Vertical cable trays in Revit can be created using the MEP Fabrication extension or by placing vertical fittings and adjusting orientation in section or elevation views.

Using Revit MEP Fabrication Extension

1. Draw the cable tray in plan view using Revit's built-in cable tray tool.
2. Switch to a section or elevation view that shows the side of the cable tray.
3. Use the Rotate tool to rotate the cable tray vertically so it stands upright .
4. Ensure the tray aligns with walls or other vertical elements as needed.

Using Cable Tray Fittings

1. Select “Cable Tray with Fittings” in the type selector.
2. Edit Type to include vertical fittings such as vertical inside bend or vertical outside bend.
3. Set routing preferences including bend radius and offsets.
4. Place the vertical fitting at the desired elevation before drawing the tray run.
5. Draw the cable tray run connecting to the fitting; this allows the tray to follow a vertical path .

Workarounds for System Family Limitations

• Revit system families cannot always be rotated freely in 3D. To overcome this:
  • Place a cable tray fitting first, then draw the tray run from the fitting.
  • Alternatively, create a Generic Model Line-Based family using a cable tray profile to achieve vertical orientation while maintaining schedule compatibility .

Additional Tips

• Check offsets and reference levels to ensure the tray aligns correctly with floors or ceilings .
• Use perpendicular section views to verify vertical alignment.
• Avoid over-modeling; sometimes plan views are sufficient to convey vertical routing information without complex 3D modeling .
• Adjust width, height, and bend radius in the cable tray type properties to match project requirements . By combining these methods, you can create vertical cable trays in Revit that are both visually accurate and compatible with MEP scheduling and documentation.