Revit cable tray diameter specification

In Revit, cable tray diameters and dimensions are controlled through system family settings and size tables, with some hard-coded minimum limits and separate parameters for fittings and straight runs.

Cable Tray Size and Diameter Settings

Revit cable trays are system families, meaning their dimensions are predefined but can be customized within certain limits. The Size table allows you to specify the cable tray sizes available in your project, including width, height, and depth, which indirectly define the "diameter" for round or circular trays . The Cable Tray Settings pane provides options such as:

• Cable Tray Fitting Annotation Size: Controls the plotted size of fittings in single-line views.
• Cable Tray Size Separator and Suffix: Defines how sizes are displayed (e.g., 12" x 4"), .

Limitations and Workarounds

Revit imposes minimum size restrictions for cable trays. For example, you cannot create trays smaller than 25mm (0.984 inches) in width or height . This limitation applies to straight runs, while fittings may allow more flexibility in thickness or flange dimensions . Users often modify fitting families to adjust side plate thickness, but straight runs remain constrained by the system family parameters . If your design requires smaller or non-standard diameters, common workarounds include:

• Using detail components or keynotes to indicate non-standard dimensions for presentation purposes .
• Submitting a feature request to Autodesk for additional size flexibility .

Selecting and Applying Dimensions

When placing a cable tray in Revit:

• Use the drop-down list in the electrical system settings to select the desired diameter or dimension for the tray .
• The Height reference determines whether the construction height is measured from the top, center, or bottom edge.
• The Side reference aligns the tray to the left, middle, or right edge during placement . These settings ensure that the tray aligns correctly with other MEP components and maintains consistency across the project.

Additional Resources

For more precise modeling, you can download manufacturer-specific BIM objects for cable trays, which include predefined sizes and diameters compatible with Revit . This approach helps maintain accuracy and reduces the need for manual adjustments. In summary, Revit allows customization of cable tray diameters within system family limits, with separate parameters for fittings and straight runs. Understanding the size table, height/side references, and annotation settings is key to accurately specifying cable tray dimensions in your project.