Short answer. FRP cable tray is chosen for corrosive or electrically sensitive sites: it does not rust, does not conduct and is light to install. Tray (open), ladder (rungs) and trunking (enclosed) are three different support systems; pick the type from the cable load and environment, then the material.
Tray, ladder or trunking?
| System | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cable tray | Open channel with a solid or perforated bottom | General cable runs; good support and ventilation |
| Cable ladder | Two side rails with rungs | Heavy cables and long spans; best ventilation; easy to access |
| Cable trunking | Enclosed duct, usually with a lid | Protection from dust, mechanical damage and tampering; fewer cables |
FRP or steel?
| Factor | FRP tray | Steel tray |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion | No rust; resin chosen for the chemical | Needs galvanising or coating |
| Electrical | Non-conductive | Conductive; bonding and earthing required |
| Weight and handling | Light | Heavy |
| Magnetic / RF effects | None | Can affect sensitive equipment |
| Span and load | Check stiffness; supports closer together | High |
| Fire | Flame-retardant resin needed for fire-rated routes | Does not burn |
| Cost | Higher up front | Lower |
How to specify
- Cable weight per metre and the allowed deflection, to set support spacing.
- Width and depth, including future cables.
- Environment: chemical, coastal, temperature, UV outdoors.
- Fire class and smoke requirement; ask which resin meets it (resin guide).
- Accessories: bends, tees, covers and supports in the same material and resin.
Insulating pillars, supports and bars follow the same logic (non-conductive, dimensionally stable). Custom shapes: what we need to quote a custom profile.
Installation tips
- Set support spacing from cable weight and the allowed deflection; FRP trays need closer supports than steel.
- Allow for thermal expansion at joints and use the splice plates supplied with the system.
- Use stainless-steel or FRP fasteners; avoid over-tightening, which can crush the section.
- Seal cut edges, especially outdoors or in chemical areas.
- Use covers outdoors and in dusty areas to protect cables from UV and debris.
- Respect the cable’s minimum bend radius at bends and drops.
Frequently asked questions
Does an FRP tray need earthing?
The tray does not conduct, so it does not carry fault current; cable earthing and bonding follow the project’s electrical rules.
Can FRP tray be used in a fire-rated route?
Only with a flame-retardant or phenolic system and the fire test evidence the project requires. State the standard when you ask.
Send us your requirement
Guangdong Haikuo Composite Materials Co., Ltd. (Huizhou, Guangdong) designs pultrusion moulds in-house and produces custom FRP profiles. Send a drawing, a sample or just the application and the environment, and we will tell you what is feasible.
Email: helena@frphk.cn | Phone: +86 189 5198 8522