Cable trays are virtual objects that help with routing cables, wires, and bundles across rooms, above machinery, or to support larger bundles. cable trays in EPLAN Harness proD are not physical entities and are therefore not relevant for the bill of materials.
The bending radius can be set in the properties panel along with the width and height of the tray. The cable tray follows a straight-line path between two control points or bends with the given radius around any middle control points.
The dimensions of cable trays are not automatically recalculated when new objects are routed through them. This is due to the fact that cable trays usually come in specific dimensions. This is why cable tray dimensions are determined when placing the cable tray and must be manually changed if necessary.
You can see the way an object is routed through a cable tray by reducing the opacity of the cable tray or by hiding the cable tray altogether. This way, you can analyze the route for potential issues, e.g., whether the max bending radius of some cables was exceeded.
When you unroute a conductor from the cable tray, the position of the remaining conductors is recalculated to optimize the usage of space in the cable tray. This also works if your project uses several electrical options and each option includes a different set of conductors – switching between the options recalculates the paths of conductors routed through a cable tray in a given electrical option.
When placing cable trays, it is necessary to keep in mind that they were designed with a top and a bottom – you place conductors from the top and they are supported by the bottom part of the cable tray. You can change the up direction in Settings > Workspace/Workdesk > Up direction axis. The Up direction can be also taken from the surface the cable tray is placed upon when using the Surface design aid. The cable tray won't change its orientation if you decide to change the Up direction axis setting later.
There are two modes (you can switch between them after placing the first control point) – vertical and horizontal. While in the horizontal mode, you can only place the control points parallel to the XY-plane (unless the Up direction axis is set to a different axis). Switching to the vertical mode allows you to place the control points in a plane perpendicular to the horizontal one and determined by the last two control points placed in the horizontal mode.
Note:
After switching from the vertical mode to the horizontal mode, one extra point needs to be placed to even out the curve of the cable tray and at least two points are in a plane parallel to the XY-plane. After placing this control point, axes unlock, and you can continue placing control points in the given plane.
It is possible to move any control point on the cable tray by using the Move function. When a whole section of the cable tray moves with the control point when trying to move the control point along the Z axis, the control point and its neighboring control points are not aligned in that case and moving the control point up or down violates the rule discussed in the vertical/horizontal mode section. To align the control points, select the one you want to move along the Z axis and go to Edit > Alignment > Straighten path.
It is possible to create junctions on cable trays. To do so, place the starting control point of a cable tray on an existing cable tray.
Note:
Once a junction is created, it splits the existing cable tray into two separate cable trays. The junction part does not belong to any of the three cable trays connected to it.
The height of the junction part adjusts to match the highest cable tray. The widths of the cable trays can differ.
Dimensions of the junction part can be adjusted indirectly by placing control points on individual cable trays connected to the junction.
Placing a cable tray in the workspace
- Go to Place > Organizers > Cable tray.
- Determine the starting point of the cable tray by clicking anywhere in the working window. Alternatively, switch to the command bar, determine the dimensions of the cable tray as well as the coordinates of the first control point, and click [OK].
Once you place the first control point of the cable tray, it is possible to lock one of the axes so that it is easier to place the cable tray in a given direction.
- Determine the other points in the same way.
Since physical cable trays are usually supplied in specific shapes, it may be advantageous to utilize the command bar options of placing the next control point at a certain angle.
If you need to place control points along the Z axis, click Switch to the vertical mode.
- While placing the cable tray, you can change its Width, Height, and Bending radius values in the command bar.
- If you accidentally place an unwanted control point, press the [Backspace]key to remove it.
The command remains active.
- Right-click to finish the command.
- You can press the spacebar to start placing another cable tray.
Placing a cable tray in the workdesk
- Go to Place > Organizers > Cable tray.
- Enter the desired coordinates for any control points, or click in the working window.
While placing the cable tray, the dimensions are shown in the command bar and can be changed.
Control points are automatically snapped to the global grid in the workdesk working window.
It is possible to lock either of the axes before placing the next control point.
- If you accidentally place an unwanted control point, press the [Backspace] key to remove it.
The command remains active.
- Click [Finish] or right-click to finish the command.
- Repeat the command by using the spacebar if desired.
The so-called "active dimensions" are inserted within the bundle. You can edit their values, and the bundle changes accordingly.
See also