Unit 6

Review of Indian
Electricity Rules and Act
➢The laws regarding supply and consumption of electricity are
promulgated by the State Government and Union Government, under
the Authority provided by the Constitution of India. These laws protect
the interest of the consumers, suppliers of electricity and general
public.
➢The rules regarding the safety in construction and use electrical
installations/plants/equipments are framed by Central Electricity
Authority. These Indian Electricity Rules protect the interests of general
public ; construction workers/contractors/personnel ; operation and
maintenance staff engaged in generation, transmission, distribution and
utilization of electricity.
➢The I.E. Act was first promulgated in 1903 and then amended in
1910, and in 1948.
➢The l.E. Rules were first framed in 1922 and amended in 1937
and 1956.
➢The I.E. Acts and I.E. Rules are amended from time to time to
keep pace with changing scenario of electrical technology. With
privatization of Electrical Energy Sector, the Rules and Acts are
under process of major revision by the year 2001. This chapter is
for reference only.
➢For actual practice refer the latest publications of I.E rules/acts
and customer's specifications.
Objectives and Scope of
IE Act and IE Rules
➢To regulate the relation between the electricity supplier and the
consumer.
➢To make the generation, distribution and use of electricity as safe, as
possible.
➢For this purpose, the Act and Rules have
identified five different categories of persons each
with its own functions and obligations, namely
1. Supplier.
2. The owner or the consumer.
3. Electrical Inspector.
4. Electrical Contractor/Supervisor.
5. Authorised person.
➢All the five have been made responsible within their own jurisdiction for
achieving safety.
➢The IE Act 1910 and IE Act 1948 has following provisions :
1. To provide for issue of licenses and sanction to the Electric Supply
Companies and regulate their working.
2. To provide for efficient supply of Electricity to consumers.
3. To provide for the appointment of the Electrical Inspector to administer
the Act and the rules that may be framed under the Act.
4. The provide for the Constitution of the State Electricity Board and the
Generating Company and to lay down their powers and duties.
5. Creation of Central Electricity Authority to
regulate the functioning of the State Electricity Board and the
Generating companies.
Classification of Electrical
Installations
The electrical installations are classified on the basis of nominal
rated as,
1. Low Voltage Electrical Installation ( LV or LT): Where the
voltage does not exceed 250 volts under normal condition.
2. Medium Voltage Electrical Installation (MV): The voltage
exceed 250 Volts but does not exceed 650 volts under normal
condition.
3. High Voltage Electrical Installation (HV or HT) : The
voltage exceed 650 Volts but does not exceed 33000 volts
under normal condition
4. Extra High Voltage Electrical Installations (EHV):- . Where
the voltage exceeds 33000 volts under normal conditions.
Electrical Installation of the above categories comprises of
Transformer sub-station, Switchgears, Operating devices, Panel
Boards Electric Motors, Portable Equipment, Pumps, Lights, Fans,
Ventilation Systems, Air conditioning System, Auxiliary Electrical
Distribution Power Cables, etc.
The classification LV, HV, MV, EHV, as per Indian Electrical
Rules differs from classification of CIRLO and general terminology
in transmission and distribution.
➢As per 1EC and CIRED classifications, the term Low Voltage
➢(LV) applies to voltages upto and including 1000 V, Medium
Voltage applies to voltages above 1000 V and upto and including
36 kV, High Voltages (HV) includes all voltages above 36 kV.
Including and upto 245 kV, and EHV applies to voltages above 245
kV.
➢The Voltages refer to phase to phase RMS values of Sinusoidal
AC voltages of standard frequency of 50 Hz.
➢Each voltage level has three values of voltages : (1) Nominal
Voltage, (2) Highest Voltage, (3) Lowest Voltage.
Significance of Voltage
Class
➢The voltage levels are standardised. With each voltage level, the
highest system voltage and lowest system voltage values are also
specified. The power supply company has to ensure that the
voltages at various points in the system are within the specified
limits.
➢The equipments are designed to withstand the highest system
voltage continuously without failure.
➢The insulation levels of each equipment have a reference to the
rated voltage of the equipment. Thus, the voltage class is
important with reference to insulation requirements of the plant
and equipment.
➢The clearances, creepage distances, test voltages and safety
precautions to be taken increase progressively with higher
voltage class.
➢For example, voltage stresses are low in LV systems and high in
HV systems.
➢The LV systems are generally used for domestic and commercial
lighting loads. And loads above 250 kVA. MV system are used. for
Industrial and Power Plant auxiliaries and distribution systems.
Rated upto about 2 MW.
➢Following Table gives reference values of voltage as per IEC and
IS standards.
➢Note : L.V. = Low Voltage M.V. = Medium Voltage
➢M.H.V. = Medium High Voltage
➢H.V. = High Voltage
➢E.H.V. = Extra High Voltage
➢U.H.V. = Ultra High Voltage
➢Values are root-mean-square (r.m.s) Phase to Phase voltages of
50 Hz.
➢Permissible variation is approximately 10% of Nominal
Value.
 Electricity Safety
Gerneral Requirements as
per IE Rules
➢Summary of Rules 26,30,31 to 36, 41, 45, 46 ,64,
77, 79 ,80 will discuss in the topic.
➢Rule 29 : Constriction, installation, protection
operation and maintenance of eletricity supply lines and
apparatus..
➢An electric supply lines and apparatus shall be of
sufficient ratings for powers, insulation and estimated
fault current and of sufficient mechanical strength, for
which they may be required to perform under the
environment conditions of installation.
➢Rule 30 : Service lines and apparatus on consumer's
premises
➢The supplier shall ensure that all electric supply lines, wires,
fittings, and apparatus belonging to him or under his control
which are on a consumer's premises are in a safe condition and in
all respects fit for supplying energy and the supplier shall take
due precautions to aviod danger arising on such premises from
such supply lines, wires, fittings and apparatus.
➢Rule 31 : Cut out on consumer's premises
➢The supplier shall provide a suitable cut out in each phase of
every service line other than an earthed or earthed neutral
conductor or the earthed external conductor of a concentric cable
within a consumer’s premises in an accisseble postion.
➢Rule 32 : Identification of earthed and earthed neutral
conductors and position of switches and cut outs therein.

