Rehearsal room/stage electrical safety gear

[Beedster]

There's a current thread re some small shocks a singer is getting from a mic and it prompted me to think a bit more about safety. Although I think I'm careful around this stuff, I'm probably not as careful as I could/should be - especially looking at the state of sockets and cables in some venues - so I'm keen to know what devices folks use to reduce the chances of electricity going where we don't want it? 

[Franticsmurf]

If I don't know the venue, if I'm playing outside or if anything looks dodgy I use an RCD circuit breaker on my main power block. I went wireless years ago to give me some isolation from my backline. In my current band we have two working electricians, so they are always on the case regarding venue electrics.

[dudewheresmybass]

Part of the reason why I'm totally wireless. 

I've played enough venues with dodgy electrics to protect myself.

These days - fortunately - there seem to be less iffy venues (at least around the south east)

But I always carry an RCD as well JIC

[Burns-bass]

We always take plug testers to gigs after a dodgy connection.

 

Cost £15 or so and easy to stick in the gig box. 
 

https://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/socket-testers/cat7910008

[ossyrocks]

11 minutes ago, Burns-bass said:

We always take plug testers to gigs after a dodgy connection.

 

Cost £15 or so and easy to stick in the gig box. 
 

https://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/socket-testers/cat7910008

There's a socket tester in that link for £5.00. Is that the kind of thing you mean, if so, I'll get one?

 

[Burns-bass]

33 minutes ago, ossyrocks said:

There's a socket tester in that link for £5.00. Is that the kind of thing you mean, if so, I'll get one?

 

 

Yes, that's what I have. It provides a check of each plug and tells you if it's correctly wired and grounded or not. 

 

I'm no electrician (and the guys who put in the cabling also have an RCD) but I do it every venue I go to now to ensure me and my equipment will be OK.

 

One of the singers in my band got a shock one gig and we ended it early as we had no faith in the safety of the venue. After that, I didn't want to take any risks.

 

 

[casapete]

Think I’ve mentioned this before but when a venue asks to see any PAT certificates for your gear,

then you also have the right to see their up to date EIC (Electrical Installation Certificate).

If it’s a temporary event then the organiser should have evidence of the electrical supply 

completed to BS7909 standards. 

[42Hz]

Aren't residual current breakers required for any legal installation ?

(General question)

Do they exist as simple carry along / plugin devices ?

[godathunder]

15 minutes ago, 42Hz said:

Aren't residual current breakers required for any legal installation ?

(General question)

Do they exist as simple carry along / plugin devices ?

Yes, and cars arent allowed to run you over on a zebra crossing but it's still wise to look left and right before you cross.............. (less snarkily, yes, theyve been required for over 20 years but you'll still encounter the odd legacy system out there so its a good idea to carry your own. Be prepared and all that dib dib dib)

 

Yes, 13a plug in rcds exist - they cost about the same as a couple of pints

https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-13a-fused-plug-in-active-rcd-plug/44855