Central Electricity Authority Regulations

CEAR namely Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010^[1] are regulations framed by Central Electricity Authority of India under Indian Electricity Act, 2003, to regulate measures relating to safety and electric supply in India.

History edit

CEAR came into effect 20 September 2010, in place of The Indian Electricity Rules, 1956.

The Electricity Act, 2003, was formulated combining the Indian Electricity Act 1910 and Indian Electricity (supply) Act 1948.^[2]

Earthing provisions and safety edit

Under CEAR, rule 41, there is specific provision of earthing neutral wire of a 3-phase, 4-wire system and the additional third wire of a 2- phase, 3-wire system. Earthing is to be done with two separate connections. Grounding system also to have minimum two or more earth pits (electrode) such that proper grounding takes place. As per the rule 42, installation with load above 5 kW exceeding 250 V shall have suitable Earth leakage protective device to isolate the load in case of earth fault or leakage.^[3]

Neutral and earth run separately on overhead line/cables. Separate conductor for overhead lines and armouring of cables are used for earth connection. Additional earth electrodes/pits are installed at user ends for proper earth.

All metal casing or metallic coverings of electric supply line or apparatus to be connected with earth and all such earthling points shall be so joined to make good mechanical and electrical connection in complete system.

Earthing in mines edit

Earthing in an underground mine shall be carried out by connection to an earthing system at the surface of the mine as per rule 99.

As per rule 100, protective equipment is to be placed in the mines for automatic disconnection of supply when there is earth fault exceeding 750 milliampere in 250 V to 1000 Volt installations. For open cast mine the limit is 50 ampere in installations of voltage exceeding 1100 V and up to 11 kV. The earth leakage current is to be restricted by placing suitable neutral grounding resistance (NGR) in all the distribution transformers.

Salient features edit

Chapters and regulations there in:^[4]-

Chapter - IDefinitions

1Short title and Commencement

2Definitions

Chapter - II

3Designating person(s) to operate and carry out the work on electrical lines and apparatus

4Inspection of designated officers and other safety measures

5Electrical Safety Officer

6Safety measures for operation and maintenance of electric plants

7Safety measures for operation and maintenance of transmission, distribution systems

8Keeping of records and inspection there of

9Deposit of maps

10Deposit of printed copies

11Plan for area of supply to be made and kept open for inspection

Chapter - IIIGeneral safety requirements

12General safety requirements, pertaining to construction, installation, protection, operation and maintenance of electric supply lines apparatus

13Service lines and apparatus on consumer’s premises

14Switchgear on consumer’s premises

15Identification of earthed and earthed neutral conductors and position of switches and switchgear therein

16Earthed terminal on consumer’s premises

17Accessibility of bare conductors

18Danger Notices

19Handling of electric supply lines and apparatus

20Supply to vehicles and cranes

21Cables for portable or transportable apparatus

22Cables protected by bituminous materials

23Street boxes

24Distinction of different circuits

25Distinction of the installations having more than one feed

26Accidental charging

27Provisions applicable to protective equipment

28Display of instructions for resuscitation of persons suffering from electric shock

29Precautions to be adopted by consumers, owners, occupiers, electrical contractors, electrical workmen and suppliers

30Periodical inspection and-testing of Installations

31Testing of consumer's installation

32Installation and testing of generating units

Chapter - IVGeneral conditions relating to supply and use of electricity

33Precautions against leakage before connection

34Leakage on consumer's premises

35Supply and use of electricity

36Provisions for supply and use of electricity in multi-storied building more than 15 meters in height

37Conditions applicable to installations of voltage exceeding 250 Volts

38Appeal to Electrical Inspector in regard to defects

39Precautions against failure of supply and notice of failures

Chapter - VSafety Provisions for Electrical Installations and apparatus of voltage not exceeding 650 volts

40Test for resistance of insulation

41Connection with earth

42Earth leakage protective device

Chapter - VISafety Provisions for Electrical Installations and apparatus of voltage exceeding 650 volts

43Approval by Electrical Inspector

44Use of electricity at voltage exceeding 650 Volts

45Inter-locks and protection for use of electricity at voltage exceeding 650 Volts

46Testing, Operation and Maintenance

47Precautions to be taken against excess leakage in case of metal sheathed electric supply lines

48Connection with earth for apparatus exceeding 650 V

49General conditions as to transformation and control of electricity

50Pole type sub-stations

51Condensers

52Supply to luminous tube sign installations of voltage exceeding 650 Volts but not exceeding 33 kV

53Supply to electrode boilers of voltage exceeding 650 Volt but not exceeding 33 kV

54Supply to X-ray and high frequency installations

Chapter - VIISafety requirements for overhead lines, underground cables and generating stations

55Material and strength

56Joints

57Maximum stresses and factors of safety

58Clearance above ground of the lowest conductor of overhead lines

59Clearance between conductors and trolley wires

60Clearance from buildings of lines of voltage and service lines not exceeding 650 Volts

61Clearances from buildings of lines of voltage exceeding 650 V

62Conductors at different voltages on same supports

63Erection or alteration of buildings, structures, flood banks and elevation of roads

64Transporting and storing of material near overhead lines

65General clearances

66Routes proximity to aerodromes

67Maximum interval between supports

68Conditions to apply where telecommunication lines and power lines are carried on same supports

69Lines crossing or approaching each other and lines crossing street and road

70Guarding

71Service lines from overhead lines

72Earthing

73Safety and protective devices

74Protection against lightning

75Unused overhead lines

76Laying of cables

77Protection against electromagnetic interference

Chapter - VIIISafety requirements for Electric Traction

78Application of chapter

79Voltage of supply to vehicle

80Insulation of lines

81Insulation of returns

82Proximity to metallic pipes

83Difference of potential on return

84Leakage on conduit system

85Leakage on system other than conduit system

86Passengers not to have access to electric circuit

87Isolation of sections

88Minimum size and strength of trolley wire

89Height of trolley wire and length of span

90Earthing of guard wires

91Proximity to magnetic observatories and laboratories

92Records

Chapter - IXSafety requirements for mines and oil fields

93Application of chapter

94Responsibility for observance

95Notices

References edit

^ [1]; Central Electricity Authority
^ [2]; [3]
^ [4] Archived 15 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine; Central Electricity Authority-(Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply). Regulations, 2010; rule 41 and 42
^ [5]; Central Electricity Authority

External links edit

[6]; Central Electricity Authority
[7]; Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003); the Central Electricity Authority hereby makes the following regulations for Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply

[1] [1]; Central Electricity Authority

[2] [2]; [3]

[3] [4] Archived 15 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine; Central Electricity Authority-(Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply). Regulations, 2010; rule 41 and 42

[4] [5]; Central Electricity Authority

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