The calculation, without hidden assumptions
Estimate straight cable-ladder self-weight from the actual side-rail and rung section masses. This is intentionally different from sheet cable tray: a ladder is two longitudinal rails plus repeated transverse rungs. Manufacturer kg/m remains final procurement truth.
How to use this calculator
Enter the published or separately calculated linear mass of one side rail.
Enter rung section linear mass, clear/overall rung length represented by ladder width, and centre-to-centre rung spacing.
Use mm/in and m/ft units as needed.
Enter straight piece length and physical quantity; optionally add procurement allowance and rate/kg.
Compare with manufacturer kg/m before procurement because joints, welds, hardware, profile details and finishes change finished mass.
Where people use it
- •Preliminary cable-ladder self-weight and logistics takeoff.
- •Compare rung-spacing effects while holding rail/rung profiles constant.
- •Estimate project mass from known structural section kg/m values.
- •Reverse a handling target into whole equal-length ladder pieces.
- •Reconcile a rail-and-rung estimate against supplier catalogue kg/m.
Example: two 2 kg/m rails + 1 kg/m rungs, 300 mm wide at 300 mm centres
1000 ÷ 300 gives 3.333 rungs/m. Each metre of ladder contains about 1.0 m of rung length, contributing 1 kg/m. Two rails contribute 4 kg/m, so the idealized ladder is 5 kg/m. Ten 3 m pieces weigh 150 kg before allowance.
What the result does not assume
- •Rail and rung inputs are linear masses of the actual sections, not sheet thicknesses. Use defensible section data.
- •The model assumes uniform rung spacing and uses ladder width as rung length; rail connections or inset rung geometry can change finished mass.
- •Splice plates, bolts, weld metal, bends, tees, reducers, covers, supports and accessories are excluded.
- •Galvanizing, paint and manufacturing tolerances are not silently added.
- •Self-weight is not safe working load. Cable load capacity depends on tested construction, support span, deflection and manufacturer/standard data.
- •Use manufacturer certified mass and load tables for final procurement, lifting and structural/support design.
Frequently asked questions
How is cable ladder weight per metre calculated?+
Add the mass of two side rails per metre to the rung contribution. Rung contribution is rungs per metre multiplied by rung length and rung-section kg/m.
Is cable ladder weight the same as perforated cable tray weight?+
No. A ladder uses two rails plus discrete rungs; a perforated tray is usually formed sheet. MAXScanner keeps these as distinct calculation owners.
How does rung spacing affect weight?+
Closer spacing increases the number of rungs per metre and therefore increases ladder self-weight when the rail and rung profiles stay unchanged.
Can I calculate GI cable ladder weight?+
Yes when you have defensible rail and rung kg/m. Finished galvanizing and fabrication differences should be reconciled against the manufacturer catalogue mass.
Why can supplier kg/m differ from this result?+
Real products include profile radii, slots, connectors, welds, finish and tolerances. The optional supplier field exposes the variance instead of hiding it.
Does this calculator determine safe cable load?+
No. Product load capacity depends on span, construction and tested load/deflection data. Use the manufacturer load table and applicable requirements.
Semantic next steps
Continue the calculation
These links move to a different input, formula or project stage rather than a keyword variation of this page.
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MAXScanner keeps the formula and assumptions beside the result so you can verify the number before using it in a drawing, estimate, specification, worksheet or document. Where a supplier, manufacturer, drawing or applicable standard owns a requirement, that source remains authoritative.