Wire Mesh Cable Tray vs Perforated Cable Tray: Which to Choose
Both tray types carry cables safely, but they behave very differently on site. Wire mesh trays are welded from steel wire into an open basket; perforated trays are folded from sheet steel with punched holes.
Ventilation and heat dissipation
Wire mesh trays are almost entirely open, so heat from densely packed power cables escapes freely and cable derating is reduced. Perforated trays offer partial ventilation through punched holes and trap more heat in high-density runs.
Installation speed
Mesh trays can be cut with a bolt cutter and bent on site to form bends, tees and reducers, which eliminates most accessory fittings. Perforated trays generally require pre-made fittings, adding procurement and installation time.
Load, weight and protection
- Weight — mesh trays are lighter, reducing support steel and hardware.
- Load span — heavy perforated trays can span further between supports for very heavy power runs.
- Protection — perforated trays with covers give better protection against falling debris.
- Inspection — mesh trays allow instant visual inspection of the whole cable run.
Cost and typical use
For data centres, server rooms, commercial buildings and most industrial control cabling, wire mesh cable tray is usually the faster and lower-installed-cost option. For very heavy power cable runs with long unsupported spans or where covers are mandated, perforated tray remains appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Is wire mesh cable tray strong enough for industrial use?
Yes. Correctly specified mesh trays in GI, SS-304 or SS-316 carry substantial cable loads; the wire diameter, mesh pitch and support spacing are chosen from the project load per metre.
Which cable tray is best for a data centre?
Wire mesh and basket cable trays are the usual choice in data centres because of ventilation, visual inspection and the ability to reroute quickly during moves and changes.