Cable Tray Clash Detection
Method & Assumptions
Clash detection uses Axis-Aligned Bounding Box (AABB) tests to check for interference between every pair of tray segments defined in the Raceway Schedule.
Hard Clash — The 3D bounding envelopes of two trays physically overlap. This is a definite routing conflict that must be resolved before installation.
Soft Clash / Clearance Violation — Two trays are separated by less than the minimum clearance distance. Per NEMA VE 2 §8.4, a minimum 3-inch (0.25 ft) clear space is recommended between adjacent runs for maintenance access and future cable pulling.
Each tray envelope is computed as a box centred on the run axis: ½ × width in the plan axes and full depth in the vertical axis. Trays must have start/end coordinates (X, Y, Z), inside width, and tray depth populated in the Raceway Schedule.
References: NEMA VE 2-2013 §8.4 (Clearances), IEC 61537 §8.3.
See also: Raceway Schedule, Tray Hardware BOM, Support Span Calculator.