Monday, January 7, 2013

Indian Electricity Rules: Electric Supply Lines, Systems And Apparatus For High And Extra-High Voltages.


ELECTRIC SUPPLY LINES, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH AND EXTRA-HIGH VOLTAGES
Rule-63: Approval by Inspector:
(1) Before making an application to the Inspector for permission 1[to commence or recommence supply after an installation has been disconnected for one year and above] at high or extra-high voltage to any person, the supplier shall ensure that the high or extra-high voltage electric supply lines or apparatus belonging to him are placed in position, properly joined and duly completed and examined. The supply of energy shall not be commenced by the supplier unless and until the Inspector is satisfied that the provisions of rules 65 to 69 both inclusive have been complied with and the approval in writing of the Inspector have been obtained by him.
Provided that the supplier may exercise the aforesaid electric supply lines or apparatus for the purpose of tests specified in rule 65.
(2) The owner of any high or extra-high voltage installation shall, before making application to the Inspector for approval of his installation or additions thereto, test every high or ext.-a-high voltage circuit or additions thereto, other than an overhead line, and satisfy himself that they withstand the application of the testing voltage set out in sub-rule (1) of rule 65 and shall duly record the results of such tests and forward them to the Inspector.
Provided that an Inspector may direct such owner to carry out such tests as he deems necessary or, if he thinks fit, accept the manufacturer’s certified tests in respect of any particular apparatus in place of the tests required by this sub-rule.
(3) The owner of any high or extra-high voltage installation who makes any additions or alterations to his installation shall not connect to the supply his apparatus or electric supply lines, comprising the said alterations or additions unless and until such alterations or additions have been approved in writing by the Inspector.
Rule-64: Use of energy at high and extra-high voltage:
(1) 2[The Inspector shall not authorise the supplier to commence supply or where the supply has been discontinued for a period of one year and above, to commence the supply at high or extra-high voltage to any consumer unless,]
(a) All conductors and apparatus situated on the premises of the consumer are so placed as to be inaccessible except to an authorised person and all operations in connection with the said conductors and apparatus are carried out by an authorised person;
(b) The consumer has provided and agrees to maintain a separate building or a locked weather-proof and fire-proof enclosure of agreed design and location, to which the supplier at all times have access for the purpose of housing his apparatus and metering equipment, or where the provision for a separate building or enclosure is impracticable, the consumer has segregated the aforesaid apparatus of the supplier from any other part of his own apparatus;
Provided that such segregation shall be by the provision of fire proof walls, if the Inspector considers it to be necessary;
Provided further that in the case of an out-door installation consumer shall suitably segregate the aforesaid apparatus belonging to the supplier from his own to the satisfaction of the Inspector;
(c) All pole type sub-stations are constructed and maintained in accordance with rule 69.
(2) The following provisions shall be observed where energy at high or extra high voltage is supplied, converted, transformed or used:
(a)
3[(i) 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.
(ii) The following minimum clearances shall be maintained for bare conductors or live parts of any apparatus in out-door substations, excluding overhead lines, of HV and EHV installations:
System Voltage (kV)
Ground Clearance (Meters)
Sectional Clearance (Meters)
11
2.75
2.6
33
3.7
2.8
66
4.0
3.0
132
4.6
3.5
220
5.5
4.3
400
8.0
6.5

(b) The windings of motors or other apparatus within reach from any position in which a person may require to be shall be suitably protected so as to prevent danger.
(c) Where transformer or transformers are used, suitable provision shall be made, either by connecting with earth a point of the circuit at the lower voltage or otherwise, to guard against danger by reason of the said circuit becoming accidentally charged above its normal voltage by leakage from or contact with the circuit at the higher voltage.
(d) A sub-station or a switch station with apparatus having more than 2000 litres of oil shall not 4[*** **] be located in the basement where proper oil draining arrangement cannot be provided.
(e) Where a sub-station or a switch station with apparatus having more than 2000 litres of oil is installed, whether indoor or out-doors, the following measures shall be taken, namely:
(i) The baffle walls 5[of 4 hour fire rating] shall be provided between the apparatus in the following cases:
(A) Single phase banks in the switch-yards of generating stations and substations;
(B) On the consumer premises;
(C) Where adequate clearance between the units is not available.
