Plug top regulations

[DragonSparks]

Hi everybody,

I am a time served sparks with over 20 years experience.

I am currently doing P.A.T. for a local theatre, most if not all of their leads and sockets are 15A round pin and have NO live/ neutral pin shrouds and the sockets have no pin shutters.

I would like to know the guidelines/ legal requirements regarding the use of these older connectors; whilst they are under no obligation to comply with current regulations, they are however responsible for the safety of any individuals working on or using the system.

• :confused5:
  

Understandably, the theatre does not want to spend the thousands this will cost, any help with this is greatly appreciated, thanks.

Dragonsparks

 

[alli]

I would put your findings in writting to the theatre, stating as your op that they are under no obligation to comply to the current regulations but point out why you think there is a problem, and what could happen in a worse case situation.

I would also suggest that the theatre should do a risk assesment to assess the dangers and whether they can be managed properly. i.e. if small children can touch/play with the leads they could get their fingers on the pins before they dissconnect form the socket etc. etc.

Risk assesment ...... :yawn:

 

[IQ Electrical]

All 13A plugs should have sleeved pins in accordance with BS 1363.

The legislation is not retrospective so that plugs already in use do not HAVE to be changed but they should not be refitted.

As the inspector, your duty in this case is to make the client aware of the situation (in writing).

15A plugs are generally to BS 546 and I'm almost 100% that there is no pin sleeving requirement in BS 546 but I don't have access to my copy.

 

[Adam W]

... Or on the other hand do you need a scaffold tower to get to them all (placed out of reach), will they only ever be used by the tech crew (skilled and instructed operatives) and are the dimmer packs protected by RCD?
As mentioned a risk assessment is worthwhile, even if it acknowledges the possible risks (eg children putting their fingers in the sockets) and dismisses them as not sufficient risk because children will never be using them.
Alternatively you could call the technical department of your local stage hire centre for advice; I'd help you out with numbers but I'm not sure of any near to the Death Star.

 

[Geordielad]

I have a theatre on site where I do maintenance and have recently re-done the socket outlets as were previously just left on hanging leads from the internally wired bars. I fixed metal clad outlets onto the bars so safer and neater. We have the same problem/risk with our plug tops tho. It hasn't been a problem tho as the tech guys only rig up lights with the dimmer packs off so they don't have a risk of shock. I've heard it can cause faults and at worse blow the lighting control desk. They also would much rather plug in lights 21foot up in the air off a tallescope knowing the power is off.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

I would put your findings in writting to the theatre, stating as your op that they are under no obligation to comply to the current regulations but point out why you think there is a problem, and what could happen in a worse case situation.

I would also suggest that the theatre should do a risk assesment to assess the dangers and whether they can be managed properly. i.e. if small children can touch/play with the leads they could get their fingers on the pins before they dissconnect form the socket etc. etc.

Risk assesment ...... :yawn:

There is zero possibility of a child or any other person touching the pin(s) of a commando style plug whilst disconnecting, as all three pins are totally disconnected ( L&N first followed by E) before the safety cylindrical pin guard is removed from the mating socket. The real issue as I see it:- Can a child's finger(s) be inserted into one or more of the open Line socket terminals having lifted the sprung loaded outer shutter?

 

[alli]

My apologies MarkieSparkie, I quite agree that you can't touch a commando style plug when dissconnecting. To be fair I was thinking of the 15Amp metal outdoor plugs that have been installed in garden areas, these are very much like a domestic plug which made me think of plugs and childrens fingers.

 

[Adam W]

I would put in the method statement that the lights would be rigged (and lamps changed) with the dimmer packs isolated, and not unplugged while focussing; remember even if the channel is faded to 0% at the desk there will still be some voltage present due to channel preheat.

When I did lighting back at school nearly all the lighting sockets were on the ceiling and you needed a 3 section tower to get to them, and they were only used by a small group of "trained" people.
Mind you, health and safety wasn't too bad back then.