What is the difference between a cable tray, a cable ladder and a mesh tray?

A cable tray has a solid, perforated base, so it supports many small cables along their whole length. A cable ladder is two side rails joined by rungs, built for heavy power cables and longer gaps between supports. A mesh tray is welded wire: light, easy to cut on site, and well ventilated.

Should I choose strip galvanised or hot-dip galvanised?

Strip galvanised steel is coated before it is formed, which suits dry indoor areas. Hot-dip galvanised steel is dipped after forming, so cut edges and holes are coated too, and it suits outdoor, damp and industrial areas. Stainless steel is for food, pharmaceutical, chemical and coastal sites.

How far apart should the supports be?

It depends on the weight of the cables. OBO publishes a permitted load for each support spacing. A 100 mm OBO MKS 60 tray carries 1.5 kN per metre with supports 1.5 m apart, but only 0.5 kN per metre at 2.5 m. Weigh the cables per metre first, then choose the spacing.

Cable Trays & Ladders

Where conduit carries a few circuits, a cable tray carries a whole building's worth. OBO Bettermann's range covers perforated cable trays in side heights from 35 mm to 110 mm, welded cable ladders for heavy power cable over longer spans, and GR-Magic mesh trays that connect without separate couplers. Finishes run from strip galvanised for dry interiors through hot-dip galvanised to stainless steel grades A2 and A4 for wet, coastal and chemical sites.

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Brands we supply for cable trays & ladders

OBO Bettermann
Germany
Cable trays and ladders, earthing, lightning and surge protection, and junction boxes: the infrastructure that carries and protects every other product here.

Range

A representative selection. Our full range in this category runs to considerably more line items - if you need something not shown here, ask and we will check the current price list.

OBO MKS cable tray, medium duty

MKS 610 FT

OBO MKS perforated cable tray, hot-dip galvanised

Medium-duty perforated steel cable tray for routing cables through commercial and industrial installations. Uses screwed connectors and has mounting perforations in its base.

Specifications for OBO MKS cable tray, medium duty
Side heights (MKS)	60 mm
Widths (MKS 60 FT)	100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 mm
Length / plate	3000 mm / 1 mm
Permitted load, 100 mm wide	1.5 kN/m at 1.5 m support spacing; 1.0 kN/m at 2.0 m; 0.5 kN/m at 2.5 m
Finishes	Hot-dip galvanised steel (FT)

IEC 61537 Type II load test

View on the OBO Bettermann website

Specification from the manufacturer's product page, read 27 October 2026. Confirm current details when ordering.

OBO LCIS welded cable ladder

LCIS 610 3 FT

Cable ladder with welded C30 profile rungs that open upwards for cable fastening. The rolled side rail reinforces the ladder and provides edge protection.

Specifications for OBO LCIS welded cable ladder
Side heights	60 mm
Widths (LCIS 60)	100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 mm
Lengths	3 m
Rung spacing / rail	300 mm / 1.5 mm
Permitted load, 100 mm wide	2.8 kN/m at 1.5 m support spacing; 1.3 kN/m at 2.0 m; 0.6 kN/m at 3.0 m
Finishes	Hot-dip galvanised steel (FT)

View on the OBO Bettermann website

Specification from the manufacturer's product page, read 27 October 2026. Confirm current details when ordering.

OBO GR-Magic mesh cable tray

GRM 55 50 FT

OBO GR-Magic welded wire mesh cable tray

Mesh cable tray for cable routing with an integrated connector. Lengths interlock without separate connection components.

Specifications for OBO GR-Magic mesh cable tray
Side heights	55 mm
Widths (GRM 55 FT)	50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 mm
Wire diameter	3.9 mm at 50–200 mm wide; 4.8 mm at 200–600 mm wide
Permitted load, 50 mm wide	0.35 kN/m at 1.0 m support spacing; 0.2 kN/m at 1.5 m
Finishes	Hot-dip galvanised steel (FT)

IEC 61537 Type II load test

View on the OBO Bettermann website

Specification from the manufacturer's product page, read 27 October 2026. Confirm current details when ordering.

Common questions

What is the difference between a cable tray, a cable ladder and a mesh tray?: A cable tray has a solid, perforated base, so it supports many small cables along their whole length. A cable ladder is two side rails joined by rungs, built for heavy power cables and longer gaps between supports. A mesh tray is welded wire: light, easy to cut on site, and well ventilated.
Should I choose strip galvanised or hot-dip galvanised?: Strip galvanised steel is coated before it is formed, which suits dry indoor areas. Hot-dip galvanised steel is dipped after forming, so cut edges and holes are coated too, and it suits outdoor, damp and industrial areas. Stainless steel is for food, pharmaceutical, chemical and coastal sites.
How far apart should the supports be?: It depends on the weight of the cables. OBO publishes a permitted load for each support spacing. A 100 mm OBO MKS 60 tray carries 1.5 kN per metre with supports 1.5 m apart, but only 0.5 kN per metre at 2.5 m. Weigh the cables per metre first, then choose the spacing.