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Cable Tray Supports Explained: Hangers, Wall Brackets, Cantilever Arms and Floor Frames
Created on 11.06
Cable Tray Supports Explained: Hangers, Wall Brackets, Cantilever Arms and Floor Frames
A cable tray is only as good as what holds it up. Cable tray supports come in four main forms: hangers that hold the tray from above, wall brackets and cantilever arms that carry it from the side, floor-mounted frames that carry it from below, and channel-based systems that can do all three. The right choice depends on where the route runs, the load, and what you can fix to. This guide explains each support type, how to choose by route, how to match materials, and what to check in the design.
What Supports Do
Supports carry the weight of the tray and its cables, keep the tray in the right position, and set the spacing between fixing points. A tray that is strong enough on paper can still sag, twist, or pull away if the supports are too far apart, too weak, or fixed to something that cannot carry the load. Choosing the support is as important as choosing the tray, and it should be done at the same time.
The Main Support Types
Support | How it holds the tray | Best for | Points to note |
Hanger (rod and cross-member, or U-shaped hanger) | Hangs the tray from the ceiling, beam, or steel structure | Routes below ceilings and across open spaces | The rod, the anchor, and the structure above must carry the load too |
Wall bracket and cantilever arm | Fixed to a wall or upright at one end, and the tray rests on the arm | Routes along walls, tunnels, and corridors, and multi-level runs | A longer arm carries less, and the wall must be strong enough |
Adjustable bracket | A bracket with a range of adjustment in height, length, or angle [confirm for your product] | Routes where exact positions are not known in advance | Tighten all adjustments fully, and check the load rating of the adjusted position |
Floor-mounted frame (base frame with uprights) | Stands on the floor or a base and carries the tray from below | Equipment rooms, roofs, and places with no wall or ceiling to fix to | The base must be fixed, and the frame should be braced against sideways movement |
Strut channel system | Channels and clamps combine into hangers, brackets, or frames | Groups of trays, mixed runs, and routes that change often | Match the channel, the clamps, and the load rating as one system |
Choosing by Route
Route | Usual support | Why |
Below a ceiling or beam | Hangers | Uses the structure above, and keeps the floor and walls clear |
Along a wall, corridor, or tunnel | Wall brackets and cantilever arms | Simple to fix, and easy to add levels |
Vertical riser or shaft | Brackets or channel clamps fixed to the wall or frame | Holds the tray and the cable weight against the wall |
Roof or outdoor | Floor-mounted frames or channel supports, with a suitable finish | Avoids drilling through the roof surface where possible, and resists wind |
Equipment room with no ceiling to fix to | Floor-mounted frames | Needs no support from above or the side |
Matching the Material
- Match the environment.
- Match the tray.
- Watch the contact.
- Match the fixings.
Five Things to Check in the Design
- Total load.
- Support spacing.
- Support strength.
- The fixing point.
- Movement and earthing.
Fixing the Tray to the Support
- Hold the tray down.
- Do not fully lock every support on a long run.
- Use washers on slotted holes.
Common Mistakes
- Checking the tray but not the support.
- Weak fixing points.
- Spacing too wide.
- Mixed metals.
- No hold-down outdoors.
- Forgetting the cover and later cables.
Conclusion
Choose the support with the tray, not after it. Pick the type by the route, size it by the total load and the spacing, check the fixing point as well as the bracket, and match materials to the environment. Hold the tray down, bond it, and allow for movement on long runs. Final selection should follow your project specification and the applicable standards.
FAQ
What is the difference between a hanger and a cantilever arm?
A hanger holds the tray from above, usually from a ceiling or a beam. A cantilever arm is fixed to a wall or upright at one end and carries the tray from the side. The right one depends on what you can fix to and where the route runs.
How far apart should cable tray supports be?
It depends on the tray type, the cable load, and your project specification. Follow the load data for your tray, and put supports close to bends, tees, and joints. Ask us if you need help with a layout.
Can I use one support type for the whole route?
Often not. Many routes use hangers in open areas, wall brackets along walls, and frames on roofs or in equipment rooms. Choose each section by what is available to fix to.
Looking for cable tray with matching supports? Browse our cable tray range and our guide Cable Tray Load Capacity and Support Span, or email abby@wananelectric.com with your tray type, route, and load, and our team will quote tray and supports together.
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Shenzhen Wanan Industrial Co., Ltd. is a China-based manufacturer of Cable Tray Systems and GI Electrical Conduits, established in 2004.
We manufacture perforated cable trays, cable ladders, cable trunking, galvanized and ZAM cable trays, and EMT, IMC and rigid steel conduits. With 22+ years of manufacturing experience, we provide factory-direct supply, OEM/ODM customization, and technical support for EPC contractors, MEP contractors, distributors, and industrial projects worldwide.
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