ELECTRICAL SAFETY DURING

USE OF TEMPORARY
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

National Safety Council , Hqs.

98‐A,Institutional Area, Sector 15,
CBD Belapur , Maharashtra
NaviMumbai – 400614.
India www.nsc.org.in
Contact no : 022‐ 27579924 /25
 ELECTRICAL SAFETY DURING USE OF TEMPORARY ELECTRICAL
INSTALLATIONS

Electrical installations are often required to be designed and erected for use for short
periods of time ranging from a few hours to few months and are connected to supply
source in open ground. This is particularly true of construction sites where green field
projects are undertaken. Such installations are generally unprotected from
environmental hazards as compared to installations in the buildings.

The major risks in the use of power in such installation arise from short circuit resulting
in fire accidents and exposure to live wire resulting in shock. It is therefore imperative to
lay down the necessary precautions to be observed for such installations from the point
of view of safety.

Electrical installations may be any one of the following categories:

• Installation in workshops, offices, or residential buildings.
• Equipment inside sub-stations and powerhouses.
• Overhead lines.
• Underground cables

Whatever may be the type of installation, the broad principles of precaution are the
same, the object being to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.

Electric Shock: Shock occurs when the body becomes part of the electric circuit. The
current must enter the body at one point and leave at another. Shock may occur in one
of the three ways:

1. With both wires of the electric circuit.

2. With one wire of an energized circuit and the ground.
3. With a metallic part that has become live by itself in contact with an energized
wire.
The severity of the shock depends on the following factors:

a. The rate of flow of current through the body measured in amperes.

b. The path of the current through the body.
c. The length of time the body is in the circuit.

The major risks in the use of power in such installation arise from short circuit resulting
in fire accidents and exposure to live wire resulting in shock. It is therefore imperative to
lay down the necessary precautions to be observed for such installations from the point
of view of safety.

National Safety Council, India

The Electricity Rules, 2005

Electricity Rules have been covered in Eleven chapters in all. Chapters IV for general
safety requirements and Chapter V cover the general rules applicable to all class of
installation .Chapter VI covers the rules applicable to low and medium voltage
installations supply and use while chapter VII covers the rules applicable to high and
extra high voltage installations.
Chapter VIII deals with the provision of rules applicable to over head lines and
underground cables. Chapter X deals with the provision of rules applicable to mines
and oilfield

CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY

CEA Regulations

1.Construction Standards

Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants

and Electric Lines) Regulations, 2010

2.Safety Standards for Construction and O&M

I )Central Electricity Authority (Safety requirements for Construction, Operation and .

Maintenance of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines) Regulations, 2011

II) Central Electricity Authority ( Measures relating to Safety and Electricity Supply)
Regulations, 2010

3. Connectivity Standards

I )Technical standard for Connectivity to the Grid ( Amendment) Regulation, 2013 New
II) Technical Standards for Connectivity of the Distributed Generation Resources

III )Technical standard for Connectivity to the Grid Regulation, 2007

4. Operation Standards

1. Central Electricity Authority (Grid Standards) Regulations, 2010

5. Metering Regulations

1. Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of meters) (Amendment)

Regulations, 2010

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2. Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of meters) Regulations, 2006

6. Transaction of Business Regulations

1.Central Electricity Authority (Procedure for Transaction of Business) Regulations,

2006

Temporary installations are essentially classified on the basis of the duration of

the installations as given below:

Temporary installations for duration not exceeding 6 months

Outdoor installations open to sky or partially covered, erected in the vicinity of
construction sites solely for the purpose of supplying the electrical needs of building
construction work such as lighting and power loads.

Temporary installations for duration not exceeding 45 days

These include fairly large loads such as for exhibitions, fairs etc

Temporary installations for duration not exceeding 7days

These include installations site of temporary nature intended for a week long public
function or out door lighting installations of buildings and parts in view of festival and
other reason.

Temporary installations for duration not exceeding 24 Hours

These include temporary installations which cater to loads for the purposes of
marriages, reception, religious and other public functions.

