Revit cable tray material

Cable tray materials in Revit can be assigned via Object Styles, and detailed material lists can be generated using Revit schedules or by downloading manufacturer-specific BIM families.

Assigning Materials in Revit

In Revit, cable tray materials are managed through Manage > Object Styles > Cable Tray & Cable Tray Fitting. Here, you can assign a default material for all cable trays and fittings in your project . Unlike duct or piping systems, cable trays do not have system-based material overrides, so differentiating materials for different tray types typically requires view filters or view templates to control color and appearance in plans, sections, and 3D views .

Generating a Material List

To create a material list or schedule for cable trays:

1. Go to View > Schedules > Material Takeoff.
2. Select Cable Tray as the category.
3. Include fields such as Type, Material, Size, and Manufacturer.
4. Apply filters if you want to separate trays by material or duty (light, medium, heavy). This schedule will provide a comprehensive list of all cable tray materials used in the project, which can be exported to Excel or PDF for documentation.

Downloadable Cable Tray Families

Several sources provide pre-built Revit families for cable trays:

• BIMsmith Market: Offers free Revit families with specifications, cut sheets, and installation guides .
• BIMobject: Provides manufacturer-specific cable tray BIM objects that can be loaded directly into Revit .
• Metsec Cable Tray Systems: Includes a range of materials such as mild steel (pre-galvanized or hot-dip galvanized) and stainless steel (316L), with downloadable Revit components .
• Free Revit Models: Offers generic cable tray families suitable for electrical rooms, commercial, and industrial layouts .

Material Options

Common materials for cable trays include:

• Mild Steel Pre-Galvanized: Standard for most commercial applications.
• Mild Steel Hot-Dip Galvanized: Provides additional corrosion resistance.
• Stainless Steel (316L): Used in highly corrosive or hygienic environments.
• Aluminum: Lightweight and corrosion-resistant, often used in industrial or outdoor settings .

Best Practices

• Use view templates and filters to visually differentiate cable tray materials in Revit.
• Always check manufacturer specifications when selecting materials for load capacity and environmental suitability.
• Keep your material schedule updated as you add or modify cable trays to maintain accurate project documentation. By combining Revit's Object Styles, schedules, and downloadable BIM families, you can efficiently manage and document all cable tray materials in your project.