What is the Silver Award for Theatre Electricians?

The Silver Award is a five day course which gives candidates more in-depth knowledge and understanding of best practice in Theatre Electrics. It allows candidates to specialise further and validate experience in a specific area whilst progressing on from the Bronze Award.

Who can do the course?

Candidates wanting to pursue a Silver Award for Theatre Electricians should have gained equivalent knowledge and skills covered by the Bronze Award prior to considering undertaking this course.

How is the course structured?

The course is split in to five sections:

1. In-Service Inspection & Testing of Electrical Equipment (IET)

2. Design of Electrical Installation

3. Electrical Inspection and Testing

4. Electronics Fundamentals – Part One

5. Electronics Fundamentals – Part Two

The training is followed by the Silver Award Test.

What is covered in the course?

Course 1: In-Service Inspection & Testing of Electrical Equipment (IET): The course describes systems to organise the portable appliance testing of theatre electrical equipment and for theatre electricians to comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations for inspection & testing of portable appliances. The course includes visual inspection and electrical testing; testing periods; record keeping; managing the system of inspection and testing and selection of suitable testing instruments.

Courses 2: Design of Electrical Installation: This course considers circuit design in relation to theatre and studio installations. The objectives are to choose and install the correct size cable for current capacities and voltage drop using tables in BS7909 BS7909: 2011 – The Code of Practice for Temporary Electrical Systems for Entertainment and Related Purposes. It will also consider the various protection devices to prevent danger from fire and shock

Course 3: Electrical Inspection and Testing This course teaches how to interpret the legislation and codes of practice when testing electrical installations. The outcomes of this course include performing a visual inspection of the electrical installation to ensure it complies with BS 7671 Requirements for electrical installations. The course also includes completing tests including earth continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, earth fault loop impedance, and residual current device testing. It also covers completion of Electrical Installation Certification. This ensures compliance with BS7909: 2011 – The Code of Practice for Temporary Electrical Systems for Entertainment and Related Purposes as used in a range of theatres, broadcasting and events. The course also looks at how The Code of Practice identifies the necessary management arrangements of temporary electrical supplies.

Courses 4 and 5: Electronics Fundamentals parts 1 & 2 teaches basic electronic theory and soldering skills as it relates to the entertainment industry. The course covers passive components and circuits, Kirchoff’s Laws, AC & DC, power, energy, Ohms Law, impedance, protective devices and rectification. It also covers some of the circuits within dimmers, lighting and sound control systems, operational amplifiers, power supplies and filter circuits are covered. The course also covers digital electronics and the conversion from/to analogue systems.

How do I progress after this course?

Once a Silver Award has been achieved, many students decide that they wish to broaden their skill set and do a further “Silver Award” course in a different area. Alternatively – some decide they want to progress on the final Gold Award Course once they have moved in to managerial roles.

We offer the Gold Award Course to support the candidate in managerial roles within the Industry. Candidates should have responsibility for the management of the working environment and the practices therein.