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BS 7909:2023+A1:2024 Temporary electrical systems for entertainment and related purposes. Code of practice, 2024
- Foreword
- 0 Introduction
- 1 Scope
- 2 Normative references
- 3 Terms and definitions
- 4 Management of an event and supply of equipment for temporary electrical systems [Go to Page]
- 4.1 Management of the event
- 4.2 Outlining the parameters of the event
- 4.3 Responsibility for the temporary electrical system(s)
- 4.4 Early planning
- 4.5 Provision of equipment [Go to Page]
- 4.5.1 Supply of equipment for events
- 4.5.2 Responsibilities of owners or suppliers of equipment
- 5 Small/simple events and activities requiring up to 6 kVA [Go to Page]
- 5.1 General
- 5.2 Person responsible
- 5.3 Planning the small/simple temporary electrical system
- 5.4 Risk assessments
- 5.5 Supplying and checking equipment
- 5.6 Setting-up a small/simple temporary electrical system
- 5.7 Changes to the system
- 5.8 Leaving the system unattended [Go to Page]
- 5.8.1 General
- 5.8.2 Person responsible leaving the system
- 5.9 Removing the system
- 5.10 Problems with the installed electrical system
- 6 Large/complex events and activities requiring in excess of 6 kVA [Go to Page]
- 6.1 Responsibility [Go to Page]
- 6.1.1 Person responsible
- 6.1.2 Allocation of responsibility
- 6.1.3 Principle responsibilities [Go to Page]
- 6.1.3.1 General
- 6.1.3.2 System design
- 6.1.3.3 Site work
- 6.1.3.4 Inspection, testing and certification
- 6.1.3.5 Operation
- 6.1.3.6 Removal of equipment
- 6.2 Electrical supply [Go to Page]
- 6.2.1 Supplies required
- 6.2.2 Electrical supplies from installed sources
- 6.3 Risk assessments
- 6.4 Equipment [Go to Page]
- 6.4.1 General
- 6.4.2 Specialist equipment
- 6.4.3 Specific electrical requirements
- 6.5 Crew
- 7 Design and instructions for temporary electrical systems [Go to Page]
- 7.1 Design [Go to Page]
- 7.1.1 General
- 7.1.2 Principles of the temporary distribution
- 7.2 Electrical supplies [Go to Page]
- 7.2.1 Source of supply
- 7.2.2 Generators as a source of supply
- 7.2.3 Responsibility for connection to a supply
- 7.3 Cables and connectors [Go to Page]
- 7.3.1 General
- 7.3.2 Identification of conductors and single-pole connectors
- 7.3.3 Cables
- 7.3.4 Connectors [Go to Page]
- 7.3.4.1 General
- 7.3.4.2 Single-pole connectors
- 7.3.4.3 Connections
- 7.3.4.4 Connection to busbars
- 7.3.4.5 Multipole connectors
- Table 1 — Marking of conductors and single-pole connectors
- Table 2 — Connector types
- 7.4 Earthing and protective bonding [Go to Page]
- 7.4.1 General
- 7.4.2 Generator earthing [Go to Page]
- 7.4.2.1 General
- 7.4.2.2 Generator earthing required
- 7.4.2.3 Generator earthing not required (IN-S)
- 7.4.2.4 TN-C-S or PME supplies and mobile and transportable units
- 7.4.3 Interconnection of earthing systems
- 7.4.4 Protective bonding
- 7.5 Overcurrent protection for temporary systems
- 7.6 RCDs in temporary systems
- 7.7 Surge protective devices (SPDs) [Go to Page]
- 7.7.1 Requirement for SPDs
- 7.7.2 Where SPDs are installed
- 7.7.3 Testing of systems with SPDs
- 7.8 Equipment forming the temporary electrical system
- Table 3 — Minimum IP protection (with all covers in place)
- 7.9 Machinery
- 7.10 Luminaires
- 7.11 Electronic equipment used for control and power-processing
- 7.12 Sub-systems for associated services
- 7.13 Protection against unauthorized use
