PV Cable Tray Sizing Calculator

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Geometric tray sizing aid — verify installation rules. The workbook uses cable cross-sectional/envelope area and a project fill factor. This does not check cable current derating, segregation, support spacing, tray mechanical load, bending radius, EMC, fire requirements or manufacturer-specific usable dimensions.

1. Cable Inventory & Fill Basis

PV cable description

PV cable quantityNo.

PV cable ODmm

Earth cable quantityNo.

Earth cable ODmm

PV cable description

Twin cable quantityNo.

Twin cable widthmm

Twin cable heightmm

Earth cable quantityNo.

Earth cable ODmm

Allowable tray fill%

Tray depth basismm

The newly attached workbook states a 40% tray-fill basis. This web tool applies the entered fill limit consistently to required area and tray pass/fail, while allowing the project limit to be changed when a different verified basis applies.

2. Layer Width Check

Single-layer width

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GEOMETRY

Two-layer width

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GEOMETRY

Three-layer width

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GEOMETRY

Layer widths are simple side-by-side geometric widths. They do not add cable spacing, cleats, separators, bends, spare capacity or thermal grouping clearances.

Tray Fill Results

Total cable area

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mm²

Required tray area

—

mm² at selected fill

Selected fill limit

—

project input

First passing tray

—

from listed options

PV cable area contribution

—

CALC

Earth cable area contribution

—

CALC

Total cable area

—

CALC

Required gross tray area

—

FILL BASIS

Tray Options

Tray option	Gross area	Fill	Status

Tray area is width × entered depth. Actual usable cable area may be less due to tray construction, side rails, dividers and project installation requirements.

Workbook recommendation check: the attached workbook states a fixed recommendation of 300 × 50 mm. With its current default cable quantities and stated 40% fill basis, the calculated fill of a 300 × 50 mm tray exceeds 40%. This web tool therefore identifies the first listed tray that actually meets the selected fill limit rather than forcing the workbook’s fixed recommendation.

Engineering Limitations

Fill factor: treat the entered percentage as a project/design input and verify the governing Standard, specification and tray/cable manufacturer's requirements.

Current carrying capacity: tray fill does not demonstrate cable ampacity. Separately check ambient temperature, grouping, mutual heating, solar exposure and installation method.

Mechanical design: separately verify tray span, cable weight, wind/cyclonic loads where applicable, supports, corrosion category, bonding/earthing and fire/segregation requirements.

Important notice and disclaimer
This calculator is provided by JETS Energy as a general engineering planning aid only. Results are generated from user-entered cable dimensions, quantities, fill assumptions and simplified geometric calculations and may not reflect all project, manufacturer, installation, environmental, mechanical, thermal, fire, statutory or site-specific requirements. JETS Energy does not warrant or guarantee that the information, calculations or results are accurate, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. Users must independently verify cable dimensions, tray usable dimensions, fill limits, spacing, current-carrying-capacity derating, support design, applicable Standards and manufacturer requirements before relying on the calculator for design, procurement, installation, construction, certification or operation. To the maximum extent permitted by law, JETS Energy excludes liability for loss, damage, cost or expense arising from use of, or reliance on, this calculator or its results. Nothing in this notice excludes, restricts or modifies any right, guarantee, liability or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law or other applicable law.