Enter the dimensions of the cable tray, the desired fill ratio, and the diameter of the cables to calculate the cable tray capacity. This calculator helps determine the maximum number of cables that can be laid in a cable tray while adhering to the specified fill ratio.

Cable Tray Capacity Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the cable tray capacity:

CTC = floor((W * H * FR) / CA)

Variables:

  • CTC is the cable tray capacity (number of cables)
  • W is the width of the cable tray (inches)
  • H is the height of the cable tray (inches)
  • FR is the fill ratio (percentage)
  • CA is the cross-sectional area of a single cable (square inches)

To calculate the cable tray capacity, multiply the width and height of the cable tray to find the total area, then multiply by the fill ratio. Divide this by the cross-sectional area of a single cable to find the capacity. Use the floor function to ensure you get a whole number of cables.

What is Cable Tray Capacity?

Cable tray capacity refers to the maximum number of cables that can be installed in a cable tray without exceeding a specified fill ratio. The fill ratio is the percentage of the cross-sectional area of the tray that can be filled with cables. This is important for ensuring that cables are not overcrowded, which can lead to overheating and reduced performance.

How to Calculate Cable Tray Capacity?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Cable Tray Capacity:

  1. First, measure the width (W) and height (H) of the cable tray in inches.
  2. Next, determine the desired fill ratio (FR) as a percentage.
  3. Measure the diameter of the cable to be used and calculate its cross-sectional area (CA).
  4. Use the formula CTC = floor((W * H * FR) / CA) to calculate the cable tray capacity (CTC).
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Width of Cable Tray (W) = 24 inches

Height of Cable Tray (H) = 4 inches

Fill Ratio (FR) = 40%

Diameter of Cable = 0.5 inches