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Working With Multiple Connectors on Devices

To properly create multiple circuits for fire alarm panels and devices—such as speaker/strobes, 4-wire horn/strobes, or panels with auxiliary or communication circuits—they must have multiple electrical connectors. This article describes how to set up multiple connectors on fire alarm panel and device families, and how to circuit, draw wires to, and configure those panel and device instances in the model.

Configure Connectors in the Family​

While in the family, use standard Revit functionality to set up multiple electrical connectors by following these steps:

tip

Existing connectors cannot be hosted to new surfaces. Unless the electrical connector(s) in the family are already positioned where you want them, erasing them is recommended before inserting new connectors.

  1. Run the Create→  Electrical Connector command.
  2. Set the System Type ▾ dropdown below the ribbon to Fire Alarm.
    note

    You can use other system types, such as Data for fiber optic communications, but their FireBIM functionality will be limited.

  3. Specify a face or work plane to insert a connector hosted on that surface. The connector will appear as a green circle centered on the selected surface.
    tip

    Select a surface that can easily be differentiated when looking at the device on a floor or ceiling plan view, such as the side of the device or an invisible surface away from the device. This separation will make it easier to tell connectors apart when circuiting and drawing wires.

  4. Specify additional faces or work planes to insert more connectors as needed.
    warning

    Do not overlap electrical connectors, as it will make them more difficult to circuit and draw wires from.

  5. After placing the necessary electrical connectors, press ESC to finish the command.
  6. Select one of the electrical connectors and, on the Revit Properties panel, enter a unique Connector Description, which will be used to identify the connector when circuiting and setting current draws.
    Repeat this step for each electrical connector in the family.
  7. (Optional for fire alarm devices) Use the Connector Load Settings section of the Family Edit command to set current draws on each connector for each family type.

Circuit & Draw Wires to Connectors in a Project​

Once the fire alarm panel or device family has multiple electrical connectors, each of those connectors can be assigned to a different circuit, and wires can be drawn to each connector. There are two methods for circuiting the connectors.

While circuiting, take note of each connector's location; when you are drawing wires between devices, those wires must be drawn from the correct connector to be associated with its circuit. For more information about drawing wires, visit Draw Wires for Circuits on Plan Views.

Circuit Using Commands​

The first time you use the Revit Modify | Fire Alarm Devices→  Fire Alarm command, and each time you use the Revit Electrical Circuits→  Edit Circuit command, you will be prompted to specify which connector you want to circuit:

The connector you have selected in the dialog box will also be indicated on the device itself.

Circuit Using the Context Menu​

When you select the device, indicators will appear for each connector. You can then right-click a connector and select Create Fire Alarm Circuit or Add to Circuit:

Create Fire Alarm Circuit works the same way as the Revit Modify | Fire Alarm Devices→  Fire Alarm command.
Add to Circuit will prompt you to select a circuited device, then add the connector to the same circuit as that device.