If you’re reading this, you’re most likely an electrical engineer who works with Revit almost daily, making you a good fit to benefit from E-INS. Schema. This is a powerful tool from our DIBS42 Revit Ribbon plug-in designed to streamline your workflow and save you time. This user-friendly tool automates the generation of electrical installationschematics, eliminating the need for manual drafting and making sure that your projects are completely on point with less effort! 

This blog post will guide you through the functionalities of E-INS. Schema, explaining more about its key features and teaching you how to use them effectively.
‍

E-INS. Schema: It’s Good, and It’s Free 

E-INS. Schema integrates easily with Revit, with a ‘one press on the button solution’, it generates professional looking schematics, from the information in the Revit Circuits.Its two primary tabs are ‘Basic’ and ‘Advanced’. The Basic tab is there for fundamental tasks like schema generation and naming, while the Advanced tab offers options for customization and data management. 

Key Features and Benefits 

• Group Panels: Easily group multiple panels in one installation schematic 

• Update schematics: Update your installation schematics effortlessly after design or modeling changes have been made! 

• Effortless Schematic Generation: Generate clean, professional schematics from your Revit circuits with just a click. 

• Efficiency: Automate routine tasks, allowing you to focus on the engineering challenges that matter most. 

• Error-Free Results: Eliminate manual errors and ensure your schematics are always spot-on. 

• Flexible Customization: Adapt and save settings to suit your specific project requirements. 

• Seamless Revit Integration: Works seamlessly with Revit 2021 to 2024! 

• And the best part – it’s completely free of charge!
  ‍

A Breakdown of Functionality

Basic Tab

1. Drafting View Name: This field displays the name assigned to the generated schema. You can accept the default name or create a custom one. 

2. Generate Name: Clicking this button creates a scheme name based on the selected panels. 

3. Search Panels: This feature allows you to search the list of panels using keywords for faster selection. 

4. Panel Selection: Choose one or more panels from the list to include in the generated schema. Selecting no panels will result in an error message. 

5. Generate Separately: This option enables you to create individual schematics for each selected panel, providing a more granular view of your electrical system. 

6. Run: Clicking this button initiates the schema generation process based on your selections and configurations. 

7. Feedback: This button allows you to provide valuable feedback on your experience with the plug-in, helping our developers improve future versions. 

Advanced Tab

1. Pick Electrical Installationscheme to Update: This dropdown menu lists all existing electrical schematics within the Revit project, allowing you to update specific schematics with the latest information. 

2. Feedback: With this button, you can provide valuable feedback on the plug-in, helping our developers improve future versions. 

3. Update: Clicking this button initiates the update process for the selected schema based on the configurations made. 

4. Distance Between Circuits: This field lets you define the spacing between circuit elements in the generated schematics for a visually appealing and well-organized layout (minimum value: 12.2 mm). 

5. Map Required Parameters: This section allows for mapping essential parameters used by the plug-in. You can choose to utilize default values or set custom values for parameters like “Characteristic,” “Demand Factor,” and “Apparent Load.” 

6. Save Parameters: This function enables saving the defined parameters to a file for future use or sharing with colleagues, promoting consistency within your projects. 

7. Run: By clicking this button, a schema is generated based on the settings and selections you have made. 

User Authentication and Feedback

E-INS. Schema requires user registration and login for access. The login process is intuitive, offering you options to reset forgotten passwords and switch between languages (English and Dutch). Your feedback is highly valued by our team.  

Essential Information for Families and Parameters 

The E-INS. Schema tool relies on specific parameters within Revit families to generate accurate schematics. Here’s a breakdown of these requirements: 

Fixture and Panel Families

• Connectors with System Type set to “Power Balanced” or “Power Unbalanced.” 

• Panel families with Part Type set to “Switchboard,” “Branch Panel,” or “Panelboard.” 

