Electrical Settings, Families, and Circuiting
Configure settings before modeling
Electrical settings drive how Revit calculates and displays systems. Understand distribution systems (voltage, phases, wires, configuration), wire sizes, load classifications, and demand factors. A common trap: distribution systems must exist and match the panel's voltage and phase configuration before circuits can be created. If a panel rejects a circuit, check the distribution system assignment first.
Families and connectors
Electrical families rely on connectors. A lighting fixture family needs an electrical connector with the correct system type (Power, Lighting, Data), voltage, and load. Understand the difference between family parameters and type parameters, and know that connector properties live in the family and propagate to instances. Another trap: a fixture with no connector cannot be circuited, and a connector set to the wrong system type will not accept the intended circuit.
Circuiting mechanics
Circuits are created by selecting a panel, then assigning devices. Know spare, space, and unused circuit behavior, and how multi-circuit devices (like a luminaire with emergency and normal ballasts) use multiple connectors. Understand that circuit numbers and poles are managed in the panel schedule, and that moving a device between circuits updates loads automatically.
Rule of thumb
When a device will not circuit, check in order: does it have a connector, is the connector's system type correct, does the panel's distribution system match voltage and phases, and is there an available circuit?
Worked example
A 277V lighting fixture will not connect to a 120/208V panel. The connector voltage and the panel distribution system conflict; correcting the distribution system or the connector voltage resolves it.