- 7.14 Safety systems [Go to Page]
- 7.14.1 Communications systems
- 7.14.2 Supplies for safety services
- 7.14.3 Warning signs
- 7.15 Weather conditions
- 7.16 Removal of temporary electrical systems
- 7.17Electrical energy storage systems and hybrid generators for the provision of low voltage AC supplies [Go to Page]
- 7.17.1 General
- 7.17.2 System design
- 7.17.3 Energy sources
- 7.17.4 Provision of information
- 7.17.5 Performance characteristics
- 8 Work on site [Go to Page]
- 8.1 General
- 8.2 Responsibilities
- 8.3 Design assessment
- 8.4 Equipment assessment [Go to Page]
- 8.4.1 General
- 8.4.2 Test and identification before delivery
- 8.4.3 Inspection of equipment on site
- 8.5 Live working
- 8.6 Connection to power supplies [Go to Page]
- 8.6.1 General
- 8.6.2 Verification of supplies
- 8.6.3 Connection using plugs and sockets
- 8.6.4 Connection using single-pole connectors
- 8.6.5 Connection using open-tails
- 8.6.6 Connection to supplies obtained from busbars
- 8.6.7 Isolation and switching
- 8.7 Fundamental checks [Go to Page]
- 8.7.1 Polarity check
- 8.7.2 Phase-sequence
- 8.7.3 Earth fault loop impedance
- 8.7.4 RCDs
- 8.7.5 Neutral/earth indication
- 8.7.6 Protective earthing and bonding arrangements
- 8.8 Protection against damage and interference [Go to Page]
- 8.8.1 Cables
- 8.8.2 Switchgear, distribution units and other equipment
- 8.9 Safe working practice [Go to Page]
- 8.9.1 Identification and isolation of circuits
- 8.9.2 Knowledge of site emergency procedures
- 8.9.3 Unattended system
- 8.9.4 Access covers
- 8.9.5 Faulty equipment
- 8.9.6 Working, safety and emergency lighting
- 8.9.7 Hand-held mains-powered equipment
- 8.9.8 Overriding RCDs
- 8.10 Communications
- 8.11 Weather conditions on site
- 8.12 Hazardous sites
- 8.13 Medical areas or locations
- 8.14 Agricultural areas
- 8.15 Signs and warning notices
- 8.16 Removal of temporary electrical systems after use
- 9 Inspection and testing [Go to Page]
- 9.1 General
- 9.2 Person responsible
- 9.3 Records, results and certificates [Go to Page]
- 9.3.1 Initial verification
- 9.3.2 In-service inspection and testing
- 9.4 Test and identification of equipment before delivery
- 9.5 Electrical systems brought by facilities providers
- 9.6 Supplies to facilities providers
- 9.7 Visual inspection
- 9.8 Tests [Go to Page]
- 9.8.1 General
- 9.8.2 Equipment tests prior to arrival on site
- 9.8.3 System tests on site
- 9.8.4 RCD setting and checking
- 9.9 Onsite assembly or modification [Go to Page]
- 9.9.1 Units assembled on site
- 9.9.2 Equipment repaired or modified on site
- 10 Operational procedures [Go to Page]
- 10.1 Competent person present
- 10.2 Regular inspection
- 10.3 Supervision of temporary systems for safety
- 10.4 Site security
- 10.5 Site emergency services or procedures
- 10.6 Non-load making and breaking connectors
- 10.7 RCD Override
- 11 Additional considerations [Go to Page]
- 11.1 Protection against lightning
- 11.2 Discharge of static electricity
- Annex A (normative) Construction of distribution equipment or switchgear for temporary systems [Go to Page]
- A.1 General
- A.2 Construction
- A.3 Electrical construction
- A.4 Single-pole connector-cable combinations
- Annex B (informative) Distribution equipment functionality [Go to Page]
- B.1 Intake switch unit (ISU)
- B.2 Central distribution unit (CDU)
- B.3 Cable splitter unit (CSU)
- B.4 Final distribution unit (FDU)
