Data Panel, adding calculated value?

[mthomas45]

I'm attempting to create a panel schedule  that accounts for each data connection.  We have families that use Data connectors and then connect them to a data panel.  

For some reason there's no way I can find to make a data circuit that takes up more than one pole the schedule.  We have outlets that sometimes have up to 6 data connections.  I want this to function essentially as a 48 port patch panel.  Is there a way to feed in a number from the family that indicates this value, without adding multiple connectors to the data outlet family?

[michael.coviello]

Hello @mthomas45   Thank you for posting,  I'll be happy to help.   

Which version of Revit are you using?
To help better understand this problem,  Can you post a screenshot of what your schedule needs to look like?
Some customization can be done to panel schedules.   Customize Revit Electrical Panel Schedule Template - remove phases

[mthomas45]

Here's an excel file that would be similar to what I need.  There isn't any information that can be added to the Data connector, so I'm not sure how this could work.  

[michael.coviello]

Hello @mthomas45 

It seems like you may want to be able to quickly create a relationship between the 6 data connections at the point of use (which I'd assume would each have a separate cable) and the panel connecting to.

You may want to explore Dynamo as a possible solution (if it is possible)

https://primer.dynamobim.org/en/01_Introduction/1-2_what_is_dynamo.html

Pole number greater than 1 is not supported for this type of system.  Multiple data connectors in one family is the way to do it currently in Revit.

I recommend you visit the Revit Idea Station to let us know about this request.

I urge you to mention the business impact that this missing functionality has as it can increase the chances of the functionality being integrated in the future.

You can also vote on ideas others have posted, so be sure to let us know if an idea you see there is important to you.

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

[GPnmulder]

If you don't want multiple connectors per family I would explore shared nested families with connectors. They move with the host family but can still be circuited, and each nested instance is it's 'own' connector.

[mthomas45]

 Unless this is a new feature, you can't nest connectors within a family.

[GPnmulder]

Actually, you can have multiple connectors in a family that can each be circuited. Enter info into the Connector Description parameter to help differentiate connectors when circuiting. Below is the dialog box when you begin circuiting in the project:

But that is not the method we use. We use nested shared families with their own connectors. The key is for the nested family to be set to 'shared'. It's a checkbox in the family editor. In the screenshot, each 'X' is a nested shared

family with it's own connector.

Also depends on what you are trying to do. If circuiting isn't required you could add parameters (Cable1, Cable2, etc) to data devices and number those. We've done that when only cable quantities, each with a unique ID, were needed. But without circuiting you can't use a panel schedule. It is more or less a specialized electrical circuit schedule.

[rdeau4X33N]

I tried out your family in R22 and it didn't give me an option to circuit more than one connector. Could you walk through your workflow and see if I'm maybe not doing something right?

Thank you!

[GPnmulder]

The 'parent' family contains one connector. In the image in my post, each 'X' is a nested family with its own connector. To select an 'X', you will need to hover, tab and left click to select them. Or select them from a schedule and switch to a non-schedule view.

[junderwood]

This is a lifesaver.  Thank you for uploading your Revit family and for the excellent, clear, concise explanation.  Thank you.

[jeremie_schultz]

The data outlet works great. Would you mind sharing the patch panel family that you use for circuiting the data outlets to?

[GPnmulder]

There is nothing special about the patch panel; the Ethernet Switch family provided by Autodesk will work. 

3 basic requirements:

1. Electrical Equipment category (devices can only circuit to electrical equipment)
2. Has a data connector (needed to connect to devices and create the system/circuit)
3. Part Type in family editor is set to Other Panel (this affects panel board schedules, if using)