To convert a vertical cable tray into a horizontal one in Revit, you can copy and rotate the vertical tray, adjust its position, and use appropriate fittings or face-based families to maintain alignment.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Copy and Rotate the Vertical Tray

   • Select the vertical cable tray and copy it twice. Rotate the middle copy 90° to align it horizontally above the desired location, such as electrical panels .
   • Use arrow keys to nudge the tray into precise position along walls or supports .

2. Adjust Length and Orientation

   • Select the horizontal tray and modify its length using temporary dimensions to match the required span .
   • Note that some standard controls, like connectors, may not behave as expected on horizontal trays; undo and manually adjust if necessary .

3. Add Cable Tray Fittings

   • In the Systems tab, select Cable Tray Fitting and choose a Ladder Horizontal Bend or other fitting type .
   • Hover over the ends of the vertical and horizontal trays to place the fitting. Sometimes the fitting may face the wrong direction; delete and reposition as needed .
   • For programmatic connections, use Revit API methods like NewElbowFitting or NewTeeFitting with the tray connectors as input .

4. Use Face-Based Families for Complex Rotations

   • If the tray needs to follow a vertical wall or non-standard orientation, create a face-based family classified under Electrical Equipment .
   • This allows the tray to follow a wall or height direction, effectively simulating a rotated horizontal tray while maintaining visibility in electrical views .

5. Verify Connections

   • Ensure that the horizontal tray aligns with vertical segments and that connectors are properly linked. Revit may automatically add connectors at midpoints when drawing manually .
   • Check that no unintended tee fittings or errors occur, especially if using API methods for automation .

Tips and Considerations

• Plan vs Elevation Views: Width is visible in plan, height in elevation; adjust accordingly .
• Limitations: Standard Revit cable trays cannot rotate about their cross-section axis; face-based families are a workaround .
• API Automation: Auto-generation of fittings is limited; explicit creation via API is required for programmatic workflows .

By following these steps, a vertical cable tray can be effectively converted into a horizontal configuration while maintaining proper alignment, fittings, and Revit visibility.