- B.5 Current-using equipment
- B.6 Indicator lamps and polarity verification devices
- Table B.1 — Indicator colours
- B.7 Labels
- Annex C (informative) Earthing arrangements and temporary systems [Go to Page]
- C.1 General
- C.2 Electrical environment
- C.3 Earthing arrangements
- C.4 Installed sources of supply and earthing arrangements
- C.4.1 General
- C.4.2 TN-S and permanent systems
- C.4.3 TN-C-S [Go to Page]
- C.4.3.1 General
- C.4.3.2 Open circuit PEN (PEN failure) in the distribution provided by the DSO
- C.4.3.3 Earthed signal cables and PME supplies
- C.4.3.4 TN-C-S as installed in domestic and smaller commercial, industrial and similar premises
- C.4.3.5 TN-C-S as installed in larger commercial, industrial, public and sports premises
- C.4.3.6 TN-C-S and temporary systems extending the supply outside the electrical environment of the installed source [Go to Page]
- C.4.3.6.1 TN-C-S source as described in C.4.3.3
- C.4.3.6.2 TN-C-S source as described in C.4.3.4
- C.4.3.6.3 TN-C-S source supplying a mobile or transportable unit
- C.4.3.6.4 TN-C-S source, supplementary earth electrode for the temporary system
- C.4.3.6.5 TN-C-S source, used in TT form
- C.4.4 TT
- C.4.5 IT
- C.5 Generators as sources of supply and earthing arrangements
- C.5.1 General
- C.5.2 Generated output that is not associated with another electrical environment
- C.5.3 Generated output that is associated with or enters another electrical environment [Go to Page]
- C.5.3.1 Generator outdoors supplying equipment within a building [Go to Page]
- C.5.3.1.1 General
- C.5.3.1.2 Installed system is of TN-S or TT form
- C.5.3.1.3 Installed system is or is assumed to be TN-C-S
- C.5.3.2 Generator outdoors supplying equipment outdoors that is connected through earthed signal cables to equipment supplied from the installed system [Go to Page]
- C.5.3.2.1 General
- C.5.3.2.2 Installed system is of TN-S or TT form
- C.5.3.2.3 Installed system is of TN-C-S or assumed to be TN-C-S in form
- C.5.3.3 Generator outdoors supplying equipment outdoors associated with other equipment outdoors that is supplied from the installed system of an adjacent building [Go to Page]
- C.5.3.3.1 Installed system is of TN-S or TT form
- C.5.3.3.2 Installed system is of TN-C-S or assumed to be TN-C-S in form
- C.5.3.4 Generator acting as an alternative to, or an augmenting supply to, an installed electrical system
- C.5.4 Additional information about earthing generators
- C.6 Earth electrodes used in a temporary system
- C.6.1 General
- C.6.2 Effective connection to the general mass of Earth
- C.6.3 Supplementary connection to the general mass of Earth
- Annex D (informative) Possible arrangements for temporary electrical systems [Go to Page]
- D.1 General
- D.2 Use of expressions
- D.2.1 Touch voltages
- Figure D.1 — Temporary electrical system: typical event/theatre/concert arrangements
- Figure D.2 — Temporary electrical system: typical film/TV location
- Figure D.3 — Temporary electrical system: typical major event or festival
- D.2.2 Earth
- D.3 Temporary electrical system for a typical event, theatre or concert arrangement
- D.4 Temporary electrical system for a typical film/TV location
- D.5 Temporary electrical system for a typical major event or festival
- D.6 Conditions with a fault present
- Annex E (informative) Residual current devices (RCDs): selection and use [Go to Page]
- E.1 What is an RCD and what does it do?
