RVT_ELEC_01101 Questions and Answers

In Autodesk Revit, the Worksharing Display Modes feature allows designers to visually inspect ownership and editing information about elements in a workshared model.

According to the Autodesk Revit MEP User Guide – Chapter 54 “Working in a Team”:

“Worksharing Display Modes can be used to visualize the ownership of elements, including which user created or modified them. For example, you can use the Worksharing Display command to show elements by their owner, workset, or checkout status.”

Thus, this mode identifies which user created or owns an element — making B. Worksharing display modes the correct choice.

Other options:

A. Gray Inactive Worksets: Only shows non-active worksets in gray, not creator info.

C. Show History: Displays synchronization comments, not element ownership.

D. Worksets dialog: Shows ownership of worksets, not individual elements.

In Autodesk Revit Electrical Design, when an electrical designer attempts to control a receptacle (an Electrical Fixture family) with a switch (a Lighting Device family) as part of a switch system, Revit will only allow this connection if the receptacle’s family has been configured as Switchable within the Family Editor.

According to the Autodesk Revit MEP User’s Guide (Chapter 17 – “Electrical Systems”):

“Revit allows you to add elements such as lighting fixtures or receptacles to a switch system only if the family includes a switchable connector. The ‘Switchable’ parameter must be enabled in the Family Editor to allow this connection.”

This means that for the receptacle shown in the exhibit to appear as an available component for switching, the Electrical Connector within its family must have the Switchable property checked. This parameter is found under:

Family Editor → Select Connector → Properties Palette → Electrical - Data → Switchable.

If this option is not enabled, Revit treats the receptacle as a standard unswitched outlet and will not display it in the switch system creation dialog. Once the option is checked, the designer can reload the family into the project and associate it with a switch system normally.

Additionally, the Smithsonian Facilities Revit Template User’s Guide explains this concept as follows:

“To associate receptacles with lighting switches, ensure that the receptacle family has a switchable connector. Without this setting, the device will not appear as an assignable component to a switch system.”

This distinction is important in residential electrical modeling, where switched receptacles are common for plug-in lamps. Lighting circuits can include both Lighting Fixtures and Switchable Receptacles when the family configuration supports it.

Incorrect Options Explanation:

A. A switch system not being created is irrelevant — the issue occurs before system creation.

C. Being on the same circuit doesn’t affect switchability; it affects electrical load connection.

D. Incorrect — Revit supports switchable receptacles if properly configured.

Therefore, the correct answer is B. The receptacle’s “Switchable” option is not selected within the family editor.

In Autodesk Revit, when placing electrical equipment such as transformers, disconnects, or switchboards onto a pad or foundation, precise alignment is essential for accurate coordination with architectural and structural elements. During component placement, Revit provides an intuitive way to align an object before final placement using the Spacebar in combination with the object’s edges.

When the cursor is hovered over an edge of the component (not just anywhere on it) and the Spacebar is pressed, Revit cycles the component’s orientation, rotating it 90 degrees around its insertion point each time. This technique allows the designer to visually align the equipment’s orientation with the pad or architectural geometry before clicking to place it.

According to the Autodesk Revit MEP User’s Guide under “Placing and Modifying Components”:

“While placing a component, move the cursor over an edge and press the Spacebar to rotate the element incrementally. This method helps align electrical or mechanical equipment with nearby reference geometry before placement.”

This method is ideal for electrical designers positioning pad-mounted equipment, ensuring that components such as transformers or switchgear are oriented precisely to site geometry, conduit routes, or building walls.

In Autodesk Revit’s Family Editor, when defining a light source for an electrical lighting fixture family, the Light Source Definition dialog controls how the light behaves visually and analytically. When incorporating an IES photometric web file (.ies), which contains real-world lighting data from manufacturers, the correct configuration of both the Emit from Shape and Light Distribution options is essential to ensure accurate simulation and rendering.

