Oil & Gas Cable Trays: Zone 1/2, ARAMCO SAES-P-104 & Shell DEP

Frequently asked questions

Specification, compliance and procurement questions our engineering team answers most often.

Is fire-rated trunking available for life-safety circuits?

Fire-rated trunking (E30, E60, E90) is a specialist line, typically MS construction with intumescent gasket and qualified to BS 6387 or BS 8519 categories. For emergency lighting and smoke-control wiring on Indian and GCC projects we offer it on dedicated batches with the fire test certificate.

Can buyers in the GCC procure trunking with Saudi SASO or UAE EQM marking?

Yes, we ship to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain regularly. SASO conformity assessment (through an approved body), UAE EQM and Qatar QGOSM are handled at the documentation stage. Share the project specification and we'll quote the certification cost separately.

Are aluminium channel trays acceptable in coastal solar projects?

Aluminium is the better long-term choice in coastal solar (Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, GCC), it shrugs off salt aerosol that pits HDG steel after a decade. Specify aluminium 6063-T6 with mill finish or anodized; that's what most Tier-1 module EPCs now write into BOQ for coastal sites.

What's the simplest way to integrate channel tray with the earthing scheme?

Bond each tray to the plant earth grid every 30 m using a tinned copper strap and toothed washer. For solar plants the channel tray often doubles as a continuous earth path, verify continuity to <0.5 Ω with a low-resistance ohmmeter after installation. Drawings noting the bond points avoid site rework.

Can I order matching covers, bends, tees and supports as one supply package?

Always, we supply the tray, 90° and 45° bends, equal and unequal tees, reducers, couplers, covers and cantilever supports in the same material, gauge and finish. Mixed finishes from different suppliers are the single most common installation defect: the accessory's zinc coat is thinner than the tray's, the joint corrodes first and the run fails at the junction. One-source supply closes that gap and simplifies the QA dossier for third-party inspection.

Is a 'cable ladder' the same product as a cable tray?

Yes, for the ladder-tray range. 'Cable ladder' is the term many overseas buyers use for what we list as ladder cable tray: two side rails with open rungs and no solid bottom, as opposed to a perforated tray's continuous sheet base. It's built to the same IEC 61537 and IS 12352 specification described above, for the same heavy-power, long-span routes, so an enquiry naming either term gets quoted identically.

Are there specific requirements for perforated trays in metro and railway tunnel installations?

Yes, metro and tunnel environments impose three requirements that standard industrial trays don't always meet. First, the tray must have electrically continuous joints so the run participates in the signalling-circuit bonding scheme, our HDG couplers with toothed washers achieve this. Second, fire integrity: many metro specs reference IEC 61537 fire class with evidence that the steel does not contribute significantly to fire load, which our HDG profile satisfies. Third, low-halogen cable compatibility: perforated trays with powder-coat finishes can off-gas halogens at elevated temperatures. HDG trays without organic coating are the correct choice for tunnel installations.

What makes a cable tray suitable for Zone 1 classified areas, does it need ATEX certification?

Cable trays are passive components and are not classified as electrical equipment under IEC 60079, they do not carry ATEX or IECEx certification marks. Compliance in Zone 1 and Zone 2 classified areas is achieved through the installation method, not through certification of the tray itself. What the standard (IEC 60079-14 Cl. 9.3.4) requires: all metallic cable management in a classified area must be electrically continuous and bonded to the facility earthing system, to prevent static charge accumulation that could create an ignition source. In practice this means: (1) A 4 mm² minimum copper bonding conductor must run across every tray joint coupler, bolt connections through coupler plates alone are not sufficient. (2) The tray run must be connected to the main earthing system at both ends, with intermediate bonds at ≤30 m intervals for runs exceeding 30 m. (3) Hot-dip galvanized mild steel or fibreglass (GRP) are the accepted tray materials in most Gulf and international classified area specifications. ARAMCO SAES-P-104 adds specific fill ratio and support spacing requirements beyond IEC.

What does ARAMCO SAES-P-104 require for cable tray material, fill ratio, and documentation?

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard SAES-P-104 (Design and Installation of Cable Management Systems) specifies: material, hot-dip galvanized mild steel (for power and earthing runs) or fibreglass GRP (for instrumentation in classified areas); maximum fill ratio, 50% (more conservative than IEC 61537's 40% for ladder trays); support spacing, maximum 1,500 mm between bracket centres for horizontal runs, 900 mm for vertical runs; bonding, stainless steel bonding links across every tray joint, not clip-type spring connectors. Documentation required for ARAMCO project submissions: EN 10204 Type 3.1 MTC for the tray steel, HDG coating inspection report per ASTM A123 with actual XRF measurement values, dimensional inspection report confirming sheet thickness and rung pitch, and an engineering data sheet in ARAMCO-compatible format. Note: for named ARAMCO projects, suppliers must typically obtain project-specific approval against SAES-A-004 (Approved Vendor List), this is a pre-qualification process, not a standing product approval. We have prepared SAES-P-104 compliant document packages for EPC contractors on multiple ARAMCO project submissions.

What is the difference between LPL I, II, III and IV in IEC 62305-3 lightning protection design?

IEC 62305-3 defines four Lightning Protection Levels (LPL) based on the rolling sphere radius and collection efficiency required to intercept lightning strokes before they reach the protected structure. LPL I uses a 20 m rolling sphere (collection efficiency ≥98%) and is required for structures with the highest consequence of lightning strike: petrochemical facilities, explosive materials stores, critical data centres, and hospitals. LPL II uses a 30 m sphere (95% efficiency) and applies to large public buildings and industrial facilities with fire risk. LPL III uses a 45 m sphere (90%) for commercial warehouses and manufacturing facilities without explosive content. LPL IV uses a 60 m sphere (80%) for residential and low-risk structures. The practical implication: smaller rolling sphere radius = air terminals positioned closer together, more down conductors (one per 10 m perimeter for LPL I and II; one per 15 m for LPL III and IV), and deeper earth termination. Any structure with flammable, explosive or high-value content must be classified LPL I or II minimum, including rooftop inverter rooms on commercial buildings and substation control buildings. The LPL classification drives the entire material schedule: conductor sizing, earth electrode depth, and surge protection device rating.