(ii) Provisions shall be made for suitable oil soak pit and where use of more than 9000 litres of oil in any one oil tank, receptacle or chamber is involved, provision shall be made for the draining away or removal of any oil which may leak or escape from the tanks receptacles or chambers containing the same, special precautions shall be taken to prevent the spread of any fire resulting from the ignition of the oil from any cause and adequate provision shall be made for extinguishing any fire which may occur. Spare oil shall not be stored in any such sub-station or switch station.
(f)
(i) 6[Without prejudice to the above measures, adequate fire protection arrangement shall be provided for quenching the fire in the apparatus;
(ii) Where it is necessary to locate the sub-station/switch station in the basement following measures shall be taken:
(a) The room shall necessarily be in the first basement at the periphery of the basement;
(b) The entrances to the room shall be provided with fire resisting doors of 2 hours fire rating. A curb (sill) of a suitable height shall be provided at the entrance in order to prevent the flow of oil from a ruptured transformer into other parts of the basement. Direct access to the transformer room shall be provided from outside.
(c) The transformer shall be protected by an automatic high velocity water spray system or by carbon dioxide or BCF (Bromochlorodifluoromethane) or BTM (Bromotrifluoromethane) fixed installation system; and
(iii) Oil filled transformers installed indoors shall not be on any floor above the ground or below the first basement.]
(g) Cable trenches inside the sub-stations and switch stations containing cables shall be filled with sand, pebbles or similar non-inflammable materials or completely cover with non-inflammable slabs.
(h) Unless the conditions are such that all the conductors and apparatus may be made dead at the same time for the purpose of cleaning or for other work, the said conductors and apparatus shall be so arranged that these may be made dead in sections, and that work on any such section may be carried on by an authorised person without danger.
(i) Only persons authorised under sub-rule (1) of rule 3, shall carry out the work on live lines and apparatus.]
(3) 7[All EHV apparatus shall be protected against lightning as well as against switching over voltages. The equipment used for protection and switching shall be adequately coordinated with the protected apparatus to ensure safe operation as well as to maintain the stability of the inter-connected units of the power system.]
Rule-64A: 8[Additional provisions for use of energy at high and extra-high voltage:
The following additional provisions shall be observed where energy at high or extra high voltage is supplied, converted, transferred or used, namely:
(1) Inter-locks- Suitable inter-locks shall be provided in the following cases:
(a) Isolators and the controlling circuit breakers shall be interlocked so that the isolators cannot be operated 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) Where 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 feedback;
(d) When two or more transformers are operated in parallel, the system shall be so arranged as to trip the secondary breaker of a transformer in case the primary breaker of that transformer trips;
(e) All gates or doors which give access to live parts of an installation shall be inter-locked in such a way that these cannot be opened unless the live parts are made dead. Proper discharging and earthing of these parts should be ensured before any person comes in close proximity of such parts;
(f) Where two or more generators operate in parallel and neutral switching is adopted, inter-lock shall be provided to ensure that generator breaker cannot be closed unless one of the neutrals is connected to the earthing system.
(2) Protection- All systems and circuits shall be so protected as to automatically disconnect 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 a time which the equipment, cable or supply line is not designed to withstand;
(b) Earth-fault/earth leakage protection to disconnect the supply automatically if the earth fault current exceeds the limit of current for keeping the contact potential within the reasonable values;
(c) Gas pressure type protection to given alarm and tripping shall be provided on all transformers of ratings 1000 KVA and above;
(d) Transformers of capacity 10 MVA and above shall be protected against incipient faults by differential protection; and
(e) All generators with rating of 100 KVA and above shall be protected against earth fault/leakage. All generators of rating 1000KVA and above shall be protected against faults within the generator winding using restricted earth fault protection or differential protection or by both.]
Rule-65: Testing, Operation and Maintenance:
(1) Before approval is accorded by the Inspector under rule 63, the manufacturer’s test certificates shall, if required, be produced for all the routine tests as required under the relevant Indian Standard.
