ELECTRIC POWER SECTOR REFORM ACT

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART I

Formation of Initial and Successor Companies and the transfer of assets and liabilities of the National
Electric Power Authority

SECTION

1. Formation of the initial holding company No.1 of 1990.

2. Shareholding in the initial holding company.

3. Transfer of assets and liabilities of the Authority to the initial holding company.

4. Exemption from stamp duty.

5. Transfer of employees to the initial holding company and to the Commission, etc.

6. Directions to the Authority.

7. Licensing of the initial holding company.

8. Formation of successor companies.

9. Shareholdings in the successor companies.

10. Transfer of assets and liabilities of the initial holding company to the successor companies.

11. Conclusive evidence.

12. Release from liability or obligation.

13. Enforcement or continuation of any cause of action or proceedings.

14. Limitation of suit against a transferee.

15. A transfer shall not be deemed to constitute a breach etc., of contract.

16. Provision of records etc., to a transferee.

17. Further order amending a transfer order.

18. Regulations.

19. Guarantee or surety.

20. Consideration for the transfer of assets to successor companies.

21. Transfer of employees to the designated successor companies and conditions of services of
transferred employees.

22. Directions to the initial holding company.

23. Licensing of the successor companies.

24. Privatisation Act.

Part II

Development of a Competitive Electricity Market

25. Competition during the pre‐privatisation stage.

26. Competition during the post‐privatisation stage.

27. Eligible customers.

28. Ministerial directives respecting competition transition charges.

29. Commission's determinations respecting competition transition charges.

30. Public hearing respecting competition transition charges.

Part III

Establishment, functions and powers of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission

31. Establishment of the Commission.

32. Objects and functions of the Commission.

33. General policy directions.

34. Appointment of Commissioners.

35. Terms of office and conditions of service of Commissioners.

36. Conditions for appointment as Commissioner.

37. Vacation of office by Commissioner.

38. Dismissal or suspension of Commissioners.

39. Filling of vacancies in the Commission.

40. Chairman and Vice‐Chairman of the Commission.

41. Meetings and procedure of the Commission.

42. Remuneration and expenses of Commissioners.

43. Commissioners to disclose certain connections and interests.

44. No invalidity of decisions and acts of the Commission.

45. Proceedings of the Commission.

46. Decisions and orders of the Commission.

47. Commission to give notice to interested parties.

48. Commission to consult experts on technical questions.

49. Questions of law may be referred to the High Court.

50. Rehearing and Appeals.

51. Annual programmes and budgets of Commission.

52. Funds of the Commission.

53. Surplus funds of the Commission.

54. Financial year of the Commission.

55. Accounts of the Commission.

56. Audit of the Commission's accounts.

57. Powers of auditors.

58. Execution of contracts and instruments by Commission.

59. Reports of Commission.

60. Staff of Commission.

61. Exemption from liability for Commission.

Part IV

Licences and Tariffs

62. Licensing requirement: fines and penalties.

63. General duties of licensees.

64. General licences.

65. Transmission licences.

66. System operation licence.

67. Distribution licences.

68. Trading licences.

69. Restrictions on licences.

70. An application for a licence.

71. Terms and conditions of licences.

72. Renewal of licences.

73. Amendment of licences.

74. Cancellation of licences.

75. Enforcement of licences.

76. Tariffs.

Part V

Acquisition of Land and Access Rights

77. Special provisions relating to generation, transmission and distribution companies.

78. Use of certain conduits for electricity purposes.

79. Notice of construction of railways, roads and telecommunication works and control of other works.

Part VI

Consumer Protection and Licensee Performance Standards

80. Consumer protection standards.

81. Performance standards and codes.

Part VII

Competition and Market Power

82. Competition and market power.

 Part VIII

The Power Consumer Assistance Fund

83. Establishment of the Power Consumer Assistance Fund.

84. Contribution rates for the Power Consumer Assistance Fund.

85. Contribution payments for the Power Consumer Assistance Fund.

86. Payments from the Power Consumer Assistance Fund.

87. Fine for non‐payment of money owed.

Part IX

Rural Electrification Fund

88. Establishment and purpose of the Rural Electrification Fund.

89. Contribution rates for rural electrification.

90. Contribution payments for rural electrification.

91. Establishment of criteria for geographical allocation of resources from the Rural Electrification Fund.

92. Fine for non‐payment for amount owed.

PART X

Offences

93. False declarations.

94. Offences.

PART XI

General

95. Inspectors.

96. Regulations.

97. Disclosure of confidential information and use of information acquired by inspectors, etc., for
personal gain.

PART XII

Consequential and Transitional Provisions

98. Consequential and transitional provisions.

99. Repeal of L.F.N. 2004 Cap. E7 and L.F.N. 2004 Cap. N33.

PART XIII

Interpretation and Citation

100. Interpretation.

101. Citation.

_________________________

ELECTRIC POWER SECTOR REFORM ACT

An Act to provide for the formation of companies to take over the functions, assets, liabilities and
staff of the National Electric Power Authority, to develop competitive electricity markets, to establish
the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission; to provide for the licensing and regulation of the
generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity; to enforce such matters as
performance standards, consumer rights and obligations; to provide for the determination of tariffs;
and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

[ ]

[Commencement.]

PART I

Formation of Initial and Successor Companies and the transfer of assets

and liabilities of the National Electric Power Authority

1. Formation of the initial holding company No.1 of 1990

The National Council on Privatisation shall, not later than six months after the coming into force
of this section of this Act, take such steps as are necessary under the Companies and Allied Matters Act
to incorporate a company, limited by shares, which shall be the initial holding company for the assets
and liabilities of the Authority.

2. Shareholding in the initial holding company

The shares of the initial holding company on its incorporation shall be held by the Ministry of
Finance Incorporated and the Bureau of Public Enterprises in the name of and on behalf of the Federal
Government of Nigeria.
3. Transfer of assets and liabilities of the Authority to the initial holding company

(1) The National Council on Privatisation, shall by written notice in a Gazette fix the date, (in this
Act known as the "initial transfer date"), on which the assets and liabilities of the Authority as specified
in subsection (2) of this section shall be transferred to the initial holding company.

(2) The assets and liabilities vested in the Authority as at the initial transfer date and appearing
on the audited balance sheets of the Authority, shall vest in the initial holding company.

(3) The vesting of assets and liabilities under subsection (2) of this section shall be provisional
until final orders are issued by the National Council on Privatisation under this section.

(4) Within eight months from the initial transfer date, the National Council on Privatisation shall,
on the finalisation of the opening balance sheet of the initial holding company, issue final order either
confirming or specifying the transfer of assets and liabilities under subsection (2) and this Part applies
with necessary modifications to the final order.

