metric wire size

[Anonymous]

Hi everybody,

Does REVIT MEP 2016 support metric wire size ( in mm2 rather than in AWG) ?

- if yes, where can i import this library of wire size and its corresponding parameter ( say resistance, impedance etc) to calculate voltage drop and ampere capacity ?

- if not, REVIT is just Acad 3D in my country where metric units is used ..

Thanks

[whitbrs]

Thank you for posting your question regarding metric cable sizes and calculations.

Although Revit can display metric cable sizes (available in UK, AUS and NZ default templates), there are no impedance tables for those sizes (you can see the sizes Revit references in the help documentation). The tables are based on AWG (American Wire Gauge) and are hard coded into Revit which means any wire size not in that table will not have any associated impedance data.

Wire sizing in Revit has some limitations in the US as there is no way to control the way Revit calculates the path / length of the circuit which affects volt drop and cable sizing.

If you feel strongly about this subject, please provide feedback regarding this feature and how you want to use it at this link 

[David_Robison]

Our add-in, Design Master Electrical for Revit, can do what you are asking. Our default wire sizing is all imperial, but you can add custom wire sizes. Metric wouldn't be a problem. (We can then use those wire sizes to calculate voltage drop, short circuit, and arc-flash).

http://www.designmaster.biz/revit/index.html

[fabiosato]

There is another issue using this size system, the ampacity table doesn´t work very well, here in Brazil we have the same problem.

Through trial and error I figure out to set the ampacity as our regulation NBR-5410, which is based on IEC, but now I don´t remember which.

I attached a template with some of the tables sets, maybe it works for you.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Simon and everybody with your useful information.

Hi Simon,

I think to let Revit MEP works as more " engineer" rather than " drafter" (say ACAD ), Autodesk should provide customization tool for next release. This tool allows user to set up wiring schedule (size, wire property, impedance, ect) for both imperal and metric unit. Revit will base on this to do electrical calculation or let user to set formulars. 

Wire manufacture may support us with wiring schedule to add into our Revit library for easy.