General Requirements for Temporary Installations

Substation

In case the loads required for the temporary installations are large and power supply
authority has no network in the vicinity of the temporary installation that could be utilized
then it would be necessary to establish a temporary substation where the switch and
transformer can be installed. The substation site shall be so selected that it is as close
to the load center as possible.

The power supply authority’s line should be brought up to the substation in a separate
enclosure. If overhead line is laid up to the temporary substation, then the ‘supporting
poles, conductors, materials of the line, insulation and the method of stringing the
conductors and the mechanical strength of the line as a whole shall coform to the
relevant provisions of IS : 5613 (Part 1/ Sec.1)-1970 and IS:5613 (Part 1/ Sec2)-1971.

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In case supply at voltages above 650 V is required, a suitable enclosure to install the
switch gear and the metering arrangements shall also be erected.

Power Distribution

At the origin of each installation a unit containing the main control gear and principal
protective device shall be provided. The main switch shall be installed in an enclosure
or a wooden cupboard and as close to the metering point as possible

Means of emergency switching shall be provided on the supply to all current using
equipment on which it may be necessary to disconnect all live conductors in order to
remove a hazard. The enclosure or cupboard in which the main-switch is installed shall
be such that the equipment within shall be unaffected by the environmental conditions.

The main switch on the installation shall be connected to the point of supply by means
of an armoured cable and termination of this cable shall adequately protected from rain
water.
The main switches shall be located at a height not exceeding 1.5 m so as to accessible
in emergencies.

The cable shall be laid either underground or supported in the air. Precautions shall be
taken to ensure that this cable when laid underground is done so with the same
meticulous care as is done for permanent installation. In case the cable passes
underneath the passages, it shall be laid in whole or split pipes. When laid overground,
the cables shall either be cleated with saddles of proper size along the walls of a
permanent structure if available or alternatively, it shall be supported on rigid poles. The
height of the cable shall not be less than 2m when run inside the compound and atleast
5m when run along or across the road. Crossing of the road shall preferably be avoided.
An independent earthing shall be established inside the installation premises. In case
overhead wires are used in the installation they should conform to the relevant Indian
Standards.

In selecting the equipment and cables, the rating shall be decided taking the
environmental conditions into account. The supply intake point shall be placed outside
the periphery of area which is accessible to the general public.

Control of Circuits

A device shall be provided on the incoming cable to each supply unit and each
distribution unit for switching and isolating. With this type of arrangement it shall be
possible to switch off the supply at the intake point or at the distribution point.

The main switch shall be adequately protected from ingress of water. The incoming and
outgoing cables/wires of the main switch shall be firmly supported so that cable and

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wire ends connected to the main switch shall not be subjected to any mechanical force,
transmitted to it from any portion of the cables or wires.

The main switch shall be installed on a firm and vertical surface, which can withstand
the mechanical vibration created at the installation site as well as the wind pressure at
the location.
There shall be adequate ventilation in the room where main switches are installed and
there shall be operational space around the switch in accordance with good practice.
The switch room shall be accessible at any time of the day or night to authorized
persons.

Sub Circuit

On large temporary installations like those on construction sites, at exhibitions and at

circuses etc. the outgoing end of the main switch shall be connected to busbar of
adequate size and various sub-circuits shall be connected to this busbar through double
or triple pole switches depending upon whether they are single phase or 3phase
circuits.

The switches shall be mounted on a firm support and shall be at a height between 1m
and 2m from the floor level. The sub-circuit switch shall be so spaced that there shallbe
a minimum clear distance of 60mm., between the switches for ease of operation

The outgoing wires from the subcircuit switches inside the enclosure shall be cleated
firmly on wooden battens or taken through conduits which are fixed by means of
saddles to the masonry wall or wooden partition wall. The lead wires connected to the
sub-circuits switches shall be suitably supported on wall with clips and shall not be left
hanging. Spans which are more than 2 m shall have guide wire support.

