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High-voltage cable trays must be grounded

ODN and passive infrastructure knowledge brief Published 06 Aug 2022

Prepared for preliminary research by the GESTIONVAL ODN knowledge desk. Confirm network topology, split ratio, box or cabinet capacity, joint closure rating and loss budget against current standards and product documentation.

Yes, high-voltage cable trays must be grounded to ensure electrical safety, fault protection, and compliance with NEC standards.Importance of Grounding

Grounding high-voltage cable trays is essential to minimize the risk of electric shock, equipment damage, and fire hazards. Cable trays are part of the path for ground fault currents, and proper bonding ensures that any fault current is safely directed back to the power source, reducing the potential for dangerous voltage buildup on the tray system .

NEC and Industry Standards

The National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 392 governs cable tray systems, requiring metallic trays to be bonded and connected to the building's grounding system. NEC Article 250.96 specifies that all metallic cable trays must be grounded, regardless of whether the tray itself serves as an equipment grounding conductor (EGC), . NEMA Standard VE-2 and CTI Technical Bulletins also provide guidance on bonding and grounding practices for power and instrumentation circuits .

Grounding Methods

There are several acceptable methods for grounding cable trays:

  • Tray as EGC: In qualifying facilities, the metallic tray itself can serve as the equipment grounding conductor if it meets cross-sectional area and continuity requirements .
  • Separate EGC Conductor: A dedicated grounding conductor can be installed inside or attached to the tray, bonded to each tray section using grounding clamps .
  • EGC within Cables: Multi-conductor cables with individual EGCs can provide grounding, but the tray must still be bonded back to the power source . Bonding jumpers are used to maintain electrical continuity across tray sections, and both side rails of the tray must be bonded together to the next section . For aluminum trays, insulated conductors are recommended to prevent electrolytic corrosion when connecting to bare copper EGCs .
Special Considerations
  • High-voltage systems: Proper grounding is critical due to higher fault currents and potential hazards.
  • Non-metallic trays: While they do not conduct electricity, grounding may still be required for lightning protection, noise reduction, and electromagnetic interference mitigation .
  • Separation of circuits: Power and control cables should be separated to prevent interference, but grounding remains mandatory for metallic trays .
Summary

Grounding high-voltage cable trays is mandatory for safety and compliance. Metallic trays must be bonded to the building grounding system, either by using the tray as an EGC, installing a separate EGC, or using cables with integrated EGCs. Proper bonding ensures electrical continuity, protects personnel and equipment, and aligns with NEC and industry standards .

High-voltage cable trays must be grounded - GESTIONVAL ODN INFRASTRUCTURE S.L. [PDF]

High-voltage cable trays must be grounded

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Technical note

This reference is intended for preliminary ODN and passive infrastructure research. Topology, split ratio, box or cabinet capacity, closure rating, cable type, test limits and applicable standards must be verified for the specific project.

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