1. Structural Innovation: Open Mesh Trays Expand into More Scenarios

Wire mesh cable trays, a typical open‑architecture product, have continued to expand into more application scenarios in 2024. Made of welded steel wires in a honeycomb-like grid structure, this design fundamentally changes the enclosed or semi‑enclosed format of traditional solid‑bottom or ladder trays. The cables are fully exposed to ambient airflow, bringing three core advantages:

First, significantly improved heat dissipation. In data centers, the open structure allows cold air from air conditioners to flow directly through the tray, reducing cable surface temperature by 5–8 °C. This extends cable life and reduces heat‑induced data transmission faults. After adopting mesh trays, a large Internet company reported a 30 % improvement in heat dissipation efficiency compared to traditional enclosed trays.

Second, high installation flexibility. Mesh trays can be cut, bent, and joined on site without special tools, enabling quick fabrication of 90° bends, tees, and other complex shapes, thus greatly shortening project schedules. In a commercial complex project, the use of modular mesh trays reduced the original 7‑day cabling period to just 3 days.

Third, much easier maintenance and operation. The open structure makes cable status visible at a glance, allowing maintenance staff to quickly locate damage, aging, or other faults. Field data show that mesh trays can cut fault finding time from an average of 2 hours to 15 minutes – an eight‑fold improvement in operational efficiency.

Regarding material innovation, metal mesh trays are now available in three main systems: hot‑dip galvanised steel, 316L stainless steel, and aluminium alloy, targeting corrosion‑prone chemical plants, coastal salt‑spray environments, and lightweight high‑rise buildings, respectively. After adopting 316L mesh trays, an offshore wind platform in Zhuhai achieved 25‑year maintenance‑free operation, reducing total lifecycle cost by 60 %.

2. Standard Upgrades: Multiple Industry Regulations Issued in 2024

2024 has been an important year for the establishment of cable tray standards. Several national and group standards have been issued or revised, providing essential technical guidance for high‑quality industry development.

On July 1, 2024, group standard T/CI 398‑2024 Corrosion and Fire Resistant Metal Cable Tray officially came into effect. Managed by the China International Association for Science and Technology Promotion, this standard defines terminology, classification, technical requirements, test methods, and inspection rules for steel or aluminium alloy cable trays used in indoor/outdoor industrial and civil buildings as well as high/low voltage power transmission and distribution projects. Its publication marks a clearer regulatory basis for corrosion and fire performance of cable trays.

At the same time, the long‑awaited machinery industry standard JB/T 10216 Cable Trays for Electric Control and Distribution completed its approval process in 2024. The new version replaces the 2013 version, updates technical requirements, materials, structural requirements, and test methods, and specifically adds test requirements for wire mesh metal cable trays. This revision directly responds to the growing use of mesh trays in data centers and other applications.

Additionally, group standard T/CEEIA 714‑2023 Polymer Alloy Phosphogypsum Flame‑Retardant Cable Tray issued by the China Electrical Equipment Industry Association became effective in September 2023, filling an industry standard gap for phosphogypsum trays and providing a normative basis for environmentally friendly new tray materials.