in indoor industrial and commercial settings, cable troughs find applications outdoors and in urban areas where aesthetics play an important role.

Advantages of Cable Trays and Cable Troughs Cable Trays

Flexible routing options Easy access for maintenance and addition Cable Troughs: Best Environmental Protection, Ideal for Outdoor & Underground Applications, Aesthetically Pleasing after Installation Flush-to-Floor, More Security to Sensitive Cable Installations and Many More Long Lasting Durability Especially with Modern Materials Like FRP Innovative Solutions: FRP Cable Trench and Covers

For some years now, material and manufacturing developments have solved cable management with innovative solutions. One such company is Avatar Composite, a major manufacturer of SMC products for infrastructure applications, with its FRP Cable Trench. The composite product is made using state-of-the-art production technologies and is therefore already very economically attractive for a variety of infrastructure applications.

Avatar's FRP Cable Trench deals with many challenges in power engineering with regard to service life plus insulation. Other traditional materials, such as iron and cement, usually fall short in this respect. Iron covers do not insulate while cement troughs are heavy and rather complex to make plus short-lived.

• Excellent Insulation: FRP is an inherently insulating material. This feature makes it ideal for electrical applications where safety is of prime concern. Lightweight Design: It is much lighter in weight compared to traditional materials, thereby, making ease of installation and maintenance, saving labor cost. High Strength: It is light in weight but of high strength and durable in service for long-termed reliability. Convenient Construction: FRP cable troughs are very easily detached because of their modular nature, which reduces the cost of the project as well the time of construction.

• Long Service Life: Because of its high resistance to corrosion, ultraviolet radiation, and other environmental factors, FRP attains long service life compared to traditional materials.

• Cost-Effective: Though it may demand a relatively higher initial cost compared to some traditional materials, in view of durableness, easy maintenance, and good performance in long term, FRP cable troughs become a cost-effective solution.

SMC Cable trench covers by Avatar have been widely appreciated across the UK for bringing innovation in resolving age-old power engineering issues. Their construction integrates very strongly insulating properties with relatively lightweight construction: therefore, they are very strong trench covers. A product that has the following features makes them suitable for use in urban power distribution up to industrial facilities.

Though cable trays and cable troughs do similar jobs in managing cables, they have specific features that make them appropriate in different applications. Cable trays are flexible, easily accessible and hence most suitable indoors in industrial and commercial settings. On the contrary, cable troughs offer better protection and are therefore suitable for outdoor and underground installations.

The development of innovative solutions such as Avatar’s FRP Cable Trench depicts the continuous evolution of cable management technology. Insulation, weight, and at the same time achieving a considerable degree of durability are some of the principal challenges that figure high-end products actually manage to set new industry standards.

So, whether to go with the cable trays or choose troughs, or maybe look at the newer options such as the FRP Cable Trenches, everything has to be based on a proper evaluation of the specific requirements of your project. Factors like environment, ease of accessibility plus future plans for expansion and long-term maintenance value should be added into the basket. Yet, giving a thought to these seriously and considering the innovative alternatives as provided by Avatar Composite will make the cable management solution both efficient in performance and cost for your infrastructure.