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Stainless Steel Enclosed Wireway v Stainless Steel Wire Basket Tray – Which is best?

Stainless Steel Enclosed Wireway v Stainless Steel Wire Basket Tray – Which is best?

Overview

The wiring infrastructure in a production facility plays a crucial role in ensuring operational efficiency, durability, and compliance with both hygiene and safety standards. When considering cable management solutions, several factors must be considered, including cable routing, type and environmental factors. While various containment systems, such as ladder racks, perforated trays, and conduit, are available, this article focuses on low-level interconnection installations for production equipment. Given the hygienically sensitive nature of these areas, the typical choice is between an enclosed NEMA Type 1 wireway system or an open stainless steel basket solution.

Here we evaluate the merits of  both systems 

Stainless Steel NEMA Type 1 Wireway

Stainless steel NEMA Type 1 wireways are a traditional enclosed cable management system designed to protect electrical wiring from physical damage and environmental exposure. Lasnek have supplied these systems to both end users and contactors supporting production facilities -including bottling plants - for over 25 years. 

Advantages

Protection & Hygiene

  • The enclosed construction design provides physical protection of both the wiring and void from ingress of falling debris and liquids and debrisWhile the construction provides strength, cables can easily be accessed by removing the cover
  • NEMA Type 1 systems, while offering limited water ingress protection, are designed as 'lay-in' systems, providing the advantage of quick and easy cable installation and removal
  • Should the application require additional ingress protection, a ‘pull through’ NEMA 4X is available
  • Both systems are available in either 304 or 316 grade stainless
  • Allows for easy cleaning of all external surfaces.

Installation

  • Quick and easy to install. All Lasnek lengths and fittings are supplied with covers and joining hardware 
  • Type 1 is supplied in 3m / 10ft lengths and can be cut onsite using standard cutting equipment and practices
  • A wide range of pre-made fittings is available, helping to reduce on-site fabrication time
  • A wide range of widths and heights is available, with Lasnek supplying up to 24” wide options

EMI & Cable Segregation 

NEMA wireway construction effectively reduces the risk of airborne EMI affecting sensitive equipment located in close proximity to the wireway. EMI and potential interference with sensitive cables within the wireway can be minimised by maintaining proper separation and using a metal barrier or divider. This approach is especially effective when dealing with motor cables, particularly those using inverter PWM switching technology operating at high switching frequencies. Lasnek offers the option of barriers for both lengths and fittings 

Disadvantages

Installation

  • Additional layout planning its typically required
  • Specific cover fitting types and angles will need to be ordered prior
  • Onsite cutting restrictions in live areas
  • Additional fabrication requirements can lead to increased labor costs
  • Available bracket and supports may not suit every application 

Heat Management

  • Stainless steel is a poor conductor for heat dissipation 
  • Compliance with NEC wire fill rate regulations may require larger wireways
  • Potential de-rating of conductors may be necessary to prevent localised overheating 

Cost Implications:

  • Increased product material leads to higher initial purchase costs
  • Wireway lengths are volumetric products, which can result in higher logistics costs such as storage and shipping
  • Shipping 10ft / 3M lengths only through pallets freight companies with time and cost implications

Stainless Steel Wire Basket Tray

Wire basket trays, constructed from stainless steel wire rods, are known as open cable support systems. 

Originally designed for the building services industry, these systems have increasingly been used in industrial equipment and production areas in recent years

Advantages

Installation

  • Typically, only lengths are purchased, making the ordering process straightforward and efficient
  • Baskets can be joined using additional couplers or welded 
  • Bends and angles are easily formed by cutting specific wires from the basket length
  • Offers the flexibility to form complex angles, making it ideal for intricate installations
  • Can be cut in live areas using bolt croppers or pneumatic cutting equipment 
  • Easy to ship and store
  • Multiple freight options available for smaller dimensions or quantity 
  • Available in a wide range of dimensions up to 24” / 600mm

Ventilation

  • Typically, cables do not need de-rating 
  • NEC specifications allow for a higher fill rate compared to enclosed wireways
  • Provides increased usable area both vertically and horizontally, maximising tray capacity

Cost

  • Reduced cost due to less material used per length 
  • Indirect savings through fewer parts required and ordered
  • Reduced logistic costs for shipping and storage 

Disadvantages

Protection & Hygiene 

  • The open design can leave cables exposed to physical damage, contamination, or interference 
  • An open system is potentially more susceptible to unwanted debris and trap areas
  • All cables will require appropriate glanding techniques at control panels or auxiliary equipment
  • Exposed cables should not be bundled together but individually secured 
  • Limited cleaning options 

Installation

  • Correct cable clipping procedures are dependent on skill and experience of installation team.
  • All bends need manufacturing on site adding to labor time. 
  • Some tray manufacturers state the maximum distance that couplers and joins are from any support limiting position
  • Inferior products may require additional supports to prevent excessive tray deflection
  • Additional earth continuity and bonding may be required due to the removal of wires when forming bends
  • Installation needs to be undertaken by an experienced installer to avoid poor aesthetics 

Cost

  • Higher labor cost has to be offset against lower material costs 
  • Additional costs for additional fixings, joiners, brackets and fixing hardware can increase costs
  • Length costs are generally proportional to number and thickeness or wires used.

Comparison summary

Feature
Stainless Steel NEMA Wireway
Stainless Steel Wire Basket Tray
Code Compliance
Meets NEC Articles 376, 310, 250
Meets NEC Articles 392, 310, 250
Ingress Protection (IP / NEMA)
High; Enclosed system protects against Objects, dust and liquids
Low; Open design offers no ingress protection
Cable Separation (EMI)
Segregated channels comply with NEC 725/800
Requires proper cable routing per NEC 392
Wire Fill
Max 20% of cross-sectional area (NEC 376.22)
Max 50% of cross-sectional area (NEC 392.22)
Heat Dissipation
Limited; Potential cable derating per NEC 310.15(B)
Excellent; Unrestricted airflow
Hygiene Compliance
High; Smooth, cleanable surfaces
Moderate; May require specific cleaning
Flexibility/Modularity
Rigid and fixed
Highly modular and adaptable
Installation Complexity
Requires precision and specialized cutting tools
Easy to install, cut, and modify
Cost
Higher material costs lower labor cost
Lower material and higher labor costs

Summary 

Both stainless steel NEMA Type 1 wireway and stainless steel wire basket tray offer distinct advantages for cable management solutions within food and beverage production facilities. 

The final choice between wire basket or enclosed wireway system should be guided by the facility’s operational needs, regulatory requirements, and budget. It is advised that those tasked with overseeing any decision on which type of system used should consider both the commercial and technical aspects of each solution, While it is not unusual to have different solutions within one facility, it’s important to account for future expansions and product compatibility, especially on equipment supplied from multiple vendors. Ultimately, whatever the decision on which system or brand to implement, this should be communicated to those responsible for purchasing and procurement.

Lasnek.
1005 N Commons Drive, Aurora, IL 60504
Tel: 866-995-9337
Business Hours
Monday - Friday: 08:30 - 17:00 (CST)
Closed for Federal Holidays