Getting Started

This section provides an overview of the basic concepts for working with ElectroBIM.

For complete information about the commands available in the software, see the ElectroBIM Design Ribbon Command Reference and ElectroBIM Single-Line Ribbon Command Reference sections.

📄️ The Ribbon Tabs

All of the commands for ElectroBIM are on ribbon tabs labeled ElectroBIM Design and ElectroBIM Single-Line.

📄️ Definitions: Distribution Equipment and Branch Circuit Device

We have two definitions that are unique to our software: distribution equipment and branch circuit device. Revit does not have categories that exactly match these terms. The electrical industry as a whole does not have words that match these terms. We use these terms in our software because they help explain how our calculations use the Revit model.

📄️ Making Changes: Don't Modify the Shared Parameters

When using ElectroBIM, make changes to the model using the Panel Edit, Circuit Edit, and Instance Edit commands.

📄️ Editing Panels

To use ElectroBIM in a project that is in-progress, you need to add some information to your current electrical model.

📄️ Single-Line Diagram

Visit the Starting a New Project section of the ElectroBIM tutorial to learn how to create your single-line diagram while also building your Revit model.

📄️ Editing Circuits

Branch circuit breakers and wire sizes can be set automatically based upon the connected load of the branch circuit.

📄️ Circuit Descriptions

With ElectroBIM, circuit descriptions can be changed in several different places to give you greater control over the values displayed in the panel schedule.

📄️ Motor and Mechanical Equipment Sizing

Breakers and conductors can be sized in accordance with NEC 430.52 and NEC 440.22. You can specify the FLA, BCSC, MCA, MOCP, and specific criteria for sizing the breaker and conductors.

📄️ Calculating

After you make changes to your model using any of our Edit commands or the standard Revit interface, you will need to manually run the Calculate Whole Project or Calculate Part of Project command.

📄️ Viewing Schedules

Once you enter the necessary information for your panels and run the calculations, you can then view the results in the included schedules. To view the schedules, use the Schedules→Fault and Schedules→Voltage Drop commands.

📄️ Panel Schedules

ElectroBIM uses standard Revit panel schedules.

📄️ Arc-Flash Basics

ElectroBIM can calculate arc-flash values for each piece of distribution equipment. Calculating arc-flash requires additional information, such as the electrode configuration of the device and the arcing time for the breaker. The arcing time is based upon the fault at the device and the time-current curve from the manufacturer.

📄️ Customization Basics

ElectroBIM provides several options to customize how the software functions.

📄️ Where to Learn More

This section covers the basics of ElectroBIM, but it does not cover all of the features and functionality you might use on a project. Here are a few ways you can learn more about the add-in.