(5) The transfer of a liability or obligation under this section releases the Authority from the
liability or obligation.

(6) All bonds, hypothecations, securities, deeds, contracts, instruments, documents and working
arrangements that subsisted immediately before the initial transfer date and to which the Authority was
a party shall, on and after that date, be as fully effective and enforceable against or in favour of the
initial holding company as if, instead of the Authority, the initial holding company had been named
therein.

(7) Any cause of action or proceeding which existed or was pending by or against the Authority
immediately before the initial transfer date shall be enforced or continued, as the case may be, on and
after that date by or against the initial holding company in the same way that it might have been
enforced or continued by or against the Authority had this Act not been passed.

(8) No action or other proceeding shall be commenced against the initial holding company in
respect of any employee, asset, liability, right or obligation that has been transferred to the initial
holding company if, had there been no transfer, the time for commencing the action or other
proceeding would have expired.

(9) A transfer under subsection (2) of this section shall not be deemed to‐

(i) constitute a breach, termination, repudiation or frustration of any contract,

including a contract of employment or insurance;

(ii) constitute a breach of any Act, regulation or by‐law; or

(iii) constitute any event of default or force majeure;

 (iv) give rise to a breach, termination, repudiation or frustration of any licence,
permit or other right;

(v) give rise to any right to terminate or repudiate a contract, licence, permit or
other right; and

(vi) give rise to any estoppels.

(10) Subsection (9) of this section does not apply to the contracts as may be prescribed by the
regulations.

(11) Subject to subsection (10) of this section nothing in this Act and nothing done as a result of
a transfer under subsection (2) of this section shall create any new cause of action in favour of‐

(a) a holder of a debt instrument that was issued by the Authority before the initial
transfer date;

(b) a party to a contract with the Authority that was entered into before the initial
transfer date.

(12) Any guarantee or suretyship which was given or made by the Federal Government of
Nigeria or any other person in respect of any debt or obligation of the Authority, and which was
effective immediately before the initial transfer of the principal debt or obligation, shall remain fully
effective against the guarantor or surety on and after the initial transfer date in relation to the
repayment of the debt or the performance of the obligation, as the case may be, by the initial holding
company to which the principal debt or obligation was transferred.

4. Exemption from stamp duty

Stamp duty shall not be chargeable under the Stamp Duties Act in respect of any transfer made
or transaction entered into pursuant to this Part on which, except for the exemption granted under this
section, stamp duty would have been payable and in particular, and without derogation from the
foregoing, no stamp duty shall be chargeable‐

[L.F.N. 2004 Cap. S8.]

(a) during the incorporation of the initial holding company and the successor companies or any
subsequent increase to their authorised share capital, prior to the transfer of a majority interest
to one or more private investors;

(b) in respect of any security issued in compliance with a transfer order issued under section 10 (7);
(c) where any convertible securities were issued in compliance with a transfer order issued under
section 10 (7), in respect of the exercise of the conversion rights attached to any such security;
or

(d) in respect of any other transfer of rights and assets pursuant to this Part.

5. Transfer of employees to the initial holding company and to the Commission, etc.

(1) With effect from the initial transfer date, every person employed by the Authority
immediately before that date shall be transferred to the service of either the Commission or the initial
holding company, on terms not less favourable than those enjoyed by him immediately prior to his
transfer.

(2) The service rendered by an employee transferred pursuant to subsection (1) of this section
to the Authority shall be deemed to be service with the initial holding company for the purpose of
determining employment‐related‐entitlements as specified in relevant laws of employment in Nigeria.

(3) Until such time as conditions of service are drawn un by the initial holding company or the
Commission, as the case may be‐

(a) the terms and conditions of service applicable to employees of the Authority shall
continue to apply to every person transferred to the initial holding company or to the
Commission as if every such person were still in the service of the Authority; and

(b) the initial holding company shall continue to contribute towards a pension scheme to which the
Authority was contributing in respect of persons in the employ of the Authority, prior to the
initial transfer date.

6. Directions to the Authority

(1) The National Council on Privatisation may give the Board of Directors of the Authority
directions in writing in order to ensure the proper transfer of the assets and liabilities of the Authority to
the initial holding company, and the Board of Directors shall, without delay, comply with every such
direction.

(2) Without derogation from subsection (1) of this section, directions given under that
subsection may provide for‐

(a) the cessation of all or any of the functions of the Authority;

(b) the termination of any contract entered into between the Authority and any person,
provided that no such direction shall authorise the Authority to commit an unlawful
breach of any such contract; and
 (c) the production of any report and the provision of any information concerning the
conduct of the Authority or the Board of Directors of the Authority or anything done by
or on behalf of the Authority or the Board of Directors of the Authority.

7. Licensing of the initial holding company

On the initial transfer date, the Commission shall issue an interim licence, to the initial holding
company which shall be valid for a period not exceeding eighteen months.

8. Formation of successor companies

The National Council on Privatisation shall, not later than eight months after the formation of
the initial holding company under section 1 of this Act, take such steps as are necessary under the
Companies and Allied Matters Act to incorporate such number of additional companies, limited by
shares, as the National Council on Privatisation may deem appropriate, which shall be the successor
companies for assuming the assets and liabilities of the initial holding company including, but not limited
to, companies with functions relating to the generation, transmission, trading, distribution and bulk
supply and resale of electricity.

9. Shareholdings in the successor companies

All the respective shares of each of the successor companies from the dates of their
incorporation shall be held jointly in the name of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and the Bureau of
Public Enterprises for and on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

10. Transfer of assets and liabilities of the initial holding company to the successor companies

(1) The National Council on Privatisation shall, not later than one year from the initial transfer
date, by an order, require the initial holding company to transfer employees, assets, liabilities, rights and
obligations of the initial holding company to a successor company, as specified in the order.

(2) A transfer order shall be binding on the initial holding company, the transferee and all other
persons.

(3) Subsection (2) of this section applies despite any general or special Act or any rule of law,
including an Act or rule of law that requires notice or registration of transfers.
 (4) A transfer order shall not require the consent of the initial holding company or the successor
company, provided that consent of the transferee shall be required if the transferee is a person other
than a successor company incorporated by the National Council on Privatisation under section 8.

(5) A transfer order may specify and describe, employees, assets, liabilities, rights or obligations
to be transferred‐

(a) by reference to specify employees, assets, liabilities, rights or obligations;

(b) by reference to any class of employees, assets, liabilities, rights or obligations; or

(c) partly in accordance with subsection (5) (a) of this section and partly in accordance with
subsection (5) (b) of this section.

