Change Revit Voltage Parameter from Type to Instance

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When creating a new Revit family based upon the Electrical Equipment template, there is a parameter already within the family named Voltage.  This is a system parameter which is predefined in the template and cannot be removed.  By default, this is a Type-based parameter.  You cannot simply edit the parameter and change it from Type to Instance as can be done with other parameters.  However, it is possible to change it to Instance-based and this article will show you how to accomplish that change.

The following is a step by step process to guide you through changing the Voltage parameter:

  • Create a family using the Electrical Equipment.rft.  (Or open an existing Electrical Equipment family)
  • Go to the Family Types button on the Properties panel of the Create tab.

Voltage-Family Parameters

  • In the Family Types dialog box, add some value to the Voltage parameter (adding ‘1″ is shown here).

Voltage-Add Value

    • If no value is placed in the parameter, the parameter will not be changed in the following steps.
    • Pick the OK button to close out of this dialog box.
  • Go to the Family Category button on the Properties panel of the Create tab.

Voltage-Family Category

  • In the Family Categories and Parameters dialog box, change the family’s category to a different category (such as Electrical Fixtures) where the Voltage parameter is not a system parameter.

Voltage-Category

    • Pick the OK button to close out of this dialog box.
    • This process makes the Voltage parameter no longer be a system parameter.
  • Go back to the Family Types button on the Properties panel of the Create tab.
    • In the Family Types dialog box, highlight the Voltage parameter and select the Modify… button on the right side of the dialog box.
    • In the Parameter Properties dialog box, select the Instance option on the right side.

Voltage-Instance

    • Pick the OK button to exit the Parameter Properties dialog box.
    • Pick the OK button to exit the Family Types dialog box.
  • Go back to the Family Category button on the Properties panel of the Create tab.
  • In the Family Categories and Parameters dialog box, change the family’s category back to Electrical Equipment.
    • Pick the OK button to exit this dialog box.

The Voltage parameter will now be an Instance-based parameter that can be modified per each occurrence which this piece of Electrical Equipment is placed in the Revit project model.

Note that this Voltage parameter is a Text parameter and not an Electrical parameter, so any text or numbers can be entered into it.

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