A broken bulb of lamps in series circuit is a risk and therefore series lamps shall
not strung or hug at heights less than 3m. A defective series lamp shall not be allowed
to remain in its position and shall be immediately removed.

Earthing

All appliances and equipment on a temporary installation shall be connected to a

system of duplicate earthing one of the Power Supply Authority and one local. Wherever
armoured cables are used, the armouring shall be connected to earthing arrangement
of Power Supply Authority. For local earthing, an independent earth continuity wire shall
be used.
For local earthing the earth electrode shall be buried near the supply intake point. The
earth continuity wire shall be a single core insulated wire and shall be connected to the
local earth plate and taken along the cable connecting the supply intake point and main
switch on the installation. The connection from this earth continuity wire shall be taken
to various sub-distribution boards and terminated on a busbar. All appliances and

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equipment connected to sub-distribution board, shall get their duplicate earth
connection from the earth continuity busbar on the sub-distribution board.

Protection and Safety

The installation as a whole shall be protected against overload, short-circuit , and earth
leakage by suitable protective devices. Temporary supply is generally used at public
places and for public functions and therefore, extreme care shall be taken to ensure that
there is no risk of any type of hazard either from electrical shock or fire.

No flammable material shall be stored near the service intake point or the operational
area of electrical equipment or appliances. For large public functions, exhibitions, etc,
suitable fire extinguishers shall be kept at the supply intake point and near the main
switch of the installation.
In construction sites, protection of persons against indirect contact shall be assured by
automatic disconnection of supply appropriate to the system earthing. Socket outlet
shall either be protected by residual current devices having operating current not
exceeding 30 mA or be supplied by safety extra- low voltage or electrical separation of
circuit each socket outlet being supplied by a separate transformer.

Transformers are used to upgrade or downgrade the electrical voltages.

Color Coding for single phase wires are as follows

Earth wire is identified by green Colour.

Phase wire is identified by red colour.

Common wire is represented by black Colour.

Color Coding for three phase wires are as follows

Earth wire is identified by green Colour.

3 phase wire consists of 3 wires of following colours

1) Red
2) Blue
3) Yellow

Generally live wires are made of copper material because it is the best conductor of
electricity.

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Following are some points which are to be understood at site.

HT lines refers to High tension voltages.

LT lines refers to low tension voltages.

Generally voltage for single phase circuit is upto 230V

Generally voltage for three phase supply is > 440V

Earth resistance in the circuit should be as less as possible generally 0-2 ohms.

Bare wire loose connection in supply Plug can lead to Electric shocks, Electric sparks
causing fire as well as tripping hazard therefore wires should be properly insulated.

The best fire extinguishers used for extinguishing electrical fire are Carbondioxide or
Dry Chemical Powder type conforming to relevant Indian standards shall be provided as
per site requirement.

Severity of Electric shock depends on amount of current flow in the circuit.

Human Resistance of Dry skin is 100-600 K ohms

Electric shock of 50 mA – 80mA can lead to Fatality.

To prevent from Electrical Shock type of Hand Gloves which should be worn at the time
of work is rubber gloves.

Resistance of Rubber insulated Hand Gloves must be at least 20M ohms

Also we should know that Charcoal is a bad conductor of electricity.

Also while working on sites ELCB i.e Earth leakage circuit breaker should be used so
that if any short circuit the ELCB trips the supply to to the equipments thus preventing
damage to the equipment and also shock .

Insulating Crow Bar should have least 10M ohms Resistance

Some Important Regulations of CEA, 2010

Reg. 3 :Designating Person to operate and carry out the work in electrical lines
and apparatus

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Supplier/consumer/owner/agent/manager of a company, oil-field is to maintain a register
with designated persons possessing a certificate of competency or electrical work
permit issued by appropriate govt.
Reg. 5 : Electrical Safety Officer
Factory with more than 250 W electrical load, supplier of electricity including generating,
transmission, distribution companies is to designate Elec. Safety Officer (having
electrical engineering degree with min. 10 yrs. experience in O & M) to ensure
observance of safety measures under the regulations.
He is to periodically inspect installations, get them tested and keep record for showing
to Electrical Inspector.