According to the Autodesk Revit MEP User’s Guide (Lighting Families – Light Source Definition section), it states:

“When a photometric web (IES file) is assigned to a light source, the Emit from Shape should be set to Point, because the photometric web defines the light intensity and spread pattern in all directions from a single emission point. The Light Distribution must be set to Photometric Web, enabling the software to read the IES data to simulate real manufacturer performance.”

(Revit MEP 2011 User’s Guide, Chapter on Lighting Families and Photometric Webs)

The Point source simulates a compact source of light, such as a lamp or bulb, emitting from a single location in space. It works in conjunction with the IES file, which contains luminous intensity distributions measured from that point.

Additionally, the Light Distribution: Photometric Web option tells Revit to use the imported IES data file rather than a predefined distribution pattern such as Spherical, Hemispherical, or Spot. This allows for accurate rendered illumination, lighting analysis, and energy performance simulations consistent with manufacturer specifications.

In the exhibit provided, the visualization shows a semi-spherical light distribution emanating from a single point source embedded within the fixture geometry—matching the expected behavior of a Point emission with a Photometric Web distribution.

In Autodesk Revit Electrical Design, lighting control systems such as single-pole, three-way, and four-way switches are managed using Switch Systems. These systems logically connect lighting devices (switches) to the lighting fixtures they control. For multiple switches (like three-way configurations) to be part of the same control circuit, they must share the same Switch ID value.

In the exhibit, the electrical designer is attempting to add a three-way switch to the existing switch system labeled “b”, but Revit does not allow it. The reason is that the Switch ID parameter of the new switch does not match the Switch ID of the system it is intended to join.

The Switch ID acts as the unique identifier that links all switches controlling the same group of fixtures. If the IDs differ (for example, “b3” versus “b”), Revit interprets them as belonging to separate systems and prevents them from being grouped together.

The Autodesk Revit MEP User’s Guide – Electrical Systems: Lighting and Switch Systems explains this clearly:

“Switch systems are organized by Switch ID. All switches controlling the same lighting circuit must have identical Switch ID values. Revit will not allow a switch to be added to an existing system if its Switch ID does not match that system’s identifier.”

To fix this, the designer must:

1️⃣ Select the three-way switch.

2️⃣ In the Properties palette, locate the Switch ID parameter.

3️⃣ Change its value to match the target switch system’s ID (in this case, “b”).

Once both switches share the same Switch ID, Revit will successfully include them in the same Switch System.

In Autodesk Revit MEP Electrical Design, the System Browser is used to analyze and verify electrical systems, including panelboard connections, circuit hierarchies, and connected loads.

From the exhibit, the Properties palette shows that the selected equipment is a Lighting and Appliance Panelboard (208V MLO, 100A), named P4. To determine the parent panel that feeds Panel P4, we refer to the System Browser, which organizes the entire electrical distribution network hierarchically under the Electrical discipline.

In the System Browser on the right, under the Electrical category, we can observe that Panel P4 is nested directly under Panel P2. This organization indicates that P4 is circuited to (or fed from) Panel P2.

According to the Revit MEP 2011 User’s Guide, Chapter 4, “Electrical Systems—Using the System Browser,” it states:

“The System Browser displays electrical systems in a tree structure. Each subpanel or device listed beneath a main panel is connected to that panel through an electrical circuit. When a panelboard appears under another, it indicates the subpanel is fed from that parent panel.”

This is further reinforced in Smithsonian Facilities Revit Electrical Template Documentation (April 2021), Section 8.3 “Documentation Views,” which describes:

“Panel schedules and browser hierarchies show the distribution sequence. Subpanels appear indented beneath their source panel, indicating electrical dependency and circuit assignment.”

Therefore, by interpreting both the Revit interface and Autodesk’s documentation, Panel P4 is a subpanel connected to Panel P2, confirming that its electrical feed is assigned from Panel P2.

