*

Safety Provisions in Electricity Act, 2003

overview of I.E. Rules 1956 and

enforcing Mechanism

*

INTRODUCTION

*The role of Electricity for industrial economic activities as well as personal comfort cannot be over emphasized

*Modern civilization has come to depend on Electricity immensely.

*Electricity is a boon, but it can also be a bane, if not, handled properly.

*Electrical safety is of paramount importance.

*

BASIC REASONS OF ELECTRIC ACCIDENTS :

Majority of Electric Accidents result from one of the following three big factors :-

a) Unsafe installation or equipment;

b) Unsafe environment;

c) Unsafe work practices.

*

Sheet1

ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS FOR THE YEAR

1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02 & 2002-03

YEARHUMAN FATALHUMAN NON FATALANIMAL FATALANIMAL NON FATALTOTAL

1998-19993662294848541311477

1999-20003781254046361810977

2000-20013568309037371010405

2001-20023766297436452810413

2002-2003336723173239438966

A

Sheet1

HUMAN FATAL

HUMAN NON FATAL

ANIMAL FATAL

ANIMAL NON FATAL

TOTAL

Sheet2

ANALYSIS OF ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS

REASONS FOR ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS

YEAR1234567TOTAL

1998-993541137216106152137784141811477

30.85%11.95%14%5.36%18.61%6.83%12.35%

1999-20003141153215436131704801164310977

28.61%13.96%14%5.58%15.52%7.30%14.96%

2001-012782195315515361683857104310405

26.73%18.76%14.90%5.15%16.17%8.23%10%

2001-02329517331650585170378366410413

31.64%16.64%15.84%5.61%16.35%7.51%6.37%

2002-0324341538146167211986759888966

27.14%17.15%16.29%7.49%13.36%7.52%11%

1. Snapping of Conductors

2. Accidental contact with live electric wire/equipment

3. Violation/Neglect of safety measures/lack of supervision

4. Defective appliances/apparatus/tools

5. Inadequate/lack of maintenace.

6. Unauthorised work.

7. Any other reason.

Sheet2

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

YEAR

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

TOTAL

Sheet3

*

Sheet1

ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS FOR THE YEAR199-2000

1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02 & 2002-03

YEARHUMAN FATALHUMAN NON FATALANIMAL FATALANIMAL NON FATALTOTAL

1998-19993662294848541311477

1999-20003781254046361810977

2000-20013568309037371010405

2001-20023766297436452810413

2002-2003336723173239438966

A

Sheet1

00000

00000

00000

00000

00000

00000

00000

HUMAN FATAL

HUMAN NON FATAL

ANIMAL FATAL

ANIMAL NON FATAL

TOTAL

Sheet2

ANALYSIS OF ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS

REASONS FOR ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS

YEAR1234567TOTAL

1998-993541137216106152137784141811477

30.85%11.95%14%5.36%18.61%6.83%12.35%

1999-20003141153215436131704801164310977

28.61%13.96%14%5.58%15.52%7.30%14.96%

2001-012782195315515361683857104310405

26.73%18.76%14.90%5.15%16.17%8.23%10%

2001-02329517331650585170378366410413

31.64%16.64%15.84%5.61%16.35%7.51%6.37%

2002-0324341538146167211986759888966

27.14%17.15%16.29%7.49%13.36%7.52%11%

1. Snapping of Conductors

2. Accidental contact with live electric wire/equipment

3. Violation/Neglect of safety measures/lack of supervision

4. Defective appliances/apparatus/tools

5. Inadequate/lack of maintenace.

6. Unauthorised work.

7. Any other reason.

Sheet3

*

Chart1

3662294848541311477

3781254046361810977

3568309037371010405

3766297436452810413

336723173239438966

HUMAN FATAL

HUMAN NON FATAL

ANIMAL FATAL

ANIMAL NON FATAL

TOTAL

Sheet1

ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS FOR THE YEAR199-2000

1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02 & 2002-03

YEARHUMAN FATALHUMAN NON FATALANIMAL FATALANIMAL NON FATALTOTAL

1998-19993662294848541311477

1999-20003781254046361810977

2000-20013568309037371010405

2001-20023766297436452810413

2002-2003336723173239438966

A

Sheet1

HUMAN FATAL

HUMAN NON FATAL

ANIMAL FATAL

ANIMAL NON FATAL

TOTAL

Sheet2

ANALYSIS OF ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS

REASONS FOR ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS

YEAR1234567TOTAL

1998-993541137216106152137784141811477

30.85%11.95%14%5.36%18.61%6.83%12.35%

1999-20003141153215436131704801164310977

28.61%13.96%14%5.58%15.52%7.30%14.96%

2001-012782195315515361683857104310405

26.73%18.76%14.90%5.15%16.17%8.23%10%

2001-02329517331650585170378366410413

31.64%16.64%15.84%5.61%16.35%7.51%6.37%

2002-0324341538146167211986759888966

27.14%17.15%16.29%7.49%13.36%7.52%11%

1. Snapping of Conductors

2. Accidental contact with live electric wire/equipment

3. Violation/Neglect of safety measures/lack of supervision

4. Defective appliances/apparatus/tools

5. Inadequate/lack of maintenace.

6. Unauthorised work.

7. Any other reason.

Sheet2

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

000000000

YEAR

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

TOTAL

Sheet3

*

INDIAN ELECTRICITY ACT, 2003

Section 53Provisions with respect to electricity trader.*53. The Authority may, in consultation with the State Government, specify suitable measures for----(a) Protecting the public (including the persons engaged in the generation transmission or distribution or trading) from dangers arising form the generation, transmission or distribution or trading of electricity, or use of electricity supplied or installation, maintenance or use of any electric line or electrical plant;