Fixture Families

Instance or type parameter defining the apparent load (VA) with a name matching one of the following:

• DIBS42_E_schijnbaar vermogen 

• schijnbaar_vermogen 

• Apparent Load 

Type parameter defining the load classification, influencing the element type displayed in the schematic. The name should include one of the following keywords: 

• ASP4 (connection point 400V) 

• ASP (connection point 230V) 

• WCD4 (outlet socket 400V) 

• WCD (outlet socket 230V) 

• verlichting (lighting fixture) 

• noodverlichting (emergency lighting fixture) 

Using Your Own Parameters

What can also be very handy, and we implemented it since we knew you would use it daily is the option of using your own parameters. 

• turn off “Use default” 

• type the parametername you are using in your model 

• press “Save Parameters” 

Note – feature can be found in the “Advanced tab” in which you can see in the image above
‍

Additional Required Parameters

In addition to the fixture parameters mentioned above, E-INS. Schema tool also uses wisely a project parameter to define circuit breaker characteristics and can leverage optional family instance parameters for further detail: 

Circuit Breaker Characteristic: Defined through a project parameter named “DIBS42_E_zekering karakteristiek” (Dutch) within the circuit category. This parameter specifies the characteristic curve of the circuit breaker, which is essential information for electrical design. If this parameter is absent, the default characteristic “B” will be applied by E-INS. Schema. 

Optional Family Instance Parameters: While not directly required for schematic generation, E-INS.Schema can also utilize additional parameters on the family instance (vertical family) based on the information provided by the electrical system (circuit). These parameters can further enhance the detail and accuracy of your schematics: 

• Circuit Number (“groepsnummer”): Identifies the circuit number obtained from the electrical system. 

• Load Name (“bestemming”): Stores the load name obtained from the electrical system, specifying the purpose or destination of the load. 

• Cable Tray (“kabeltype”): Represents the cable type obtained from the electrical system, specifying the type of cable used. 

• Rating (Current Rating): The current rating of the electrical circuit obtained. This value (e.g., 10A, 20A) can be set as a parameter on the circuit breaker family. 

• Characteristic Parameter (“karakteristiek”): Defines the characteristics of the circuit breaker family instance based on the characteristics obtained from the circuit. This helps in selecting the correct type of circuit protection. 

• Cable Length: The length of the cable obtained from the electrical system (circuit). If found, the value is converted to meters with one decimal place and stored in the corresponding parameter on the family instance. 

Ensuring Compatibility

By ensuring your Revit families incorporate these parameters with the specified names and values, you’ll guarantee that E-INS. Schema generates accurate and informative electrical schematics for your projects. If you have any questions or encounter issues with parameter compatibility, don’t hesitate to consult the E-INS. Schema user manual or contact us at info@dibs42.com for further assistance. 
‍

A Practical Example: Generating Schematics with E-INS. Schema 

Let’s walk through a practical example to illustrate the ease of using E-INS. Schema: 

1. Access the Plug-in: Locate the E-INS. Schema icon within the DIBS42 Revit ribbon and click on it to launch the plug-in. 

2. Generate a Schema with Three Panels: In the Basic tab, select the desired panels from the list (e.g., EC-LK1+1A, EC-LK1+1B, FD-LK1+1B). 

3. Click “Run”: This will generate a single schema that incorporates all three selected panels. 

4. Generate Separate Schematics (Optional): If you prefer individual schematics for each panel, check the “Generate Separately” box before clicking “Run.” 

5. Review the Results: The generated schematics will be displayed within your Revit project, providing a clear visual representation of your electrical system. 

Additional Notes

• The top right corner of the schema may include a summary table showcasing the total concurrent power, including reserve power. 

• Since this plug-in is still a Beta version, we highly appreciate your feedback! Simply use the feedback button in the plug-in and share your questions, thoughts, and ideas! 
  ‍

We hope this gives you a good overview of what our plug-in has to offer! For full details and explanation, please read our manual ‘RTFM42’. It is in the download folder when you download the DIBS42 Revit plug-in. The manual covers everything the plug-in has to offer. With using this plug-in we guarantee that your productivity in Revit projects will improve. The plug-in automates routine tasks, ensures accuracy, and simplifies electrical installationschematic generation, freeing up your valuable time for focussing on other parts of the project.