GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Rule-29: Construction, installation, protection, operation and
maintenance of electric supply lines and apparatus:
(1) 1[All electric supply
lines and apparatus shall be of sufficient ratings for power, insulation and
estimated fault current and of sufficient mechanical strength, for the duty
which they may be required to perform under the environmental conditions of
installation, and shall be constructed, installed, protected, worked and maintained
in such a manner as to ensure safety of 2[human beings, animals and property].]
(2) Save as otherwise provided in
these rules, the relevant code of practice of the 3[Bureau of Indian
Standards] 4[including
National Electrical Code] if any may be followed to carry out the purposes of
this rule and in the event of any inconsistency, the provision of these rules
shall prevail.
(3) The material and apparatus
used shall conform to the relevant specifications of the 3[Bureau of Indian
Standards] where such specifications have already been laid down.
Rule-30: Service lines and apparatus on consumer’s premises:
(1) 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 avoid danger arising on such premises from such supply
lines, wires, fittings and apparatus.
(2) Service-lines placed by the
supplier on the premises of a consumer which are underground or which are
accessible shall be so insulated and protected by the supplier as to be secured
under all ordinary conditions against electrical, mechanical, chemical or other
injury to the insulation.
(3) The consumer shall, as far as
circumstances permit, take precautions for the safe custody of the equipment on
his premises belonging to the supplier.
(4) The consumer shall also
ensure that the installation under his control is maintained in a safe
condition.
Rule-31: Cut-out on consumer’s premises:
(1) The supplier shall provide a
suitable cut-out in each conductor 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 accessible position. Such cut-out
shall be contained within an adequately enclosed fireproof receptacle.
Where more than one consumer is
supplied through a common service-line, each such consumer shall be provided
with an independent cut-out at the point of junction to the common service.
(2) Every electric supply line
other than the earth or earthed neutral conductor of any system or the earthed
external conductor of a concentric cable shall be protected by a suitable
cut-out by its owner.
(3) 5[* * * * *]
Rule-32: Identification of earthed and earthed neutral conductors and
position of switches and cut-outs therein:
Where the conductors include an
earthed conductor of a two-wire system or an earthed neutral conductor of a
multi-wire system or a conductor which is to be connected thereto, the
following conditions shall be complied with:
(1) An indication of a permanent
nature shall be provided by the owner of the earthed or earthed neutral
conductor, or the conductor which is to be connected thereto, to enable such
conductor to be distinguished from any live conductor. Such indication shall be
provided:
(a) Where the
earthed or earthed neutral conductor is the property of the supplier, at or
near the point of commencement of supply;
(b) Where a
conductor forming part of a consumer’s system is to be connected to the
supplier’s earthed or earthed neutral conductor, at the point where such
connection is to be made;
(c) In all
other cases, at a point corresponding to the point of commencement of supply or
at such other points as may be approved by an Inspector or any officer
appointed to assist the Inspector and authorised under sub-rule (2) of rule 4A.
(2) No cut-out, link or switch
other than a linked switch arranged to operate simultaneously on the earthed or
earthed neutral conductor and live conductors shall be inserted or remain
inserted in any earthed or earthed neutral conductor of a two wire-system or in
any earthed or earthed neutral conductor of a multi-wire system or in any
conductor connected thereto with the following exceptions:
(a) A link for
testing purposes, or
(b) A switch
for use in controlling a generator or transformer.
Rule-33: Earthed terminal on consumer’s premises:
(1) The supplier shall provide
and maintain on the consumer’s premises for the consumer’s use a suitable
earthed terminal in an accessible position at or near the point of commencement
of supply as defined under rule 58.
Provided that in the case of
medium, high or extra-high voltage installation the consumer shall, in addition
to the afore mentioned earthing arrangement, provide his own earthing system
with an independent electrode.
Provided further that the
supplier may not provide any earthed terminal in the case of installations
already connected to his system on or before the date to be specified by the
State Government in this behalf if he is satisfied that the consumer’s earthing
arrangement is efficient.
(2) The consumer shall take all
reasonable precautions to prevent mechanical damage to the earthed terminal and
its lead belonging to the supplier.
(3) 6[The supplier may
recover from the consumer the cost of installation on the basis of schedule of
charges notified in advance and where such schedule of charges is not notified,
the procedure prescribed, in sub-rule (5) of rule 82 will apply]
Rule-34: Accessibility of bare conductors- Where bare conductors are
used in a building, the owner of such conductors shall:
(a) Ensure
that they are inaccessible;
(b) Provide in
readily accessible position switches for rendering them dead whenever
necessary; and
(c) Take such
other safety measures as are considered necessary by the Inspector.
