Chapter-V- Indian Electricity Rules

Indian electricity rules, 1956

Chapter-V
General conditions relating to supply and use of energy

47. Testing of consumer's installation

(1) Upon receipt of an application for a new or additional supply of energy and before connecting the supply or reconnecting the same after a period of six months, the supplier shall inspect and test the applicant's installation. The supplier shall maintain a record of test results obtained at each supply point to a consumer, in a form to be approved by the Inspector.

(2) If as a result of such inspection and test, the supplier is satisfied that the installation is likely to constitute danger, he shall serve on the applicant a notice in writing requiring him to make such modifications as are necessary to render the installation safe. The supplier may refuse to connect or reconnect the supply until the required modifications have been completed and he has been notified by the applicant

¹47A. Installation and testing of generating units

Where any consumer or occupier installs a generating plant, he shall give a thirty days' notice of his intention to commission the plant to the supplier as well as the Inspector :

PROVIDED that no consumer or occupier shall commission his generating plant of a capacity exceeding 10KW without the approval in writing of the Inspector.

48. Precautions against leakage before connection

²(1) The supplier shall not connect with his works the installation or apparatus on the premises of any applicant for supply unless he is reasonably satisfied that the connection will not, at the time of making the connection, cause a leakage from the installation or apparatus of a magnitude detrimental to safety. Compliance with the rules shall be checked by measuring the insulation resistance as provided below:

³(i) All the electrical equipments shall have the "IR" values as stipulated in the relevant Indian Standards.

(ii) At a pressure of 500 V DC applied between each live conductor and earth for a period of one minute, the insulation resistance 9f low voltage and medium voltage equipments shall be at least 1 MEGA-OHM or as specified in the relevant Indian Standard.

(iii) At a pressure of 2.5 KV DC applied between each live conductor and earth for a period of one minute, the insulation resistance of high voltage equipments shall be at least 5 MEGA-OHM or as specified in the relevant Indian Standard.

(2) If the supplier declines to make a connection under the provisions of sub-rule (1), he shall serve upon the applicant a notice in writing stating his reason for so declining.

49. Leakage on consumer's premises

(1) If the Inspector or any officer appointed to assist the Inspector and ⁴authorized under sub-rule (2) of rule 4A or the supplier has reason to believe that there is in the system of a consumer leakage which is likely to affect injuriously the use of energy by the supplier or by other persons, or which is likely to cause danger, he may give the consumer reasonable notice in writing that he desires to inspect and test the consumer's installation.

(2) If, on such notice being given-

(a) the consumer does not give all reasonable facilities for inspection and testing of this installation, or

²(b ) when an insulation resistance at the consumer's installation is so law as to prevent safe use of energy,

the supplier may, and if directed so to do by the Inspector, shall discontinue the supply of energy to the installation but only after giving to the consumer 48 hours' notice in writing of disconnection of supply and shall not recommence the supply until he or the Inspector is satisfied that the cause of the leakage has been removed.

⁵50. Supply and use of energy

(1) The energy shall not be supplied, transformed, converted or used or continued to be supplied, transformed, converted or used unless provisions as set out below are observed :

(a) The following controls of requisite capacity to carry and break the current ⁶are placed after the point of commencement of supply as defined in Rule 58, so as to be readily, accessible and capable of being easily operated to completely isolate the supply to the installation, such equipment being in addition to any equipment installed for controlling individual circuits or apparatus :

(i) a linked switch with fuse(s) or a circuit breaker by low and medium voltage consumers;

(ii) a linked switch with fuse(s) or a circuit breaker by HV consumers having aggregate installed transformer / apparatus capacity up to 1000 KV A to be supplied at voltage up to 11 KV and 2500 KVA at higher voltages (above 11 KV and not exceeding 33 KV);

(iii) a circuit breaker by HV consumers having an aggregate installed transformer/apparatus capacity above 1000 KVA and suppliedat 11 KV 2500 A supplied higher voltages (above not exceeding 33 KV);

(iv) a circuit breaker by EHV consumer:

PROVIDED that where the point of commencement of supply and the consumer apparatus are near each other one linked switch with fuse(s) or circuit breaker near the point of commencement of supply as required by this clause shall be considered sufficient for the purpose of this rule.

(b ) In case of every transformer the following shall be provided:-

(i) On the primary side of transformers a linked switch with fuse(s) or circuit breaker of adequate capacity:

PROVIDED that the linked switch on the primary side of the transformer may be of such capacity as to carry the full load current and to break only the magnetising current of the transformer:

⁷PROVIDED FURTHER that for all transformers:

(A) having a capacity of 5000 KV A and above and installed before the commencement of the Electricity (lst Amendment) Rules, 2000, and

(B) having a capacity of 1000 KV A and above and installed on or after the commencement of the Indian Electricity (lst Amendment) Rules, 2000, a circuit breaker shall be provided.

