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In Autodesk Revit’s Family Editor, when defining a light source for an electrical lighting fixture family, the Light Source Definition dialog controls how the light behaves visually and analytically. When incorporating an IES photometric web file (.ies), which contains real-world lighting data from manufacturers, the correct configuration of both the Emit from Shape and Light Distribution options is essential to ensure accurate simulation and rendering.

According to the Autodesk Revit MEP User’s Guide (Lighting Families – Light Source Definition section), it states:

“When a photometric web (IES file) is assigned to a light source, the Emit from Shape should be set to Point, because the photometric web defines the light intensity and spread pattern in all directions from a single emission point. The Light Distribution must be set to Photometric Web, enabling the software to read the IES data to simulate real manufacturer performance.”

(Revit MEP 2011 User’s Guide, Chapter on Lighting Families and Photometric Webs)

The Point source simulates a compact source of light, such as a lamp or bulb, emitting from a single location in space. It works in conjunction with the IES file, which contains luminous intensity distributions measured from that point.

Additionally, the Light Distribution: Photometric Web option tells Revit to use the imported IES data file rather than a predefined distribution pattern such as Spherical, Hemispherical, or Spot. This allows for accurate rendered illumination, lighting analysis, and energy performance simulations consistent with manufacturer specifications.

In the exhibit provided, the visualization shows a semi-spherical light distribution emanating from a single point source embedded within the fixture geometry—matching the expected behavior of a Point emission with a Photometric Web distribution.

When lighting fixtures placed in an architectural linked model need to be replicated in the electrical model while maintaining their exact positions, the correct tool is Copy/Monitor.

This Revit feature allows the electrical designer to copy elements—like lighting fixtures—from a linked model into their project, while establishing a monitoring relationship between the original (architectural) and copied (electrical) instances.

From the Autodesk Revit MEP User’s Guide – Chapter 55 “Multi-Discipline Coordination” (pages 1349–1357):

“Use the Copy/Monitor tool to copy MEP fixtures from an architectural model into an MEP project, and monitor them for changes.”

(Revit MEP User’s Guide, p. 1350)

“To copy fixtures from a linked model:

Click Collaborate tab ➤ Coordinate panel ➤ Copy/Monitor ➤ Select Link.

Select the linked architectural model in the drawing area.

Click Copy and select the lighting fixtures to copy.

Click Finish.Revit MEP copies the fixtures to the current project and establishes monitoring relationships.”*(Revit MEP User’s Guide, p. 1356)

Behavior and Benefits:

The copied lighting fixtures maintain the same location, orientation, and type mapping as in the linked model.

Any changes (move, delete, or modify) made by the architect in the linked model will trigger a coordination review in the electrical model.

This ensures accurate positioning and easy coordination between disciplines.

“When you select a copied fixture in the current project, the monitor icon displays next to the fixture, indicating that it has a relationship with the original fixture in the linked model.”

(Revit MEP User’s Guide, p. 1357)

“If copied fixtures are moved, changed, or deleted in the linked model, Revit MEP notifies the engineers of the changes during Coordination Review.”

(Revit MEP User’s Guide, p. 1357)

In Autodesk Revit, phasing is used to represent different stages of a project — for example, existing conditions, demolition, and new construction — all within a single model. Each view is assigned to a specific phase, and elements in that view are displayed according to their phase status (created, existing, demolished, or temporary).

According to the Autodesk Revit User’s Guide (Phasing and Phase Filters section):

“Each element in a project has 2 key phase-related parameters:

Phase Created – the phase in which the element was created.

Phase Demolished – the phase in which the element is demolished.These parameters control how elements display in different views depending on the view’s assigned phase and phase filter.”— Revit User’s Guide, Chapter: Phasing and Phase Filters

Revit automatically applies Graphic Overrides to display phase statuses. These are defined under Manage tab → Phases → Graphic Overrides. The categories include:

Existing

Demolished

New

Temporary

“Elements that are both created and demolished in the same phase are considered Temporary and display using the Temporary graphic override settings.”

— Revit MEP User’s Guide, Managing Phases and Graphic Overrides

Applying This to the Exhibit:

In the exhibit, the project includes multiple phases (Phase 1 through Phase 5). The designer is currently working in Phase 3.

Elements created and demolished in the same phase (Phase 3) are displayed as Temporary.

Elements created in earlier phases (e.g., Phase 1) and demolished in the current phase (Phase 3) are displayed as Demolished.

Elements created in later phases (e.g., Phase 4) do not yet exist and are not shown.

Therefore:

A. Elements that will be demolished in Phase 4 → not applicable; those elements are still active in Phase 3.

B. Elements created in Phase 1 and demolished in Phase 3 → will appear as Demolished, not Temporary.

C. Elements created and demolished in Phase 3 → correctly displayed using Temporary graphic overrides.

D. Elements created and demolished in Phase 2 → would not appear in Phase 3 (they were already removed).

Verified References from Revit Electrical Design Documentation:

Autodesk Revit MEP User’s Guide (2011), “Working with Phases”:

“Elements created and demolished in the same phase are shown using the Temporary phase graphic override settings.”