*(b) Eliminating or reducing the risks of personal injury to any person, or damage to property of any person or interference with use of such property;Prohibiting the supply or transmission of electricity except by means of a system which conforms to the specifications as may be specified;(d) Giving notice in the specified form to the Appropriate Commission and Electrical Inspector, of accidents and failures of supplies or transmissions of electricity;

*(e) Keeping by a generating company or licensee the maps, plans and sections relating to supply or transmission of electricity;(f) Inspection of maps, plans and sections by any person authorized by it or by Electrical Inspector or by any person on payment of specified fee;

*(g) Specifying action to be taken in relation to any electric line or electrical plant, or any electrical appliance under the control of a consumer for the purpose of eliminating or reducing the risk of personal injury or damage to property or interference with its use.

Section 73 (c)

* Specify the safety requirements for Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Electric Plants and Electric Lines

Section 161

* Relating to reporting to Accident and inquiry of Accident.

Section 162

*Appointment of Electrical InspectorQualification for Chief Electrical Inspector.- No person shall be appointed to be a Chief Electrical Inspector unless-

(a) he possesses a degree in electrical engineering or its equivalent from a recognized University or Institution; and

(b) he has been regularly engaged for a period of at least twenty 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 rules there under, in a position of responsibility (c) The person appointed as Electrical Inspector shall undergo such training as the Central Government may consider it necessary for the purpose and such training shall be completed to the satisfaction of the Government

*

Powers of Entry and inspection. For carrying out inspections as referred to in rule 6 above, - (1) The 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 all reasonable facilities to any such Inspector to make such examinations and tests as may be necessary to satisfy himself as to the due observance of the safety regulations as specified by the Authority under section 53 of the Act. The Indian Electricity Rules, 1956 made under section 37 of the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 (now repealed) shall continue to be in force till the regulations under section 53 of the Act are made.

(3) An Inspector may require a supplier of the electricity to submit to him a list of all persons supplied with energy by him, the addresses at which such energy is supplied, the month of connecting services, the voltage of supply, the connected load and the purpose of supply and the supplier shall comply with such requisitions.

(4) Every licensee and every owner of a generating station shall, if required so to do by an Inspector, provide reasonable means for carrying out all tests, specified under the Act or regulations thereunder, of the appliances or apparatus used for the supply or use of energy by him, as the case may be.

(5) Upon such inspection, an Inspector may serve an order, within 15 days from the date of such inspection, in the Form A, to any licensee, consumer, owner or occupier, calling upon him to comply with any specified regulation and the person so served shall thereupon comply with the order within the period specified therein, and shall report in writing to the Inspector serving the order mentioning therein as to when the order has been complied with:

Section 185

Repeal and saving.*185 (2) (c) the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956 made under section 37 of the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 as it stood before such repeal shall continue to be in force till the regulations under section 53 of this Act are made.

*

INDIAN ELECTRICITY

RULES, 1956

In exercise of powers conferred by Section 37 of Indian Electricity Act, 1910, Electricity Rules were made by Central Electricity Board. These Rules have been saved in the Electricity Act, 2003 Section 185 and shall continue to be enforced till regulation/rules under Section 53 of the Electricity Act, 2003 are made.

CHAPTER-I

PRELIMINARY*Rules 1. to 3.

CHAPTER-II

INSPECTORS

*Rules 4. to 10.

CHAPTER-III

LICENCE*Rules 11. to 28.

CHAPTER-IV

GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS*

Rules 29. to 46.

CHAPTER V

GENERAL CONDITIONS RELATING TO SUPPLY AND USE OF ENERGY*Rules 47. to 59.

CHAPTER-VI

ELECTRIC SUPPLY LINES, SYSTEM AND APPARTUS FOR LOW MEDIUM VOLTAGES*

Rules 60. to 62.

CHAPTER-VII

ELECTRIC SUPPLY LINES, SYSTEM AND APPARTUS FOR HIGH AND EXTRA-HIGH VOLTAGES*

Rules 63. to 73.

CHAPTER-VIII

OVERHEAD LINES, UNDERGROUND CABLES AND GENERATING STATIONS*

Rules 74. to 93.

CHAPTER-IX

ELECTRIC TRACTION*

Rules 94. to 108.

CHAPTER-X

ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED IN MINES AND OIL-FIELDS*

Rules 109. to 132.