(2) No new HV or EHV apparatus, cable or supply line shall be commissioned unless such apparatus, cable or supply line are subjected to site tests as per relevant code of practice of the 9[Bureau of Indian Standards].
(3) No HV of EHV apparatus, cable or supply line which has been kept disconnected, for a period of 6 months or more, from the system for alterations or repair shall be corrected to the system until such apparatus, cable or supply line are subjected to the relevant tests as per code of practice of 9[Bureau of Indian Standards.]
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-rules (1) to (3) (both inclusive) the Inspector may require certain additional tests to be carried out before charging the installations or subsequently.
(5) All apparatus, cables and supply lines shall be maintained in healthy conditions and tests shall be carried out periodically as per the relevant codes of practice of the 9[Bureau of Indian Standards].
(6) Records of all tests, trappings, maintenance works and repairs of all equipment, cables and supply lines shall be duly kept in such a way that these records can be compared with earlier ones.
(7) It shall be the responsibility of the owner of all HV and EHV installations to maintain and operate the installations in a condition free from danger and as recommended by the manufacturer and/or by the relevant codes of practice of the 9[Bureau of Indian Standards] and/or by the Inspector.]
Rule-66: Metal sheathed electric supply lines. Precautions against excess leakage:
(1) The following provisions shall apply to electric supply lines (other than overhead lines 10[*** * *] for use at high or extra-high voltage:
(a) The conductors shall be enclosed in metal sheathing which shall be electrically continuous and connected with earth, and the conductivity of the metal sheathing shall be maintained and reasonable precautions taken where necessary to avoid corrosion of the sheathing;
Provided that in the case of thermoplastic insulated and sheathed cables with metallic armour the metallic wire or tape armour shall be considered as metal sheathing for the purpose of this rule;
Provided further that this rule shall not apply to cable with thermoplastic insulation without any metallic screen or armour.
(b) 11[The resistance of the earth connection with metallic sheath shall be kept low enough to permit the controlling circuit breaker or cut-out to operate in the event of any failure of insulation between the metallic sheath and the conductor.]
(c) Where an electric supply-line as aforesaid has concentric cables and the external conductor is insulated from an outer metal sheathing and connected with earth, the external conductor may be regarded as the metal sheathing for the purposes of this rule provided that the foregoing provisions as to conductivity are complied with.
(2) Nothing in the provisions of sub-rule (1) shall preclude the employment in generating stations, sub-stations and switch-stations (including outdoor substations and outdoor switch-stations) of conductors for use at high or extra high voltages which are not enclosed in metal sheathing or preclude the use of electric supply lines laid before the prescribed date to which the provisions of these rules apply
Rule-67: Connection with earth:
(1) 11[All non-current carrying metal parts associated with HV/EHV installation shall be effectively earthed to a grounding system or mat which will:
(a) Limit the touch and step potential to tolerable values;
(b) Limit the ground potential rise to tolerable values so as to prevent danger due to transfer of potential through ground, earth wires, cables sheath fences, pipe lines, etc.;
(c) Maintain the resistance of the earth connection to such a value as to make operation of the protective device effective.
 (lA) In the case of star-connected system with earthed neutrals or delta connected system with earthed artificial neutral point:
(a) The neutral point of every generator and transformer shall be earthed by connecting it to the earthing system as defined in rule 61(4) and hereinabove by not less than two separate and distinct connections;
Provided that the neutral point of a generator may be connected to the earthing system through an impedance to limit the fault current to the earth;
Provided further that in the case of multi-machine system neutral switching may be resorted to, for limiting the injurious effect of harmonic current circulation in the system;
(b) In the event of an appreciable harmonic current flowing in the neutral connection so as to cause interference, with communication circuits, the generator or transformer neutral, shall be earthed through a suitable impedance;
(c) In case of the delta connected system the neutral point shall be obtained by the insertion of a grounding transformer and current limiting resistance or impedance wherever considered necessary at the commencement of such a system.]