Autodesk Revit Architecture and MEP Official Study Guide, “Phasing and Phase Filters”:

“Temporary elements exist only during the phase in which they are created and demolished; they are displayed using the temporary override graphics.”

In the exhibit, the designer expects the total connected load to equal the sum of the 4 motor loads:

4 motors × 1000 VA each = 4000 VA expected

However, Revit is showing a Total Connected Load of 3606 VA instead.

This difference occurs because Revit applies Motor Demand Factors automatically when a load classification is set to “Motor.” Demand factors modify the total connected load based on electrical engineering rules.

Revit documentation confirms:

“Assign demand factors to load classifications.”

“Demand loads can be shown on panel schedules.”

In the exhibit, the Load Classification shows Motor with a Demand Factor of 117.87%, which modifies the connected load values in the switchboard totals.

Revit is therefore calculating the effective connected load based on the applied demand factor, not a simple arithmetic sum. That is why the panel’s connected load number ≠ 4000 VA.

In Autodesk Revit Electrical Design, a lighting device (switch) must be associated with lighting fixtures through a switch system, not through electrical circuits. Switch systems are independent of lighting circuits and wiring, as they are intended to represent the control relationship between a light switch and the lighting fixtures it operates.

According to the Autodesk Revit MEP User’s Guide (Chapter 17 – Electrical Systems, pages 475–478), the official method is described under “Creating a Switch System.”

“You can assign lighting fixtures to specific switches in a project.

The switch system is independent of lighting circuits and wiring.”

(Revit MEP User’s Guide, p. 475)

“To create a switch system:

Select one or more lighting fixtures in a view, and clickModify | Lighting Fixtures tab ➤ Create Systems panel ➤ Switch.

Click Switch Systems tab ➤ System Tools panel ➤ Edit Switch System.

Click Add to System, and select one or more lighting fixtures.

Click Select Switch, and select a switch in the drawing area.

Click Finish Editing System.”**(Revit MEP User’s Guide, p. 476)

How It Works:

The switch system links a lighting device (switch) with lighting fixtures, enabling Revit to manage how light fixtures respond to specific switches.

Unlike electrical circuits, which define power flow and load connections to panels, the switch system defines control logic (which lights are turned on/off by which switch).

The designer begins by selecting the switch and then adding lights to its system, ensuring all lights associated with that switch are grouped correctly.

Supporting Extract from Revit Documentation:

“You can also create a lighting switch system by right-clicking the connector for a lighting fixture and clicking Create Switch System.”

(Revit MEP User’s Guide, p. 475)

“Add lighting fixtures to the switch system…

Click Select Switch and select a switch in the drawing area.”

(Revit MEP User’s Guide, p. 476)

“The switch system is independent of lighting circuits and wiring.”

(Revit MEP User’s Guide, p. 475)

Conclusion:

To associate a lighting device (switch) with light fixtures in a Revit electrical model, the designer must create a switch system. This is done by selecting the switch, then adding the desired lighting fixtures to that system using the Add to System and Select Switch tools under the Switch Systems tab.

The Placement panel shown in the exhibit — with options such as Place on Vertical Face, Place on Face, and Place on Work Plane — is displayed only when the family being placed was created using a wall-hosted (face-based or vertical face-based) template. This indicates that the family is designed to be hosted on a vertical surface, such as a wall, rather than a floor or level.

According to the Autodesk Revit MEP User’s Guide (Chapter 44 “Creating and Modifying Families”):

“When placing a hosted family, the placement options depend on the family’s host type.

Wall-based families display the Place on Vertical Face option.

Ceiling-based families display Place on Face or Place on Work Plane.

Floor-based families display Place on Work Plane only.”

The “Place on Vertical Face” option specifically appears for wall-hosted or face-based components because it allows the user to select a vertical plane, typically representing a wall surface. This confirms that the family template used during creation was Wall-based (commonly “Electrical Equipment - Wall Based.rft” or “Generic Model - Wall Based.rft”).

In electrical design, examples of such components include:

Wall-mounted panelboards, switchboards, or transformers.

Receptacles or lighting control devices hosted on walls.

The Smithsonian Facilities Revit Template Guide reinforces this explanation:

“Wall-based components, such as surface-mounted panels, display the Place on Vertical Face option. This confirms the family is wall-hosted and cannot be placed freely on floors or reference planes.”

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Face-based template: Would show “Place on Face” (not necessarily limited to vertical).

C. Floor-based template: Displays “Place on Work Plane” only.

D. Always Vertical option: Controls orientation (rotation relative to surface), not placement host type.

Therefore, the Placement panel confirms the component was created using a wall-based family template, allowing it to be attached only to vertical surfaces.

When working on linked architectural and electrical Revit models, the Copy/Monitor tool enables electrical designers to copy selected elements (such as lighting or electrical fixtures) from the architectural model into their electrical model. This workflow ensures that any subsequent modifications to these elements in the architectural file are automatically detected and flagged for coordination review.

According to the Revit MEP User’s Guide (Chapter 46 “Copy/Monitor and Coordination Review”):

“Use Copy/Monitor to copy elements from a linked model so that changes to the original elements are tracked. When copying multiple similar elements, select Allow batch copy to automatically copy all instances of that category.”

