Indian Electricity Act, 1910 And Indian Electricity Rules, 1956

Introduction
Indian Electricity Rules, 1956 was made under Section 37 of the Indian Electricity
Act, 1910. It has been redefined after the enactment of Electricity Act, 2003. The
provisions cover safety aspects, licensing provisions, appointment of inspectors etc.
Indian Electricity Rules, 1956 get repealed with the notification of Regulation and
Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply under Section 185 (2) (c) of
Electricity Act, 2003.

Applicability
It is applicable on the States for whichCentral Electricity Board has made these
Rules under Section 37 of Electricity Act, 1910, to regulate the generation,
transmission, supply and use of energy, and to carry out the purposes and objects of
Electricity Act, 1910. Chapter IX shall apply only where energy is used for purposes
of traction and Chapter X shall apply only where energy is used in mines as defined
in the Mines Act, 1952.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the requirements for Preparations and submission of accounts under
Indian Electricity Rules, 1956?
Every licensee shall prepare and render his accounts (to be made up to 31 st day of
March each year) as well as an annual statement in accordance with the provisions
of Electricity Act. Accounts are to be prepared in the format prescribed in the
Annexures to the Act.

What are the General safety requirements under Indian Electricity Rules, 1956?

 All supply lines and apparatus to be of sufficient power ratings and to be

insulated properly to ensure safety of humans and animals.
 Supplier to ensure safety of wires and apparatus at consumer’s premises.
 Switches to be there on live conductor.
 No cut out to be inserted in the neutral conductor
 While marking conductors, code of practice of wiring to be followed.
 Energy not be supplied as per Rule 50 unless the following are observed:
 Danger notice to be affixed permanently in conspicuous places.
 Adequate precautions before handling an electric supply line or apparatus.
 Instructions for restoration of persons suffering from electric shock to be
placed in conspicuous places.
 Intimation of an accident to be notified to the Inspector within 24 hours from
the time of occurrence.

What are the General conditions relating to supply and use of energy under
Indian Electricity Rules, 1956?

 Testing of consumer’s installation before additional supply or reconnection.

 To take necessary precautions against leakage before connection. If supplier
has reason to believe there seems to be a leakage in the consumer’s system,
he must give the consumer reasonable notice for inspection.
 Energy not to be supplied, transformed, converted, or used unless the below
conditions are fulfilled:
 o A linked switch which is suitable, or a circuit breaker is to be erected at,
the secondary side of the transformer.
o All circuits have to be protected by a suitable cut-out.
o Supply to each motor or group of motors is controlled by a linked
switch or circuit breaker.
o Adequate precautions are taken to ensure that no live parts are
exposed.
 Additional provisions applicable to buildings more than 15 meters in height. 30
days’ notice in writing along with particulars to be given to the inspector.
 There should not be any variation from declared voltage of supply to
consumer.
 Precautions against failure of supply to be taken.
What are the requirements for Electric Supply Lines, Systems and Apparatus
for Low and Medium Voltages under Indian Electricity Rules, 1956?

 Installation of earth leakage protective device so as to disconnect the supply

instantly on the occurrence of earth fault or leakage of current.
 Test for resistance of insulation (Rule 48) to be conducted before
reconnecting a disconnected system.

What are the requirements for Electric Supply Lines, Systems and Apparatus
for High and Extra-High voltages under Indian Electricity Rules, 1956?

 Approval of Inspector necessary condition before energizing any high voltage

installations.
 Apparatus and equipment intended to be used at high or extra high voltage
shall be inaccessible except for authorized person.
 Suitable segregation to be provided for licensee's equipment.
 Soak pit or alternate system to drain out the oil shall be made in sub-stations
where the transformers are provided.
 Cable trench shall be fitted with sand or other non-flammable material and
covered by bricks.
 The installation must be subjected to the prescribed testing before energizing.
 Conductors to be enclosed in a metallic covering and suitable circuit breakers
to be provided to protect the equipment from overloading.
 In the case of outdoor type of sub-station, a metallic fencing of not less than
1.8 m height shall be erected around the transformer.

What are the compliances for Overhead Lines, Under Ground Cables and
Generating Stations under Indian Electricity Rules, 1956?

 Overhead line conductors to have a material strength of not less than 350 kg.
In case of low voltage, a conductor of not less than 150 kg may be used.
 Maximum stress, ground clearance and other clearances to be as per the
standards laid down in the rules.
 Overhead lines shall not be erected in the vicinity of aerodromes until the
aerodrome authorities have approved in writing the route of the proposed
lines.
 Guarding and Earthing as per the standards laid down in the rules.
 Safety and protective devices as specified in the rules.
  Ensure protection against lightning.

What are the compliances for Electric Traction under Indian Electricity Rules,
1956?

 It is not applicable to energy used for the public carriage of passengers,

animals or goods on, or for the lighting or ventilation of the rolling stock of any
railway or tramway subject to the provisions of the Indian Railways Act, 1890
 Every line to be insulated
 Passengers should not have access to electrical circuit.
 Earthing of guard wires to be done.
 Records as prescribed in the Rules to be maintained.

What are the additional precautions to be adopted in mines and oil-fields

under Indian Electricity Rules, 1956?

 The responsibility for observance of rules lies with owner, agent, engineer or
manager of a mine, or of the agent, engineer of any company operating in an
oil field and it shall be duty of all persons employed to conduct their work in
accordance with the rules.
 Notice to be sent to Inspector on 1st February of every year in respect of every
mine or oil field.
 A plan showing the position of all fixed apparatus and conductors to be kept
by the manager or owner as well as the licensee.
 Precautions against lightning and fire to be taken and ensure efficient means
of communication to be provided in every mine.
 Transformers and switchgears to be placed in isolation to avoid danger.
 Earthing and voltage limits as prescribed in the rules.
 Properly constructed switchgear for disconnecting the supply of energy to a
mine or oilfield shall be provided at a point approved by the Inspector.
 All apparatus to be kept free from dust and moisture.
 Appropriate precautions to be taken in case of existence of gas.
 Earthing of neutral points i.e. if the voltage of an alternating current system
exceeds 30 volts, the neutral or mid-point shall be earthed.

What is the Government’s and Inspector’s Power to make relaxations to the

Rules?
The State, Central Governments and Inspector has the power to make relaxations to
certain provisions of the Rules as mentioned in Rule 133 and 134 respectively. Every
relaxation by Inspector shall be reported forthwith to, and shall be disallowed or
revised by, the State Government, or where the relaxation affects mines, oil-fields or
railways, by the Central Government.

What is the penalty for contravention of provisions of Indian Electricity Rules,

1956?
The penalty for most offenses is a fine which may extend to three hundred rupees.
And in the for certain offenses, in the case of continuing breach, there will be a
further daily fine which may extend to fifty rupees.