Flip down the cable tray

You can flip a cable tray downwards by using a mirror or flip function in your CAD/BIM software, or by using specialized tools like Smart Tray to invert straight trays and bends.

Flipping Straight Cable Trays

In software like Smart Tray, you can flip a straight cable tray 180 degrees, which swaps the positions of the first and second ports. This allows you to adjust the tray orientation so that the tray can be measured or extended from the opposite end without changing its length . This is particularly useful when the tray needs to be inverted under a slab or in a shallow ceiling void. In Revit, creating an upside-down tray directly is not natively supported. A common workaround is to create the tray normally and then mirror it in a section view using a reference line. However, after trimming or copying, the tray may revert to its default orientation, so careful placement and repeated mirroring may be necessary .

Flipping Cable Tray Bends

If bends are upside down, Smart Tray provides a FLIPTRAYBEND function to correct their orientation. This ensures that both ports of the bend are properly aligned with connected trays or pipes . In Revit, bends may require manual adjustment or using MEP Fabrication parts to achieve vertical or inverted orientations .

Using Elbow Joints for Vertical Orientation

For physical installations, elbow joints can be used to change a cable tray's orientation from horizontal to vertical or inverted. These joints typically allow a -90° to +90° rotation, enabling the tray to be mounted downward or at an angle as needed .

Planning and Installation Tips

• Plan the route carefully to identify where inversion or offsets are required .
• Use appropriate connectors and fittings to maintain secure attachment when flipping trays.
• Check port alignment after flipping to ensure proper connectivity for extensions or bends.
• Consider model-in-place versions in Revit if standard mirroring does not maintain the inverted orientation . By combining software functions like flip/mirror and physical components like elbow joints, you can successfully invert cable trays for tight spaces, maintenance access, or under-slab installations.