cannot assign distribution system to electrical panel

[cbrown28PKUD4]

I cannot assign my electrical panel to a distribution system using the residential 120V panel from the autodesk library. I am trying to select one of the default distribution systems(120/240V or 120/208V) that are normally available in the electrical template. I have searched and cannot find anyone else to have this issue so I think it is a software glitch that needs an update and this only applies to revit 2021. A bit of background below on what i have done so far.

I have just installed revit 2021 and have the new as well as old families and templates. I performed a fresh install of the new imperial libraries and templates. Everything is fresh out of the box. I have checked all combinations of loading families from library and loading from older versions again using default autodesk revit families and templates nothing has been modified.

[jrobrador19]

Hi there,

Try to check your Electrical Settings (ES) and check if you have the compatible Distribution System for your Panel Board. Check if your electrical equipment matches the Voltage and Number of Wires of the Distribution System. If there is no match, try to create your own Distribution System. Once that you have set a new compatible Distribution System, you will be able to find it in the dropdown.

In this example, I created a single phase L-N panel board, since my Single Phase 120V panel board only displays None in the Distribution System dropdown since the default Distribution Systems are not compatible.

Now, I can select the Distribution System I made to be compatible for this panel board. There was only None before I created my new Distribution System.

If you still have problems, can you please share the exact name of the family where you are encountering the problem? Or perhaps you can share the file here?

I hope this helps.

[cbrown28PKUD4]

HI once again,

I am using the Single Phase Panel - 120V MCB - Surface family found in the Autodesk English-Imperial or US Imperial Library. The default imperial electrical template is being used and I am attempting to connect my panel to the default 120/240 Single distribution system that is already configured in the template. All others distribution systems work fine, only the 120/240V system and the above mentioned family panel do not work. This applies mostly to north american residential applications in case others have not experienced this issue that is likely why.

I can confirm this works 100% in Revit 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 since I am a professional drafting teacher and have all previous versions still active. I have used projects and templates from previous versions which were confirmed to work in those versions and still experience the same problem when assigning a distribution system in 2021.

I have been an autodesk Revit instructor for 10 years who secializes in MEP. This issue is not user error I would kindly ask that everyone attempts to make the same panel connection using the above mentioned information to see if you experience the same issue. This 2021 glitch requires a software update I cannot be the only person to have this problem.

[pteague · Accepted solution]

It sounds to me like you're trying to connect a 120V, single phase, single pole panel to a 120/240V, single phase, 2 pole distribution system.  It's not going to let you connect a single pole electrical connector to a 2-pole system.  If previous versions of Revit allowed this, that would be a bug in my opinion.  You shouldn't be allowed to connect a 1-pole connector to a 2-pole system.

Click on edit type in your properties window and verify that the electrical connector in the family is actually configured for 240V and 2-poles.

Otherwise, you will need to create a new distribution system that is just a 120V, 2-wire system.

[cbrown28PKUD4]

Sadly your solution worked which means Autodesk changed the programming of the software to make the functionality of their own panels in their own library not functional. This is really sad on Autodesk behalf for making major changes to the software without properly updating their libraries or even releasing this information. This is not the first time Autodesk has dropped the ball when it comes to electricity users. FYI this was not necessary in previous versions and would be considered the wrong way to do it. really disappointed with autodesk on this one.

[Kathy.Steinmetz]

I am having this issue also with trying to circuit a single phase lighting inverter to a standard 208/120V or 480/277V panel. This is a normal design practice. If I use the inverter single phase (120V or 277V) I cannot assign a distribution system however if I change it a 3 phase (208V or 480V) I can assign a system. This is not an issue in 2020.

[greenMEPengineer]

Is there any resolution on this? iN 2022 MEP, I have the system defined, and a panel voltage to match, but can't select the system.

[fabiosato]

Hello,

Edit the panel family and select the electrical connector.

Check if the number of poles and Voltage settings of the connector matches the distribution system

[greenMEPengineer]

I can't believe it was that simple ... the Leviton panel did not have connectors (go figure), and the Revit single phase panel was set to 120v 1pole, change it to 240v 2 pole and it sees the distribution system ... I found a good blog article here https://www.caddmicrosystems.com/blog/why-cant-i-connect-to-a-single-panel-in-revit-2021/ 

Thank you!