Industrial & Outdoor Cable Management Guide
NO RUST. NO EARTHING. NO WORRIES. CABLE TRAY BUILT FOR THE TOUGH STUFF.
How to choose and install Unex thermoplastic cable tray and ladder for industrial, coastal and outdoor sites. What to use, what to think about, how to install it, plus a quick cheat sheet.
NO RUST. NO EARTHING. NO WORRIES. CABLE TRAY BUILT FOR THE TOUGH STUFF.
Salt air, chemicals, UV and wash-downs eat metal cable tray. In industrial and outdoor environments you need containment that won't corrode, won't conduct and won't need replacing in five years.
This guide covers the Unex thermoplastic cable tray and ladder range: where it fits, what to think about before you order, and how to install it. If you're short on time, jump straight to the cheat sheet.
Why Unex for industrial and outdoor?
Unex thermoplastic cable tray and ladder is made from insulating, non-metallic U23X material, which gives it clear advantages over metal tray in harsh environments:
- It won't corrode. It's resistant to humid, saline and chemical corrosion, so there's no rust at the coast or in wash-down areas.
- It's fully non-conductive. It's electrically insulating, and no earthing is required.
- It's UV-stabilised for outdoor installation.
- It's self-extinguishing, glow-wire tested to 960°C, and RoHS II compliant.
- It's easy to work. Cut, drill and install on site with standard tools.
Where it's used
- Chemical plants and processing facilities
- Water and wastewater treatment
- Substations and electrically sensitive areas
- Marine, wharf and coastal sites
- Food processing and wash-down areas
- Outdoor plant areas, rooftops and car parks
- Data centres, where non-conductive containment is preferred
Before you start: the big picture
- Know the environment. Salt, chemicals, UV, moisture or all four? Unex handles them, but knowing the exposure helps you choose lids, fixings and supports.
- Tray or ladder? Use tray for smaller cables and runs where cables need support along their length. Use ladder for heavier cables and longer spans.
- Size for growth. Plant gets added. Leave spare capacity in width and depth.
- Use the right fixings. Don't let steel fixings be the weak point. Use stainless or galvanised fixings and insulating caps to suit the site.
- Separate services. Use dividers or separate runs for power, control and instrumentation cables.
1. Unex Cable Tray 66: perforated tray
Unex Cable Tray 66 is a perforated, insulating PVC cable tray for general cable runs in industrial and outdoor areas. It comes in 60mm and 100mm depths, widths from 75mm to 600mm and 3m lengths, in grey (RAL 7035). Matching snap-shut lids fully enclose the cables.
What to think about
- Width and depth for the cable volume, plus spare capacity.
- Lids, for full enclosure against UV, debris and falling objects. Use them outdoors and in exposed areas.
- Support spacing to suit the tray size and cable load. Check the Unex technical data.
- Dividers where power and control cables share a run.
How to use it
- Cut to length on site with standard tools.
- Join and change direction with the Tray 66 accessories: joints, corners, tees and supports.
- Snap the lids on once the cables are laid.
- Leave drainage and expansion allowance on long outdoor runs, as per the Unex guidelines.
2. Unex Cable Ladder 67: heavier cables, longer spans
Unex Cable Ladder 67 is a thermoplastic cable ladder for heavier cables and longer runs. It comes in 85mm and 135mm depths and 200mm to 500mm widths, in 3m lengths and grey (RAL 7035), with matching snap-shut covers.
What to think about
- Cable size and weight. Ladder suits large power cables and main feeders.
- Depth. Use 135mm for high cable counts or large cables.
- Covers for outdoor runs and UV protection.
- Support spacing and span to suit the load. Check the Unex technical data.
How to use it
- Cut and drill on site, and join with the Ladder 67 accessories: joints, bends, dividers and supports.
- Fix the cables to the rungs with cable clamps or ties.
- Use dividers to segregate power from control and instrumentation.
- Fit covers on exposed and outdoor sections.
3. Unex fixings and fasteners: don't skip these
Unex fixings and fasteners make sure the whole install lasts as long as the tray. The range includes M8 bolts, spring channel nuts in AISI 316 stainless or galvanised, LDPE insulating caps, and halogen-free cable clamps.
What to think about
- 316 stainless for coastal, marine and chemical sites, and galvanised for less aggressive areas.
- Insulating caps to cover bolt ends and keep the system non-conductive.
- Enough fixings for every joint, support and bracket. Count them.
How to use it
- Match the fixing material to the environment. A cheap zinc bolt will rust long before the tray does.
- Cap the exposed bolt ends.
- Tighten to secure, but don't crush the thermoplastic.
Also useful on industrial and outdoor jobs
- Strut channel for building supports and trapeze hangers.
- Nylon cable glands for sealing cable entries into enclosures.
- Rigid conduit and fittings for drops and short runs off the tray.
- Brass cable markers for permanent cable identification that lasts outdoors.
Quick cheat sheet: industrial and outdoor
No time? Here's the whole job on one page.
| Product | Use it for | Sizes | Key tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unex Tray 66 | General cable runs in harsh or outdoor areas | 60 or 100mm deep, 75 to 600mm wide, 3m | Fit lids outdoors for UV and debris protection |
| Unex Ladder 67 | Heavy cables, feeders and longer spans | 85 or 135mm deep, 200 to 500mm wide, 3m | Use dividers to separate power and control |
| Tray and ladder accessories | Joints, bends, tees, supports and dividers | To match the tray or ladder | Count every change of direction and support |
| Unex fixings | Bolts, channel nuts, caps and clamps | M8 | Use 316 stainless on coastal and chemical sites |
| Cable glands | Sealing enclosure entries | To suit the cable diameter | Match the gland to the cable size |
| Brass cable markers | Permanent cable ID | As required | Tag both ends of every cable |
Industrial and outdoor checklist
- ☐ Environment assessed: salt, chemicals, UV, moisture
- ☐ Tray or ladder chosen for the cable size and span
- ☐ Width and depth sized with spare capacity
- ☐ Lids or covers on outdoor and exposed runs
- ☐ Support spacing checked against the Unex data
- ☐ Fixings matched to the environment (316 stainless or galvanised)
- ☐ Power, control and instrumentation segregated
- ☐ Expansion allowance on long outdoor runs
- ☐ Every cable tagged
Got an industrial or outdoor job coming up?
Add what you need to a quote as you browse, or send us your plans and we'll price the lot. Prefer to talk it through? Call us on 1300 883 452.
We have stock and support across Sydney, Perth, Newcastle, Tasmania, New Zealand and Fiji.
Also in the Shop by Job series: Office Fit Out, Desks & Workstations, and Comms & Data Rooms.