➢Rule 33 : Earthed terminal on consumer's premises

➢Rule 34 : Accessibility of bare conductors

➢Rule 36 : Handling of electric supply lines apparatus

➢Rule 41 : Distinction of different circuits

➢Rule 42 : Accidental charge
➢The owner of a circuits and apparatus shall so arrange them
that there shall be no danger of any part thereof becoming
accidentally charged to any voltage beyond the limits of voltage
for which they are intended.

➢Rule 45 : Precautions to be adopted by consumers, owners,

electrical contractors, electrical workmen and suppliers
➢Rule 46 : Periodical inspection and testing of consumer’s
installation.

➢Where an installation is already connected to the supply system

of the supplier, every such installation shall be periodically
inspected and tested al intervals not exceeding five years either
by the Inspector or any officer appointed to assist the Inspector or
by the supplier as may be directed by the State Government in
this behalf.
➢Rule 64: The following provisions shall be observed where
energy at high or extra high voltage is supplied converted,
transformed or used.
(a) Clearances as per Indian Standard Code shall be provided for
electrical apparatus so that sufficient space is available for easy
operation and maintenance without any hazard to the operating
and maintenance personnel working near the equipment and for
ensuring adequate ventilation.
(b) The following minimum clearances shall be maintained for
bare conductors or live parts or any apparatus in outdoor sub-
stations, excluding overhead lines, of HV and EHV installation :
➢Rule 64 A(1) : Interlocks
➢Suitable inter-locks shall be provided in the following cases :
a. Isolators and the controlling circuit breakers shall be interlocked
so that the isolators can not be opened unless the corresponding
breaker is in open position.
b. Isolators and the corresponding earthing switches shall be
interlocked so that no earthing switch can be closed unless and
until the corresponding isolator is in open position.
c. When two or more supplies are not intended to be operated in
parallel, the respective circuit-breakers or linked switches
controlling the supplies shall be interlocked to prevent
possibility of any inadvertent paralleling or feed back.
➢Rule 64 A(2) : Protection
➢All system and circuits shall be so protected as to automatically
disconnected the supply under abnormal conditions.
➢The following protection shall be provided, namely :
a. Over current protection to disconnect the supply
automatically if the rated current of the equipment, cable or
supply line is exceeded for that length of time which the
equipment, cable or supply line is not designed to withstand.
b. Gas pressure type protection to give alarm and tripping shall
be provided on all transformers of ratings 1000 kVA and
above.
c. Transformers of capacity 10 MVA and above shall be
d. protected against incipient faults by differential protection
and all generators with rating of 100 kVA and above shall be
protected against earth fault/leakage. All generators of rating
1000 kVA and above shall be protected against faults within
the generator winding using restricted earth fault protection
or differential protection or by both.
➢Rule 79 : Clearance from buildings of low and medium voltage
lines and Service lines.
➢Where a low or medium voltage overhead line passes above or
adjacent to or terminates on any building, the following minimum
clearances from any accessible point on the basis of maximum sag,
shall be observed.
➢Rule 80 : Clearance from building of high and extra high
voltage lines
➢Where a high or extra high voltage overhead line passes above or
adjacent to any building or part of a building it shall have on the
basis of maximum sag a vertical clearance above the highest part of
the building immediately under such line of the not less than :

➢For high voltage lines upto and including 33,000 volts….3.7 meters.