Rule-35: Danger Notices:
The owner of every medium, high
and extra-high voltage installation shall affix permanently in a conspicuous
position a danger notice in Hindi or English and the local language of the
district, with a sign of skull and bones 7[of a design as per the relevant ISS No.
2551] on:
(a) Every
motor, generator, transformer and other electrical plant and equipment together
with apparatus used for controlling or regulating the same;
(b) All
supports of high and extra-high voltage overhead lines which can be easily
climb-upon without the aid of ladder or special appliances;
Explanation-Rails,
tubular poles, wooden supports, reinforced cement concrete poles without steps,
I-sections and channels, shall be deemed as supports which cannot be easily
climbed upon for the purposes of this clause.
(c) Luminous
tube sign requiring high voltage supply, X-ray and similar high frequency
installations;
Provided that where it is not
possible to affix such notices on any generator, motor transformer of other
apparatus, they shall be affixed as near as possible thereto; or the word
‘danger’ and the voltage of the apparatus concerned shall be permanently
painted on it.
Provided further that where the
generator, motor, transformer of other apparatus is within an enclosure one
notice affixed to the said enclosure shall be sufficient for the purposes of
this rule.
Rule-36: Handling of electric supply lines and apparatus:
(1) Before any conductor or
apparatus is handled adequate precautions shall be taken, by earthing or other
suitable means, to discharge electrically such conductor or apparatus, and any
adjacent conductor or apparatus if there is danger therefrom, and to prevent
any conductor or apparatus from being accidentally or inadvertently electrically
charged when persons are working thereon. Every person who is working on an
electric supply line or apparatus or both shall be provided with tools and
devices such as gloves, rubber shoes, safety belts, ladders, earthing devices,
helmets, line testers, hand lines and the like for protecting him from
mechanical and electrical injury. Such tools and devices shall always be
maintained in sound and efficient working conditions:
(2) No person shall work on any
live electric supply line or apparatus and no person shall assist such person
on such work, unless he is authorised in that behalf, and takes the safety
measures approved by the Inspector.
8[*
* * * *]
(3) Every telecommunication line
on supports carrying a high or extra-high voltage line shall, for the purpose
of working thereon, be deemed to be a high voltage line.
Rule-37: Supply to vehicles, cranes, etc.:
Every person owning a vehicle, travelling
crane or the like to which energy is supplied from an external source shall
ensure that it is efficiently controlled by a suitable switch enabling all
voltage to be cut off in one operation and, where such vehicle, travelling
crane or the like runs on metal rails, the owner shall ensure that the rails
are electrically continuous and earthed.
Rulle-38: Cables for portable or transportable apparatus:
(1) Flexible cables shall not be
used for portable or transportable motors, generators, transformer rectifiers,
electric drills, electric sprayers, welding sets or any other portable or
transportable apparatus unless they are heavily insulated and adequately protected
from mechanical injury.
(2) Where the protection is by
means of metallic covering, the covering shall be in metallic connection with
the frame of any such apparatus and earth.
(3) The cables shall be three
core type and four-core type for portable and transportable apparatus working
on single phase and three phases supply respectively and the wire meant to be
used for ground connection shall be easily identifiable.
Rule-39: Cables protected by bituminous materials:
(a) Where the
supplier or the owner has brought into use an electric supply line (other than
an overhead line) which is not completely enclosed in a continuous metallic
covering connected with earth and is insulated or protected in situ by
composition or material of a bituminous character:
(i) Any pipe,
conduit or the like into which such electric supply line may have been drawn or
placed shall, unless other arrangements are approved by the Inspector in any
particular case, be effectively sealed at its point of entry into any street
box so as to prevent any flow of gas to or from the street box; and
(ii) Such
electric supply line shall be periodically inspected and tested where
accessible, and the result of each such inspection and test shall be duly
recorded by the supplier or the owner.
(2) It shall not be permissible
for the supplier or the owner after the coming into force of these rules, to
bring into use any further electric supply line as aforesaid which is insulated
or protected in situ by any composition or material known to be liable to
produce noxious or explosive gases on excessive heating.
Rule-40: Street boxes:
(1) Street boxes shall not
contain gas pipes, and precautions shall be taken to prevent, as far as
reasonably possible, any influx of water or gas.
(2) Where electric supply lines
forming part of different systems pass through the same street box, they shall
be readily distinguishable from one another and all electric supply lines at
high or extra-high voltage in street boxes shall be adequately supported and
protected to as to prevent risk of damage to or danger from adjacent electric
supply lines.
