Double switch plates and switch/outlet combos

[christo4robin]

Has anyone created double (and triple and quad) switch families? Also switch/outlet combos? Willing to share?

Thanks!

[beegee]

This is what we use for power points. The top and side text are instance parameters for Mounting height and number of outlets respectively.

The symbol is an annotation family.

If you want the family, let me know.

[christo4robin]

Here are some families I made to meet my needs. Model geometry sizes the wall - based switchplate. Symbols and labels annotate the symbol for the electrical plan.

BTW - Thanks for the help offer, Beegee

[christo4robin]

A few more...

[bclarch]

Christopher
Thanks for sharing.

[ctc]

Here are some families I made to meet my needs. Model geometry sizes the wall - based switchplate. Symbols and labels annotate the symbol for the electrical plan.

BTW - Thanks for the help offer, Beegee

How did you configure your labels so that if there is no value, the "?" isn't visible and doesn't print?

[beegee]

Its easy if you use 7.0 - the question mark wont show.

Prior to 7.0, you had to resort to work-arounds involving small text / invisible text / period place holder, etc.

Rather than go through that, can you use 7.0 ?

[ctc]

Its easy if you use 7.0 - the question mark wont show.

Prior to 7.0, you had to resort to work-arounds involving small text / invisible text / period place holder, etc.

Rather than go through that, can you use 7.0 ?

I used 7.0 generic annotation and single switch family in the default project template and the question mark shows. See for yourself!?

What could be wrong?

[beegee]

Hi Craig,

You will need to make the " S " symbol as a Generic based annotation family and place a system family label with it, then load that symbol into your model based family and constrain it to the reference lines controlling the switch model.

Only system labels work as a "blank" label. The generic annotation label that loads into a model family doesn't do it.

[ctc]

I don't like to use the "S" annotation symbol because I cannot snap to it when drafting the conduit connection from it to a light fixture. I know that I can insert a reference line into the family to snap to, but if I change the scale of the view after drafting its connections, which happens now and again, my drafting line would no longer "touch" the end of the switch annotation symbol and would need to be redrawn. Additionally, if the switch family is used in a view with a scale smaller than that which was created, the symbols are confusingly smashed together and therefore unusable.

If however, I use the old method and draw the "S" symbol using symbol lines in the switch family, I can snap to the switch when drafting its connections which will maintain its relationship no matter what scale the view. Do you know of some other operability that I'm losing out on by using this method?

Additionally, I have now found that if I insert a tiny line into the generic annotation containing the label, it will no longer print the "?" when there is no value entered. Do you know of some other operability that I'm losing out on by using this method?

I was unable to find a reference to a "system family label" in the Revit help.