(6) With effect from the date specified in the relevant transfer order, all bonds, hypothecations,
securities, deeds, contracts, instruments, documents and working arrangements that subsisted
immediately before the subsequent transfer date and to which the initial holding company was a party
shall, on and after that date, be as fully effective and enforceable against or in favour of the designated
successor company as if, instead of the initial holding company, the designated successor company had
been named therein.

(7) A transfer order may‐

(a) require the initial holding company or the transferee to pay for anything transferred by
or pursuant to the order and may specify to whom the payment shall be made;

(b) fix the amount of the payment; specify a method for determining the amount of the
payment; or provide that the amount of the payment be determined by the National
Council on Privatisation or a person designated by the National Council on Privatisation;

(c) require that the payment be made in cash, by set off, through the issuance of securities
or in any other form specified by the order;

(d) fix the value of anything transferred by or pursuant to the order;

(e) specify a method consistent with international accounting practices for determining the
value of anything transferred by or pursuant to the order;

(f) provide that the value of anything transferred by or pursuant to the order be
determined by the National Council on Privatisation or a person designated by the
National Council on Privatisation in a manner consistent with international accounting
practices; provided that the value specified in the transfer order ought to have been
calculated in accordance with international accounting practices;

(g) specify the date that a transfer takes effect and any interest in property that is
transferred by the order vests in the transferee on that date;
 (h) provide that a transfer shall not take effect until payment has been made for anything
transferred by or pursuant to the order;

(i) provide that a transfer shall be deemed to have taken effect on a date earlier than the
date the transfer order is made, but the effective date shall not be earlier than the day
on which the relevant successor company was formed;

(j) provide that transfers specified in the order and other transactions associated with the
transfers shall be deemed to have occurred in a sequence and at times specified in the
order;

(k) require the initial holding company or a transferee‐

(i) to enter into any written agreement or execute any instrument specified in
the order; and

(ii) to register in accordance with the order any agreement or instrument entered
into or executed under subsection (7) (k) (i);

(l) provide that any liability or obligation that is transferred by the order may be
enforced against the initial holding company, the transferee, or both of them;
and that any right that is transferred by the order may be enforced by the initial
holding company, the transferee, or both of them; or

(m) impose conditions on the exercise of powers by the transferee that are related to
employees, assets, liabilities, rights or obligations transferred by the transfer order,
including a condition that the powers be exercised only with the approval of the
Commission.

(8) A transfer order may contain provisions dealing with other matters not specifically referred
to in this Part that the National Council on Privatisation considers necessary or advisable in connection
with a transfer.

11. Conclusive evidence

(1) A statement, in a registered document to which a successor company is a party, that land
described in the document was transferred to the person from the initial holding company by or
pursuant to a transfer order, and any other statement in the document relating to the transfer order,
shall be deemed to be conclusive evidence of the facts stated.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section creates, for any person, an interest in land that the
initial holding company did not have.
12. Release from liability or obligation

Subject to section 10 (7) (I), the transfer of a liability or obligation under this Part releases the
initial holding company from the liability or obligation.

13. Enforcement or continuation of any cause of action or proceedings

Subject to section 10 (7) (I), any cause of action or proceeding which existed or was pending by
or against the initial holding company immediately before the subsequent transfer date shall be
enforced or continued, as the case may be, on or after the subsequent transfer date by or against the
designated successor company in the same way that it might have been enforced or continued by or
against the initial holding company.

14. Limitation of suit against a transferee

An action or other proceeding shall not be commenced against a transferee in respect of any
employee, asset, liability, right or obligation that had been transferred to the transferee if, had there
been no transfer, the time for commencing the action or other proceeding would have expired.

15. A transfer shall not be deemed to constitute a breach etc., of contract

(1) A transfer by or pursuant to a transfer order shall not be deemed to‐

(a) constitute a breach, termination, repudiation or frustration of any contract, including a

contract of employment or insurance;

(b) constitute a breach of any Act, regulation or by‐law;

(c) constitute any event of default or force majeure;

(d) give rise to a breach, termination, repudiation or frustration of any licence, permit or
other right;

(e) give rise to any right to terminate or repudiate a contract, licence, permit or other right;
or

(f) give rise to any estoppels.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to such contracts as may be prescribed by the
regulations.
 (3) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, nothing in this Act and nothing done by or pursuant
to a transfer order creates any new cause of action in favour of‐

(a) a holder of a debt instrument that was issued by the initial holding company (or deemed
to have been issued by it) before the date of its transfer as specified in the relevant
transfer order;

(b) a party to a contract with the initial holding company (or deemed to have been issued
by it under section 4 (5) that was entered into before the date of its transfer as specified
in the relevant transfer order.

16. Provision of records etc., to a transferee

The initial holding company shall provide a transferee with all records or copies of records, that
are in its custody or control and that relate to an officer, employee, asset, liability, right or obligation
that is transferred by or pursuant to a transfer order, including personal information.

17. Further order amending a transfer order

The National Council on Privatisation may, at any time within one year after making a transfer
order, make a further order amending the transfer order in any way that the National Council on
Privatisation considers necessary or advisable, including such order or orders as may be necessary to
rectify the transfer of any of the employees, assets, liabilities, rights and obligations pursuant to a
verification or an audit of employees, assets and liabilities of the initial holding company as at the date
of the relevant transfer order, and this Part applies with necessary modifications to the amendment.

18. Regulations

(1) The National Council on Privatisation may make regulations‐

(a) supplementing the provisions of this Part and governing the transfer of, employees,
assets, liabilities, rights, and obligations under this Part;

(b) prescribing contracts or classes of contracts to which section 15 (1) does not apply,
subject to such conditions or restrictions as may be prescribed by the regulations.

(2) A regulation made under this section may be general or particular in its application.

19. Guarantee or surety

 Any guarantee or suretyship which was given or made (or is deemed to be given or made under
section 3 (12) by the Federal Government of Nigeria or any other person in respect of any debt or
obligation of the initial holding company, and which was effective immediately before the subsequent
transfer of the principal debt or obligation, shall remain fully effective against the guarantor or surety on
or after the subsequent transfer date in relation to the repayment of the debt or the performance of the
obligation, as the case may be, by the designated successor company to which the principal debt or
obligation was transferred.

20. Consideration for the transfer of assets to successor companies

The consideration for the transfer of assets of the initial holding company to a designated
successor company shall be as set out in a transfer order issued under section 10 (7).

21. Transfer of employees to the designated successor companies and conditions of services of
transferred employees

(1) Every person employed by the initial holding company immediately before the date specified
in the relevant transfer order pursuant to which he is transferred shall be transferred to the service of a
designated successor company, on terms not less favourable than those enjoyed by him immediately
prior to the transfer.

