Q & A of the Day – Why use GRP for managing cables rather than steel?

Question: Concerning cable ladder and tray systems, why would I use GRP for managing cables rather than steel?

Answer: GRP tray, ladder and troughing are excellent alternative solutions to steel for situations where corrosion, weather and temperatures are an issue - for example, for road, sea and rail installations, or for installation within the petrochemical, process plant and energy distribution industries.

GRP systems are also approximately 40% lighter than steel, making them much easier to handle and use. In terms of corrosion resistance, GRP withstands most chemicals, atmospheric corrosion, UV, saline, combustion gas, lactic agents, base acids. In terms of fire performance, GRP systems are self-extinguishing to UL94-Vo and do not emit toxic fumes or halogen. Fire classification is M1, io, Fo; ASTM E84, Class 2 or Class 1; BS 476 Part 7, Class 2 or 1.

Howard Wheeler (MIET) of Qualter Hall & Co Ltd., emailed to add this very relevent comment: 'Thank you for your good description of where GRP tray is more usefull than steel. However, you neglected to mention that GRP tray gives no EMC shielding to the installation, whereas cables fitted (especially into the edges) of steel tray that is correctly bonded (from an EMC point of view) gives increased EMI protection both to and from the installation.’

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