(2) Single-phase high or extra-high voltage systems shall be earthed in a manner approved by the Inspector.
(3) In the case of a system comprising electric supply lines having concentric cables, the external conductor shall be the one to be connected with earth.
(4) Where a supplier proposes to connect with earth an existing system for use at high or extra-high voltage which has not hitherto been so connected with earth he shall give not less than fourteen days’ notice in writing together with particulars to the telegraph-authority of the proposed connection with earth.
(5)
(a) Where the earthing lead and earth connection are used only in connection with earthing guards erected under high or extra-high voltage overhead lines where they cross a telecommunication line or a railway line, and where such lines are equipped with earth leakage relays of a type and setting approved by the Inspector, the resistance shall not exceed 25 ohms.
(b) Every earthing system belonging to either the supplier or the consumer shall be tested for its resistance to earth on a dry day during dry season not less than once a year. Records of such tests shall be maintained and shall be produced, if required before the Inspector or any officer appointed to assist him and authorised under sub-rule (2) of rule 4A.
(6) In so far as the provisions of rule 61 are consistent with the provisions of this rule, all connections with earth shall also comply with the provisions of that rule.
Rule-68: General conditions as to transformation and control of energy:
(1) Where energy at high or extra-high voltage is transformed, converted, regulated or otherwise controlled in sub-stations or switch-stations (including outdoor substations and out-door switch-stations) or in street boxes constructed underground, the following provisions shall have effect:
(a) 13[Sub-stations and switch-stations shall preferably be erected above ground, but where necessarily constructed underground due provisions for ventilation and drainage shall be made and any space housing switchgear shall not be used for storage of any materials especially inflammable and combustible materials or refuse.]
(b) Outdoor sub-station is except pole type sub-stations and. outdoor switch stations shall (unless the apparatus is completely enclosed in a metal covering connected with earth, the said apparatus also being connected with the system by armoured cables) be efficiently protected by fencing not less than 1.8 metres in height or other means so as to prevent access to the electric-supply lines and apparatus therein by an unauthorised person.
(c) Underground street boxes (other than sub-stations) which contain transformers shall not contain switches or other apparatus, and switches, cut-outs or other apparatus required for controlling or other purposes shall be fixed in separate receptacles above ground wherever practicable.
(2) Where energy is transformed, suitable provisions shall be made either by connecting with earth a point of the system at the lower voltage or otherwise to guard against danger by reason of the said system becoming accidentally charged above its normal voltage by leakage from a contact with the system at the higher voltage.
Rule-69: Pole type sub-stations:
Where platform type construction is used for a pole type sub-station and sufficient space for a person to stand on the platform is provided a substantial hand rail shall be built around the said platform and if the hand rail is of metal, it shall be connected with earth;
Provided that in the case of pole type sub-station on wooden supports and wooden platform the metal hand-rail shall not be connected with earth.
Rule-70: Condensers:
Suitable provision shall be made for immediate and automatic discharge of every static condenser on disconnection of supply.
Rule-71: Additional provisions for supply to high voltage luminous tube sign installation
(1) Any person who proposes to use or who is using energy for the purpose of operating a luminous tube sign installation, or who proposes to transform or who is transforming energy to a high voltage for any such purpose shall comply with the following conditions:
(a) All live parts of the installation (including all apparatus and live conductors in the secondary circuit, but excluding tubes except in the neighbourhood of their terminals) shall be inaccessible to unauthorised persons and such parts shall be effectively screened.
(b) Irrespective of the method of obtaining the voltage of the circuit which feeds the luminous discharge tube sign, no part of any conductor of such circuit shall be in metallic connection (except in respect of its connection with earth) with any conductor of the supply system or with the primary winding of the transformer.
(c) All live parts of an exterior installation shall be so disposed as to protect them against the effects of the weather and such installation shall be so arranged and separated from the surroundings as to limit, as far as possible, the spreading of fire.
(d) The secondary circuit shall be permanently earthed at the transformer and the core of every transformer shall be earthed.
