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Indian electricity rules, Lecture notes of Electrical Engineering

The Indian Electricity Rules are a comprehensive set of regulations in India that govern the safe generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization of electrical energy. Originally established in 1956 under the Indian Electricity Act of 1910, these rules have been updated and redefined over time, notably after the enactment of The Electricity Act, 2003, and more recently with the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 and subsequent amendments. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is now the governing body responsible for framing technical standards and safety regulations related to electricity.

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THE INDIAN ELECTRICITY RULES, 1956
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title and commencement
2. Definitions
3. Authorisation
CHAPTER II
INSPECTORS
4. Qualification of Inspectors
4A. Appointment of officers to assist the Inspectors
4B. Qualification of officers appointed to assist the Inspectors
5. Entry and inspection
6. Appeals
7. Amount of fees
8. Incidence of fees recoverable in the cases of dispute
9. Submission of records
10. List of consumers
CHAPTER III
LICENCE
11. Application for licence
12. Copies of maps and draft licence for public inspection
13. Contents of draft licence
14. Form of draft licence
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THE INDIAN ELECTRICITY RULES, 1956

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

  1. Short title and commencement
  2. Definitions
  3. Authorisation

CHAPTER II

INSPECTORS

  1. Qualification of Inspectors

4A. Appointment of officers to assist the Inspectors

4B. Qualification of officers appointed to assist the Inspectors

  1. Entry and inspection
  2. Appeals
  3. Amount of fees
  4. Incidence of fees recoverable in the cases of dispute
  5. Submission of records
  6. List of consumers

CHAPTER III

LICENCE

  1. Application for licence
  2. Copies of maps and draft licence for public inspection
  3. Contents of draft licence
  4. Form of draft licence
  1. Advertisement of application and contents thereof
  2. Amendment of draft licence
  3. Local enquiries
  4. Approval of draft licence
  5. Notification of grant of licence
  6. Date of commencement of licence
  7. Deposit of maps
  8. Deposit of printed copies
  9. Application for written consent of State Government in certain cases
  10. Amendment of licence
  11. Sale of Plans
  12. Preparations and submission of accounts
  13. Model conditions of supply
  14. Forms of requisitions

CHAPTER IV

GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

  1. Construction, installation, protection, operation and maintenance of electric supply lines and apparatus
  2. Service lines and apparatus on consumer’s premises
  3. Cut-out on consumer’s premises
  4. Identification of earthed and earthed neutral conductors and position of switches and cut-outs therein
  5. Earthed terminal on consumer’s premises
  6. Accessibility of bare conductors
  7. Danger Notices
  1. Provisions applicable to medium, high or extra-high voltage installations
  2. Appeal to Inspector in regard to defects
  3. Cost of inspection and test of consumer’s installation
  4. Declared voltage of supply to consumer
  5. Declared frequency of supply to consumer
  6. Sealing of meters, and cut-outs
  7. Meters, maximum demand indicators and other apparatus on consumer’s premises
  8. Point of commencement of supply
  9. Precautions against failure of supply: Notice of failures

CHAPTER VI

ELECTRIC SUPPLY LINES, SYSTEMS

AND APPARATUS FOR LOW AND

MEDIUM VOLTAGES

  1. Test for resistance of insulation
  2. Connection with earth

61A. Earth leakage protective device

  1. Systems at medium voltage

CHAPTER VII

ELECTRIC SUPPLY LINES, SYSTEMS

AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH AND

EXTRA-HIGH VOLTAGES

  1. Approval by Inspector
  2. Use of energy at high and extra-high voltage

64A. Additional provisions for use of energy at high and extra-high voltage

  1. Testing, Operation and Maintenance
  2. Metal sheathed electric supply lines. Precautions against excess leakage
  3. Connection with earth
  4. General conditions as to transformation and control of energy
  5. Pole type sub-stations
  6. Condensers
  7. Additional provisions for supply to high voltage luminous tube sign installation
  8. Additional provisions for supply to high voltage electrode boilers
  9. Supply to X-ray and high frequency installation

CHAPTER VIII

OVERHEAD LINES, UNDER GROUND CABLES AND GENERATING

STATIONS

  1. Material and strength
  2. Joints
  3. Maximum stresses: Factors of safety
  4. Clearance above ground of the lowest conductor
  5. Clearance between conductors and trolley wires
  6. Clearances from buildings of low and medium voltage lines and service lines
  7. Clearances from buildings of high and extra-high voltage lines
  8. Conductors at different voltages on same supports
  9. Erection of or alternation to buildings, structures, flood banks and elevation of roads