Reg. 6 : Safety measures for operation and maintenance of electric plant

Engineers & supervisors of O & M shall have diploma in Engineering Technicians to
assist engineers/supervisors shall possess certificate in appropriate trade.
Engineers, supervisors and technicians of O & M shall undergo specified training in
schedule I to be arranged by the owner.

Reg.12 : General safety requirements pertaining to construction, installation,

protection, operation and maintenance of electric supply lines and apparatus.
Supply lines & apparatus shall be of sufficient rating for power , insulation, estimated
fault current, sufficient mechanical strength and shall be constructed, installed,
protected, worked & maintained in such a manner as to ensure safety of human beings,
animals and property.

Reg.16 : Earthed terminal on consumer premises

Supplier is to provide & maintain the same in accessible position. In case of voltage
exceeding 250 V, consumer shall additionally provide his own earthing system.

Reg.18 : Danger Notices

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Owner of every installation with voltage exceeding 250 V shall affix permanently in a
conspicuous position a danger notice in Hindi or English and the local language of the
district with sign of skull & bones as per IS- 2551
Reg. 27 : Provision applicable to protective equipment
Fire buckets filled with clean dry sand for immediate use for extinguishing fire, in
addition to fire extinguishers, shall be conspicuously marked and kept in gen. station.,
enclosed sub-station. & switching station.
First-aid boxes/cupboards, readily available and conspicuously marked & equipped with
specified contents, shall be provided & maintained in gen. station., enclosed sub-
station. & switching station.
Two/more gas masks shall be provided conspicuously and installed & maintained in
gen. station. of 5 MW/more capacity
Reg. 28 : Display of instruction for resuscitation of persons suffering from
electric shock
Instructions in English or Hindi and the local language of the district for resuscitation of
the persons suffering from electric shock shall be affixed in a conspicuous place by the
owner in gen. station., enclosed sub-station. & switching station.
In manned gen. station., sub-station. or switching station. of voltage exceeding 650 V,
an artificial respirator shall be provided and maintained.

Reg. 30 : Periodical inspection and testing of installations

Periodicity not to exceed 5 yrs. by Electrical Inspector or supplier as directed by the
govt.

Reg. 34: Leakage on consumer’s premises

If Electrical Inspector or supplier has reason to believe that there is leakage in the
consumer and result injuriously affects use of electricity or is likely to cause danger he
may give notice to consumer to inspect and test the installation.

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Reg.41 : Connection with earth for a system at voltage normally exceeding 125 V,
but not exceeding 650 V.
Neutral conductor of a 3-phase 4-wire system and middle conductor of a 2-phase 3-wire
system shall be earthed by minimum two separate and distinct connections.
All metal casing/coverings of electric line and apparatus shall be connected with earth.
Earth resistance should be tested for its soundness once in every two years during dry
day in a dry season and record shall be kept ready to show Elec. Inspector when
required.

Reg.42 :Earth leakage protective device

Electrical installation other than voltage not exceeding 250 V below 5 KW shall be
controlled by an earth leakage circuit protective device

Reg.48 :Connection with earth for apparatus exceeding 650 V

All non-current carrying metal parts of an installation of voltage exceeding 650 V shall
be effectively earthed to a grounding system
Clearance above ground of the lowest conductor of overhead lines (Reg.58) , Clearance
between conductors and trolley wires (Reg.59) and Clearance between building of lines
of voltage and service lines not exceeding 650 V(Reg. 60) and Clearance from
buildings of lines of voltage exceeding 650 V (Reg.61)
Minimum specified clearance shall be maintained in these four cases.

Reg. 74: Protection against lightning

Owner of every overhead line, sub-station. or gen. station. which is exposed to lightning
hall adopt efficient means for diverting to earth any electrical surges due to lightning
which may result into injuries.