(3) All street boxes shall be
regularly inspected for the purpose of detecting the presence of gas and if any
influx or accumulation is discovered, the owner shall give immediate notice to
any authority or company who have gas mains in the neighbourhood of the street
box and in cases where a street box is large enough to admit the entrance of a
person after the electric supply lines or apparatus therein have been placed in
position, ample provision shall be made-
(a) To ensure
that any gas which may by accident have obtained access to the box shall escape
before a person is allowed to enter; and
(b) For the
prevention of danger from sparking.
(4) The owners of all street
boxes or pillars containing circuits or apparatus shall ensure that their
covers and doors are so provided that they can be opened only by means of a key
or a special appliance.
Rule-41: Distinction of different circuits:
The owner of every generating
station, substation, junction-box or pillar in which there are any circuits or
apparatus, whether intended for operation at different voltages or at the same
voltage, shall ensure by means of indication of a permanent nature that the
respective circuits are readily distinguishable from one another.
Rule-41A: 9[Distinction of the installations
having more than one feed:
The owner of the every
installation including sub-station, double pole structure, four pole structure
or any other structure having more than one feed, shall ensure by means of
indication of a permanent nature, that the installation is readily
distinguishable from other installations.]
Rule-42: Accidental charge:
The owners of all 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. Where A.C. and D.C. circuits are installed
on the same support they shall be so arranged and protected that they shall not
come into contact with each other when live.
Rule-43: Provisions applicable to protective equipment:
(1) Fire buckets filled with
clean dry sand and ready for immediate use for extinguishing fires, in addition
to fire extinguishers suitable for dealing with electric fires, shall be
conspicuously marked and kept in all generating stations, enclosed sub-stations
and switch stations in convenient situation. The fire extinguishers shall be
tested for satisfactory operation at least once a year and record of such tests
shall be maintained.
(2) First-aid boxes or cupboards
conspicuously marked and equipped with such contents as the State Government
may specify shall be provided and maintained in every generating station,
enclosed sub-station and enclosed switch station so as to be readily accessible
during all working hours. All such boxes and cupboards shall, except in the
case of unattended sub-stations and switch stations, be kept in charge of
responsible persons who are trained in first-aid treatment and one of such
person shall be available during working hours.
(3) 10[Two or more gas masks
shall be provided conspicuously and installed and maintained at accessible
places in every generating station with capacity of 5 MW and above and enclosed
sub-station with transformation capacity of 5 MVA and above for use in the
event of fire or smoke.
Provide that where more than one
generator with capacity of 5 MW and above is installed in a power station, each
generator would be provided with at least two separate gas masks in accessible
and conspicuous position.
Provided further that adequate
number of gas masks would be provided by the owner of every generating station
and enclosed sub-station with capacity less than 5MW and 5MVA respectively, if
so desired by the Inspector]
Rule-44: Instructions for restoration of persons suffering from electric
shock:
(1) Instructions, in English or
Hindi and the local language of the district and where Hindi is the local
language, in English and Hindi for the restoration of persons suffering from
electric shock, shall be affixed by the owner in a conspicuous place in every
generating station, enclosed sub-station, enclosed switch-station and in every
factory as defined in clause (m) of section 2 of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of
1948) in which electricity is used and in such other premises where electricity
is used as the Inspector or any officer appointed to assist the Inspector may,
by notice in writing served on the owner, direct.
(2) Copies of the instructions
shall be supplied on demand by an officer or officers appointed by the Central
or the State Government in this behalf at a price to be fixed by the Central or
the State Government.
(3) The owner of every generating
station, enclosed sub-station, enclosed switch-station and every factory or
other premises to which this rule applies, shall ensure that all authorised
persons employed by him are acquainted with and are competent to apply the instructions
referred to in sub-rule (1).
(4) In every manned high voltage
or extra-high voltage generating station, substation or switch station, an
artificial respirator shall be provided and kept in good working condition.
Rule-44A: Intimation of Accident:
11[If any accident occurs
in connection with the generation, transmission, supply or use of energy in or
in connection with, any part of the electric supply lines or other works of any
person and the accident results in or is likely to have resulted in loss of
human or animal life or in any injury to a human being or an animal, such
person or any authorised person of the State Electricity Board/Supplier, not
below the rank of a Junior Engineer or equivalent shall send to the Inspector a
telegraphic report within 24 hours of the knowledge of the occurrence of the
fatal accident and a written report in the form set out in Annexure XIII within
48 hours of the knowledge of occurrence of fatal and all other accidents. Where
practicable a telephonic message should also be given to the Inspector
immediately the accident comes to the knowledge of the authorised officer of
the State Electricity Board/ Supplier or other person concerned.]