Final Verified Answer: B. Panel P2

Reference Sources:

Autodesk Revit MEP 2011 User’s Guide, Chapter 4 — Electrical Systems and the System Browser

Smithsonian Facilities Revit Template User’s Guide, Section 8.3 — Electrical and Fire Alarm Templates: Documentation Views

In the given Lighting Fixture Schedule, each row represents a lighting fixture type rather than individual instances, and the “Count” column summarizes how many fixtures of that type exist in the project. To achieve this layout in Revit, two specific actions must be performed in the Schedule Properties dialog:

Deselected “Itemize every instance.”

The Revit documentation explains:

“Itemize every instance. This option displays all instances of an element in individual rows. If you clear this option, multiple instances collapse to the same row based on the sorting parameter. If you do not specify a sorting parameter, all instances collapse to one row.”

By deselecting this checkbox, Revit consolidates identical fixture instances of the same type into a single row — exactly as shown in the exhibit, where each “Type Mark” (A, B, C, etc.) appears once with a summarized Count.

Sorted by Type Mark.

On the same Sorting/Grouping tab, Revit allows users to organize the schedule by a specific field:

“On the Sorting/Grouping tab of the Schedule Properties dialog, you can specify sorting options for rows in a schedule… You can sort by any field in a schedule, except Count.”

In the example, fixtures are sorted alphabetically by their “Type Mark” (A through E). This ensures the grouped and counted results appear in order.

Other options—such as filtering by type mark or adding switch data—do not impact how instances collapse or group within the schedule.

In Revit Electrical Design workflows, when a designer wishes to add a parameter to a lighting fixture schedule without editing the families themselves, the proper approach is to use a Project Parameter.

The Revit MEP documentation clearly explains:

“To add a custom field to a schedule, you can create a custom parameter using the Parameter Properties dialog. Under Parameter Type, select Project parameter.”

This method links the parameter directly to the project and to all instances of the specified category (in this case, Lighting Fixtures), allowing it to appear in the schedule automatically without requiring any modification to the family files (.RFA).

In contrast:

Family Parameters apply only within the family file and are not schedulable across multiple families.

Global Parameters control dimensional or relational constraints, not schedule data.

Reporting Parameters are read-only and extract model information; they cannot be manually added to schedules.

Revit’s scheduling workflow defines this process:

“On the Fields tab of the Sheet List Properties dialog, click Add Parameter… Under Parameter Type, select Project parameter.”

This same mechanism applies to lighting fixture schedules, as schedules and sheet lists share parameter structures in Revit. The new project parameter can then be sorted, filtered, and displayed in the schedule view for documentation or tagging purposes.

When all icons on the View Control Bar are dimmed (disabled), including the View Scale, it typically means the view is being controlled by a View Template. View templates apply standardized settings—such as scale, discipline, detail level, and more—across multiple views to ensure consistency. However, these templates can lock certain parameters, including the view scale, preventing manual changes.

According to Revit Electrical Design standards:

"If a view is governed by a View Template, properties such as view scale may be locked and appear dimmed in the View Control Bar. To regain control and allow changes like adjusting the view scale, the view template must be removed. This is done by setting the View Template to <None> in the Properties Palette."

Steps:

Select the view in question.

Open the Properties Palette.

Locate the View Template parameter.

Set it to <None>.

Now the View Control Bar becomes active and the scale can be changed freely.

Clarification of Other Options:

B (Edit the assigned view template): Changes apply to all views using that template, not just the one.

C (Duplicate the view with Detailing): Creates a copy but doesn't resolve template restrictions.

D (Right-click on the scale and select <Activate>): This is not a valid method in Revit.

In Autodesk Revit, particularly for electrical and MEP design disciplines using a workshared model, the command “Reload Latest” allows a designer to see changes made by other users without saving or publishing their own work to the central model. This tool ensures that while the designer continues to work locally, their environment stays updated with the latest modifications made by colleagues.

According to the Autodesk Revit MEP User Guide (Chapter 54 – Working in a Team), under the section Loading Updates from the Central Model, it states:

“As you work, you can see the changes other team members have made to the project after they have been synchronized with the central model. You can load updates from the central model without publishing your changes to the central model.