Reg. 90 : Earthing of guard wires

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Every guard wire shall be connected with earth and also shall be connected with the
rails at intervals of not more than 5 spans.

Reg. 116 : Deviations

The Central/State Govt. , by order in writing allow deviations in respect of matters
referred in these regulations except Reg.30 (Periodical inspection and testing of
installations).

As per Central Electricity Authority(Measures relating to Safety and Electric

supply) Regulations , 2010

Chapter VII ( Safety requirement of Overhead Lines, Underground Cables and

Generating Stations ) some of the rules are listed below :

Rules 58 : Clearance above ground of the lowest conductor above overhead lines
-

(1) No conductor of an overhead line, including service lines, erected across a

street shall at any part thereof be at a height of less than-

a) For lines of voltage not exceeding 650 volts : 5.8 metres

(b) For lines of voltage exceeding 650 Volts : 6.1 metres

But not exceeding 33kV

(2 ) No conductor of an overhead line, including service lines , erected along any street
shall at any part thereof be at a height less than –

(a) For lines of voltage not exceeding 650 Volts : 5.5 metres

(b) For lines of voltage exceeding 650 Volts : 5.8 metres

But not exceeding 33kV

(3) No conductor of in overhead line including service lines, erected elsewhere than
along or across any street shall be at a height less than-

(a) For lines of voltage upto and including11,000 volts, if bare : 4.6 metres

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(b) For lines of voltage upto and including11,000 volts, if insulated : 4.0 metres

(c ) For lines of voltage exceeding 11,000 volts : 5.2 metres

but not exceeding 33kV

(4 ) For lines of voltage exceeding 33kV the clearance above ground shall not be less
than 5.2 metres plus 0.3 metre for every 33,000 volts or part thereof by which the
voltage of the line exceeds 33,000 volts.
Provided that the minimum clearance along or across any street shall not be less
than 6.1 metres

Rule 59 : Clearance between conductors and trolley wires :

(1) No conductor of an overhead line crossing a tramway or trolley bus route using
trolley wires shall have less than the following clearances above any trolley wire : -

(i) lines of voltage not exceeding 650 Volts : 1.2 metres

Provided that where an insulated conductor suspended from a bearer wire crosses a
trolley wire the minimum clearance for such insulated conductor shall be 0.6 metre.

(ii) For lines of voltage exceeding 650 Volts : 1.8 metres

Upto and including 11,000Volts

(iii) For lines of voltage exceeding 11,000 Volts : 2.5 metres

But not exceeding 33,000Volts

iv) For lines of voltage exceeding 33.kV : 3.0 metres

Rule 60 : Clearances from buildings of lines of voltage and service

Lines not exceeding 650 volts :

(2) Where an overhead line of voltage not exceeding 650 volts passes above or
adjacent to or terminates on any building, the following minimum clearances from any
accessible point, on the basis of maximum sag, shall be observed:

(a ) For any flat roof, open balcony, verandah roof and lean-to-roof :

i) When the line passes above the building a vertical clearance of 2.5 metres from the
highest point, and

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ii) When the line passes adjacent to the building a horizontal clearance of 1.2 metres
from the nearest point, and

(b) For pitched roof -

i) When the line passes above the building a vertical clearance of 2.5 metres
immediately under the lines, and

ii) When the line passes adjacent to the building a horizontal clearance of 1.2 metres

Rule 61 Clearances from buildings of lines of voltage exceeding 650 V

(1) An overhead line shall not cross over an existing building as far as possible and no
building shall be constructed under an existing overhead line.