(2) The service rendered by an employee transferred pursuant to a transfer order shall be the
service with the designated successor company for the purpose of determining employment‐related‐
entitlements as specified by relevant laws of employment in Nigeria.

(3) Until such time as conditions of service are drawn up by the designated successor company‐

(a) the terms and conditions of service applicable to employees of the initial holding
company shall continue to apply to every person transferred to the designated
successor company as if every such person were still in the service of the initial holding
company; and

(b) an employee may be permitted to continue to contribute towards a pension he

was contributing to when he was in the employ of the initial holding company; and

(c) the designated successor company shall continue to contribute towards a pension
scheme to which the initial holding company was contributing in respect of employees
in the employ of the initial holding company, prior to the date of transfer.
22. Directions to the initial holding company

(1) The National Council on Privatisation may give the Board of Directors of the initial holding
company directions in writing in order to ensure the proper transfer of the assets and liabilities of the
initial holding company to the designed successor companies or other transferees, and the Board of
Directors shall, without delay, comply with every such direction.

(2) Without derogation from subsection (1), directions given under that subsection may provide
for‐

(a) the cessation of any or all functions of the initial holding company and its voluntary
liquidation;

(b) the termination of any contract entered into between the initial holding company and any
person, provided that no such direction shall authorise the initial holding company to commit an
unlawful breach of any such contract; and

(c) the production of any report and the provision of any information concerning the conduct of the
initial holding company or the Board of Directors of the initial holding company or anything
done by or on behalf of the initial holding company of the Board of Directors of the initial
holding company.

23. Licensing of the successor companies

(1) On the transfer date specified in the relevant transfer order, the Commission shall issue an
appropriate interim licence, to each successor company, which shall be valid for a period not exceeding
one year.

(2) A successor company that has received an interim licence under subsection (1) shall, within
six months thereafter, apply to the Commission for a regular licence in accordance with the provisions of
Part IV of this Act.

24. Privatisation Act

(1) The National Council on Privatisation may, at any time and by such means as it deems
appropriate, begin the process of privatisation of the successor companies that are holders of
generation licences, distribution licences or a transmission licence, in accordance with the provisions of
the Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act, No. 28 of 1999.

[L.F.N. 2004 Cap. P38.]

 (2) Until such time the Minister has made a declaration in accordance with subsection (3) of this
section, the Commission shall prepare, each year, a report for the Minister as to the potential for
competition in the Nigerian electricity supply industry and these reports shall present the Commission's
analysis and recommendations as to whether the Nigerian electricity supply industry has developed to
the point where a more competitive market ought to be established under section 26, having regard to‐

(a) the degree of privatisation that has occurred;

(b) the existence of a sufficiently large number of potentially competitive entities, so as to

avoid the likelihood of an abusive market power; and

(c) the existence of other preconditions, including the necessary metering and information
technology infrastructures, required for the operation of a more competitive electricity
market.

(3) The Minister shall present to the President and the National Council on Privatisation and
National Assembly, each report submitted by the Commission under subsection (2) of this section and
when the Minister, in consultation with the President and the National Council on Privatisation is
satisfied that the electricity market in Nigeria has developed to the point where a more competitive
market ought to be established pursuant to section 26 of this Act, having regard to the criteria described
in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of subsection (2) of this section, and the Minister shall issue a declaration
that a more competitive electricity market is to be initiated.

PART II

Development of a Competitive Electricity Market

25. Competition during the pre‐privatisation stage

Immediately following the issuance of interim licences to the successor companies in

accordance with section 23, and prior to the declaration by the Minister, under section 24 (3), that a
more competitive market is to be initiated‐

(a) the trading licensee holding a bulk purchase and resale licence under section 67 (2), or an
interim licence for this purpose, and to which the function of bulk procurement and bulk sale of
power and ancillary services has been transferred pursuant to Part I of this Act, shall engage in
the purchase and resale of electrical power and ancillary services from independent power
producers and from the successor generation companies, in accordance with its licence;

(b) the successor company that has been issued both a transmission licence and a system operation
licence pursuant to section 65 (2), or an interim licence for these purposes, shall engage in the
transmission of electricity and in system operation, including the procurement of ancillary
services, in accordance with its licence;
(c) successor generation companies shall, in accordance with their licences, sell electrical power to
the trading licensee described in subsection (a), distribution companies and eligible customers,
pursuant to the terms of any contracts formed with such distribution companies and eligible
customers;

(d) successor generation companies shall, in accordance with their licences, sell ancillary services to
the trading licensee described in subsection (a) or the successor company identified in
subsection (b), pursuant to contracts that allow for the novation of the rights and obligations of
the successor company identified in subsection (b) to an independent system operator in event
of a transfer of the obligation of system operation by the successor company to an independent
system operator under section 26 (7);

(e) independent power producers shall, in accordance with their licences, sell electrical power to
either‐

(i) the trading licensee described in subsection (a) pursuant to contracts that allow for the
novation of the rights and obligations of the trading licensee described in subsection (a)
to one more other licensees, as specified in the contract, following the declaration of a
substantially privatised market under section 24; or

(ii) distribution companies and eligible customers, pursuant to the terms of any contracts
formed with such distribution companies and eligible customers;

(f) independent power producers shall, in accordance with their licences, sell ancillary services to
either‐

(i) the trading licensee described in subsection (a), pursuant to contracts that allow for the
novation of the rights and obligations of the trading licensee described in subsection (a)
to one or more other licensees, as specified in the contract, following the declaration of
a substantially privati sed market under section 24; or

(ii) the successor company identified in subsection (b), pursuant to contracts that allow for
the novation of the rights and obligations of the successor company identified in
subsection (b) to an independent system operator in the event of a transfer of the
obligation of system operation by the successor company to an independent system
operator under section 26 (7).

