Revit MEP has seen a few new features in the 2020 release. There are some useful changes and additions around parameters and annotation that have removed the need for workarounds when tagging and scheduling, changes that also clarify some of the information we work with. Home Run arrows can now be customised via two new options accessed through the Electrical Settings dialogue box. However, there is only one new feature that looks specifically at design within Revit.
The electrical panel feed through lugs option gives the user the choice of how sub panels are connected to main panels. Another aspect of this feature is the option to continue the circuit numbering sequence from the main panel to the sub panel.
Circuit numbering for Revit panel schedules still remains an issue in the UK, with users historically having to either accepted what Revit has to offer or find other work arounds in an attempt to make the display correct. The continued numbering aspect of the electrical panel feed through lugs feature works fine if the circuit naming of a panel is set to standard in the panel properties and the resulting circuit numbering is 1,2,3,4 etc. However, if the circuit naming of a 3-phase panel is set to By Phase, then the circuit numbering does not continue in the same way. Whether you are creating 3-phase circuits, or single-phase circuits on the main panel, the numbering on the sub panel continues from the number of single pole breakers on the main panel.
Electrical Panel Feed Through Lug
The Feed Through Lugs feature of Revit 2020 allows electrical designers to choose whether a distribution board fed from a main panel is connected to the main panel’s breakers, or via a separate connection in the main panel. If the feed through lugs option is selected, then the circuit numbering from the main panel can be continued on the sub panel if required. The loads from the sub panel will also be totalled on the main panel.
Elevation From Level
To improve ease of use in annotation and documentation in Revit 2020, Elevation is now a built-in parameter for use in tags, schedules, and view filters for the following family categories:
Mechanical Equipment, Plumbing Fixture, Lighting Fixture, Lighting Device, Sprinklers, Electrical Fixtures, Electrical Equipment, Data Device, Communication Device, Fire Alarm Device, Nurse Call Device, Security Device, Telephone Device, Specialty Equipment, Air Terminal, Generic models, Furniture, Plant, Casework.
Top and Bottom Elevation Adjustments
The placement of services has been made easier with Top Elevation and Bottom Elevation parameters added to pipework for the 2020 release of Revit MEP. These parameters were previously added in Revit 2019.2 for ductwork, cable tray and conduit. In addition to this, the parameter previously known as Offset has been renamed to Middle Elevation to add further clarity.
Watch our video below to see these new features in action:
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