Revit System Browser - Electrical Example

Autodesk Revit has a feature that many outside of the MEP discipline are aware of, called the System Browser. It can be turned on from the View tab, via the User Interface drop-down as shown below.

From this palette-type interface we can see what is connected, what is not, plus various loads and totals. Thus, it is an important place to review often to make sure you have a properly developed system - whether that be mechanical, electrical or piping (MEP).

As I mentioned in yesterday's post,
Total Facility Electrical Load Estimate in Revit, if everything is setup and connected correctly - electrically, the utility transformer will list the entire electrical load for a building (or project).

Turning on the system browser

Fundamentally, this palette is looking at MEP connectors contained within a family, not the family's category.

Connector options in the family editor

The System Browser can be used to verify that Electrical Connectors are assigned to a circuit. You can also delete circuits here. You can also see total loads. For example, the utility transformer is named “T-612” and the total load is 272,746 VA as shown in the image below. Compare this to the number listed above in the panel schedule for the utility transformer (bus connection).

System Browser showing total building load

Notice in the image below, when an item is selected in the System Browse, the family will be highlighted in the model (if visible). Expanding a panel-type family displays the circuits and load on each one. Expanding the circuit displays the components connected to it.

Items selected in system browser also highlight in the model 

Keep in mind it is possible for a Revit family to have more than one connector; e.g. a light fixture with a split ballast (normal and life safety), which would cause a family instance to appear in the System Browser twice... once for each connector.