26. Competition during the post‐privatisation stage

(1) Immediately following the declaration by the Minister, under section 24 (3), that more
competitive market is to be initiated‐
(a) the trading licensee described in section 25 (a) shall not enter into any further contracts
for the purchase of electrical power or ancillary services and it shall, in accordance with
its licence, begin the process of novating its existing rights and obligations to purchase
electrical power and ancillary services to other licensees;

(b) successor generation companies shall, in accordance with their licences, sell electrical
power to distribution companies and eligible customers, under the terms of any
contracts existing prior to the declaration by the Minister, pursuant to section 24 (3), or
under the terms of any new contracts with distribution companies and eligible
customers;

(c) successor generation companies shall, in accordance with their licenses, sell ancillary
services either to‐

(i) the successor company identified in section 25 (b), under the terms of the
contracts entered into prior to the declaration by the Minister, under section 24
(3), until such contracts are novated to an independent system operator, or
under the terms of any new contracts with such successor company; provided
that such contract should allow for novation to the independent system
operator in the same manner as specified in section 25 (d); or

(ii) the independent system operator, once it has been established under section
25 (d);

(d) independent power producers shall, in accordance with their licences, sell electrical
power ‐

(i) to the trading licensee described in section 25 (a), under the terms of the
contracts formed with that trading licensee prior to a declaration by the
Minister, under section 24 (3), until such contracts are novated to distribution
companies or eligible customers; and, following such novations;

(ii) to distribution companies and eligible customers under the terms of any
contracts formed with such distribution companies and eligible customers;

(e) independent power producers shall, in accordance with their licences, sell ancillary
services‐

(i) to the trading licensee described in section 25 (a), under the terms of the
contracts formed with that trading licensee prior to the declaration by the
Minister under section 24 (3), until such contracts are novated to distribution
companies or eligible customers; and, following such novations;

(ii) to the successor company identified in section 25 (b), under the terms of the
contracts entered into prior to the declaration by the Minister under section 24
 (3), until such contracts are novated to an independent system operator, or
under the terms of any new contracts with such successor company; provided
that such contracts should allow for novation to the independent system
operator in the same manner as specified in section 25 (d); or

(iii) the independent system operator, once it has been established under
subsection (7) of this section;

(f) the successor company identified in subsection (1) (b) of this section shall, in accordance
with its licence, purchase ancillary services pursuant to the terms of the contracts for
ancillary services that it has entered into with successor generating companies and with
the trading licensee described in subsection (1) (a) of this section and with independent
power producers prior to the declaration under section 24 and it may also purchase
ancillary services under the terms of contracts novated to it under section 25 (d) (i), until
all such contracts are novated to an independent system operator established pursuant
to subsection (7) of this section;

(g) distribution licensees shall purchase electrical power in accordance with their
obligations to purchase under subsection (1) (b) and (d) of this section and pursuant to
those obligations that have been novated to them under subsection (1) (a) of this
section, and may also purchase other supplies of power from generation licensees and
trading licensees, all in accordance with the terms of their respective distribution
licences; and

(h) eligible customers shall purchase power in accordance with their obligations to
purchase under subsection (1) (b) and (d) of this section and pursuant to those
obligations that have been novated to them under subsection (1) (a) of this section, and
may also purchase other supplies and powers from generation licensees or from trading
licensees.

(2) The Minister shall recommend to the President for approval of market rules, to be
developed by the system operator‐

(a) for the operation of the national grid by the system operator; and

(b) for the establishment and governance of markets related to electricity and ancillary

(3) In respect of markets for electricity and ancillary services, the market rules may include
provisions‐

(a) governing the making and publication of market rules;

(b) settlement of payments among different participants;

 (c) authorising and governing the making of orders by the system operator, including
orders‐

(i) imposing financial penalties on market participants;

(ii) authorising a person to participate in the markets; or

(iii) terminating, suspending or restricting a person's rights to participate in the

markets; and

(d) concerning the administration and enforcement of the market rules, including
provisions for market rule amendments, dispute resolutions, penalties and market
surveillance.

(4) A market rule may be general or particular in its application.

(5) The system operator shall publish the market rules in accordance with the publication
provisions within the market rules and shall make the market rules available for public inspection during
normal business hours at the offices of the system operator.

(6) Amendments to the market rules shall be developed by the system operator in accordance
with the amendment provisions in the market rules; provided that all amendments shall be approved by
the Commission before they come into force and provided that the system operator shall, in accordance
with the market rules, publish any proposed amendment to the market rules at least 22 days before the
proposed amendment comes into force.

(7) At any time following the declaration of a substantially privati sed market under section 24,
the successor company identified in section 25 (b) may transfer the function of system operation to an
independent system operator on such terms and conditions as the Commission may direct and on such
transfer, the independent system operator shall be subject to the same powers and duties as have been
imposed on the transferring successor company under this Act in relation the system operation.

27. Eligible customers

The Minister may issue a directive to the Commission specifying the class or classes of end‐use
customers that, from time to time, shall constitute eligible customers under this Act.

28. Ministerial directives respecting competition transition charges

If the Minister determines, following consultation with the President, that a directive given
under section 27 will result in decreasing electricity prices to such an extent that a trading licensee or a
distribution licensee would have inadequate revenue to enable payment for its committed expenditures
or is unable to earn permitted rates of return on its assets, despite its efficient management, the
Minister may issue further directives to the Commission on the collection of a competition transition
charges from consumers and eligible customers, the distribution of the funds collected to the trading
licensee described in section 25 (a) and to distribution licensees, and the duration of the competition
transition charge.

29. Commission's determinations respecting competition transition charges

The Commission shall establish the amount of the competition transition charge and the
arrangements for the collection and distribution of the competition transition charge, all in accordance
with the Minister's directive or directives issued under section 28.

30. Public hearing respecting competition transition charges

Prior to the making of the determinations set out in section 29, the Commission shall hold a
public hearing to obtain the view of any interested parties.

PART III

Establishment, functions and powers of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission

31. Establishment of the Commission

(1) There is hereby established a commission to be known as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory
Commission, which shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession which can sue or be sued in its
corporate name and subject to this Act, perform all acts that bodies corporate may by law perform.

(2) The headquarters of the Commission shall be at Abuja.

32. Objects and functions of the Commission

(1) Subject to this Act, the Commission shall have the following principal objects‐

(a) to create, promote, and preserve efficient industry and market structures, and to ensure
the optimal utilisation of resources for the provision of electricity services;

(b) to maximise access to electricity services, by promoting and facilitating consumer

connections to distribution systems in both rural and urban areas;

(c) to ensure that an adequate supply of electricity is available to consumers;

(d) to ensure that the prices charged by licensees are fair to consumers and are sufficient to
allow the licensees to finance their activities and to allow for reasonable earnings for
efficient operation;
 (e) to ensure the safety, security, reliability, and quality of service in the production and
delivery of electricity to consumers;

(f) to ensure that regulation is fair and balanced for licensees, consumers, investors, and
other stakeholders; and

(g) activities. to present quarterly reports to the President and National Assembly on its
activities.

(2) For the furtherance of the objects referred to in subsection (1) of this section, the
Commission shall perform the following functions‐

(a) promote competition and private sector participation, when and where feasible;

(b) establish or, as the case may be, approve appropriate operating codes and safety,
security, reliability, and quality standards;

(c) establish appropriate consumer rights and obligations regarding the provision and use
of electric services;

(d) license and regulate persons engaged in the generation, transmission, system operation,
distribution, and trading of electricity;

(e) approve amendments to the market rules;

(f) monitor the operation of the electricity market; and

(g) undertake such other activities which are necessary or convenient for the better
carrying out of or giving effect to the objects of the Commission.

