Provide Flexible Options for Transferring Electrical Loads Between Panels

[jose_Miquelao]

Description

Currently, Revit transfers electrical loads between panels according to the individual load classifications assigned to the connected circuits. This can be limiting in projects where the upstream panel should receive a calculated or predefined aggregate load.

The panel electrical connector should provide configurable options for how connected loads are transferred to the upstream panel.

Proposed Load Transfer Options 1. Maintain Individual Load Classifications

This option would preserve the current behavior:

• Loads remain separated according to their original classifications.
• Each classification uses its corresponding demand factor.
• The upstream panel receives the calculated loads by classification.

2. Combine All Loads Using the Panel Load Classification

Revit should provide an option to:

• Sum all connected loads.
• Ignore the individual load classifications of the downstream circuits.
• Apply the load classification assigned to the receiving panel’s electrical connector.
• Transfer the combined load to the upstream panel as a single load classification.

This option would be useful when the demand factor should be determined by the panel rather than by each individual circuit.

3. Transfer Values Assigned to the Panel Electrical Connector

Revit should provide an option to transfer predefined values from the panel electrical connector while ignoring the panel’s internal load calculation.

The panel could transfer values such as:

• Total connected apparent power.
• Total demanded apparent power.
• Real power.
• Reactive power.
• Power factor.
• Current, where applicable.

This option would be particularly useful in apartment buildings, where the estimated demand may be based on the apartment area rather than on the number of receptacles and lighting fixtures—or based on whichever calculated value is greater.

Parameters Required for Formulas

To make this functionality useful, Revit should expose the following panel-level values for use in formulas:

• Total Connected Load
• Total Connected Apparent Power
• Total Demanded Load
• Total Demanded Apparent Power
• Demand Factor
• Power Factor
• Calculated Current

These values should be available for use in:

• Panel schedules.
• Family parameters.
• Tags.
• Schedules and quantities.
• Project formulas.

Example Use Case

For an apartment panel:

1. Revit calculates the detailed connected load from the apartment circuits.
2. A project-specific formula calculates the estimated demand based on the apartment area or installed loads.
3. The calculated apartment demand is assigned to the panel electrical connector.
4. The upstream distribution panel receives the apartment’s total connected and demanded load.
5. The upstream panel does not recalculate the apartment circuits individually.

This would allow users to maintain Revit’s circuit and panel connectivity while applying project-specific demand calculation methods.

Benefits

This functionality would:

• Improve flexibility in electrical load calculations.
• Better support demand estimation methods used in apartment buildings.
• Reduce the need for manual workarounds.
• Allow upstream panels to use reliable aggregate load values.
• Preserve detailed circuit information.
• Provide better control over how loads are transferred between panels.
• Make panel schedules and electrical analysis more adaptable to different engineering standards and regional practices.

Suggested Implementation

Add a parameter to the panel electrical connector called Load Transfer Method, with options such as:

• By Circuit Load Classification
• Combine Using Panel Load Classification
• Use Values Assigned to Connector

When Use Values Assigned to Connector is selected, the user should be able to assign or calculate the connected-load and demanded-load values that will be transferred to the upstream panel.

The load transfer method should be available as either a type or instance parameter and should work consistently for:

• Electrical panels.
• Distribution boards.
• Load centers.
• Other electrical equipment with panel connectors.