BIM Technology
Electrical schematics in BIM

E-Schematics in BIM – 2024

Introduction

Electrical installations and overthinking go together most of the time. While you imagine it before the project starts those twisting lines might give a general idea, but what about the complex details – the currents, powers, and precise connections that bring a building to life?  This is where E-schematics and BIM come in.

E-schematics, also known as electronic schematics or circuit diagrams, offer a clear and concise picture of how electronic components in the building interact. It gives every line of electrical components a purpose.  This blog explored how e-schematics work in BIM, and how they can bring the same level of precision and clarity to your next project.

E-Schematics in BIM

The complex details of electrical systems, power, lighting, and other low-voltage components often get simplified into plain lines on traditional BIM models. This is where e-schematics come into play, acting as a tool for integrating crucial information directly into the BIM model.

BIM models represent electrical systems with simplified lines, making it challenging to visualize the details.  However, e-schematics can be integrated within the BIM platform, showcasing every wire, switch, and component with perfect clarity. This shift from simple lines to detailed schematics guides to a complete understanding of the building. 

Architects, engineers, and all stakeholders involved in the project benefit from clear and consistent information, leading to improved collaboration and communication.  E-schematics act as a clear and precise roadmap, revealing the complex work of a building’s electrical systems.

The good side of e-schematics in BIM lies in their versatility.  They offer specialized schematics for specific functionalities:

  • Electrical Power Low Voltage Schematics: These detailed diagrams represent the entire power distribution network, lighting circuits, and control panels. Every electrical component, its connection points, and technical specifications are carefully presented, making sure there is a clear understanding of the building’s electrical infrastructure.
  • Extra-low voltage systems schematics and block diagrams: These systems are an important component of every building because they provide security, control access, connectivity to the internet, phone and cable systems, fire detection, and many more. Their diagrams show all the connections between important parts of those systems, how they act, how they react, and how they are connected.
  • Lighting control systems schematics: A lighting control system is a network of devices and software that enables users to regulate the illumination of a space. These systems offer various functionalities, including turning lights on and off, adjusting brightness levels, setting lighting schedules, and even changing the color of lights in some cases. They can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings to enhance energy efficiency, improve convenience, and create ambiance. Lighting control systems typically consist of sensors, switches, dimmers, controllers, and sometimes central management software or apps for remote control and automation. They can range from simple manual switches to sophisticated automated systems integrated with smart home technology. Their schematic diagram would typically illustrate components like power sources, switches and dimmers, control modules, lighting fixtures, optional sensors, and their wirings. This gives a clear overview of how they are connected and helps maintain the network by easily solving issues on problematic spots.
  • Lighting protection systems: A lightning protection system is a set of measures and devices designed to safeguard structures and electrical systems from the damaging effects of lightning strikes. These systems are particularly crucial for buildings, infrastructure, and equipment that are vulnerable to lightning-induced surges and overvoltages. Schematics of those systems show lighting rods, down conductors, grounding systems, surge protection devices, bondings etc.

By including e-schematics in BIM workflow, projects experience quite a few benefits.  Improved coordination between disciplines, reduced errors due to misinterpretations, and efficient clash detection that minimizes costly rework – these are just a few basic ones. Additionally, e-schematics in the BIM model make managing buildings easier over time. They help with maintenance and fixing electrical and low-voltage systems efficiently.

Why E-Schematics are Important in BIM

The integration of e-schematics into BIM processes gives us advantages that improve the entire construction process. Here’s how e-schematics make a significant impact:

  • Better Collaboration and Communication: Traditionally, electrical systems are represented by simplified lines on BIM models, leaving crucial details hidden.  E-schematics bridge this gap by providing detailed diagrams accessible to all stakeholders. Architects, engineers, and other disciplines can understand the complications of electrical systems, leading to smoother collaboration and communication.  Everyone is on the same page, leading to fewer misunderstandings and a more efficient project flow.
  • Improved Design Accuracy and Reduced Errors:  Detailed e-schematics provide a clear picture of every electrical component, its connections, and technical specifications. This gives a more in-depth and accurate design phase. Potential errors or inconsistencies become visible during the design stage, minimizing the risk of expensive rework during construction.  E-schematics act as a vital tool for securing a well-coordinated and error-free electrical system.
  • Simplified Facilities Management and Maintenance:  Having detailed schematics readily available within the BIM model simplifies facilities management throughout the building’s lifecycle.  Maintenance crews can easily access and understand the complicated workings of the electrical systems, allowing for efficient troubleshooting and repairs.  E-schematics act as a valuable reference point for ongoing maintenance and provide the smooth operation of the building’s electrical systems.

By including e-schematics in BIM, projects experience a significant improvement in collaboration, accuracy, and overall efficiency. 

Downsides of E-Schematics in Revit

While BIM provides advantages for integrating e-schematics, Revit’s users don’t have that many advantages with it, since it lacks e-schematic functionality and there are no available tools for it. This can significantly impact your workflow and project outcomes.

Here’s why relying solely on Revit for e-schematic is not quite possible for now:

  • Limited Functionality: Revit is an excellent software for BIM, but it was mainly designed for architects, and MEP functions were implemented additionally. Therefore, tools and actions that are helpful for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing are lacking in both quality and quantity.  No available tools in the software itself for electrical schematics make it difficult to create a more precise model. 

Challenges with Existing E-schematics BIM Plug-Ins

It’s important to know that even existing BIM e-schematic plug-ins might not be perfect:

  • Challenging User Interface:  Some tools lack a clear and user-friendly interface, making them inconvenient to use.  An ideal tool should be intuitive for generating, updating, and managing schematics efficiently.
  • Integration Issues:  While some e-schematic tools integrate with BIM software, not all are compatible with Revit.  This can lead to data exchange challenges and disrupt the workflow.
  • Additional Costs: Every existing E-Schematics tool that works well goes with a specific price, and it often needs adjusting or updating. That can be expensive in the long term, especially if you don’t use the tool on a daily basis.
  • Experience Needed: Most of the tools that are available today require quite some knowledge and experience, so they’re not very handy for new users and BIM juniors.

In essence, the lack of good quality, practical, user-friendly e-schematic function in Revit can make your workflow more difficult than it should be, over tasks that should have been manageable and easier in today’s age.

Conclusion

E-schematics are a powerful tool for BIM workflows, offering a clear and detailed roadmap for a building’s electrical systems.  By integrating them into the BIM model, projects experience important advantages: improved collaboration, enhanced design accuracy, and simplified facilities management.

However, Revit users face a challenge – a lack of native e-schematic functionality.  While existing e-schematic plug-ins offer solutions, they may have limitations in user interface, integration with Revit, or overall functionality.  The ideal scenario lies in an e-schematic plugin that seamlessly integrates with Revit, offering a user-friendly experience for generating, updating, and managing e-schematics.  This will unlock the full potential of e-schematics in BIM workflows, guiding all projects that use it to clarity, efficiency, and good collaboration in the construction industry.