82A. Transporting and Storing of material near overhead lines

  1. Clearances: General
  1. Minimum size and strength of trolley-wire
  2. Height of trolley-wire and length of span
  3. Earthing of guard wires

107A. Proximity to magnetic observatories and laboratories

  1. Records

CHAPTER X

ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS TO BE

ADOPTED IN MINES AND OIL-FIELDS

  1. Application of Chapter
  2. Responsibility for observance
  3. Notices
  4. Plans
  5. Lighting, communications and fire precautions
  6. Isolation and fixing of transformer, switchgear, etc.
  7. Method of earthing
  8. Protective equipment
  9. Earthing metal, etc.
  10. Voltage limits
  11. Transformers
  12. Switchgear and terminals
  13. Disconnection of supply
  14. Cables
  15. Flexible cables
  16. Portable and transportable machines
  1. Sundry precautions
  2. Precautions where gas exists
  3. Shot-firing
  4. Signalling
  5. Haulage
  6. Earthing of neutral points
  7. Supervision
  8. Exemptions

CHAPTER XI MISCELLANEOUS

  1. Relaxation by Government
  2. Relaxation by Inspector
  3. Supply and use of energy by non-licensees and others
  4. Responsibility of Agents and Managers
  5. Mode of entry
  6. Penalty for breaking seal

138A. Penality for breach of rule 44A

  1. Penalty for breach of rule 45
  2. Penalty for breach of rule 82

140A. Penalty for breach of rule 77, 79 or 80

  1. Penalty for breach of rules
  2. Application of rules
  3. Repeal

Guidelines for providing training as required under rule 3(2A)

APPENDIX I

Syllabus for the operating and supervisory staff engaged in the

operation and maintenance of the thermal power stations

APPENDIX II

  1. Specialised mechanical course for operating & supervisory staff who will be engaged on the mechanical side of the power plant
  2. Specialised electrical course for operating and supervisory staff who will be engaged in the electrical side of the power plant

APPENDIX III Syllabus for skilled persons for assisting the operation and maintenance of thermal power stations

APPENDIX IV

  1. Specialised electrical course for skilled persons who will be engaged on the electrical side of the power plant
  2. Specialised mechanical course for skilled persons who will be engaged in the mechanical side of the power station

APPENDIX V Syllabus for operation and maintenance staff who will be engaged in the operation and maintenance of hydroelectric generating station

APPENDIX VI Syllabus for operation and maintenance staff in extra-high voltage sub-station APPENDIX VII

(I) Assessment form for operating and supervisory staff (II) Assessment form for operating and supervisory staff (for the use of Training Department) (III) Assessment form for skilled persons to assist operators and supervisors (IV) Assessment form for skilled persons to assistant operators and supervisors (for the use of Training Department)

MINISTRY OF IRRIGATION AND POWER

NOTIFICATION

NEW DELHI, THE 26TH JUNE 1956

THE INDIAN ELECTRICITY RULES, 1956^1

SRO 1455- In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 37 of the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 (IX of 1910), the Central Electricity Board hereby makes the following rules, the same having been previously published as required by subsection (1) of Section 38 of the said Act, namely: -

  1. As published in Gazette of India, Pt. II (3), dt. 26.6.1956.

CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY

  1. Short title and commencement-

(1) These rules may be called the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956.

(2) They shall come into force at once.

  1. Definitions-

(1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, -

(a) “The Act” means the Indian Electricity Act, 1910;

(b) “Accessible” means within physical reach without the use of any appliance or special effort;

(c) “Ampere” means a unit of electric current and is the unvarying electric current which when passed through a solution of nitrate of silver in water, in accordance with the specification set out in Annexure I, deposits silver at the rate of 0.001118 of a gramme per second; the aforesaid unit is equivalent to the current which, in passing through the suspended coil of wire forming part of the instrument marked “Government of India Ampere Standard Verified” when the suspended coil is in its sighted position, exerts a force which is exactly balanced by the force exerted by gravity in Calcutta on the counter balancing iridio-platinum weight of the said instrument;

(d) “Annexure” means an Annexure to these rules;

(e) “Apparatus” means electrical apparatus and includes all machines, fittings, accessories and appliances in which conductors are used;

(^1) [(ee) “Authorised person” means a person authorised under rule 3;]

(f) “Bare” means not covered with insulating materials;

NOTE- The term “dead” is used only with reference to current carrying parts when these parts are not live.

