General Regulations for Electrical Work
All electrical installations must comply with the electrical guidance contained in the eGuide
All electrical installations completed by either Showlite Ltd, or an unofficial electrical contractor employed by the exhibitor or stand contractor, will require an initial inspection and the subsequent dead and live tests in line with the current e-guide and in conjunction current IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition. BS7671:2018+A3:2024
Socket Power
No more than ONE appliance may be plugged into a 1KW/2KW/3KW switch socket outlet
Only one 4-way extension lead may be connected to a 500w socket outlet, and the maximum length of lead permitted is 2 metres. Extension leads must not be plugged into other extension leads (commonly known as ‘daisy-chaining’).
Block adaptors and drum reel extension cables must not be used.
It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to ensure all electrical circuits, equipment and connections installed, connected or plugged in downstream from our installation, does not impair the safety of the existing installation and is fit for purpose
All electrical equipment being connected / plugged into showlites installation must be maintained and in a safe working condition by an In-service inspection and testing, formally known as PAT( Portable Appliance Testing). This Service is not Provided by Showlite
Cables must not be run under carpet or other floor covering. Cables on the floor which may be walked on must be protected with rubber ramping (tape is not acceptable).
All circuits will be protected by a 30mA RCD / RCBO
All power circuits up to 13AMPS will be installed on a B Curve MCB. If your appliance requires a C or D curve MCD please contact us
Lighting Power
Lighting circuits must not exceed 1,000 watts. They must not be looped or connected to power circuits.
All circuits will be protected by a 30mA RCD / RCBO
All Lighting circuits up to 6AMPS will be installed on a B Curve MCB
Machinery Power
If you have machine power that requires C or D curve MCBS you will need to let us know 4 weeks out from 1st day of build so changes to the venues electrical infrastructure can be made
If your machine does not run on a 30mA RCD, please us know so we can ensure that one is no installed inline as the venue is a multipurpose venue that caters for various events and not just machine shows
If you have the info regarding how much earth leakage your equipment produces this
Venue switch and Mains cables
A Venue Mains cable is installed to every island stand or within a Block of stands. Showlite will order the mains on behalf of the exhibitor / stand contractor to a position based on information received at that specific time.
It is the responsibility of the exhibitor/stand contractor to incorporate the venue main switch and mains cable into their stand design. If the venue has ducting and you have a duct running through your stand there is a possibility a venue mains cable will come out of venue ducting and a main switch installed on your stand.
We do not have control over the size of the main switch.
All electrical installations on stands, features, displays or exhibits shall comply with the following:
Prefabricated electrical system
Exhibitors/Contractors are permitted to use their own prefabricated electrical system providing that they have been pre-wired by a competent electrician and that it complies with the eGuide Electrical Regulations.
If it is your intention to bring your own prefabricated electrical system for your stand, you must have written confirmation from the company who completed the work that it complies with the above. You will be asked, by the appointed electrical contractor for proof of this compliance as well as being asked for electrical qualifications for you to install and test. If you cannot provide such information, you will not be able to install electrics for your stand. A copy of your public liability insurance will also be required for such systems.
Regulation 4(2) of the Electricity at work Regulations 1989 states: “it is necessary to prevent danger.
All systems shall be maintained as far as is reasonably practically possible to prevent such danger”.
Effectively, this means that it is the responsibility of all employers to ensure all electrical appliances used by them or their employees are safe and pose no risk of injury to anybody. In particular those exhibitors who are intending to bring on-site any form of prefabricated electrics (i.e. any pre-wired lighting, sockets, display cabinets etc.) must ensure that this system arrives on-site along with a PAT test certificate (Portable Appliance Test) proving that the equipment is safe to use.
Exhibitors bringing pre-fabricated electrical installations are solely responsible for making sure the equipment is safe to use and has the right certification. Certificates must be bought to site to allow the Organisers and/or the Health & Safety Officer to see the certificate, and should this not be forthcoming, it could lead to a ban upon the said installation from being used.
Mains cable
Each Island site or Block of stands will have a mains cable installed by the venue/ venue electrical contractor under instructions from the nominated electrical contractor for the event/exhibition.
The nominated electrical contractor will order the mains to the position based on information given by the exhibitor / stand contractor for the event / exhibition
Where the cable exits the duct it is the responsibility of the exhibitor / stand contractor to incorporate the mains cable, Mains box and nominated contractors switch gear into the design of the stand and the means for them to be installed i.e some to hang them.
There are many ways to incorporate a mains cable into stand design.
Build a platform
Cable Ramping / Matting /Capping
Install a wall over the duct
Install a store / void / office space
Design a stand around venue duct position