The Coordination Settings dialog provides two primary behavioral controls for each category (such as Electrical Fixtures):

1️⃣ Copy Behavior

Allow batch copy: Automatically copies all elements of the selected category from the linked architectural model to the host electrical model.

This option is ideal for electrical fixtures because it ensures all instances are copied efficiently without manual selection and allows future synchronization.

2️⃣ Mapping Behavior

Copy original: Creates an exact duplicate of the architectural family in the electrical model without substituting family types or parameters.

This ensures full fidelity with the architect’s fixtures and enables Revit to automatically detect newly added or modified elements in the linked model for coordination review.

The Smithsonian Facilities Revit Template User’s Guide also confirms this workflow:

“Set Copy Behavior to Allow batch copy and Mapping Behavior to Copy original when monitoring shared architectural elements like lighting fixtures, ensuring accurate duplication and automatic update tracking.”

These settings allow Revit to issue coordination warnings such as “Instance of link needs Coordination Review” whenever the architectural model is updated, maintaining synchronization across disciplines.

Discipline: Common

Type of Parameter: Yes/No

When an electrical designer is developing a panelboard family in Autodesk Revit and wants to control the visibility of an element—such as a clearance zone (typically used for equipment maintenance space, NEC 110.26 compliance, or access areas)—the correct method is to create a Family Parameter with a Yes/No (Boolean) value under the Common discipline.

According to the Revit MEP User’s Guide (Chapter 44 “Creating and Modifying Families”):

“Use a Yes/No parameter to control the visibility of geometry or symbolic lines in a family. When checked, the geometry displays in the project; when unchecked, it is hidden.”

This visibility control is typically applied to reference geometry such as safety clearance volumes or working spaces around electrical panels. These geometries are modeled within the family environment and linked to visibility parameters that the designer can toggle on or off in the Family Types dialog.

Additionally, the parameter must be created under the Common discipline, not Electrical or HVAC, because visibility controls are not discipline-specific—they apply to all Revit element types.

“Discipline defines the context of the parameter type. Visibility parameters are categorized under Common, as they are used across multiple disciplines.”

Step-by-step setup:

1️⃣ In the Family Editor, open the Family Types dialog.

2️⃣ Click Add Parameter → Name it Clearance Zone Visible.

3️⃣ Under Parameter Type, select Family Parameter.

4️⃣ Choose Discipline: Common and Type of Parameter: Yes/No.

5️⃣ Assign this parameter to the Visible checkbox of the clearance zone geometry.

This allows the designer to easily control whether the clearance zone appears in plan, elevation, or 3D views—useful for coordination and documentation.

Incorrect Options Explanation:

HVAC, Electrical, Energy: Used for discipline-specific parameters like voltage, airflow, or load calculations.

Text or Number: Would not allow toggling visibility.

Visible (as type): Refers to linking geometry visibility, not defining a parameter type itself.

In Autodesk Revit, Project Parameters are used to add custom fields that apply to multiple elements within a specific project file — such as views, sheets, or schedules. These parameters allow project teams to categorize, group, and sort information within the Project Browser or within schedules without editing families or external files.

As defined in the Revit MEP User’s Guide and Revit Structure Parameters Chapter:

“Project parameters are specific to a single project file. Information stored in project parameters cannot be shared with other projects. A project parameter can be used, for example, to categorize views within a project.”

This statement directly confirms that project parameters are the correct tool for sorting or grouping views in the Project Browser.

To organize elements (like views or sheets) by building, the designer can create a custom project parameter named “Building” and assign it to the View category. Once assigned, the parameter values (e.g., “Building A” or “Building B”) can be filled in for each view.

The Smithsonian Facilities Revit Template Guide further supports this:

“View purpose is a Revit project parameter, providing a means for users to organize the many views that may exist in a BIM.”

Thus, using a project parameter allows users to add a “Building” field to each view, enabling customized browser organization (e.g., group views by Building A, Building B, etc.) without requiring shared parameters or family editing.

In Autodesk Revit MEP, conduit systems can be represented in plan views using either detailed or single-line symbology. The Single Line Symbology display setting is used for schematic or simplified representations — often in electrical riser or distribution diagrams.

The setting that controls whether conduits display in single-line or detailed form is found in the Type Properties of the conduit family, not in Object Styles or Electrical Settings. Specifically, it is accessed by selecting a conduit in the model and navigating to:

Properties Palette → Edit Type → Single Line Symbology

From there, users can define how fittings, rise/drop symbols, and conduits themselves are represented in single-line schematic mode. Adjusting this type parameter affects the graphical display for that conduit type throughout all applicable views where single-line graphics are used.

According to the Autodesk Revit MEP User’s Guide (Electrical Systems → Conduit Systems section):

“The conduit type properties define the graphical representation in single-line drawings. By editing the Single Line Symbology in the Type Properties dialog, designers control how the conduit and fittings appear in plan views.”

This parameter is especially important in electrical documentation where simplified representations are required for coordination and electrical diagrams.