Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Multiple Connectors in Families
Many MEP equipment families have multiple types of connectors. Your
workenvironmentmaydeterminetheconnectorsthatyouaddtoequipment
families. For example, if your projects contain all MEP systems in one
model,youmaywanttohaveelectricalconnectorsinyourHVACequipment
families that require electricity. If you have a separate model for each
discipline, there is no need to have an electrical connector on any of the
mechanical equipment families because the connection cannot be made
through a linked file.
It is possible to link connectors in a family. This is useful when you want
the system behavior to pass through from one connector to the other—for
example, when you have a pipe fitting. Linking the connectors propagates
system information through the fitting, so fluid flow in is related to fluid
flow out of the fitting. You don't need to use the Link function for most
families that contain parameters storing the fluid or air flow. However,
the Link functionality is needed for fittings because they don't have those
parameters and that's the only way to pass the flow through the fitting. You
can link connectors by selecting one of the connectors and clicking the Link
Connectors button on the Connector Links panel, as shown in
Figure 19.32
.
Figure19.32
Linking connectors
Linked connectors will take on the Flow Configuration value of the primary
connector. So even if you have a connector in the family that has a Flow
Configuration set to Preset, if it is linked to a primary connector set to
Calculated, the behavior of the connector in a project will be as if the
connector is set to Calculated. You can tell whether connectors are linked in
a family by selecting one of the connectors in the Family Editor. Red arrows
will appear between linked connectors, as shown in
Figure 19.33
.
