Maintenance
As cable trays, ladders & channel supports are generally designed with no freely moving parts, there is very little maintenance activity required. When correctly installed, these systems can provide a rigid supporting structure with a long life span.
5.1 Inspection
Cable trays, ladders & channel under normal conditions are virtually maintenance free. However, under a facility’s routine maintenance schedule for electrical equipment there may be a requirement to periodically inspect the containment systems.
As equipment cannot be maintained at all times, a maintenance schedule may be required to decide when it is proper to perform checks. Under normal conditions, visual maintenance should be considered sufficient.
Visual checks should be made at all points of connection to ensure fixings & fastenings are sound. Any suspect areas should be tightened to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Visual checks should also be made for deposits of foreign objects and debris. Any items considered to be fouling the cableways should be removed.
Visual checks should be performed for evidence of corrosion particularly where dissimilar metals are in contact with one another. See section 3.1 for further details.
It is recommended that any maintenance functions are carried out by qualified personnel at the earliest opportunity. When trays, ladders & channel supports have been subjected to seismic activity, unusual weather patterns or any other abnormalities, it is recommended that an inspection is carried out and any remedial activity undertaken.
5.2 Removal of cables
Although inactive or dead cables may be left inside a tray or ladder system, it is good practice to remove these cables to free up future cable carrying capacity & to improve ventilation in the remaining system. Removal of these cables should only be carried out by a competent person.
5.3 On site repairs
Where damage to an existing cable tray, cable ladder or support has occurred, it may be necessary to make some corrective maintenance. This damage may be represented by, for example, broken welds, bent ladder rungs or severely deformed side rails etc. It is recommended, depending on the degree of damage, that the section is replaced rather than repaired to maintain the overall integrity of the installation. Provided adequate support is in place, components may be fairly easily replaced by a competent person.
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