BS BE Manoeuvre Authorization: Complete Guide

Many non-electrician professionals are required in the course of their work to perform “simple” electrical operations — typically the interventions we can all carry out at home. In a professional setting, however, electrical authorization is required.

This guide will give you all the keys to determine whether BS BE Manœuvre training is suited to your activity.

Who is BS BE Manœuvre authorization for?

BS BE Manœuvre training is intended for non-electrician professionals who perform elementary electrical interventions for servicing/maintenance and switching operations on Low Voltage (LV) electrical installations below 1,000 volts. These operations include tasks such as:

• Like-for-like replacement of fuse cartridges in a fuse holder
• Resetting a protection device in an electrical panel (modular circuit breaker, thermal relay, contactor, etc.)
• Replacing or refixing a socket, lamp, lighting accessory or switch
• Replacing a computer card
• Connecting equipment (circulator, water heater, roller shutter, etc.) to a protected standby circuit that has been de-energized
• De-energizing a Low Voltage installation for one’s own work
• Performing a switching operation

Any operation that does not meet the above criteria is not an elementary intervention or a switching operation. It cannot be performed by a BS BE Manœuvre authorized person and will require a higher authorization level.

BS authorization is essential for professionals who perform simple and regular servicing/maintenance interventions in environments where electrical equipment is present. They must work de-energized and at a safety distance of more than 30 cm from live bare conductors to avoid any risk of accident. Operations performed by BS-authorized persons are strictly limited to those defined by the standard, and any more complex task requires a higher authorization level.

BE Manœuvre authorization is intended for persons responsible for switching operations, such as starting up or shutting down an electrical installation. This authorization is crucial for maintenance technicians and production line operators who must perform these switching operations without engaging in other electrical operations. BE Manœuvre authorized persons must be able to understand the associated risks and strictly follow safety procedures to prevent accidents.

While these authorizations are often obtained together (for reasons we will explain later), some professionals may only need BS or BE Manœuvre for their activity. These authorizations ensure that interventions are carried out by competent and trained personnel, thus minimizing the risk of electrical accidents.

Examples of professions concerned by BS BE Manœuvre authorization

BS BE Manœuvre authorization concerns several professions that require performing simple maintenance and switching operations on Low Voltage (LV) electrical installations below 1,000 volts. Here are some examples:

1. Maintenance technicians / Facility managers / Building caretakers / Concierges: Often employed in residential or commercial buildings, they are responsible for “minor maintenance” of electrical installations. They perform tasks such as changing sockets, switches and light bulbs or resetting tripped circuit breakers.
2. Production line operators / Machine setters: In factories and industrial facilities, these professionals are often required to perform electrical switching operations necessary for the proper functioning or adjustment of production lines. This may include starting up or shutting down machines, as well as adjusting equipment to ensure continuous and safe production.
3. Plumbers / Heating engineers / Movers / Kitchen fitters / Roller shutter installers: During their interventions they may need to connect electrical equipment (water heater, hob, oven, electric heating, etc.) to a standby network. Note that depending on the type of connection, a higher authorization level may be required.
4. IT technicians: Interventions on server racks (changing cards, servers, etc.) may require BS BE Manœuvre authorization.
5. Verification technicians: These professionals are responsible for carrying out regular inspections on electrical installations to ensure their compliance and proper functioning. Although they may hold more specific authorizations for complex inspections, BE Manœuvre authorization also allows them to perform simple inspections safely.

This list is not intended to be exhaustive but rather to give you concrete examples of work situations that require BS BE Manœuvre authorization. These professions share the need to work on electrical installations without engaging in complex work, with an emphasis on safety and electrical risk prevention.

What is the difference between BS and BE Manœuvre symbols?

BS BE Manœuvre authorization allows authorized persons to perform a set of specific operations on Low Voltage (LV) electrical installations. Authorized operations are well defined and limited to ensure the safety of workers and compliance with current standards.

For BS authorization (Elementary intervention officer), authorized operations include:

1. Like-for-like replacement of electrical components: This includes replacing protected fuses, lamps, sockets or switches. These operations must be performed de-energized and at a safe distance of more than 30 cm from live bare conductors.
2. Connecting electrical equipment: Authorized persons can connect electrical equipment to circuits protected against short circuits. For example, connecting a heating circulator to an existing circuit.
3. Resetting protection devices: This operation includes restoring circuit breakers after identifying and resolving the cause of the trip.

For BE Manœuvre authorization, operations focus on switching and include:

1. Starting up or shutting down electrical installations: Authorized persons can start or stop equipment in normal operation, such as motors or machines.
2. Resetting protection devices: After identifying the cause of the trip, workers can reset protection devices such as circuit breakers or thermal relays.
3. Adjusting equipment: This concerns adjusting the operating parameters of electrical equipment to ensure proper functioning.

These operations are governed by strict rules to ensure worker safety. Authorized persons must follow de-energization and Voltage Absence Test procedures before working on installations. They must also use appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves and insulating tools, to prevent electrification and short-circuit risks.

What are the limitations of BS BE Manœuvre authorization?

An LV intervention is a simple electrical operation in the LV or ELV domain, of short duration, performed on electrical equipment or on a limited section of an installation.

First and foremost, the BS BE Manœuvre authorized person works alone (for their own account) and cannot have a performing electrician under their orders.

Elementary LV interventions are limited by the physical characteristics of the circuits on which they are authorized. They are restricted to terminal circuits meeting the following characteristics:

• supplied at a voltage equal to or less than 400V AC, and 600V DC
• protected against short circuits by protection devices with a rated current of no more than 32A AC and no more than 16A DC (32A circuit breaker with 30mA RCD in AC).
• with cross-sections equal to or less than 6 mm² copper (10 mm² aluminium)
• equipped with a disconnection device that provides the isolation function and allows safe de-energization.