⁷(ii) In respect of all transformers installed on or after the commencement of the Indian Electricity (lst Amendment) Rules, 2000, on the secondary side of transformers HV to EHV , MV or L V a circuit breaker of adequate rating shall be installed:

PROVIDED that for suppliers' transformers of capacity up to 630 KV A, a linked switch with fuse or circuit breaker of adequate rating shall be installed on the secondary side.

(c) Except in the case of composite control gear designed as a unit every distinct circuit is protected against excess energy by means of suitable cut-out or a circuit breaker of adequate breaking capacity suitably located and so constructed are to prevent danger from overheating, arcing or scattering of hot metal when it comes into operation and to permit for ready renewal of the fusible metal of the cut-out without danger;

(d) The supply of energy to each motor or a group of motors or other apparatus meant for operating one particular machine is controlled by a suitable linked switch or a circuit breaker or an emergency tripping device with manual reset of requisite capacity placed in such a position as to be adjacent to the motor of a group of motors or other apparatus readily accessible to and easily operated by the person incharge and so connected in the circuit that 1-.y its means all supply of energy can be cut off from the motor or group of motors or apparatus and from any regulating switch, resistance of other device associated therewith;

(e) All insulating materials are chosen with special regard to the circumstances of its proposed use and their mechanical strength is sufficient for purpose so far as is practicable such a character or protected to maintain adequately insulating property under all working conditions in respect temperature moisture; and

(f) adequate precautions shall be taken to ensure that no live parts are so exposed as to cause danger.

(2) Where energy is being supplied, transformed, converted or used, the ⁶consumer, supplier or the owner of the consumed installation shall be responsible for the continuous observance of the provisions of sub-rule (1) in respect of his installations.

(3) Every consumer shall use all reasonable means to ensure that where energy is supplied by a supplier no person other than the shall interfere with service lines and apparatus placed by on premises of consumer.

⁸50A. Additional provisions for supply and use of energy in Multistoreyed buldings (More than 15 meters in height)

(1) Before making an application for commencement of supply or recommencement of supply after an installation has been disconnected for a period of six months or more the owner / occupier of a multi-storeyed building shall give not less than 30 days notice in writing to the Inspector together with particulars. The supply of energy shall not be commenced or recommenced within this period, without the approval or otherwise in writing of the Inspector.

(2) The supplier / owner of the installation shall provide at the point of commencement of supply a suitable insulation device with cut-out or breaker to operate on all phases except neutral in the three-phase four-wire circuit and fixed in a conspicuous position at not more than 2.75 metres above the ground so as to completely isolate the supply to the building in case of emergency.

(3) The owner/occupier of a multi-storeyed building shall ensure that electrical installations /works inside the building are carried out and maintained in such a manlier as to prevent danger due to shock and fire hazards, and the installation is carried out in accordance with the relevant codes of practices.

(4) No other service pipes shall be taken along the ducts provided for laying power cables. All ducts provided for power cables and other services shall be provided with fire-barrier at each floor crossing.

51. Provisions applicable to medium, high or extra-high voltage installations

The following provisions shall be observed where energy at medium, high or extra-high voltage is supplied, converted, transformed or used:-

(1) (a) All conductors (other than those of overhead lines) shall be completely enclosed in mechanically strong metal casing or metallic covering which is electrically and mechanically continuous and adequately protected against mechanical damage unless the said conductors are accessible only to an authorized person or are installed and protected to the satisfaction of the Inspector so as to prevent danger:

⁹PROVIDED that non-metallic conduits conforming to the relevant Indian Standard Specifications may be used for medium voltage installations, subject to such conditions as the Inspector or Officer appointed to assist an Inspector may think fit to impose.

¹⁰(b) All metal works, enclosing, supporting or associated with the installation, other than that designed to serve as a conductor shall be connected with an earthing system as per standards laid down in the Indian Standards in this regard and also in accordance with rule 61(4).

(i) a clear space of not less than 1 metre in width shall be provided in front of the switchboard;

(ii) if there are any attachments or bare connections at the back of the switchboard, the space (if any) behind the switchboard shall be either less than 20 centimeters or more than 75 centimetres in width, measured from the farthest outstanding part of any attachment or conductor;

(iii) if the space behind the switchboard exceeds 75 centimeters in width, there shall be a passage-way from either end of the switchboard clear to a height of 1.8 metres.

¹¹(d) In case of installation provided in premises where inflammable materials including gases and/or chemicals are produced, handled or stored, the electrical installations, equipment and apparatus shall comply with the requirements of flame proof, dust tight, totally enclosed or any other suitable type of electrical fittings depending upon the hazardous zones as per the relevant Indian Standard Specifications.