3) In the discharge of its functions, the Commission shall consult, from time to time, and to the
extent the Commission considers appropriate, such persons or groups of persons who mayor are likely
to be effected by the decisions or orders of the Commission including, but not limited to licensees,
consumers, potential investors, and other interested parties.

33. General policy directions

The Minister may issue general policy directions to the Commission on matters concerning
electricity, including directions on overall system planning and co‐ordination, which the Commission
shall take into consideration in discharging its functions under section 32 (2): provided that such
directions are not in conflict with this Act or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

34. Appointment of Commissioners

 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the Commission shall consist of seven full
time Commissioners appointed by the President subject to confirmation by the Senate.

(2) In selecting potential nominees, the President shall ensure that individuals are chosen, from
both the public and private sectors, for their experience or professional qualifications in the following
fields or areas of competence‐

(a) generation, transmission, system operation, distribution or marketing of electricity; and

(b) law, accountancy, economics, finance or administration.

(3) The seven Commissioners shall be appointed to reflect one Commissioner per geo‐political
zone and a chairman from any zone.

35. Terms of office and conditions of service of Commissioners

(1) Subject to this Part, a Commissioner shall hold office for a period of five years; provided that,
to ensure continuity in the Commission, the period of appointment of the first seven Commissioners
shall be as follows‐

(a) the Chairman shall be appointed for five years;

(b) the Vice‐Chairman and other Commissioners shall be appointed for four years.

(2) A Commissioner shall not continue in office after the expiry of his term.

(3) Subject to section 36, a Commissioner shall hold office on such terms and conditions as the
President may fix in relation to Commissioners generally.

(4) A Commissioner whose term of office has expired is eligible for reappointment for another
term and no more.

(5) All appointments or reappointments of Commissioners shall be made before expiry of their
term of office in accordance with section 34 of this Act.

36. Conditions for appointment as Commissioner

(1) A person shall not be appointed as a Commissioner who‐

(a) is neither a citizen of Nigeria nor permanently resident in Nigeria; or

(b) has a financial interest in any business connected, either directly or indirectly, with
generation, transmission, system operation, distribution or trading of electricity in
Nigeria, or is engaged in any activity (whether for remuneration or otherwise)
 connected with any such service or system, or is a relative of a person who has such an
interest or is engaged in such an activity, unless the President is satisfied that the
interest or activity is in effect passive and will not interfere with the person's impartial
discharge of his duties as a Commissioner, or unless the financial interest is terminated
prior to the appointment taking effect; or

(c) has, in terms of a law in force in any country‐

(i) been adjudged or otherwise declared insolvent or bankrupt and has not been
rehabilitated or discharged; or

(ii) made an assignment to, or arrangement or composition with, his creditors

which has not been rescinded or set aside; or

(d) has, in terms of a law in force in any country‐

(i) been adjudged, by a court of competent jurisdiction, to be of unsound mind;

(ii) been banned from practicing his profession; or

(iii) been convicted of an offence and sentenced to a term of imprisonment

imposed with or without the option of a fine, whether or not any portion has
been suspended, and has not received a free pardon.

(2) A person who holds the office of Commissioner, and for a period of two years after he ceases
to be a Commissioner for any reason whatsoever, shall not acquire, hold or maintain, directly or
indirectly, any interest, office, employment or consultancy arrangements, either for remuneration or
otherwise, connected with the generation, transmission, system operation, distribution or trading of
electricity in Nigeria or any activity connected with any such service or system and if such person
acquires any such interest involuntarily or by way of succession or testamentary disposition, he shall
divest himself from such interest within a period of three months of such interest being acquired.

37. Vacation of office by Commissioner

A Commissioner shall vacate his office and his office shall become vacant‐

(a) three months after the date upon which he gives notice in writing to the President of his
intention to resign;

(b) on the date he is convicted‐

(i) in Nigeria, in respect of an offence; or

 (ii) outside Nigeria, in respect of an offence involving financial impropriety or any
conduct which, if committed in Nigeria, would constitute an offence; or

(c) if he becomes disqualified under sections 36 (1) (a), (b), (c) or (d), to hold office as a
Commissioner; or

(d) if he is required under section 38 to vacate his office; or

(e) when he attains the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.

38. Dismissal or suspension of Commissioners

(1) The President shall require a Commissioner to vacate his office if the Commissioner‐

(a) has, subject to section 36 (2), been found to have conducted himself in a manner that
renders him unsuitable as a Commissioner, including a contravention of section 43 or
section 57 (2); or

(b) has failed to comply with any term or condition of his office fixed by the President under
section 35 (3); or

(c) is mentally or physically incapable of efficiently carry out his functions as a

Commissioner; or

(d) the Commissioner is convicted of an offence in respect of which a sentence of

imprisonment without the option of a fine has been imposed, whether in Nigeria or
outside.

(2) A Commissioner shall not be removed unless the request is supported by a simple majority
vote of the Senate.

39. Filling of vacancies in the Commission

Subject to section 40 (6), on the death of, or vacation of office by, a Commissioner, the
President shall nominate a candidate to fill that vacancy, and submit that nomination to the Senate,
within one month, in accordance with section 34.

40. Chairman and Vice‐Chairman of the Commission

 (1) The President shall designate one of the Commissioners as Chairman who shall be the Chief
Executive and Accounting Officer of the Commission and another Commissioner as Vice‐Chairman.

(2) A Commissioner whose term of office has expired is eligible for reappointment for another
term and no more.

(3) The Vice‐Chairman shall retain his position as Vice‐Chairman until his term of office as a
Commissioner is expired.

(4) The Vice‐Chairman shall perform the Chairman's functions whenever the Chairman is for any
reason unable to perform them.

(5) The Chairman or Vice‐Chairman may at any time resign his office as such by one month's
notice in writing to the President.

(6) Whenever the office of Chairman or Vice‐Chairman falls vacant, or on the death of the
Chairman or Vice‐Chairman, the President shall, within three weeks, select another Commissioner to fill
the vacancy under section 39.

41. Meetings and procedure of the Commission

(1) The Commission shall meet for the dispatch of business as often as is necessary or expedient
and, subject to this section, may adjourn, close and otherwise regulate its meetings and procedure as it
thinks fit.

(2) The Chairman or, in his absence, the Vice‐Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the
Commission.

(3) All decisions of the Commission shall be on the basis of majority of the members present and
voting.

(4) The quorum for the meeting of the Commission shall be four and subject to section 43, at all
meetings of the Commission each Commissioner present shall have one vote on each question before
the Commission and, in the event of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.

