Connectors
This rule checks Revit instances to determine whether connectors are correctly connected to a system. A disconnected connector may indicate an incomplete system, coordination issue, or modeling oversight.
⚠️ Note: Since Revit does not allow specifying whether a connector must be connected, this rule may occasionally produce false positives (e.g., for intentionally unused connectors).
What Is Checked
For each element with a connector (e.g., mechanical equipment, air terminals, lights, electrical fixtures), DAQS checks:
- Is the connector present?
- Is the connector connected to a system (e.g., duct, pipe, electrical)?
- What is the domain of the connector (HVAC, Electrical, etc.)?
Connector Domains
Domain Name | Description |
---|---|
DomainUndefined |
Connector has no defined domain |
DomainHvac |
Duct/HVAC connector |
DomainElectrical |
Electrical connector |
DomainPiping |
Connector of piping, cable trays, or conduits |
DomainCableTrayConduit |
Connector related to cable tray or conduit systems |
StructuralAnalytical |
Connector of structural analytical elements |
Domain-Specific Notes
Air (HVAC)
- Elements like air terminals, mechanical equipment, or VAV boxes should be connected to a duct system.
- If a connector is present but not connected, verify that the element has been assigned to a mechanical system in Revit.
- Common modeling issues:
- Air terminal placed without system assignment
- Equipment duplicated without maintaining duct connections
Electrical
- Components such as light fixtures, sockets, panels, or switchboards should be connected to electrical circuits.
- Unconnected electrical connectors may cause:
- Incomplete power distribution diagrams
- Inaccurate load calculations
- IFC export issues
Mechanical (Piping/Conduits)
- Elements like boilers, pumps, sinks, or heaters often have pipe connectors that need to be assigned to a pipe system (e.g., hot water, cold water).
- If conduits or cable trays are involved, ensure that:
- Routing preferences are set up
- Connectors are properly aligned to other system components
How to Fix
- Select the element that was flagged in DAQS.
- Inspect the connectors using Revit's System Browser or by using tools like Revit Lookup.
- If the connector is meant to be used:
- Assign it to the correct system (Duct, Pipe, Electrical Circuit, etc.)
- Connect it using Revit's "Create System" tools
- If the connector is intentionally unused, and this is common for the family:
- Document this internally or adjust the DAQS rule to ignore it (if supported).
Best Practice Tip
- Use clearly defined family templates that distinguish between optional and required connectors.
- Ensure MEP engineers or BIM managers agree on when a connector should be connected during each project phase.
🧩 If you have components with optional connectors (e.g., multi-configuration equipment), consider tagging them in a shared parameter so DAQS can be customized to avoid false positives.