BS 7909 Temporary Power Training for Events & Construction Sites
A practical 1-day electrical safety course covering the planning, management, distribution, protection, testing and operation of temporary electrical power systems for events, festivals, temporary venues and construction environments.
Learn how BS 7909:2023+A1:2024 applies to entertainment and event temporary power, how BS 7671 requirements interact with temporary systems, and the additional considerations that apply to temporary electrical installations on construction sites.
Understanding Safe Temporary Electrical Power
Temporary electrical installations can be some of the most challenging systems an electrical team has to design, deploy and manage.
Unlike a conventional fixed installation, temporary systems may be repeatedly assembled and dismantled, exposed to weather, used by multiple contractors, supplied by generators and altered as an event or construction project develops.
The SJB Smart Electricals temporary power course gives delegates a practical understanding of the safety, management and technical principles needed when working with temporary low-voltage systems.
- Temporary electrical distribution
- Generators and alternative supplies
- 230 V and 400 V temporary systems
- Earthing and protective measures
- RCD protection
- Cable selection and distribution equipment
- Electrical inspection and testing
- Temporary system documentation
Who Should Attend?
- Electricians and electrical contractors
- Event power technicians
- Production electricians
- Event managers and technical managers
- Temporary power suppliers
- Generator hire personnel
- Construction site electricians
- Site managers and supervisors
- Facilities and maintenance personnel
- Those responsible for temporary electrical safety
What Is BS 7909:2023+A1:2024?
BS 7909 is the British Standard Code of Practice for temporary electrical systems used for entertainment and related purposes.
It provides recommendations for the management, design, set-up and operation of temporary low-voltage AC electrical systems used for events and similar temporary activities.
Typical systems operate at 230 V or 400 V AC and may be supplied from an existing electrical installation, the public supply, private supplies or portable and mobile generators.
The current standard is BS 7909:2023+A1:2024.
Typical BS 7909 Environments
- Music festivals
- Outdoor events
- Concerts
- Exhibitions
- Agricultural shows
- Motorsport events
- Corporate events
- Theatre and stage productions
- Film and television production
- Temporary structures
- Shows and fairs
- Temporary hospitality facilities
What Will You Learn on the Temporary Power Course?
Temporary Electrical Safety
Electrical hazards, responsibilities, Electricity at Work principles and why temporary systems require active management.
BS 7909 & BS 7671
Understand how BS 7909 interacts with the Wiring Regulations and when different requirements apply.
Planning Temporary Power
Assess electrical loads, supply requirements, distribution arrangements and operational priorities before installation.
Generators & Temporary Supplies
Generator supplies, earthing arrangements, protection, connections and safe integration with temporary distribution.
Distribution Equipment
Temporary distribution boards, feeder distribution units, connectors, socket outlets and distribution architecture.
Cable Selection
Cable type, conductor sizing, current capacity, voltage drop, mechanical protection and routing.
Earthing & Protection
Temporary-system earthing, generator electrodes, protective conductors, fault protection and RCD principles.
Inspection & Testing
Understand the checks and electrical testing needed before a temporary system is energised and placed into service.
Documentation & Responsibility
System records, responsibility boundaries, handover, verification and coordination between different suppliers.
Faults & Practical Scenarios
Work through realistic temporary power problems and learn how to identify unsafe arrangements before they cause an incident.
Event Electrical Safety & BS 7909 Training
Events combine temporary electrical systems with large numbers of people, multiple suppliers and rapidly changing operational requirements.
The course examines how temporary power can be managed safely for festivals, outdoor shows, concerts, exhibitions, motorsport and temporary entertainment venues.
Event Power Distribution
Understand temporary mains distribution from generators or existing supplies through distribution equipment to final loads.
Multiple Contractors
Learn why clearly defined responsibility boundaries are essential where lighting, sound, video, catering and other suppliers share power.
Outdoor Electrical Safety
Consider weather, mechanical damage, public access, temporary structures and changing site conditions.
Generators
Understand generator selection, supply arrangements, earthing, protection and distribution considerations.
RCD Protection
Understand the role and coordination of RCDs within temporary event electrical systems.
Testing & Handover
Learn why verification and documentation are important before a temporary electrical system is put into service.
