Setting Up Electrical Plan For Devices

[omorah]

Hello folks,

Am starting to learn to create Revit Electrical Power Plan.
I started with a Revit sample file (Arch Link Model.rvt) so as to have an already set model file.

I duplicated 01 - Floor plan and renamed it "01 - Power Plan", then I loaded the Electrical Terminal Families.
Some tutorial videos would use the System > Device while another tutorial would use Architectural > Components. What are the differences? With either the Components or Devices, I could not place a receptacle on any wall in the "01 - Power Plan".

My other important question would be. To create a Revit Power Plan, should it be with Revit or MEP software?

What in the world am I doing wrong?
Thanks in advance.

[barthbradley]

Actually, the question is really what is the difference between a MEP and Architectural Electrical Family. Answer: Connectors.  MEPs have them.  They can be used in Systems.  They have special Mensa Powers.  

[RobDraw]

Revit will give you warnings when you aren't placing something properly or it isn't visible in the view. Pay attention to them. My first guess is that you did place the outlets but they aren't visible in the view.

[omorah]

Ok, I get the difference. Won't be wrong to say MEP is Revit on 'virtual' steroids!

Though we are electrical/mechanical office, just five in the electrical work, we don't do the heavy-deep-electrical detailing. We have Autodesk subscriptions with the whole shebang. The electrical menu in Autodesk Revit is all we need just as you showed in "Outlet-Duplex Architectural"; the circle and two lines. However, will still need to create panel schedules from these devices.

We did out first Revit project where I could get away with just placing receptacles I created into a Revit family. The panel schedules were from Excel files into Revit. I need to learn creating an electrical floor plan with device components and then create panel schedules from them. My issue is creating the right floor plan. I had used a project Autodesk sample from the Revit folder, created a duplicate, but that did not work; the devices were not coming in (or not showing correctly, though I did not get warning except the cursor circle with a cross line in it). That I know the receptacle need to be on a wall if using the correct family.

Sure I can start well if I can create/use the right floor plan for it, which is what I need to learn to practice and need help from you all, please. Still looking for a 'good' tutorial to use to learn the process.

Thanks you all for the replies.

[barthbradley]

I don't know what you mean by  "we don't do heavy-deep-electrical detailing".   If you are a MEP/Electrical firm, then I would assume you are doing more than "detailing" -- that you are tasked with PLANNING Systems (i.e. Power System, Switch System, etc.).  If so, you would use MEP Families for the reasons I stated above.  The Architectural cannot be used in Systems.  

Regarding the symbol you described (e.g. cursor circle with a cross line in it); that symbol is indicating the the component you are trying to place cannot find a host.  In other words, if you are trying to place a  wall-hosted component, such as a Duplex Outlet, you need to hover your mouse over a wall.   Hover the mouse over anything else but a wall and you'll see the cursor circle with a cross line in it.  

Regarding tutorials, there are plenty on-line. Your Google search keywords should include "SYSTEM".   Here's one for you:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIhTYjTI29c

[omorah]

In the office, we don't do detailing, so, the Systems would not be what we would be using. The simple receptacle family like the circle with two lines is all we need (as an example). Since I am somewhat new to Revit, I have learned a few things about Families.

No matter where I try to insert the device, it will not 'stick'. Maybe am not either using the 'correct' floor plan model or the 'correct' device family. Am looking for a project file with devices I can practice with to know what and where my mistakes are.

Thanks again.

[RobDraw]

Revit comes with sample systems projects and tutorials. Have you tried those, yet?

[omorah]

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@barthbradley wrote:

Regarding tutorials, there are plenty on-line. Your Google search keywords should include "SYSTEM".   Here's one for you:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIhTYjTI29c

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I apologize I missed the last part of your post with the tutorial link. Just opened it. Will go through it shortly.

Thanks, well appreciated.

[barthbradley]

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@omorah wrote:

No matter where I try to insert the device, it will not 'stick'. 

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Do you know what I mean when I say "Host"?  Do you have a Wall in the View to "Host" the receptacle?  If not, you need to place one first. 

I'm curious to know what kind of MEP/Electrical firm doesn't plan Systems.  That would be kind of like a Structural firm that doesn't do any engineering.  What does your firm do exactly?   

[ToanDN]

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@omorah wrote:

Hello folks,

Am starting to learn to create Revit Electrical Power Plan.
I started with a Revit sample file (Arch Link Model.rvt) so as to have an already set model file.

I duplicated 01 - Floor plan and renamed it "01 - Power Plan", then I loaded the Electrical Terminal Families.
Some tutorial videos would use the System > Device while another tutorial would use Architectural > Components. What are the differences? With either the Components or Devices, I could not place a receptacle on any wall in the "01 - Power Plan".

My other important question would be. To create a Revit Power Plan, should it be with Revit or MEP software?

What in the world am I doing wrong?
Thanks in advance.

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Skip the Architectural library.  For what you do, use the content under the MEP library so the devices are face based and you can place them on linked models.  They are built with proper connectors so that you can connect them to panels and create panel schedules and whatnots.