(2) Where an overhead line of voltage, exceeding 650 V passes above or adjacent to
any building or part of a building I shall have on the basis maximum sag a vertical
clearance above the highest part of building immediately under such line, of not less
than –

(i) For lines of voltage exceeding 650 Volts upto : 3.7 metres
And including 33000 Volts
ii) For lines of voltages exceeding 33 kV : 3.7 metres plus 0.30
metres for every additional
33000 Volts or part thereof

(3) The horizontal clearance between the nearest conductor and any part of such
building shall, on the basis of maximum deflection due to wind pressure, be not less
than

(i) for lines of voltages exceeding 650 V : 1.2 metres

Upto and including 11,000 Volts
(ii) the lines of voltages exceeding 11,000 V : 2.0 metres
And up to and including 33,000 V
(iii) for lines of voltages exceeding 33 kV : 2 metres plus 0.30
metres for every additional
33 kV or part thereof

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Shock Protection Methods :

Isolation: High Voltage Electrical equipment should be isolated from approach by

untrained and unauthorized persons. Large transformers with exposed terminals can be
located in vaults or fenced enclosures to which only authorized persons can enter.
Panel boards, generators, large motors, batteries bus bars etc should be grounded and
preferably enclosed.

Marking: Access to dangerous electrical equipment should have warning signs. The
following general shock protection methods can also be employed:
• Insulation of parts routinely or accidentally touched by persons(knobs, dials handles
etc)
• Rheostat and potentiometer control shafts can be coupled to non-conductive rods
and knobs.
• Rubber mats must be provided near switchboards.
• Rubber gloves and non-conductive shoes must be worn while working.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

GFCI interrupts current to load when current to ground exceeds some predetermined
value, which is less than that required to operate the over-current protective device of
the circuit. Circuit breakers and fuses will open under comparatively large current, which
is fatal to man.

BASIC ELECTRICAL SAFETY RULES

• Only qualified / authorized person should do electrical work

• Use protective equipments / buddy system for work on live circuits
• Take electrical circuits as live unless proved otherwise
• Verify a circuit is open either from terminal box or switch box
• Enclose uninsulated conductors
• Use rubber mats in front of electrical panel
• Do not touch / operate switches in wet hand / wet condition
• Protect overhead live lines against crane boom movement
• Remove metal chain, bangle, watch ring etc. from body before working on
electrical system
• Ensure proper grounding / earthing of equipments
• Use three pin plugs for portable tools
• Never try to test circuit by touching use tester / test lamp
• Ensure Tag Out / Lock Out procedure before taking up electrical maintenance
Work. While doing maintenance work at site person should follow Lock off Tag
off (LOTO) system so that any person is aware that maintenance work is going on

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and mishaps are avoided. While performing maintenance work Potential Difference
is measured in volts
• Ensure use of Work Permit System on electrical maintenance work
• Message should be written down
• Comply with Electrical Act / Rules
• Do not use umbrella in substation / receiving station
• Know the voltage of circuit
• Check suitability of fuses and circuit breakers
• Inspect chords of portable tools
• Flame proof Electrical fitting must be installed in Explosive areas.
• In the confined space Voltage of Test Lamp should not be more than 24 V.
• Finally from energy management point of view while working at sites lamps such
as CFL ( Compact Fluorescent Lamp ) should be used as it consumes less
power and mercury vapour lamps should be avoided as it Consumes more
power.

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 SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR TEMPORARY ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

Item to be checked Yes No Comments

1. Cases of inserting bare wires in

electrical socket found.
2. Proper guarding is provided on all
moving parts/dangerous parts.
3. Danger notices displayed whenever
necessary
4. All portable tools are provided with
proper & scientific earthing.
5. Hand lamps are of proper type,
voltage & with cage
6. All electrical equipments are provided
with ELCB
7. Cables are exposed to physical
damage
8. Cables are exposed to fire hazard
9. Too many joints in cables
10. Cables running over sharp objects,
hot objects, nails etc.
11. Cables running over tarpaulin shed.
12. Are electrical circuits overloaded?
13. Are cables protected from vehicle &
traffic?
14. Low voltage (24V) lamps used in
confined space.
15. Are people trained in fire fighting
16. Cables exposed to falling hazards are
protected.

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17. Artificial respiration chart is displayed.

***

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