(5) For a meeting of the Commission to review any previous decision or order taken by the
Commission, the quorum shall be no less than the Commissioners present when the decision was taken
or order was made.

(6) Without derogation from subsection (1) of this section, the Commission may conduct its
business by means of written resolutions signed by all the Commissioners; provided that, if any
Commissioner requires that a matter be placed before all the Commissioners for discussion, this
subsection shall not apply to such matter.
42. Remuneration and expenses of Commissioners

(1) Commissioners shall be paid from the funds of the Commission‐

(a) such remuneration, if any, as the Commission may from time to time determine, having
regard to the recommendations of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages
Commission; and

(b) such allowances, if any, as the Commission, may from time to time determine, having
regard to the recommendations of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages
Commission, to meet any reasonable expenses incurred by such Commissioners in
connection with the business of the Commission.

(2) While making recommendations, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission shall
have due regard to the following principles‐

(a) the specialised nature of work to be performed by the Commission;

(b) the need to ensure the financial self‐sufficiency of the Commissioners;

(c) the salaries paid in the private sector to individuals with equivalent responsibilities,
expertise and skills; and

(d) the nature of the expenses incurred by the Commissioners, including national and
international travel expenses.

43. Commissioners to disclose certain connections and interests

(1) If a Commissioner‐

(a) acquires or holds a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any matter that is under
consideration by the Commission;

(b) owns any property or has a right in property or a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in
a company or association of persons which results in the Commissioner's private
interests coming or appearing to come into conflict with his functions as a
Commissioner;

(c) knows or has reason to believe that a relative of the Commissioner‐

(i) has acquired or holds a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any matter that is
under consideration by the Commission; or
 (ii) owns any property or has a right in property or a direct or indirect pecuniary
interest in a company or association of persons which results in the
Commissioner's private interests coming or appearing to come into conflict with
his functions as a Commissioner; or

(d) if for any reason the private interests of a Commissioner come into conflict with his
functions as a Commissioner, the Commissioner shall forthwith disclose the fact to the
Commission.

(2) A Commissioner referred to in subsection (1) of this section shall take no part in the
consideration or discussion of, or vote on, any question before the Commission which relates to any
contract, right, immovable property or interest referred to in that subsection.

(3) A Commissioner shall, prior to accepting his appointment to the Commission, make a
declaration of assets in accordance with paragraph 11 of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and shall terminate all other engagements for gain, including
appointment to any office in the Public Service.

(4) A Commissioner who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section commits an
offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand naira or imprisonment for a
period not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

44. No invalidity of decisions and acts of the Commission

(1) No decision or act of the Commission or act done under the direction of the Commission
shall be invalid on the ground that there existed‐

(a) a vacancy or vacancies among the Commissioners; or

(b) some defect in the constitution of the Commission at the time the decision was taken or
act was done or authorised.

(2) If a Commissioner referred to in section 43 takes part in the consideration of a matter in

which his private interests are in conflict with his functions as Commissioner, the other Commissioners
may subsequently ratify any such decision or action.

45. Proceedings of the Commission

(1) The Commission shall be entitled to conduct its proceedings, consultations and hearings at
its headquarters or at any other place in Nigeria.
 (2) The Commission shall make regulations for the discharge of its functions and for the conduct
of its proceedings, consultations and hearings, including procedures for the participation of licensees,
consumers, eligible customers and other persons.

46. Decisions and orders of the Commission

(1) The Chairman shall ensure that all Commission decisions and orders‐

(a) contain the basis for the decision or order;

(b) are properly recorded in writing; and

(c) are accessible to the public at reasonable times and places.

(2) The Commission shall issue written reasons in respect of any decisions or orders affecting the
existing rights of any person, if the affected person requests such written reasons.

(3) The Commission may issue written reasons in respect of any other decision or order as the
Commission deems necessary.

(4) Every recommendation, declaration, decision or order of the Commission, if purporting to be

signed by a person describing himself as the Chairman of the Commission, or by a person describing
himself as the Vice‐Chairman acting in the capacity of the Chairman, shall, unless the contrary is shown,
be deemed to be made by the Commission and to have been so signed and may be proved by the
production of a copy thereof purporting to have been so signed.

(5) The Commission may make interim orders pending the final disposition of a matter before it.

47. Commission to give notice to interested parties

(1) The Commission may hold a hearing of any matter, which under this Act or any other
enactment is required or permitted to conduct or on which it is required or permitted to take any action
and the Commission shall hold public hearing on matters which the Commission determine to be of
significant interest to the general public.

(2) Where the Commission is required to, or otherwise decides to, hold a hearing, all persons
having an interest in such matter shall, as far as reasonably practicable, be notified of the questions at
issue and given opportunities of making representations if they so wish.

48. Commission to consult experts on technical questions

 When any matter arises which entails the consideration of any professional or technical
question, the Commission may consult such persons as may be qualified to advise thereon.

49. Questions of law may be referred to the High Court

(1) If any question of law arises from an order or decision of the Commission, the Commission
may, on its own initiative or at the request of any person directly affected by such order, reserve that
question for the decision of the High Court.

(2) Where a question has been reserved under subsection (1) of this section, the Commission
shall state the question in the form of a special case and file it with the Registrar of the High Court.

50. Rehearing and Appeals

(1) Subject to this section, any person who is aggrieved by‐

(a) a decision of the Commission not to issue a licence;

(b) any term or condition of a licence issued to him, or a refusal by the Commission to
specify a term or condition in a licence;

(c) a refusal by the Commission to renew a licence;

(d) any amendment of a licence or a refusal by the Commission to amend a licence;

(e) the cancellation of a licence;

(f) the grant or refusal by the Commission to grant any approval or authority in terms

(g) the outcome of any arbitration or mediation by the Commission of a dispute between
licensees;

(h) a decision of the Commission with respect of prices or tariffs;

(i) any other decision of the Commission,

may apply to the Commission for review of the decision, order or refusal.

(2) The Commission may, reconsider, vary or rescind its decisions before issuing a final decision,
in accordance with such procedures as the Commission may establish; provided that such review or
reconsideration shall be completed within sixty days of the date it is requested.
51. Annual programmes and budgets of Commission

(1) On or before such date as the Minister may specify before the beginning of every financial
year, the Commission shall prepare and submit to the Minister a budget showing the expenditures
which the Commission proposes to incur in respect of that financial year in order to carry out the
functions of the Commission.

(2) During any financial year the Commission may prepare and submit to the Minister a
supplementary budget relating to expenditures which were inadequately provided for in the annual
budget due to unforeseen circumstances.