An elementary intervention can never take place in Zone 4 (Low Voltage reinforced vicinity zone, located within 30 cm of a live bare part): the risk must always have been eliminated by de-energizing the installation being worked on as well as nearby installations that could create a reinforced vicinity zone.

BS authorization alone does not permit you to enter Zone 4. This constraint could limit you, particularly when de-energizing an installation on a non-IP2X electrical panel. This is why BS authorization is complemented by the BE Manœuvre symbol, which permits entering Zone 4 solely to perform the de-energization switching operation while systematically wearing PPE (gloves and face shield at minimum).

As you can see in the diagram above, if you need to operate in an environment with High Voltage present (for example performing a switching operation on an LV panel in an electrical room with a High Voltage substation), your authorization must be supplemented with the H0 symbol.

What alternatives to BS BE Manœuvre authorization?

If the operations you perform do not fall within the limits presented above, you will need to consider a higher authorization level.

Here are some relevant alternative authorizations:

1. BR Authorization: This authorization allows general interventions on Low Voltage (LV) electrical installations. BR-authorized persons can supervise one person and carry out troubleshooting interventions, equipment replacement, and live connections. This authorization allows operating within the following limits:
   • supply voltage ≤ 500V AC (≤ 750V DC);
   • circuits protected by a protection device with rated current ≤ 63A AC (≤ 32A DC);
   • cables with cross-section ≤ 10 mm² copper (16 mm² aluminium).
2. B1V / B2V Authorization: These authorizations are intended for performing electricians and work supervisors on Low Voltage installations. B1V/B2V authorized persons can carry out significant installation or extension work, and work within 30 cm of live bare conductors.
3. BE Testing Authorization: This authorization is necessary for persons performing tests on electrical installations. It allows live testing and verification of the proper functioning of electrical equipment after installation or repair.

Note that these 3 authorizations require a solid foundation in electricity, including:

• differentiating electrical quantities such as current, voltage, resistance, power, AC and DC
• identifying protection devices against direct and indirect contacts
• identifying electrical equipment in their environment (functions: isolation, protection, control, etc.)
• reading an electrical diagram and recognizing equipment from their symbols

How does BS BE Manœuvre training work?

BS BE Manœuvre training lasts 14 hours for the initial level and 11 hours for recertification.

The training comprises:

• a theoretical component covering fundamentals of electricity, functions of electrical switchgear, response to accidents, prevention measures and practical authorizations
• a practical component to master PPE inspection, performing a de-energization, an elementary intervention and a switching operation
• a theoretical assessment in MCQ format
• a practical assessment

If you want to learn more about BS BE Manœuvre assessment tests, you can consult this article.

What training formats are available for BS BE Manœuvre authorization?

BS BE Manœuvre training can be delivered in different formats, depending on your organizational and budget constraints.

1. In person at our training center (“inter-company training”): a training session where employees from several different companies participate together at our training facility. This format is cost-effective when you have a small number of people to train.
2. In person at your premises (“in-house training”): one of our instructors travels to your premises to train your team in BS BE Manœuvre. This format is cost-effective from 4 or 5 people onwards. It also has the advantage of conducting practical training on your own installations, under your employees’ real working conditions.
3. Blended e-learning and in-person format (“blended learning”): you complete the theoretical training independently on our e-learning platform. The practical training is delivered in person with an instructor for 4 hours. This format offers greater flexibility for teams that cannot be away for 2 full days.

How much does BS BE Manœuvre training cost?

The price depends on the training format chosen and the training provider. Price differences in the market can be quite significant from one center to another — for example, for inter-company format the observed price range is between €150 excl. VAT per day per trainee and €400 excl. VAT per day per trainee.

At VoltWork, we position ourselves at the lower end of the market while offering expert instructors, all of whom have hands-on operational experience in electricity.

FAQ on BS BE Manœuvre Authorization

How long is BS BE Manœuvre authorization valid?

The validity period recommended by INRS and the NF C18-510 standard is 3 years. You will then need to complete recertification training lasting 11 hours.

Is BS BE Manœuvre authorization required to replace lamps?

If no electrical risk is present, an employee may be authorized to replace a lamp without authorization. Indeed, in Low Voltage, when the operator is not exposed to an electric shock risk, it is possible that certain electrical operations, such as replacing lamps, may be performed by trained but non-authorized personnel. The absence of electrical risk means the equipment is not deteriorated and has an IP2X or IPXXB protection rating.

Risk assessment and specific training are essential when replacing bulbs. The worker must be able to identify electric shock risks, which requires adequate training.

However, if a direct contact risk is present (for example, non-IP2X luminaires, deteriorated lamps or accessories), the employer must assign this task to an authorized employee. They possess the skills necessary to eliminate the risk and work safely.

Is BS or BE Manœuvre authorization required to reset a Low Voltage circuit breaker?

In Low Voltage, the authorization required to reset a protection device is at minimum BE Manœuvre, or BS if it constitutes an elementary intervention.

However, if the circuit breaker is located outside a room presenting particular electric shock risks and has a protection rating of at least IP2X or IPXXB, it is accepted that this switching operation may be performed by an informed but non-authorized person. Personnel must be specifically trained to operate this type of switchgear.

INRS nevertheless recommends authorizing persons who regularly perform this type of operation.

Go further

➡️ Also discover our other electrical authorization training guides:

• H0B0 Authorization
• BR Electrical Authorization
• B2V Electrical Authorization