(e) Where the conductors of the primary circuit are not in metallic connection with the supply conductors, (e.g., where a motor-generator or a double-wound convertor is used), one phase of such primary circuit shall be permanently earthed at the motor generator or convertor, or at the transformer.
(ee) 14[An earth leakage circuit breaker of sufficient rating shall be provided on the low voltage side to detect the leakage in such luminous tube sign installations.]
(f) A final sub-circuit which forms the primary circuit of a fixed luminous discharge tube sign installation shall be reserved solely for such purpose.
(g) A separate primary final sub-circuit shall be provided for each transformer or each group of transformers having an aggregate input not exceeding 1,000 volt amperes, of a fixed luminous-discharge tube sign installation.
(h) An interior installation shall be provided with suitable adjacent means for disconnecting all phases of the supply except the “neutral” in a three-phase four wire circuit.
(i) For installations on the exterior of a building a suitable emergency fire-proof linked switch to operate on all phases except the neutral in a three phase four wire circuits shall be provided and fixed in a conspicuous position at not more than 2.75 metres above the ground.
(j) A special “caution” notice shall be affixed in a conspicuous place on the door of every high voltage enclosure to the effect that the low voltage supply must be cut off before the enclosure is opened.
(k) Where static condensers are used, they shall be installed on the load side of the fuses and the primary (low voltage) side of the transformers.
(l) Where static condensers are used on primary side, means shall be provided for automatically discharging the condensers when the supply is cut off;
Provided that static condensers or any circuit interrupting devices on the high or extra-high voltage side shall not be used without the approval in writing of the Inspector.
(2) The owner or user of any luminous tube sign or similar high voltage installation shall not bring the same into use without giving to the Inspector not less than 14 day’s notice in writing of the intention so to do.
Rule-72: Additional provisions for supply to high voltage electrode boilers:
(1) Where a system having a point connected with earth is used for supply of energy at high or extra-high voltage to an electrode boiler which is also connected with earth, the following conditions shall apply:
(a) The metal work of the electrode boiler shall be efficiently connected to the metal sheathing and metallic armouring (if any) of the high voltage electric supply line whereby energy is supplied to the electrode boiler.
(b) The supply of energy at high or extra-high voltage to the electrode boiler shall be controlled by a suitable circuit-breaker so set as to operate in the event of the phase currents becoming unbalanced to the extent of 10 per cent of the rated current consumption of the electrode boiler under normal conditions of operation;
Provided that if in any case a higher setting is essential to ensure stability of operation of the electrode boiler, the setting may be increased so as not to exceed 15 per cent of the rated current consumption of the electrode boiler under normal conditions of operation.
(c) An inverse time element device may be used in conjunction with the aforesaid circuit breaker to prevent the operation thereof unnecessarily on the occurrence of unbalanced phase currents of momentary or short duration.
(d) The supplier shall serve a notice in writing on the telegraph-authority at least seven days prior to the date on which such supply of energy is to be afforded specifying the location of every point (including the earth connection of the electrode boiler) at which the system is connected with earth.
(2) The owner or user of any high or extra-high voltage electrode boiler shall not bring the same into use without giving the Inspector not less than 14 days’ notice in writing of his intention so to do.
Rule-73: Supply to X-ray and high frequency installation:
(1) Any person who proposes to employ or who is employing energy for the purpose of operating an X-ray or similar high-frequency installation shall comply with the following conditions:
(a) Mechanical barriers shall be provided to prevent too close an approach to any high-voltage parts of the X-ray apparatus, except the X-ray tube and its leads, unless such high-voltage parts have been rendered shock-proof by being shielded by earthed metal or adequate insulating material.
(b) Where extra-high voltage generators operating at 300 peaks KV or more are used, such generators shall be installed in rooms separate from those containing the other equipment and any step-up transformer employed shall be so installed and protected as to prevent danger.
(c) A suitable switch shall be provided to control the circuit supplying a generator, and shall be so arranged as to be open except while the door of the room housing the generator is locked from the outside.
(d) X-ray tubes used in therapy shall be mounted in an earthed metal enclosure.
