You may choose to pass the responsibility onto each trader and service provider to procure their own power and connect it safely.

If you choose to do this then you must ensure you obtain the correct paperwork from each and every trader and services provider, stating their equipment is safe for use and has been tested. This may be in the form of PAT (Portable Appliance Test) certificates or electrical installation test certificates. Without these documents you may find yourself liable for any accidents involving the electric on the site.

Many event organisers employ contractors to plan and manage the site power for them. This way you transfer much of the legal responsibilities to them. Although it comes at a cost, it also comes with so many benefits. 

An event power management contractor will not only be qualified in BS7671 (The Wiring Regulations) but also BS7909 (Temporary Power Systems). BS7909 is a British Standard written specifically for the use of electrical installations for temporary events, and ensures electricians interpret the requirements of the Wiring Regulations correctly for both indoor and outdoor use.

Your Power Management Contractor will request the power requirements from each and every trader and services provider. Don’t forget that you may need power yourselves for charging two-way radios and powering laptops, etc.

The contractor will then formulate a plan for how many generators are needed (or using local power that may be available) and how to distribute it safely.

Power Distribution

Designing a power distribution system is an art in itself, and requires careful calculations to ensure suitable cables and connection boxes are used. But in addition, all this cabling and equipment needs to be safe around the public. From running cables in locations that the public can’t trip on them to ensuring proper earthing has been established should there be a fault.

But by far the most important part of installing the electrical installation process is final testing and certification. The testing will prove the installation is safe and the certification proves the testing has been done.

Testing is not just making sure a socket has power, it is a series of measurements that are taken by an electrician with calibrated test equipment that analyse each circuit in the installation. As long as the results of these tests are within the required parameters then the circuit will pass.

This testing should be completed on every circuit of every electrical installation, even if it is just a flood light or kettle plugged into a generator.

Who offers this service?

We do. Our team includes registered electricians qualified in BS7671 and BS7909. In fact, we take responsibility for our own power distribution for every stage we supply sound and lighting for, even when we are not the main electrical contractor onsite. This is because these production systems on a stage may have upwards of 100 electrical connections. The main contractor may not be able to access and test everything. We can provide the electrical certification for our part of the electrical installation at any event we attend.

Koncept Productions Ltd can also provide the complete power management service for the whole event site as well, and we have provided a safe and reliable service for numerous events over the past 10 years.

The most important thing to look for when choosing you electrical contractor for your event is that they are qualified and experienced in both BS7671 and BS7909. There are very few contractors in the UK with knowledge of BS7909, and without it you could be putting you and your event at risk.

Don’t forget, as an event organiser, it is your responsibility to ensure the electrics are safe and certified. If you can’t do this yourself then get the professionals.