(q) “Earthed” or “connected with earth” means connected with the general mass of earth in such manner as to ensure at all times an immediate discharge of energy without danger;

(r) “Earthing system” means an electrical system in which all the conductors are earthed;

(^2) [(s) * * * * *]

(t) “Enclosed sub-station” means any premises or enclosure or part thereof, being large enough to admit the entrance of a person after the apparatus therein is in position, containing apparatus for transforming or converting energy to or from a voltage at or above medium voltage (other than transforming or converting solely for the operation of switchgear or instruments) with or without any other apparatus for switching, controlling or otherwise regulating the energy, and includes the apparatus therein;

(u) “Enclosed switch-station” means any premises or enclosure or part thereof, being large enough to admit the entrance of a person after the apparatus therein is in position, containing apparatus for switching, controlling or otherwise regulating energy at or above medium voltage but not for transforming or converting energy (other than for transforming or converting solely for the operation of switchgear or instruments), and includes the apparatus therein;

(^3) [(uu) “Flameproof enclosure” means an enclosure for electrical machinery or

apparatus that will withstand, when the covers or other access doors are properly secured, an internal explosion of the inflammable gas or vapour which may enter or originate inside the enclosure, without suffering damage and without communicating the internal flammation (or explosion) to the external inflammable gas or vapour in which it is designed to be used, through any joints or other structural openings in the closure;]

(v) “Guarded” means covered, shielded, fenced or otherwise protected by means of suitable casings, barrier, rails or metal screens to remove the possibility of dangerous contact or approach by persons or objects to a point of danger;

(^4) [(vv) “Hand-held portable apparatus” means an apparatus which is so designed

as to be capable of being held in the hands and moved while connected to a supply of electricity;]

(w) “Inspector” means an Electrical Inspector appointed under section 36;

(x) “Inspector of Mines” means an Inspector appointed under the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952);

(y) “Installation” means any composite electrical unit used for the purpose of generating, transforming, transmitting, converting, distributing or utilizing energy;

(z) “Intrinsically safe” as applied to apparatus or associated circuits shall denote that any sparking that may occur in normal working is incapable of causing explosion of inflammable gas or vapour;

(aa) “Lighting arrestor” means a device which has the property of diverting to earth any electrical surge of excessively high amplitude applied to its terminals and is capable of interrupting follow current if present and restoring itself thereafter to its original operating conditions;

(^5) [(aaa) “Linked switch” means a switch with all the poles mechanically linked

so as to operate simultaneously;]

(ab) “Live” means electrically charged;

(ac) “Metallic covering” means mechanically strong metal covering surrounding one or more conductors;

(^6) [(ad) “Neutral conductor” means that conductor of a multi-wire system, the

voltage of which is normally intermediate between the voltages of the other conductors of the system and shall also include return wire of the single phase system;]

(ae) “Non-licensee” means a person generating, supplying, transmitting or using energy to whom any of the provisions of Part III of the Act apply;

(af) “Occupier” means the owner or person in occupation of the premises where energy is used or proposed to be used;

(^7) [(aff) “Officer appointed to assist the Inspector” means an officer appointed under

rule 4A;]

(ag) “Ohm” means a unit of electric resistance and is the resistance offered to an unvarying electric current by a column of mercury at the temperature of melting ice 14.4521 grammes in mass of an uniform cross-sectional area and of a length of 106.3 centimetres; the aforesaid unit is represented by the resistance between the terminals of the instrument marked “Government of India Ohm Standard Verified” to the passage of an electric current when the coil of wire, forming part of the aforesaid instrument and connected to the aforesaid terminals is in all parts at a temperature of 30OC;

(au) “Volt” means a unit of electromotive force and is the electric pressure, which, when steadily applied to a conductor, the resistance of which is one ohm, will produce a current of one amphere;

(av) “Voltage” means the difference of electric potential measured in volts between any two conductors or between any part of either conductor and the earth as measured by a suitable voltmeter and is said to be;

“Low” where the voltage does not exceed 250 volts under normal conditions subject, however, to the percentage variation allowed by these rules;

“Medium” where the voltage does not exceed 650 volts under normal conditions subject, however, to the percentage variation allowed by these rules;

“High” where the voltage does not exceed 33,000 volts under normal conditions subject, however, to the percentage variation allowed by these rules;

“Extra high” where the voltage exceeds 33,000 volts under normal conditions subject, however, to the percentage variation allowed by these rules.

