Skip to main content

Generators in ElectroBIM

ElectroBIM does not have any distribution equipment settings specifically for generators, largely because Revit does not provide a way to differentiate generators from other distribution equipment. You can get a close approximation by modeling a generator the same way you would a utility transformer, which is described below.

At the Family Level​

To effectively model a generator, you must configure the generator family as a transformer in Revit:

  • Set the Family Category ☰ to Electrical Equipment and the Part Type ▾ to Transformer.
  • Make sure the family has at least one electrical connector that is configured for the correct Number of Poles and for a Voltage that will be used in the project. While the generator itself will not have an upstream connection, Revit will not allow downstream devices to be fed from the generator unless these parameters are set.

The following settings can also be configured at the family level, but are optional:

  • The size, single-line diagram graphics, and some fault calculation variables can be set by running the Family Edit command and setting the Device Type ▾ to Distribution equipment: Transformer.
    note

    If the single-line diagram graphics are not configured at the family or instance level, the generator will use the project default graphics for transformers.

  • The downstream distribution system, used to determine the voltages that can be fed from the generator, can be set in the Revit Secondary Distribution System parameter.

At the Instance Level​

For the generator instances in your project, you must perform the following steps:

  • Make sure the Revit Distribution System parameter is set to any value besides None, and that the Revit Secondary Distribution System parameter is set to the same distribution system as the distribution equipment the generator will feed.
  • Run the Panel Edit command and set the following fields, or verify their values if you configured the generator family:
    note

    Depending on how the generator was configured in Family Edit, some of these fields may be locked at the instance level.

    • In the Definitions section, the Size ▾ of the generator in kVA.
    • All of the fields in the Fault Calculations section, especially the Utility Fault at Device ▾. If the device has no upstream connections and the Utility Fault at Device ▾ is not set to a fixed value, an infinite fault will be assumed, which will affect your fault calculations throughout the system.