Exploring Overhead Cable Management: Cable Tray vs. Cable Runway

Explosive demand for network services has led to increased adoption of overhead cable management systems. Whether suspended from the ceiling, wall-mounted, or supported by racks and cabinets, overhead cable management systems are flexible and scalable. They can easily be moved, reconfigured, or expanded as needed to meet changing requirements and evolving connectivity needs.

Overhead cable management systems are found anywhere with large-scale cable runs. That includes data centers of all types (hyperscale, enterprise, colocation), manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and much more.

The components of an overhead cable management system must support the weight of the cables. They should consider the minimum bend radius of the cables to prevent signal loss due to bending stress, and, for most applications, they should be certified as an equipment grounding conductor to prevent electrical hazards and equipment damage.

Overhead Cable Management System Components

These systems come with their own unique vernacular, and a lot of terms are used interchangeably from company to company. We’ll anchor on the two most common styles of cable management systems and define the language used to describe these solutions, such as cable pathway, cable runway, cable ladder, and cable tray, below.

Cable Pathways

Cable pathway is the overarching term used to describe all types of overhead cable management systems. To put it simply, the cable pathway encompasses all the solutions used to get cables from point A to point B in a facility.

Cable Runways

“Cable runway” is a term often conflated with “cable pathway”, but it most accurately describes a ladder-style cable pathway, which we define below.

Ladder Rack

Ladder rack (also known as “ladder trays” or “cable ladders”) are one of the most common types of cable runway. As the name suggests, they’re constructed of two side rails connected by rungs, creating an open structure for cable support and management. Cables can enter and exit anywhere along the length of the span, and some cable ladders have perforated rungs for fastening cleats or ties.

They provide an open framework that can be attached to walls, ceilings, floors, or the tops of racks and cabinets. Cable runways are almost always manufactured with steel, but they’re available in a variety of finishes such as powder-coated, zinc-plated, painted, or customized to specific facility needs.

Cable Trays

Cable trays are the lightweight cousins of cable runways. They serve the same purpose as cable ladders but offer situational advantages by application (more on that below). These can be open or enclosed or open systems with different levels of perforation along the pathway. One of the most common systems is wire mesh cable tray. This system is easily configurable in the field, lightweight, and maximizes airflow for the cables running through it.

Like cable runway, cable tray is typically constructed from steel and available in a variety of finishes to suit facility needs (powder-coated, zinc-plated, painted, etc.).

Cable Tray vs. Cable Runway

Choosing between cable runway and cable tray is not an either/or proposition. They can be used in conjunction with solutions such as elevation kits. In fact, this solution is very common in the field. However, it’s important to understand the situational advantages each style offers.

• Appearance: Cable runway is typically built in an open ladder-style design, whereas cable trays are available with an open wire mesh design, a solid bottom, or fully enclosed. Cable tray can be more aesthetically pleasing since the cables within can be concealed, which is sometimes a factor in the decision-making process. It’s important to note that in these situations, operators need to ensure adequate airflow to allow for optimal performance.
• Use Case: Both solutions are most frequently used for routing communication cables throughout facilities, but cable runways typically have higher load capacities than cable trays.
• Application: Cable tray is better suited for fiber applications because it minimizes cable sag. Fiber cables need adequate support to prevent signal loss. Minimizing bends is a lot more difficult with a ladder-style design than a tray-style. Cable runway is a great solution for less bend-sensitive cabling, such as PoE and copper comms cables.
• Configurability: Cable runways are generally harder to customize in the field due to their form factor. Installations must be carefully planned. A huge advantage of wire mesh cable tray is its ease of configurability in the field.
• Cable Entry/Exit: Due to its ladder-style form factor, cable runway allows large bundles of cables to enter and exit the pathway nearly anywhere along the route. Cable entry/exit must be provisioned more delicately for cable tray solutions.

Choosing the Best Overhead Cable Management Option

As mentioned previously, operators don’t have to choose between the two solutions. They can be used in conjunction. However, the decision comes down to facility needs. We’ll lay out a few scenarios below:

• If you need maximum cable support to minimize bends (fiber), cable tray is the best solution.
• If you have heavy bundles of copper cables or PoE cables, cable runway is likely the best solution.
• If aesthetics are a priority, cable tray should be explored.
• If you foresee frequent moves, adds, and changes along the pathway, wire mesh cable tray offers more flexibility for changes in the field.
• If you have a lot of cable bundles entering the pathway at various points, cable runway can more easily accommodate frequent entry/exit.

The scenarios above are broad generalizations. Every deployment must be carefully planned. Not every cabling environment is black and white. There is nuance to every deployment. It’s important to consult with product experts to ensure your plan minimizes risk of downtime and maximizes performance.

Overhead Cable Management Products from Enconnex

Enconnex has partnered with Liberty to deliver best-in-class cable runway and wire mesh cable tray systems. Our overhead cable management systems include everything you need to construct, support, and integrate overhead cable management infrastructure. 

Our wire mesh cable trays feature the unique Black C8 coating, which is UL Classified as an electrical bonding conductor, self-repairs minor scratches, and is highly corrosion-resistant, making it suitable for most outdoor applications. In addition, the line has been developed for accelerated deployment with time-saving features such as “rapid (toolless) splice”.

In addition to comprehensive cable runway and tray solutions, the Enconnex team has access to in-rack cable management, a variety of conduit, and less-sophisticated cable pathway solutions like J hooks, cable ties, and Velcro hook and loo,p among other products.

Enconnex specialists are here to help you design and spec the ideal overhead cable management solution for your data center and networking space. Contact us to discuss your project requirements.