What does the NEC say, if anything, about...

[JonathanN]

...cable (both 5kV and 480V) exiting cable tray. Note the cable is not armored cable. Let us say that cable is exiting the cable tray...travelling some distance...then terminating at the pecker-head. Is there some maximum distance this cable can travel before it needs to be protected by flex (sealtite) or rigid conduit? Looking for something in “black-and-white” if at all possible. Thanks in advance!

I attempted to attach a couple photos of instances that spawned such a question; however, it timed out. The photos are small (60-70k).

 

[dpc]

Maximum distance is zero per NEC, unless the cable is listed for being run unprotected. See Article 336 in NEC.