Connectors

Overview

A primary difference between Revit MEP components and components for Revit Architecture or Revit Structure is the concept of connectors. All Revit MEP components require connectors to behave with intelligence. Components created without connectors cannot participate in a system topology. Connectors are primarily logical entities that allow calculating loads within a project. Revit MEP maintains information about loads associated with the spaces in a project. As devices and equipment are placed in spaces, Revit MEP keeps track of the loads based on load type: HVAC, Lighting, Power, Other. The loads associated with the spaces can be viewed in the instance properties for each space, and displayed in schedules.

Knowing how to add and remove connectors to loadable families can be useful to architects when using building components, such as manufactured items from Inventor®, or when exporting a building site to civil engineering applications, such as Civil 3D®. For example, you might want to add, move, or delete a connector for a pipe that connects a custom vanity designed in Inventor to a plumbing system in Revit MEP. Or, you might want to modify the connectors on site utilities, such as gas or water connections, before they are exported with the building site. After the building site is imported into Civil 3D, the connectors on the site utilities become fully functional.

Choosing a Discipline for a Connector

The discipline assigned to a connector determines the types of systems with which it can interact and how it interacts with other system components.

When you add connectors to a family, you can specify one of the following disciplines:

Duct connectors are associated with ductwork, duct fittings, and other elements that are part of the air handling systems.
Electrical connectors are used for any type of electrical connections, including power, telephone, alarm systems, and others.
Pipe connectors are used for piping, pipe fittings, and other components that are meant for transmitting fluids.
Cable tray connectors are used for cable tray, cable tray fittings, and other components that are meant for wiring.
Conduit connectors are used for conduit, conduit fittings, and other components that are meant for wiring. A conduit connector can be an individual connector or a surface connector. The individual connector is used for connecting only one conduit. The surface connector is used for connecting more than one conduit to a surface.

Note: The term fluid does not necessarily limit the use of piping systems to liquids. Steam, medical gases and other non-fluid materials are often transmitted using piping systems.

Selecting the correct discipline is critical to the content working correctly. After this selection is made, it cannot be changed without first deleting the connector and adding it again with the correct discipline.

Before you begin creating Revit families that include connectors, you should learn how to create families. For more information, see Creating Loadable Families.