(2) All other words and expressions used herein and not defined shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.

  1. Ins. by GSR 1723, dt. 21.11.1977, w.e.f. 31.12.1977.
  2. Clause (s) omitted by GSR 523, dt. 28.3.1966, w.e.f. 9.4.1966.
  3. Ins. by G.S.R. 45, dt. 1.1.1993, w.e.f. 23.1.1993.
  4. Ins. by GSR 225, dt. 10.2.1961, w.e.f. 25.2.1961.
  5. Ins. by GSR 523, dt. 28.3.1966, w.e.f. 9.4.1966.
  6. Subs. by GSR 522, dt. 17.3.1970, w.e.f. 4.4.1970.
  7. Ins. by G.S.R. 336, dt, 28.3.1988, w.e.f. 23.4.1988.
  8. Subs. by GSR 225, dt. 10.2.1961.
  9. Ins. by GSR 1640, dt. 26.9.1963, w.e.f. 12.10.1963.
  10. Ins. by GSR 170, dt. 15.1.1979, w.e.f. 3.2.1979.
  11. Authorisation-

(1) A supplier or a consumer, or the owner, agent or manager of a mine, or the agent of any company operating in an oil-field or the owner of a drilled well in an oil-field or a contractor for the time being under contract with a supplier or a consumer to carry out duties incidental to the generation, transformation, transmission, conversion, distribution or use of energy may authorise any person for the purpose of any or all of the following, namely:-

Sub-rule (2) of rule 36, clause (a) sub-rule (1) of rule 51, clause (a) of sub-rule (1) and 1 [clauses (e) 2 [and (f)] of sub-rule (2)] of rule 64, sub rule (2) of rule 110, sub-

rules (1) and (4) of rule 121, sub-rule (4) of rule 123, rule 124 and sub-rule (8) of rule 125.

(^3) [(2) No person shall be authorised under sub-rule (1) unless he is competent to

perform the duties assigned to him and possesses either an appropriate certificate of competency or permit to work.]

(^4) [(2A) (a) No person shall be authorised to operate or undertake maintenance

of any part or whole of a generating station of capacity 100 MW and above together with the associated sub-station unless he is adequately qualified and has successfully undergone the type of training specified in Annexure XIV;

Provided that the provisions contained in this sub-rule shall have effect in respect of the persons already authorised to operate or undertake maintenance of any part or whole of a generating station as aforesaid from the date to be specified by the appropriate Government, but such a date shall not be later than a period of 5 [ years, 2 months] from the date this rule comes into force.

(b) The appropriate Government may, on the recommendations of the owner of such generating station, relax the conditions stipulated in clause (a) of this sub- rule for any engineer and such other person who have already sufficient experience in the operation and maintenance of a generating station.

(c) The owner of a generating station, in consultation with Central Electricity Authority may alter the duration and manner of training in respect of those persons who have been already engaged in the operation and maintenance of a generating station or a sub-station.]

(^6) [(2B) The provisions contained in rule 3(2A) will also be applicable in respect of

other sub-stations of 132 KV and above from a date to be specified by the appropriate Government but such a date shall not be later than 3 years from which this rule comes into force.]

(3) No person shall be deemed to be authorised under sub-rule (1) unless his name has been entered in a list maintained at the office or premises of the person authorizing him, and giving the purpose for which such person is authorised and the entry has been attested by the authorised person and the person authorising him.

(4) Every list maintained under sub-rule (3) shall be produced before an Inspector 7 [or any officer of a specified rank and class appointed to assist the Inspector] when required.

(^8) [(5) An Inspector may cancel or amend, in such manner as he considers

necessary, any authorisation, made under sub-rule (1).

(^2) [(2) The appropriate Government may, by a separate notification in the Official

Gazette, authorise certain officers appointed under sub-rule (1) for the purposes of (^3) [sub-rule (4) and sub-rule (6) of rule 3,] sub-rule (3) and sub-rule (4) of the rule 5,

rule 9, rule 10, clauses (c) of sub-rule (1) of the rule 32, clause (b) of sub-rule (1) and clause (c) of sub-rule (2) of rule 46, sub-rule (1) of rule 49, 3 [sub-rule (3) of rule 51, sub-rule (3) of rule 59,] sub-rule (6) of rule 61 4 [and clause (b) of sub-rule (5) of rule 671.]

