Cables can be run in cable trays outdoors
Despite widespread misinterpretation in the industry, standard tray-rated cable cannot run outside of the cable tray per the National Electrical Code (NEC) Sec. Type TC – Tray Cable – (NEC Article 336) –Power and control tray cable type TC is a factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors, with or without associated bare or covered grounding conductors, under a non-metallic jacket. There are many different types of cable tray including basket, ladder and solid-bottom. Cable trays allow easy access for maintenance, which is one of their greatest advantages over conduit. In the 2020 NEC ®, item 11 (multiconductor cable) was deleted so as not to give the impression that certain dry location cables such as type NM (nonmetallic sheathed cable) could be. Installation of Cable in Cable Trays involves precise routing on support systems, NEC/IEC compliance, grounding, ampacity derating, bend radius control, segregation of services, fire safety, labeling, and reliable cable management for industrial and commercial facilities.
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