CHAPTER-XI

MISCELLANEOUS*

Rules 133. to 143.

*

RULE - 3

This rule relates to authorization of persons to carry out duties incidental to Generation, Transformation, Transmission, Conversion, Distribution or use of Electrical energy. Provides for qualification and training of persons

*

Rule 43

(i) Adequate number of fire buckets filled with clean dry sand have been provided.

ii) Slopping canopy has been provided above stand for fire buckets if placed in open.

iii) Adequate number of fire extinguishers suitable for electric fire have been provided.

(iv) The fire extinguishers and buckets have been provided outside the transformer yard/switchgear room preferably near entrance gate.

(v)First-Aid box has been provided in the switchgear room.

*

Rule 44

(i)

Instruction chart in Hindi or English and local language of the district for restoration of persons suffering from electric shock has been affixed in the switchgear room/control room.

(ii) The authorized persons are acquainted with and are competent to apply instructions for restoration of persons suffering from electric shock.

iii)

An artificial respirator has been provided in H.V Substation.

Rules 46*Periodical inspection and testing

Rule 47 A*Installation and Testing of Generating Units.

*

Rule 61

(i) The body frames of Transformers, Motors and other apparatus have been earthed by two separate and distinct connections with earth.

(ii) Earthing strips do not have too many bolted joints.

(iii) Exposed earth strips do not run above the floor in rooms.

(iv) Removable links has for testing the earth resistance of individual earth electrode has been provided.

(v)Adequate size of copper or GI strip has been used for earthing.

Rule 67*Connection with earth.-

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.

Basic requirement of Earthing System.*As far as possible, the path to the earth should be of the minimum impedance.It should be mechanically strong to with-stand corrosion and retain electrical continuity during the life of installation.It should limit earth resistance sufficiently low to permit adequate fault current for the operation of protecting devices in time and to reduce neutral shifting.

*It should consist of equi-potential bonding conductors capable of carrying the prospective earth fault current and a group pipe/ rod/ plate electrodes for dissipating the current to the general mass of earth without exceeding the allowable temperature limits as per the relevant BIS Specifications in order to maintain all non-current carrying metal works reasonably at earth potential and to avoid dangerous contact potential being developed on such metal works.

*Entire earthing system shall be designed with regard to the maximum fault current based on the equipment rating. Further, plant extensions may result in increased fault current, and thus the size of earth design should be checked for its correctness.

Function of Earthing*Provides ground connection for grounded neutral system.Provides discharge path for lightning arrestor.Provides means of discharging/ de-energizing equipment before releasing the same for maintenance.Ensures that non-current carrying parts i.e. equipment frame etc are always safety at ground potential even through insulation fails.

Rule 63*Approval by Inspector

Before making an application to the Inspector for permission (to commence or recommence supply after an installation has been disconnected for one year and above) at 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 has been obtained by him.

*Provided that the supplier may energise 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 extra-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 manufacturers certified test in respect of any particular apparatus in place of the test 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.

Rules 65Testing, Operation and Maintenance*Rules 65 (8) Failure of transformers and reactors of 20 MVA and higher capacity shall be reported by the consumers and the suppliers of Electricity within 48 hours of the occurrence of the failure, to the electrical inspector and Central Electricity Board. The reasons for failure and measures to be taken to avoid recurrence of failure shall be sent to the Electrical Inspector and Central Electricity Board within one month of the occurrence in the format given in Annexure XV.

*

ENFORCING MECHANISM

*

AREA WISE DISTRIBUTION OF WORK AMONG R.I.OS

Area Wise Distribution of work among the R.I.O. is as follows:

RIO (North), New Delhi :

Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttranchal, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Delhi and Chandigarh U.T.

RIO (South), Chhenai :

Tamilnadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka (except Uttar Kannada, Belgaum, Dharwad, Mangalore, Bijapur district of Karnataka), UTs of Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yanam, Mahe, Andaman and Nicobar & Lakhsdeep.

*

RIO (West), Goa :

Maharashtra, Gujrat, Goa, Uttar Kannada, Belgaum, Dharwad, Mangalore, Bijapur Districts of Karnatka, UTs of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

RIO(E&NER), Shillong :

Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, West Bengal, Sikkim and Jharkhand.

*

SCOPE OF STUDIES/WORK INVOLVED

1. SCRUTINY OF APPLICATION AND Calculation & Levying of Inspection fee.

2. appreciation of functional requirement of the equipments AND the whole scheme.

3. Detailed inspection of the equipment from the safety point of view keeping in consideration I.E. Rules, 1956.

4. FOR new installations carrying out of tests, checking of interlocks to ensure operational and functional requirements.

*

5. Carrying out SITE TESTs FOR PROTECTIVE SCHEMES OF the INSTALLATION.

6. Issue of Inspection Reports highlighting rule wise deficiencies for compliance.

7. Follow up and scrutiny of the compliance Reprot.

8. Issue of Approval for Energisation of installations.

*

THANKS

*************************************************