Straight tray sections are only one part of a cable management system. Fittings turn, branch, raise, lower, reduce and terminate a route while preserving cable access and bend radius. A complete quotation should coordinate every fitting with the tray profile, width, side rail height, material, finish, cover, divider and connection method.
This guide explains how to prepare a fittings schedule for perforated, ladder and solid-bottom cable tray. Final dimensions and radii must be confirmed from approved drawings and the cable requirements.
1. Common fittings for a complete route
| Fitting | Route function and information needed |
|---|---|
| Horizontal bend | Turns the route in plan. State angle, tray width, side height, radius and direction. |
| Vertical inside bend | Changes elevation on the inside of the cable curve. Confirm angle, radius and orientation. |
| Vertical outside bend | Changes elevation on the outside of the cable curve. Confirm angle, radius and clearance. |
| Tee | Creates a three-way branch. Identify the main route, branch width and direction. |
| Cross | Creates a four-way intersection. Confirm all widths, support points and cable routing. |
| Reducer | Transitions between widths. State straight, left-hand or right-hand alignment. |
| Riser or drop | Connects horizontal and vertical routes near equipment or service zones. |
| Splice and end parts | Join sections, close the route or connect to equipment; specify hardware and finish. |
2. Build the schedule from the coordinated drawing
Mark every change in direction, elevation, width and tray type on the approved route drawing. Give each fitting a unique tag and quantity. A useful schedule includes the grid location, elevation, tray width, side rail height, material, finish, angle, radius, cover and divider requirements. This makes the quotation traceable and allows the installation team to check deliveries against the route.
Do not count fittings only from a single plan view. Vertical changes may be hidden unless the elevation or section is reviewed. Equipment drops, risers, offsets and transitions at walls often account for a large part of the final fitting quantity. Compare the schedule with mechanical, structural and architectural drawings before release.
3. Protect cable bend radius
The fitting radius must suit the cables that pass through it. Cable type, outside diameter, construction and installation method affect the required bend radius. Confirm the cable manufacturer's data and project specification. A tray bend should support the route without forcing the cable into a tighter curve at the entry, exit or branch.
Large power cables and fiber routes may need different fitting geometry. If several cable types share a route, use the most demanding approved requirement or separate the routes as directed by the designer. State the required radius in the purchase schedule instead of relying on a generic “standard bend.”
4. Match width, side height and profile
A fitting should match the adjoining tray sections. Confirm internal width, external width, side rail height, base profile and connection hole pattern. When the route transitions between ladder and perforated tray, identify the transition part or detail. A mismatch can cause poor alignment, unsupported cable edges or time-consuming field modification.
Reducers need special attention. A centered reducer keeps the route centerline, while an offset reducer keeps one side aligned. The drawing should indicate straight, left-hand or right-hand orientation. Branch fittings may use equal or unequal widths, so state every connected width.
5. Coordinate finish, fasteners and bonding parts
Fittings normally match the tray material and finish unless the responsible engineer approves another arrangement. Specify pre-galvanized steel, hot-dip galvanized steel, stainless steel or aluminum. Include splice plates, bolts, washers, clamps and bonding accessories as part of the system. Dissimilar metals and exposed cut edges need review, especially outdoors or in corrosive areas.
The finish comparison guide explains the questions to ask for galvanized systems. The grounding and bonding guide covers continuity decisions at joints, expansion connections and route transitions.
6. Supports around fittings
Fittings transfer load differently from straight sections. Show supports near bends, tees, crosses, reducers, vertical changes and expansion connections according to the selected system and approved installation design. Supports must not force a fitting out of alignment. Check that the support steel leaves enough space for splice hardware, covers and cable pulling.
Use the manufacturer's load information for straight tray and confirm any special fitting support requirements. The support-spacing guide provides a preliminary checklist for load, span, deflection and concentrated loads.
7. Standards and dimensional control
Specifications may reference NEMA VE 1 or IEC 61537 for the cable tray system. Confirm the applicable edition, classification, test context and project-specific dimensional requirements. Standards references do not automatically define the fitting angle, radius, hole pattern or connection method for a particular manufacturer.
Before production, approve the fitting schedule or shop drawing. Show critical dimensions, orientation and tag numbers. For repeat fittings, one approved detail can be linked to multiple quantities. For unique offsets or equipment connections, provide a dedicated drawing.
8. Covers, dividers and special accessories
Covers may be flat, peaked, ventilated or project-specific. Confirm how covers are secured at straight sections and fittings, especially outdoors or in areas with vibration. Dividers should continue through bends and branches where separation is required. Include end plates, cable drop-outs, radius control parts, hold-down clamps and protective edge components where the route needs them.
Expansion connections should be scheduled with the structural movement design and bonding detail. Fire-stop systems and wall penetrations are usually coordinated separately, but the tray dimensions and route location must match those details.
Use tags to control delivery and installation
Assign a tag to every special fitting and link it to the drawing location. A tag can identify the route, level, direction and fitting number, for example a horizontal bend at a named grid line or a reducer before a panel room. The same tag should appear on the schedule, shop drawing, packing list and installation mark-up. This simple control is valuable when several fittings look similar but have different widths or orientations.
For long projects, group fittings by installation zone and delivery sequence. Protect small splice hardware and bonding parts from being separated from the matching tray sections. Before installation, compare the delivered quantity with the approved schedule and record any substitution. A controlled fitting register reduces field cutting, rework and delays caused by a missing transition part.
9. Fittings quotation checklist
- Tray profile, width, side rail height and material thickness.
- Material, finish and compatible fastener requirement.
- Fitting type, angle, radius, orientation and quantity.
- Equal or unequal branch widths and reducer alignment.
- Covers, dividers, splice plates, bonding parts and supports.
- Drawing reference, fitting tag, delivery sequence and packing method.
- Required certificates, inspection documents and destination country.
Send a route drawing, fitting list or marked-up sketch to Jiangsu Yanggang. The factory can organize the fittings with the straight tray sections and identify assumptions before production.
Keep the approved fitting register with the shipment and installation records so replacements can be ordered against the original tag and dimensions.
It also gives the site team a simple delivery and installation reference.
Product options for this guide
Match each cable tray fitting to the adjoining perforated tray or solid bottom tray profile. Confirm every connected width, side height, finish, angle, radius and splice arrangement before releasing the fitting schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What should a cable tray fitting schedule include?
Include fitting type, angle, radius, orientation, quantity, connected widths, side height, material, finish, covers, dividers and splice hardware. Link special fittings to drawing locations and unique tags.
How is the radius of a cable tray bend chosen?
Use the approved cable manufacturer's bend-radius requirements and the project specification. Confirm that the fitting supports the cable without a tighter curve at the entry, exit or branch.
Can a fitting connect different tray profiles?
A transition can be supplied when its geometry and connection method are approved. Show the adjoining profiles, dimensions, hardware, support arrangement and any required bonding detail on the drawing.