➢For Extra High voltage lines ………….3.7 meters plus 0.3 meter for
every additional 33,000 volts or part thereof.
➢Rule 77 is for your home …learn it and complete from
notes.
Indian Electricity Act
➢Grant of Licenses: IE Act deals with licenses for engaging in the
business of supplying electricity. Generating electricity, laying
service lines, etc.
➢1.1 :No person can engage in the business of
supplyingelectricity unless he obtains a Licence from the State
Government under Section 3, or a sanction under section 28. The
State Government if themselves engage in supplying energy will
have powers and obligations of a Licensee under Section 51-
➢A. Similarly the Board or a generating company is also a licensee
for the purpose of the Act 1910 to the extent shown under section
26 and 26 A of the 1948 Act.
➢Section 4 to 11 and Clause I to IV of the Schedule provide for
amendment and revocation of a licence, purchase of licensees
undertaking by the State Electricity Board and Submission of
accounts by Licensees.
➢For the proper discharge of his functions a licensee or a supplier
requires power to lay his lines etc. on others property or near
telegraph lines, sevage pipes, railway lines etc. Law has therefore
provided for the manner and extent to which these powers can be
used by a Licensee under Section 12 to 18, 31,32 and 51. Most
important sections are 12, 18 and 51.
➢Section 12 in brief provides for :
i. A Licensee can open and break any soil or pavement within
his area of supply.
ii. Where lines are to be laid on a private property, the
permission of the owner or occupier is necessary in all cases
where any supply line has not already been laid.
iii. For purpose of providing a support on a private property a
District Magistrate can authorise a licensee. In such cases the
District Magistrate will also decide the amount of
compensation or the annual rent required to be paid.
➢Section 18 provides for
i. A general approval in writing of the methods of constructions
of overhead line is to be obtained by the licensee form the
Stale Government.
ii. A Magistrate of can permit removal of a tree or other
construction interfering with the transmission of energy or
accessibility of works. However, more trees
must be planted elsewhere.
➢Section 51 provides for conferring the powers of a
Telegraph
1.Anthority on the Licensee by the Stale Government under these
power the Licensee can lay his lines on a private property after
observing procedures laid down in the Telegraph Act.
2. Meter: Under Section 26 the consumer is entitled to ask the
licensee to provide a metre. In such cases the metre is to be
maintained by the licensee who can levy hire charges for such
metres.
3. Disconnection of Supply: The licensee is entitled to
disconnect the consumer's supply under Section 24 in case of non
payment of his charges after giving not less than seven days
notice in writing. However the cannot disconnect the supply if a
dispute has been referred to the Electrical Inspector before issue
of the disconnection notice. It is to be noted that the dispute
should be referred under any other provision of the Act like
Section 26 and Section 26 and Section 24 does not provide for
reference of disputes of any kind whatsoever.
4. General I.E. Acts: Section 39 to Section 50 in Chapter IV of I.E.
Acts covers Criminal offences related with supply of electricity. A
short list is gives below :
Rules regarding First
Aid and Fire Fighting
Facilty
➢The Owner of the construction site or plant should provide the
prescribed first aid facilities and fire fighting facilities.
➢Rule 43 and 44 required the maintenance of first aid box, fire
extinguishers and fire buckets and resuscitation charts is
enclosed sub-station etc. The authorized persons are also
required to the trained in first aid and resuscitation.
Safety Requirements
of Electric Vehicles as
per BIS Standards

This presentation delves into the critical safety requirements for electric
vehicles (EVs) as outlined by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). BIS
standards are essential for ensuring the safety of EVs and their users,
addressing various aspects from high-voltage systems to charging
infrastructure and autonomous driving features.

preencoded.png
Overview of BIS Standards
for EV Safety
Electrical Safety Battery Safety
BIS standards cover insulation, wiring, Standards address battery pack
and protection against electric shock, design, thermal management, and
ensuring safe operation of high- safety systems to prevent
voltage components. overheating, fire, or electrical hazards.

Charging Infrastructure Functional Safety

These standards focus on ensuring
Safety protocols for charging reliable operation of safety-critical
connectors, cables, and charging systems, such as braking, steering,
stations are established to prevent and vehicle stability control.
electrical shocks and ensure safe
charging.

preencoded.png