What should be modeled for Electrical Serivce Entrance in LOD 400 (BIM Forum)

[lucas.portoDB4QW]

Hi, I have some doubts about what is necessary to model in Eletrical Discipline for some equipaments like switchboards and Eletrical Generator in LOD 400 (BIM Forum) definition when one of BIM Uses estabeshed for model is the facility managment.
BIM Forum specified for LOD 400 as: supplementary components added to the model required for required fabrication and field installation.
I understand that for fabrication of concret strutuctural parts the rebars are inportant.
When thinking about an eletric genarator ou switchboard that we buy the complete equipament and install on the field, is not necessary to model and locate all the circuit breakers, and other internal components/pieces.
How is your experience about this topic? Know any more detalied article about this topic?

[L.Maas]

It is very difficult to determine what is needed. My experience is that it varies considerable between clients. I still sometimes see that clients (endusers) confuse level of detail and level of development, so.....

What I often do is discuss this with the client (preferable in the quotation stage) what they expect. There are too many interpretations of LOD and too many "standards".  During the discussion it happens that demand on LOD level changes as they become aware what (additional) work/time is needed to reach a certain level.

I also like to use the specification from BIM forum (for others, PDF can be found HERE). It has explanations for the different disciplines and often pictures which help during the discussions with the client. You also can refer to the specification, which is helpful when later in project discussion rise about expectations of what is modelled.

So best is to discuss with client or tell your client what you are (planning) going to do.

[lucas.portoDB4QW]

Hello @Anonymous.
I understood and agree with all that you say about level of development (LOD of BIM Forum) and that there are too many standards that can confuse us, and the clients.
I will Keep using the reference of LOD from BIM Forum.
I understand that the concept of level of development is not completely associated with detail, but every time that we advance one level in LOD scale, some new elements are added to description, what I understand like a definition about what need to be modeled.
I always try to use the this specification for LOD (of BIM forum) and the imagens are very helpful, but specially for Electrical Components in LOD 400 almost there is no imagens or those don't help to clarify, example of Electrical Service and Distribution, and Packaged Generator Assemblies.
Do you recommend any other reference about standards for specifications about what usually would be modeled in that LOD, even another standard that specified LOD like level of detail?
Thanks.

[L.Maas]

Try to stay away from Level of Detail as much as possible. If you are not careful you might need to create highly detailed families while there is no real benefit. However it can mean bad revit performance, huge files and an awful lot of (extra) work. All Ok if client is willing to pay but......usually not.

I often use this image from PracticalBIM.net as reference

Here it is clear that there is no relation between level of detail and level of development (see model LOD 100 and LOD 300).
If you look at the data in red at the different LOD level you can get an idea what is needed.

So at level 400 you need to know manufacturer and model (e.g catalog number).

Modelling wise what is important is the actual space it occupies and if relevant the clearance area around it.

So from the spec LOD400 for packaged generator assemblies: "Supplementary components added to the model required for fabrication and field installation."

In this case if the supplementary components are not part of the PGA model it needs model numbers. And if it is large enough that it needs additional space (and clearance) you should model that part. If the PGA does not have a model/catalog number but consists of several separate parts than those part numbers should be included. The model can still be a single element containing those model number or it can be made of separate components.

Overall question what space is needed and do I have all the information to purchase it. Of course you can still use support documents/drawings for further clarifaction (e.g Shop drawings, URL to website, links to dataheets).

This is how we normally approach it. If in some instances it get really complicated we propose something to the client how we intend to solve it. And as a last important note. Not all items in project need to reach the same LOD. It is perfectly normal to have different LODs for different categories. Just communicate with your client (and other project stakeholders)