Are cable trays permitted to be used as equipment grounding conductors?

Cable trays can indeed serve as equipment grounding conductors, but they must meet specific requirements set forth by industry standards and codes. This is because not all cable trays are designed or constructed to provide adequate grounding capabilities. To be utilized effectively as grounding conductors, the trays need to ensure a continuous, low-resistance path to ground, and they must be properly bonded at their connections.

Furthermore, the materials used for the trays, their installation methods, and their compatibility with the conductive materials being grounded all play significant roles in determining whether they can be used in this capacity. Compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards, such as the National Electrical Code (NEC), is essential to ensure safety and functionality.

In this context, the other options do not accurately reflect the requirements or limitations associated with using cable trays as grounding conductors. For example, the option implying unrestricted use fails to recognize the importance of meeting specific criteria to ensure safety and compliance. Similarly, suggesting that they can only be used under certain conditions, such as wet locations, does not encapsulate the full spectrum of requirements regarding grounding practices.