When we demonstrate our software to people, they frequently ask, “How does it compare to Revit?” Now, let’s acknowledge that we’re biased. We think our software compares quite favorably to Revit. You would be disappointed in us if we didn’t think that.

Given this obvious bias, it is hard to answer this question with actual useful information. The difference between our software and Revit MEP is in the details of how we do things. We can claim that our software is simpler and makes more sense to an electrical engineering, but that’s not a credible statement coming from us. We wouldn’t believe us, either.

Rather than me claiming we’re better, let’s actually compare how you use the software to model a common situation: connecting an automatic transfer switch (ATS) to both normal and emergency power.

Read here about what is required in Revit MEP to make this work. The answer involves surfaces, connectors, and being careful to not mess up and end up with incorrect total building loads. It might make sense if you are familiar with Revit, but it makes me a bit confused to read.

Here’s what you would do in Design Master Electrical:

1. Create an automatic transfer switch (use the “DM Electrical->One-Line Devices->Automatic Transfer Switch” command).
2. Create a generator for the emergency power connection (use the “DM Electrical->One-Line Devices->Generator” command).
3. Create the panel for the normal power connection (use the “DM Electrical->One-Line Devices->Panel” command). You could also create a transformer or switchboard, depending upon what it upstream of the ATS.
4. Connect the ATS to the generator and the panel (use the “DM Electrical->One-Line Diagram->One-Line Device Connections” command).

Four steps, all of them using standard Design Master Electrical commands. This is a common situation that is built-in to our software. There is no need to do any special customization to set this up.

So, for everyone who keeps asking, “What’s different?”, there’s an example. It’s up to you to decide which approach to electrical design makes the most sense.

To learn more about Design Master Electrical, contact us for a free demonstration and 30-day trial. The only way to make an educated decision about Design Master Electrical and Revit MEP is to actually try them both and see how they work for you.

(This post was the first in our ongoing series comparing features in Revit MEP and Design Master to make it clear why our software is better.)