- E.2 Types of RCDs
- E.2.1 General
- Table E.1 — Types of RCDs
- E.2.2 RCD type AC, A, B and F
- Table E.2 — Fault currents
- Table E.3 — RCD symbols
- E.2.3 Older installations with ELCBs
- E.2.4 Recognized standards for RCDs
- Table E.4 — RCD standards
- E.2.5 Characteristics of RCDs
- E.2.6 Auto-reclosing RCDs and residual current monitors
- E.2.7 RCD use outside of the UK
- E.3 Applications
- E.3.1 General
- Table E.5 — RCD applications
- E.3.2 Unwanted operation
- E.3.3 Selectivity
- E.4 Testing
- E.4.1 General
- E.4.2 Range of tests
- Table E.6 — Test criteria
- E.4.3 Test button (T button)
- E.5 Test instrument
- E.6 Measuring earth fault loop impedance on a circuit with RCD protection
- Annex F(informative)Supplies provided for temporary distributions at venues [Go to Page]
- F.1 Principal issues related to temporary distributions
- F.2 Installed source of supply for temporary distribution at venues [Go to Page]
- F.2.1 General
- F.2.2 Venue representative
- F.2.3 Earthing arrangement
- F.2.4 Conductors supplying the point of connection for temporary distributions
- F.2.5 Method of connection to a venue’s installed source [Go to Page]
- F.2.5.1 General
- F.2.5.2 Switched fuse as the means of connection
- F.2.5.3 Connectors as the means of connection
- Table F.1 — Connectors, circuit-breaker and RCD ratings at the venue
- F.2.5.4 Circuit protective devices
- F.2.5.5 Additional earth terminal for temporary distributions
- F.3 Information and labelling of points of connection for the temporary distribution
- Figure F.1 — Typical section of a keyed single-pole connector (KSPC)
- Figure F.2 — Example of label for sources of supply
- F.4 Power rating versus circuit-breaker and RCD rating
- Annex G (normative) Inspection, testing and certification [Go to Page]
- G.1 General
- G.2 Small/simple temporary electrical systems
- G.2.1 Inspecting and testing of the source of supply
- G.2.2 Inspection of equipment forming the temporary electrical system
- G.2.3 Inspection of a completed temporary electrical system
- G.2.4 Testing the temporary electrical system and RCDs
- G.2.5 Documentation
- G.3 Large/complex temporary electrical systems [Go to Page]
- G.3.1 Duration of the temporary electrical system [Go to Page]
- G.3.1.1 General
- G.3.1.2 Short duration temporary systems
- G.3.1.3 Long duration temporary systems
- G.3.1.4 Existence of temporary systems extended for longer than planned
- G.3.1.5 Temporary systems associated with touring events
- G.3.2 Details of the source of supply
- G.3.3 Inspection and testing of the source of supply
- G.3.4 Inspection of equipment forming the temporary electrical system
- G.3.5 Inspection of a temporary electrical distribution
- G.3.6 Testing the temporary electrical distribution
- G.3.7 Testing RCDs and setting adjustable RCDs
- G.3.8 Documentation
- Figure G.1 — Model completion certificate
- Figure G.2 — Model Schedule of Circuit Details and Test Results
- Figure G.3 — Model confirmation of electrical completion
- Annex H (informative) Multi-pole connectors used for lighting and other applications [Go to Page]
- H.1 General
- H.2 Extension cables
- H.3 Fan-in adaptors (male spiders) [Go to Page]
- H.3.1 Rectangular 16 pin type
- H.3.2 Circular 19 pin type
- H.4 Source equipment and distribution panels
- H.5 Type jumpers
- H.6 Fan-out adaptors (female spiders, stage boxes, internally wired bars)
- H.7 Sequencing reversing adaptors
- H.8 16-pole rectangular connector systems
- Table H.1 — Rectangular 16-pole connector wiring configurations
- Table H.2 — Common rectangular 16-pole connector wiring configuration by country and manufacturer
- H.9 19-pole circular connector systems
- Table H.3 — Circular 19-pole connector wiring configurations
- Table H.4 — Common circular 19-pole connector wiring configuration by country and manufacturer
- H.10 Overseas touring with multicores
- H.11 32 A Seven pin three-circuit connector
- Figure H.1 — Seven pin three-circuit connector
- Table H.5 — Seven pin three-circuit connector
- Annex I (informative) Power quality in electrical systems
- Bibliography [Go to Page]
