We are constantly working for a client that requires us to add panels or electrical information to existing panels. I know you can add a spare to a panel to create an "existing" circuit in the schedule but I have a distribution panel that I need to show existing equipment but it's impossible for me to show how it's fed or what feeds it. Is there any way to make that distribution panel as my "service entrance" to trick Revit so I can show an existing ATS in it?
If I'm understanding this correctly, perhaps you should just place a Distribution Panel, designate it as existing, place Spares (or a single Spare) in that panel to simulate the existing loads (manual entry), and then connect this DP to your Main Service.
Edit:
Let me try this again. If you need to show such information for a Panel without creating the "upstream" panels, create Project Parameters (Instance/Text/Electrical Equipment) for the purposes of manually entering this data. Then, duplicate your Panel Schedule Template and modify it to report those Parameters instead of the default "Supply From", etc.
This is a better explanation of my question:
I have an existing Switchboard that is fed from a substation and it has two existing circuits in it as of now. I am adding a new distribution panel to it but need to create an existing switchboard panel schedule to reflect the new addition as well as show the existing two circuits. In my previous question about adding existing circuits I was told I could add a spare and edit that information which did work. But, when I try to add a piece of equipment that is existing to the panel by using add a spare, I cannot change the # of poles,etc. I need the load to update when adding the new distribution panel. Any way to do this?
You are using the "Spare" method to simulate the existing load for this equipment, right? If so, you should be able to change the Number of Poles, but that Parameter must be its own field and must not be part of a "Combined Parameters" field - those will not display the correct value, anyway (a bug, of sorts). Your best method of simulating the existing loads in some cases may be to use a proxy Family, which is connected to the appropriate Panel using the normal methods.
Refer to >>this thread<< for such a Family that you can enter whatever electrical values, place near the Panel, and circuit.