Electrical Safety for Event Technicians

Electrical Safety for Event Technicians

The early 2020’s has seen various updates to electrical safety standards and guidance, from the IET

Wiring Regulations to BS 7909 and the Code of Practice for equipment testing (formerly known as

‘PAT testing’). Despite this, the legal requirements for managing electrical safety have remained

unchanged since 1989, following the introduction of the Electricity at Work Regulations (EAWR).

This course is designed to provide the background to the EAWR and how to comply in the fast?paced, reactive events and entertainment industry. It is a mixture of presentation and

demonstrations using equipment supplied by the trainer.

Topics covered in the course include:

The object of this one-day course is to give technicians an understanding of electrical principles and

safety requirements. It assumes little or no electrical knowledge as basic concepts are taught in

order to help understanding of safety principles such as earthing and protection.

Course synopsis

• Basic electrical theory overview/recap: Ohms law and how current, voltage and resistance

interact. (This is necessary to make sense of how protection works).

• Electricity generation and the use of three- and single-phase supplies and the importance of

phase balancing.

• Some example basic calculations to enable an understanding of how to calculate required

supplies based on power ratings of equipment.

• An explanation of how earth is used for fault detection and protection.

• The methods of protection from shock and overloads by using circuit breakers, MCBs and

RCDs and the differing types.

• Cable and connector types, cable management and selection – events, installations and

containment.

• ‘PAT testing’ overview and managing equipment racks.

• Simple checks on assembled temporary systems.

• An overview of electrical safety law and the requirements of BS 7671 and BS 7909.

There is no assessment with this course but there are practical demonstrations, so it is best

undertaken in a performance venue or rental company where equipment is readily available.

All course delegates will be given a course handbook with the days content along with further useful

information on other resources.