In your local file, click Collaborate tab ➤ Synchronize panel ➤ (Reload Latest).”

This confirms that the Reload Latest command refreshes your local file with any modifications from the central file that others have synchronized, but it does not send your local changes back. It is a critical feature for coordination in a team environment, especially when multiple designers—such as electrical, mechanical, and structural engineers—are contributing simultaneously to a shared BIM model.

By contrast:

A. Relinquish All Mine only releases ownership of elements but doesn’t update the local model.

C. Manage Worksets is for controlling visibility and editability of worksets.

D. Worksharing Display visually identifies ownership and status but doesn’t refresh model data.

Therefore, when an electrical designer needs to review updates from others (for example, when a lighting layout needs coordination with architectural ceiling adjustments), the proper workflow is to use Reload Latest, ensuring all new information from the central model appears instantly without saving or affecting their current unsaved edits.

In the exhibit, the designer expects the total connected load to equal the sum of the 4 motor loads:

4 motors × 1000 VA each = 4000 VA expected

However, Revit is showing a Total Connected Load of 3606 VA instead.

This difference occurs because Revit applies Motor Demand Factors automatically when a load classification is set to “Motor.” Demand factors modify the total connected load based on electrical engineering rules.

Revit documentation confirms:

“Assign demand factors to load classifications.”

“Demand loads can be shown on panel schedules.”

In the exhibit, the Load Classification shows Motor with a Demand Factor of 117.87%, which modifies the connected load values in the switchboard totals.

Revit is therefore calculating the effective connected load based on the applied demand factor, not a simple arithmetic sum. That is why the panel’s connected load number ≠ 4000 VA.

In Autodesk Revit for Electrical Design, arrowheads on leader lines—such as those used with tags, text notes, or annotations—are controlled through Type Properties, not through instance properties or free-end options.

According to the Revit MEP User’s Guide – Annotating Chapter (Chapter 47 and 42), the section “Modifying Tags” explains:

“Select the tag, and on the Properties palette, click (Edit Type). In the Type Properties dialog, select a value for Leader Arrowhead to add an arrowhead to the leader line.”

This confirms that the arrowhead is defined at the type level, meaning any change applies to all tags or text notes of that annotation type throughout the project. The Leader Arrowhead property allows the designer to choose from predefined arrowhead styles (like “Filled Arrow,” “Dot,” “Tick Mark,” etc.), which are defined globally under:

Manage tab → Settings panel → Additional Settings → Arrowheads.

Furthermore, the document specifies under “Leader Arrowhead Properties”:

“Sets the arrowhead shape on the leader line. The value is the name of the arrowhead style defined by the Arrowheads tool.”

This behavior applies to all annotation categories, including text notes, keynotes, material tags, and electrical device tags, maintaining consistency across all view types in an electrical project.

Therefore, Option C is the correct answer because arrowheads are configured via Type Properties, while the other options are inaccurate:

Option A (Free End) only defines leader attachment behavior.

Option B (Instance properties) does not include a “Leader Arrowhead” toggle.

Option D (Enable Leader Line) only adds or removes a leader line, not the arrowhead style.

When an electrical designer wants to schedule parameters from Generic Annotations, the correct method is to use a Note Block, not a generic schedule. Revit documentation defines this process clearly under Annotation Schedules (Note Blocks):

“Annotation schedules, or note blocks, list all instances of annotations that you can add using the Symbol tool.”

“Creating an Annotation Schedule (Note Block):

Load the generic annotation family or families into your project and place them where desired.

Click View tab ➤ Create panel ➤ Schedules drop-down ➤ Note Block.

In the New Note Block dialog, for Family, select a generic annotation.”

This extract confirms that when working with generic annotation families, Revit requires the use of a Note Block to extract and list their parameters in a schedule. Standard schedules such as Generic Model or Family schedules cannot access data from Generic Annotations since they are annotation-based, not model-based.