  1. Ins. by GSR 523, dt. 28.3.1966, w.e.f. 9.4.1966.
  2. Subs. by GSR 1723, dt. 21.11.1977, w.e.f. 13.12.1977.
  3. Ins. by G.S.R. 466, dt. 18.7.1991, w.e.f. 17.8.1991.
  4. Subs. by G.S.R. 29, dt. 24.12.1983, w.e.f. 24.1.1984.

(^1) [4B. Qualification of officers appointed to assist the Inspectors. -

(^2) [(1) No person shall be appointed as an officer to assist an Inspector, unless-

(^7) [(a) (i) He possesses a Degree in Electrical Engineering or its equivalent

from a recognised University or Institution; and

(ii) He has been regularly engaged for a period of at least three years in the practice of electrical engineering, of which not less than one year has been spent in an electrical or mechanical engineering workshop or in generation or transmission or distribution of electricity, or in the administration of the Act and these rules, in a position of responsibility;

Provided that the appropriate Government may relax the requirements of experience in case of officers otherwise well qualified.]

Or

(^3) [(b) (i) He possesses a diploma in electrical engineering or its equivalent

from a recognised institution; and

(ii) He has been regularly engaged for a period of at least six years in the practice of electrical engineering, of which not less than two years have been spent in an electrical or mechanical engineering workshop or in generation or transmission or distribution of electricity or in the administration of the Act and these rules, in a position of responsibility.]

(^4) [(2) The persons appointed under rule 4A shall undergo such training as the

appropriate Government may consider it necessary for the purpose and such training shall be completed to the satisfaction of the appropriate Government.]

(^5) [(3) The appropriate Government may relax requirements of practical

experience in case of officers otherwise found suitable but a notification under

sub-rule (2) of rule 4A in case of such officers shall be issued only after they have acquired the experience as required by sub-rule (1).]

  1. Subs. by G.S.R. 722, dt. 5.9.1986, w.e.f. 20.9.1986.
  2. Ins. by GSR 730, dt. 7.9.1989, w.e.f. 30.9.1989.
  3. Clauses (a) and (b) renumbered as clauses (a) and (b) of sub-rule (1) by GSR 730, dt. 7.9.1989, w.e.f. 30.9.1989.
  4. Clause (c) ins. by GSR 358, dt. 30.4.1987, w.e.f. 9.5.1987, renumbered as sub-rule (2) by GSR 730, dt. 7.9.1989, w.e.f. 30.9.1989.
  5. Ins. by GSR 730, dt. 7.9.1989, w.e.f. 30.9.1989.
  6. Entry and inspection-

(1) Any Inspector or any officer appointed to assist an Inspector may enter, inspect and examine any place, carriage or vessel in which he has reason to believe that there is any appliance or apparatus used in the generation, transmission, transformation, conversion, distribution or use of energy and may carry out tests therein.

(2) Every supplier, consumer, owner and occupier shall afford at all times all reasonable facilities to any such Inspector or officer to make such examinations and tests as may be necessary to satisfy himself as to the due observance of the provisions of the Act, the terms of the licence (if any) and these rules.

(3) Every supplier and every owner of a generating station or of a high/extra high voltage installation shall, if required so to do by in Inspector or any officer appointed to assist the Inspector and authorised under sub-rule (2) of rule 4A provide reasonable means for carrying out all tests, prescribed by or under the Act, of the appliances or apparatus used for the supply or use of energy by him as the case may be.

(4) An Inspector, or any officer appointed to assist an Inspector and authorised under sub-rule (2) of rule 4A, may serve an order in the form set out in Annexure IX, upon any supplier, consumer, owner or occupier, calling upon him to comply with any specified rule and the person so served shall thereupon comply with the order within the period named therein, and shall report in writing to the Inspector or the officer serving the order, as the case may be, when the order is complied with.

Provided that, if within the period specified in the aforesaid order an appeal is filed against the order, the appellate authority may suspend its operation pending the decision of the appeal.

  1. Appeals-

(1) An appeal against an order served under these rules shall lie-