Due to their exposure to the open air because of the cable trays, the wires contained within need a very durable outer covering. The regulations dictate that the cables must either be Type TC (also known as Tray Rated) or must be metal-armored (Type MC). Cable trays are a support system for electrical cables, power, signal, and communication and optical fiber cables. Grounding: Metallic trays can serve as equipment grounding conductors (EGC) if they meet NEC requirements. Tray can be manufactured in various types of material including aluminum, steel and fiber and other nonmetallic materials. In complex industrial environments, these components often overlap or interconnect, making. The exception is that 9 inches is the maximum allowable rung spacing for a ladder cable tray supporting any 1/0 through 4/0 single conductor cables [See Section 392.