Construction Site Temporary Electrical Power Training
Construction sites also rely heavily on temporary electrical power, but the regulatory emphasis differs from event installations.
Construction and demolition site installations are principally addressed by BS 7671 Section 704. The course therefore clearly separates the application of BS 7909 for entertainment and events from the requirements and good-practice principles relevant to construction temporary power.
Construction Distribution
Temporary boards, site distribution systems and supplies for tools, site cabins, welfare facilities and equipment.
BS 7671 Section 704
Understand the special installation requirements associated with construction and demolition sites.
Changing Site Conditions
Learn how temporary electrical systems must remain safe as construction layouts, equipment and access routes change.
Cable Protection
Consider mechanical damage, cable routes, temporary containment and protection around vehicles, plant and construction activities.
Generators & Site Supplies
Understand practical issues where construction power is derived from generators or temporary site services.
Inspection & Maintenance
Temporary does not remove the need for appropriate inspection, testing and ongoing maintenance throughout the project.
BS 7909 or BS 7671 Section 704?
The standards address different environments and should not be treated as interchangeable.
BS 7909 is specifically focused on temporary electrical systems for entertainment and related purposes.
BS 7671 Section 704 contains particular requirements for construction and demolition site installations.
This SJB course deliberately covers both environments so delegates understand the principles common to temporary power while also recognising which regulatory framework applies to their work.
Important
This one-day programme provides specialist awareness and technical development. It does not by itself make an inexperienced person competent to design, install or certify complex temporary electrical systems.
Delegates undertaking electrical work must have suitable underlying electrical competence, experience and authority for their duties.
Technical Areas That Can Make or Break a Temporary Installation
Generator Earthing
Understand why generator earthing and fault protection must be considered as a complete system rather than simply attaching an earth electrode.
Voltage Drop
Long temporary cable runs and high loads can make voltage-drop assessment particularly important.
RCD Coordination
Poor RCD coordination can create unwanted loss of supply or leave unsuitable protection arrangements.
Mechanical Damage
Temporary cables may cross working areas, vehicle routes and public spaces and therefore require careful protection.
Power Quality
Modern temporary loads, generators, inverters and electronic equipment can create additional power-quality considerations.
Responsibility
BS 7909 places strong emphasis on managing who is responsible for different parts of a temporary electrical system.
What Will Delegates Gain From the Course?
Recognise Unsafe Installations
Improve the ability to identify poor temporary power practices before they create risk to workers or the public.
Understand the Standards
Know when BS 7909 applies and how BS 7671 requirements support safe temporary electrical installations.
Plan Temporary Power Better
Understand loads, distribution, supply arrangements and responsibility before equipment arrives on site.
Understand Generators & Distribution
Develop stronger knowledge of generator supplies, earthing, distribution equipment and protective devices.
Improve Verification
Understand why temporary systems need inspection, testing and documented verification before energisation.
Clarify Responsibility
Improve coordination between event organisers, electrical contractors, suppliers and site management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BS 7909?
BS 7909:2023+A1:2024 is the current British Standard Code of Practice covering the management, design, set-up and operation of temporary low-voltage AC electrical systems for entertainment and related purposes.
Does BS 7909 apply to construction sites?
BS 7909 is specifically written for entertainment and related temporary electrical systems. Construction and demolition site installations are principally addressed by BS 7671 Section 704. This course explains the distinction while covering temporary power principles relevant to both sectors.
Does the course cover generators?
Yes. Generator supplies, temporary distribution, earthing, protection and practical safety considerations form an important part of the programme.
Is BS 7909 relevant to festivals and outdoor events?
Yes. It is particularly relevant to festivals, concerts, shows, exhibitions and other entertainment environments using temporary electrical distribution.
Does the course include inspection and testing?
The programme covers the principles of inspection, testing, verification and documentation required for safe temporary systems.
Can SJB deliver the course at our site?
Yes. Dedicated company programmes can be discussed for event companies, construction organisations, electrical contractors, venues and temporary power suppliers.
Book BS 7909 Temporary Electrical Systems Training
Whether you provide temporary electrical power for festivals, events, exhibitions, construction sites or specialist temporary installations, speak to SJB Smart Electricals about this focused one-day temporary power safety course.