Rule-45: Precautions to be adopted by consumers 12[owner’s occupiers], electrical contractors, electrical workmen and
suppliers:
(1) No electrical installation
work, including additions, alterations, repairs and adjustments to existing
installations, except such replacement of lamps, fans, fuses, switches, low
voltage domestic appliances and fittings as in no way alters its capacity or
character, shall be carried out upon the premises of or on behalf of any 13[consumer,
supplier, owner or occupier] for the purpose of supply to such 13[consumer,
supplier, owner or occupier] except by an electrical contractor licensed in
this behalf by the State Government and under the direct supervision of a
person holding a certificate of competency and by a person holding a permit
issued or recognised by the State Government.
Provided that in the case of
works executed for or on behalf of the Central Government and in the case of
installations in mines, oil fields and railways, the Central Government and in
other cases the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
exempt, on such conditions as it may impose, any such work described therein
either generally or in the case of any specified class of 13[consumers, suppliers,
owners or occupiers] from so much of this sub-rule as requires such work to be
carried out by an electrical contractor licensed by the State Government in
this behalf. 14[(2) No electrical installation work which
has been carried out in contravention of sub-rule (1) shall either be energised
or connected to the works of any supplier]
(3) 15[* * * * *]
Rule-46: Periodical inspection and testing of consumer’s installation:
(1)
(a) Where an
installation is already connected to the supply system of the supplier, every
such installation shall be periodically inspected and tested at 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 or in the case of installations belonging to, or under the control
of the Central Government, and in the case of installation in mines, oilfields
and railways by the Central Government.
(b) Where the
supplier is directed by the Central or the State Government as the case may be
to inspect and test the installation he shall report on the condition of the
installation to the consumer concerned in a form approved by the Inspector and
shall submit a copy of such report to the Inspector or to any officer appointed
to assist the Inspector and authorised under sub-rule (2) of rule 4A.
(c) Subject to
the approval of the Inspector, the forms of inspection report contained in
Annexure IX-A may, with such variations as the circumstances of each case
require, be used for the purposes of this sub-rule.
(2)
(a) The fees
for such inspection and test shall be determined by the Central or the State
Government, as the case may be, in the case of each class of consumers and
shall be payable by the consumer in advance.
(b) In the
even it of the failure of any consumer to pay the fees on or before the date
specified in the fee-notice, supply to the installation of such consumer shall
be liable to be disconnected under the direction of the Inspector. Such
disconnection, however, shall not be made by the supplier without giving to the
consumer seven clear days’ notice in writing of his intention so to do.
(c) In the
event of the failure of the owner of any installation to rectify the defects in
his installation pointed out by the Inspector or by any officer appointed to
assist him and authorised under sub-rule (2) of rule 4A in the form set out in
Annexure IX and within the time indicated therein, such installation shall be
liable to be disconnected 16[under the directions of the Inspector]
after serving the owner of such installation with a notice.
Provided that
the installation shall not be disconnected in case an appeal in made under rule
6 and the appellate authority has stayed the orders of disconnection;
Provided further
that the time indicated in the notice shall not be less than 48 hours in any
case;
Provided also
that nothing contained in this clause shall have any effect on the application
of rule 49
(3) Notwithstanding the
provisions of this rule, the consumer shall at all times be solely responsible
for the maintenance of his installation in such condition as to be free from
danger.
1. Subs. by GSR 358, Date. 30.4.1987, with effect
from: 9.5.1987.
2. Subs. by GSR 45, Date. 1.1.1993, with effect
from: 23.1.1993.
3. Subs. by GR. 466, Date. 18.7.1991, with effect
from: 17.8.1991.
4. Ins. by GSR 358, Date. 30.4.1987, with effect
from: 5.9.1987.
5. Sub-rule (3) omitted by GSR 358, Date.
30.4.1987, with effect from: 5.9.1987.
6. Subs. by GSR 1074, Date. 5.11.1985, with effect
from: 16.11.1985.
7. Added by GSR 512, Date. 29.6.1983, with effect
from: 16.7.1983.
8. Proviso omitted by GSR 358, Date. 30.4.1987, with
effect from: 9.5.1987.
9. Ins. by GSR 529, Date. 11.7.1986, with effect
from: 19.7.1986.
10. Ins. by GSR 466, Date. 18.7.1991, with effect
from: 17.8.1991.
11. Subs. by GSR 1049, Date. 17.10.1985, with
effect from: 9.11.1985.
12. Ins. by GSR 529, Date. 11.7.1986, with effect
from: 19.7.1986.
13. Subs. by GSR 45, Date. 1.1.1993, with effect
from: 23.1.1993.
14. Subs. by GSR 529, Date. 11.7.1986, with effect
from: 19.7.1986.
15. Sub-rule (3) omitted by GSR 844, Date.
31.7.1985, with effect from: 7.9.1985.
16. Subs. by GSR 29, Date. 24.12.1983, with effect
from: 14.1.1984.