¹²(2) Where an application has been made to a supplier for supply of energy to any installation, he shall not commence the supply or where the supply has been discontinued for a period of one year and above, recommence the supply unless he is satisfied that the consumer has complied with, in all respects, the conditions of supply set out in sub-rule (1) of this rule, rules 50,63 and 64.

(3) Where a supplier proposes to supply or use energy at a medium voltage or to recommence supply after it has been discontinued for a period of six months, he shall, before connecting or reconnecting the supply, give notice in writing of such intention to the Inspector ¹³ or any officer of specified rank and class appointed to assist the Inspector.

¹⁴(4) If at any time after connecting the supply, the supplier is satisfied that any provision of the sub-rule (1) of this rule or of rules 50 and 64, is not being observed he shall give notice of the same in writing to the consumer and the Inspector, specifying how the provisions has not been observed and to rectify such defects in a reasonable time and if the consumer fails to rectify such defects pointed out, he may discontinue the supply after giving the consumer a reasonable opportunity of being heard and recording reasons in writing, unless the Inspector directs otherwise. The supply shall be discontinued only on written orders of an officer duly notified by the supplier in this behalf. The supply shall be restored with all possible speed after such defects are rectified by the consumer to the satisfaction of the supplier.

52. Appeal to Inspector in regard to defects

(1) If any applicant for a supply or a consumer is dissatisfied with the action of the supplier in declining to commence, to continue or to recommence the supply of energy to his premises on the grounds that the installation is defective or is likely to constitute danger, he may appeal to the Inspector to test the installation and the supplier shall not, if the Inspector or, under his orders, any other officer appointed to assist the Inspector is satisfied that the installation is tree from the defect or danger complained of, be entitled to refuse supply to the consumer on the grounds aforesaid, and shall, within twenty-four hours after the receipt of such intimation from the Inspector, commence, continue or recommence the supply of energy.

(2) Any test for which application has been made under the provision of sub-rule (1) shall be carried out within seven days after the receipt of such application

(3) This rule shall be endorsed on every notice given under provisions of rules 47,48 and 49.

53. Cost of inspection and test of consumer's installation

(1) The cost of the first inspection and test of a consumer's installation carried out in pursuance of the provisions of rule 47 shall be borne by the supplier and the cost of every subsequent inspection and test shall be borne by the consumer, unless in the appeal under rule 52, the Inspector directs otherwise.

(2) The cost of any inspection and test made by the Inspector, ¹⁵ or any officer appointed to assist the Inspector, at the request of the consumer or other interested party, shall be borne by the consumer or other interested party, unless the Inspector directs otherwise.

(3) The cost of each and every such inspection and test by whomsoever borne shall be calculated in accordance with the scale specified by the Central or the State Government as the case may be in this behalf.

54. Declared voltage of supply to consumer

Except with the written consent of the consumer or with the previous sanction of the State Government a supplier shall not permit the voltage at the point of commencement of supply as defined under rule 58 to vary from the declared voltage-.

¹⁶(i) in the case of low or medium voltage, by more than 6 per cent; or

(ii) in the case of high voltage, by more than 6 per cent on the higher side or by more than 9 per cent on the lower side; or

¹⁷ (iii) in the case of extra high voltage, by more than 10 per cent on the higher side or by more than 12.5 per cent on the lower side:

PROVIDED that in the case of high voltage, the voltage variation limit of 12.5 per cent may continue till the 31st March, 1974.

55. Declared frequency of supply to consumer

Except with the written consent of the consumer or with the previous sanction of the State Government a supplier shall not permit the frequency of an alternating current supply to vary from the declared frequency by more than 3 per cent.

56. Sealing of meters and cut-outs

(1) A supplier may affix one or more seals to any cut-out and to any meter, maximum demand indicator, or other apparatus placed upon a consumer's premises in accordance with section 26, and no person other than the supplier shall break any such seal.

(2) The consumer shall use all reasonable means in his power to ensure that no such seal is broken otherwise than by the supplier.

(3) Omitted, w.e.f: 16-9-1963

COMMENTS

Where the seal is found broken in breach of r. 56, the consumer though he has not broken the seal is punishable under r. 138 with fine unless it is proved that he had taken all reasonable means in his power to ensure that the seal should not be broken-Jagan Nath v. B.S. Ramaswamy AIR 1966 SC 849

57. Meters, maximum demand indicators and other apparatus on consumer's premises

(1) Any meter or maximum demand indicator or other apparatus placed upon a consumer's premises in accordance with section 26 shall be of appropriate capacity and shall be deemed to correct if its limits of error¹are within the limits specified in relevant Indian Standard Specification where no such exists, error do not exceed 3 per cent, above or below absolute accuracy at all loads in excess of one tenth of full loads and up to full load:

¹PROVIDED that for extra high voltage consumers the limit of error shall be ±1%.

