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Any low voltage contractors using MEP?

11 REPLIES 11
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Message 1 of 12
jtechsmith
2707 Views, 11 Replies

Any low voltage contractors using MEP?

Looking for some advice from designers and drafters who work for low voltage comapnies that use MEP for designing there systems in a building. Tips on how you use the program, what customizations have you created, etc. I'm in the need for some good tips on how to use the wire tool and customizing panels effectivly for seting up my system.

 

11 REPLIES 11
Message 2 of 12
Joshua.Benoist
in reply to: jtechsmith

Here in support, I have seen a lot of companies using wire for low-voltage.  MEP will not size low-voltage wires and will not make special low-voltage panel schedules that work different from power panel schedules.  So users tend to use the wires for low voltage plan diagrams. Then use regular AutoCAD tables for scheduling.

 

Hope this helps,

Joshua

 

 


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Joshua Benoist, PE
Senior Premium Services Specialist
Global Services
Autodesk, Inc.

Message 3 of 12

Following up.  Did the info help?  Does anyone else here in the forums have info to add?  Jump right in.

Joshua

 

 


______________________________________________________________

If my post answers your question, please click the "Accept as Solution" button. This helps everyone find answers more quickly!



Joshua Benoist, PE
Senior Premium Services Specialist
Global Services
Autodesk, Inc.

Message 4 of 12
jtechsmith
in reply to: Joshua.Benoist

I guess it gives me some bit of an idea. Question though, if lots of people and companies are using wire for low voltage why not make this accommodation in the software along with panels. Out of the box it has some low voltage icons such as smoke detectors. If there is a way I can custom create a panel for such information. Is there any known third party plugin programs for this? Low voltage equipment and hardware is still a major part in building infrastructure.

Message 5 of 12
Joshua.Benoist
in reply to: jtechsmith

This feature does not yet exist in the program.

 

We do believe that a low voltage feature that includes low voltage panel schedules would be very helpful to have in the program, and feel that you raise a very good case for enhancing the product. 

 

If you would take the time to go here: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=1109794

 

This is a feedback page where customers can make suggestions. This page is monitored by product managers who affect real change and this request can go a long way in changing the product for the better.

 

Have a great day.

 

Joshua

 

 


______________________________________________________________

If my post answers your question, please click the "Accept as Solution" button. This helps everyone find answers more quickly!



Joshua Benoist, PE
Senior Premium Services Specialist
Global Services
Autodesk, Inc.

Message 6 of 12
jtechsmith
in reply to: jtechsmith

quick update 2014 before its released! Smiley Very Happy

Message 7 of 12
Mark_Richards
in reply to: jtechsmith

Late reply but here it is..

 

We use MEP extensively for fire alarm but out of the box it's useless, we had to beat it into submission over the course of years.  We have created devices with property sets for device addresses, horn mA, speaker watts, Etc.  We have schedule tables which extract this info to show NAC load per circuit, addrssable device details, etc.  

 

All of our blocks for creating riser diagrams have a wipeout as part of the block and are designed to work on a pre-defined grid template.  It's pretty quick.  We have a similar aproachfor data nad security.

 

I have attached a sample sheet, the address you see on devices is a smart tag, created from property set data, same with the NAC circut on  horns, device totals, Etc, all automatically created.

 

Good luck.

Message 8 of 12
jtechsmith
in reply to: Mark_Richards

Incredible. Thanks for responding. I will send you a message later for I have several questions regarding how the heck to program blocks as panels and proform the functions. We have some great blocks that list attributes and model numbers etc. Our big problem is how to add battery and panel load calculators into a panel block.

Message 9 of 12
mgerbasio
in reply to: jtechsmith

I found AlarmCAD which can work with or without AutoCAD. It's expensive and I'll probably get the stand-alone version since its the same price. It isn't as smooth as AutoCAD, I'm finishing the 30 day trial.

Message 10 of 12
VitalyF
in reply to: jtechsmith

Hi,

 

This is an example of the use of wires and devices to create the table "from - to"

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus - this free utils Guide (rus) and other

 

Sample MEP project

 

Guide ENU

 

 acadvaf@yandex.ru

 

Vitaly

 

Message 11 of 12
mgerbasio
in reply to: VitalyF

Vitaly,

Are you saying you have a separate app that plugs into AutoCAD or the the MEP version does this automatically?

 

Regards-Michael G.

Message 12 of 12
VitalyF
in reply to: mgerbasio

Hi Michael,

 

These are my  free tools for MEP, see Bonus.txt, Bonus.zip, Wirelength_About.docx - User guid - eng

 

https://sites.google.com/site/byvitaly/home

 

 

 

Regards.

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