Ladder-type cable trays typically weigh 10–30 kg/m depending on material and size, while solid-bottom or trough-type trays generally weigh slightly more due to continuous metal surfaces.

Ladder-Type Cable Trays

Ladder trays consist of two side rails connected by cross rungs, usually spaced every 300 mm. The weight per meter depends on:

• Material: Mild steel/galvanized steel (~7850 kg/m³), stainless steel (~8000 kg/m³), aluminum (~2700 kg/m³)
• Tray dimensions: Width, side rail depth, and rung thickness
• Rung spacing: Standard 300 mm spacing reduces material usage compared to solid trays For example, a 6 m run of galvanized steel ladder tray may have a dead weight of ~28 kg, which corresponds to roughly 4.7 kg/m for a small industrial tray, but larger widths and thicker rails can increase this to 10–30 kg/m depending on design and load capacity . Perforated ladder trays are slightly lighter due to material removal, typically reducing weight by 15–20% .

Trough-Type (Solid-Bottom) Cable Trays

Trough or solid-bottom trays have continuous metal surfaces, providing full support for cables. Their weight per meter is generally higher than ladder trays because:

• Continuous metal sheet: No gaps like ladder rungs
• Material thickness: Often 1.6–2.0 mm for steel trays
• Coatings: Hot-dip galvanizing adds ~0.8–1.5 kg/m² to the base weight Typical weights for steel trough trays range from 15–35 kg/m, depending on width, side height, and material type. Perforated trough trays reduce weight by 15–30% while maintaining structural integrity .

Calculation Method

To calculate the weight per meter:

1. Determine the cross-sectional metal area of the tray (side rails, rungs, or solid bottom).
2. Multiply by the material density to get weight per meter: Weight (kg/m) = Cross-sectional area (m²) × Material density (kg/m³)
3. Adjust for perforations (reduce 15–30%) or coatings (add 0.8–1.5 kg/m² for HDG steel) as needed .

Summary

• Ladder trays: 10–30 kg/m (lighter due to rungs and open design)
• Trough/solid-bottom trays: 15–35 kg/m (heavier due to continuous metal)
• Material choice: Aluminum is lighter, steel is heavier but stronger
• Perforations and coatings: Reduce or increase weight respectively These values are typical manufacturer ranges; exact weights vary with tray width, side height, material thickness, rung spacing, and fabrication tolerances .