(e) Every X-ray machine shall be provided with a millimetre or other suitable measuring instrument, readily visible from the control position and connected, if practicable, in the earthed lead, but guarded if connected in the high-voltage lead.
(ee) 15[Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (e), earth. leakage circuit breaker of sufficient rating shall be provided on the low voltage side to detect the leakage in such X-ray installations.]
(f) This sub-rule shall not apply to shock-proof portable units or shockproof self-contained and stationary units.
Note: The expression “shock-proof”, as applied to X-ray and high-frequency equipment, shall mean that such equipment is guarded with earthed metal so that no person may come into contact with any live part.
(2)
(a) In the case of non-shock-proof equipment, overhead high-voltage conductors, unless suitably guarded against personal contact, shall be adequately spaced and high-voltage leads on tilting tables and fluoroscopes shall be adequately insulated or so surrounded by barriers as to prevent inadvertent contact.
(b) The low voltage circuit of the step up transformer shall contain a manually operated control device having overload protection, in addition to the over-current device for circuit protection, and these devices shall have no exposed live parts and for diagnostic work there shall be an additional switch in the said circuit, which shall be of one of the following types:
(i) A switch with a spring or other mechanism that will open automatically except while held close by the operator, or
(ii) A time switch which will open automatically after a definite period of time for which it has been set
(c) If more than one piece of apparatus be operated from the same high or extra high voltage source each shall be provided with a high or extra high voltage switch to give independent control.
(d) Low frequency current-carrying parts of a machine of the quenched gap or open gap type shall be so insulated or guarded that they cannot be touched during operation, the high frequency circuit proper which delivers high-frequency current normally for the therapeutic purposes, being exempted.
(e) All X-ray generators having capacitors shall have suitable means for discharging the capacitors manually.
(f) Except in the case of self-contained units, all 200 peaks KV or higher, X-ray generators shall have a sphere gap installed in the high-voltage system adjusted so that it will break down on over-voltage surges.
(3)
(a) All non-current carrying metal parts of tube stands, fluoroscopes and other apparatus shall be properly earthed and insulating floors, mats or platforms shall be provided for operator in proximity to high or extra-high voltage parts unless such parts have been rendered shock proof.
(b) Where short wave therapy machines are used, the treatment tables and examining chairs shall be wholly non-metallic.
(4) The owner of any X-ray installations or similar high frequency apparatus shall not bring the same into use without giving to the Inspector not less than 14 days’ notice in writing of his intention to do so.
Provided that the aforesaid notice shall not be necessary in the case of shockproof portable X-ray and high-frequency equipment which have been inspected before the commencement of their use and periodically, thereafter.

1. Subs. by GSR 256, Date. 28.2.1983, with effect from: 26.3.1983.
2. Subs. by CSR 843, Date. 23.7.1983, with effect from: 7.9.1985
3. Subs. by GSR 358, Date. 30.4.1987, with effect from: 9.5.1987.
4. The word ‘ordinarily’ omitted by GSR 358, Date. 30.4.1987, with effect from: 9.5.1987.
5. Ins. by GSR 358, Date. 30.4.1987, with effect from: 9.5.1987.                  
6. Subs. by GSR 358, Date. 30.4.1987, with effect from: 9.5.1987.
7. Ins. by GSR 336, Date. 20.3.1988, with effect from: 23.4.1988.               
8. Ins. by GSR 358, Date. 30.4.1987, with effect from: 9.5.1987.
9. Subs. by GSR 466, Date. 18.7.1991, with effect from: 17.8.1991.           
10. The words “of a supplier” omitted by GSR 358, Date. 30.4.1987, with effect from: 9.5.1987.
11. Subs. by GSR 466, Date. 18.7.1991, with effect from: 17.8.1991.
12. Subs. by GSR 358, Date. 30.4.1987, with effect from: 9.5.1987.
13. Subs. by GSR 358, Date. 30.4.1987, with effect from: 9.5.1987.           
14. Ins. by GSR 844, Date. 31.7.1985, with effect from: 7.9.1985.
15. Ins. by GSR 844, Date. 31.7.1985, with effect from: 7.9.1985.