One cable tray is divided into three cable trays

A single cable tray cannot simply be divided into three separate trays without proper planning, structural support, and NEC compliance.Feasibility and Structural Considerations

Physically, a cable tray can be modified or replaced with multiple smaller trays, but this is not as simple as cutting or partitioning an existing tray. Cable trays are designed to support the weight of cables and maintain proper spacing for ventilation and heat dissipation. Dividing one tray into three would require:

• Ensuring each new tray has adequate structural support to handle the cable load.
• Maintaining ventilation and heat dissipation, especially for ladder or ventilated trough trays, to prevent overheating of cables.
• Using approved tray-rated cables in each new tray section to comply with NEC standards .

NEC Compliance

According to NEC Article 392, cable trays must follow strict guidelines for:

• Tray fill limits: Overfilling can cause overheating and maintenance issues .
• Separation of power and signal cables: Cables operating above 600 volts must be separated by a solid barrier from lower voltage cables .
• Support spacing and securement: Each tray section must be properly supported and cables secured at intervals specified by the manufacturer . Simply dividing a tray without considering these factors could violate NEC requirements and compromise safety.

Practical Approach

If the goal is to create three separate cable paths:

1. Install three new trays in parallel rather than attempting to split an existing tray.
2. Use dividers within a wide tray only if the manufacturer provides approved divider kits, which maintain NEC compliance and proper cable separation.
3. Recalculate tray fill for each new tray to ensure cables do not exceed the maximum allowable fill percentage .

Conclusion

While it is technically possible to create three separate cable paths from one tray, it cannot be done by simply cutting or partitioning the original tray. Proper installation requires new trays or manufacturer-approved dividers, adherence to NEC Article 392, and careful consideration of cable fill, support, and separation requirements to ensure safety and compliance .