(2) No meter shall register at no load.

(3) Every supplier shall provide and maintain in proper condition such suitable apparatus as may be prescribed or approved by the Inspector for the examination, testing and regulation of meters used or intended to be used in connection with the supply of energy:

PROVIDED that the supplier may with the approval f the Inspector and shall, if required by the Inspector, enter into a joint arrangement with any other supplier for the purpose aforesaid.

(4) Every supplier shall examine, test and regulate all meters, maximum demand indicators and other apparatus for ascertaining the amount of energy supplied before their first installation at the consumer's premises and at such other intervals as may be directed by the State Government in this behalf.

(5) Every supplier shall maintain a register of meters showing the date of the last test, the error recorded at the time of the test, the limit of accuracy after adjustment and final test, the date pf installation, withdrawal, reinstallation, etc. for the examination of the Inspector or his authorised representative

¹⁹(6) Where the supplier has failed to examine, test and regulate the meters and keep records thereof as aforesaid, the Inspector may cause such meters to be tested and sealed at the cost of the owner of the meters in case these are found defective.

²⁰58. Point of commencement of supply

The point of commencement of supply of energy to a consumer shall be deemed to be point at the incoming terminal of the cut-outs installed by the consumer under rule 50.

59. Precautions against failure of supply-Notice of failures

(1) The layout of the electric supply lines of the supplier for the supply of energy throughout his area of supply shall under normal working conditions be sectionalised and so arranged, and provided with cut-outs or circuit-breakers so located, as to restrict within reasonable limits the extent of the portion of the system affected by any failure of supply.

(2) The supplier shall take all reasonable precautions to avoid any accidental interruptions of supply, and also to avoid danger to the public or to any employee or authorized person when engaged or any operation during and in connection with the installation extension, replacement, repair and maintenance of any works.

(3) The supplier shall send to the Inspector ¹³ or any officer of a specified rank and class appointed to assist the Inspector, notice of failure of supply of such kind as tile Inspector ¹³ or any officer of a specified rank and class appointed to assist the Inspector may from time to time require to be notified to him, and such notice shall be sent by the earliest practicable post after the failure occurs or after the failure becomes known to the supplier and shall be in such form and contain such particulars as the Inspector may from time to time specify.

¹⁴(4) For the purpose of testing or for any other purpose connected with the efficient working of the undertaking the supply of energy may be discontinued by the supplier for such period as may be necessary, subject (except in cases of emergency) to not less than 24 hours notice being given by the supplier to all consumers likely to be affected by such discontinuance:

PROVIDED that the supply of energy shall be discontinued during such hours as are likely to interfere the least with the use of energy by consumers and the energy shall not be discontinued if the inspector so directs.

1 Inserted by GSR 218, dt.18-4-1995.
2 Substituted by GSR 529, dt. 11-7-1986, w.e.f. 19-7-1986.
3 Substituted by GSR 468, dt. 16-11-2000, w.e.f. 25-11-2000.
4 Substituted by GSR 1723, dt. 21-11-1977, w.e.f. 31-12-1977.
5 Substituted by GSR 117, dt. 21-1-1986, w.e.f. 8-2-1986.
6 Substituted by GSR 218, dt. 18-4-1995.
7 Substituted vide GSR 112, dt. 22-3-2000, w.e.f.1-4-2000.
8 Inserted by GSR 358, dt. 30-4-1987, w .e.f. 9-5-1987
9 Substituted by GSR 336, dt. 28-3-1988, w.e.f. 23-4-1988.
10 Substituted by GSR 358, dt. 30-4-1987, w.e.f. 9-5-1987.
11 InsertedbyGSR529,dt.11-7-1986,w.e.f.19-7-1986.
12 Substituted GSR 256, dt. 28-2-1983, w.e.f. 26-3-1983.
13 Inserted by GSR 466, dt.18-7-1991, w.e.f.17-8-1991.
14 Substituted by GSR 732, dt.18-6-1985, w.e.f. 3-8-1985.
15 Inserted videGSR 522, dt.17-3-1970, w.e.f. 4-4-1970.
16 Substituted vide GSR 522, dt.17-3-1970, w.e.f. 4-4-1970.
17 Substituted by GSR 1723, dt. 21-11-1977, w.e.f. 31-12-1977.
18 Inserted by GSR 1723, dt. 21-11-1977, w.e.f.31-12-1977.
19 Inserted byGSR844, dt. 31-7-1985, w.e.f. 7-9-1985.
20 Substituted by GSR 45, dt 1-1-1993, w.e.f. 23-1-1993.