How to flip a cable tray

Cable trays can be flipped or rotated using mirroring, Smart Tray functions, or face-based families, depending on your modeling software and installation needs.

Flipping Straight Cable Trays

In Smart Tray, you can flip a straight cable tray by 180 degrees without changing its length. This swaps the positions of the first and second ports, allowing you to adjust the tray length from the opposite end or correct the orientation of connected bends using the FLIPTRAYBEND function . This is particularly useful when some bends are upside down or when you need to measure tray length from the other port.

Using Revit Workarounds

Revit does not natively allow placing cable trays upside down or rotating them along their cross-section axis . However, you can use these approaches:

• Mirror in Section: Place the tray normally, then create a section view and mirror the tray using a reference line. Note that after trimming or copying, the tray may revert to its default orientation, so careful placement is required .
• Face-Based Families: Create a face-based cable tray family classified under Electrical Equipment. This allows the tray to follow walls or ceilings vertically, effectively rotating the channel to match installation requirements. You can adjust the orientation by pressing the space bar to rotate the tray along the hosting surface .

Considerations for Installation

When flipping trays in a model, ensure that connections remain secure and aligned. Properly connected trays maintain system stability, prevent sagging, and allow for easy maintenance . Use splice plates, bolted connections, or quick-connect systems to ensure the flipped trays are mechanically sound.

Summary

• Smart Tray: Flip straight trays and bends 180° to swap ports and correct orientation.
• Revit Mirroring: Mirror trays in section views, but watch for default orientation resets.
• Face-Based Families: Create custom trays that can rotate along walls or ceilings for vertical or inverted placement.
• Installation Safety: Ensure connections are secure to maintain stability and ease of maintenance. By combining these methods, you can effectively flip or rotate cable trays in your design to meet both modeling and real-world installation requirements.