(3) A supplementary budget shall be deemed to form part of the annual budget of the
Commission for the financial year to which it relates.

(4) The Commission may vary a budget prepared under this section; provided that no variation
may be made which has the effect of increasing the total amount of expenditure provided for in the
budget.

52. Funds of the Commission

The funds of the Commission shall consist of‐

(1) fees, charges and other income accruing to the Commission from licensees and other
things done by it in terms of this Act, excluding any fines or penalties rerecovered
pursuant to this Act;

(2) funds allocated to the Commission by the National Assembly, pursuant to a request by
the Commission for additional funds required to meet its reasonable expenditures; and

(3) such other moneys as may vest in or accrue to the Commission, whether in the course
of its operations or otherwise.

53. Surplus funds of the Commission

If, following an audit of the Commission's accounts under section 56, the auditors determine
that a portion of the funds received pursuant to section 52 are surplus to the budgeted requirements of
the Commission, such surplus funds shall be paid by the Commission to the Rural Electrification Fund
established under Part IX of this Act, subject to approval by the National Assembly.
54. Financial year of the Commission

The financial year of the Commission shall be the period of twelve months ending on 31
December in each year or such other period as the Minister may determine.

55. Accounts of the Commission

(1) The Commission shall ensure that proper accounts and other records relating to such
accounts are kept in respect of all the Commission's activities, funds and property, including such
particular accounts and records as the Minister may require.

(2) The Commission shall, not later than three months, after the end of the financial year,
prepare and submit to the Auditor‐General of the Federation and National Assembly a statement of
accounts in respect of that financial year.

(3) The Commission shall present quarterly reports on all its activities to the President and
National Assembly.

56. Audit of the Commission's accounts

(1) The Commission shall appoint an auditor in accordance with the guidelines for the
appointment of auditors issued by the Auditor‐General of the Federation.

(2) The accounts kept by the Commission under section 55 (1) shall be examined by the auditors.

(3) The auditor shall within six months after the end of each financial year, make a report to the
Commission and the Minister on the statement of accounts prepared under section 55 (2) and such
report shall state whether or not, in the opinion of the auditor, the statement of accounts gives a true
and fair view of the Commission's affairs.

(4) The Minister may require the Commission to obtain from its auditor such other reports,
statements or explanations in connection with the Commission's operations, funds and property as the
Minister may consider necessary, and the Commission shall forthwith comply with any such
requirement.

(5) Notwithstanding the provision of subsection (4) of this section, the Minister shall authorise
the Commission to publish its audited statement of accounts in two national newspapers within one
month following the receipt of the auditor's report under subsection (3) of this section, and the
Commission shall thereafter publish the statement of accounts in the manner that has been a uthorised.

57. Powers of auditors

 (1) The auditor shall be entitled at all reasonable times to require to be produced to him all
accounts and other records relating to such accounts which are kept by the Commission or its agents
and to require from any Commissioner or employee or agent of the Commission such information and
explanations as in the auditor's opinion are necessary for the purposes of their audit.

(2) Any Commissioner or employee or agent of the Commission who fails without just cause to
comply with a requirement of an auditor in terms of subsection (1) of this section commits an offence
and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand naira or to imprisonment for a
period not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

58. Execution of contracts and instruments by Commission

Any agreement, contract or instrument approved by the Commission may be entered into or
executed on behalf of the Commission by any persons generally or specially authorised by the
Commission for that purpose.

59. Reports of Commission

(1) In addition to any report which the Commission is required by this Act to submit to the
Minister, the Commission‐

(a) shall submit to the Minister such other reports as the Minister may require; and

(b) may submit to the Minister such other reports as the Commission considers

(2) The Minister shall publicly release any reports submitted pursuant to subsection (1) of this
section, within two months following the receipt of such a report.

60. Staff of Commission

(1) The Commission shall employ such persons as it considers expedient for the better exercise
of the functions of the Commission.

(2) The terms and conditions of service, including remuneration, allowances and pension
benefits of the staff of the Commission, shall be as determined by the Commission.

(3) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, the Commission may assign to its staff such
functions of the Commission as the Commission deems fit.
 (4) Any assignment of functions under subsection (3) of this section may be made either
generally or specially and subject to such reservations, restrictions and exceptions as the Commission
may determine, and may be revoked by the Commission at any time.

(5) Anything authorised or required by or under this Act to be done by the Commission, other
than the making of final orders, may be done by any member of the Commission staff who has been
authorised either generally or specifically by the Commission to do so.

61. Exemption from liability for Commission

No liability shall attach to the Commission or to any employee of the Commission or to a

Commissioner for any loss or damage sustained by any person as a result of the bona fide exercise or
performance of any function which, by or in terms of this Act, is conferred or imposed upon the
Commission or the Commissioners.

PART IV

Licences and Tariffs

62. Licensing requirement: fines and penalties

(1) No person, except in accordance with a licence issued pursuant to this Act or deemed to
have been issued under section 98 (2), shall construct, own or operate an undertaking other than an
undertaking specified in subsection (2) of this section, or in any way engage in the business of‐

(a) electricity generation, excluding captive generation;

(b) electricity transmission;

(c) system operation;

(d) electricity distribution; or

(e) trading in electricity.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a person may construct, own or operate an
undertaking for generating electricity not exceeding 1 megawatt (MW) in aggregate at a site or an
undertaking for distribution for electricity with a capacity not exceeding 100 kilowatts (kW) in aggregate
at a site, or such other capacity as the Commission may determine from time to time, without a licence.
 (3) The Commission may issue an interim licence for any or all of the activities specified in
subsection (1) of this section to any person as specified under the Act for a period not exceeding
eighteen months, or such shorter period as may be specified in this Act, if it determines that it is
necessary in the public interest to do so.

(4) The Commission shall have the power to resolve disputes as to whether a person is engaging,
or is about to engage in a business for which a licence is required under subsection (1) of this section.

(5) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section commits an offence and is liable
on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand naira or to imprisonment for a period not
exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(6) The Commission shall have the authority to order any person who contravenes subsection
(1) of this section to cease his operations, and to make such other orders, including an order to another
licensee to disconnect facilities, as may be necessary to prevent the continuation or reoccurrence of the
contravention.

(7) The Commission shall have the authority to penalise a licensee for violations of his licence
terms and conditions or to cancel such licence in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

63. General duties of licensees

(1) A licensee shall comply with the provrsions of his licence, regulations, codes, and other
requirements issued by the Commission from time to time.

(2) Unless stayed by a court of competent jurisdiction, each licensee shall duly implement or
follow, as the case may be, Commission orders and written notices, notwithstanding that the licensee
has or may intend to take legal action challenging any such order or notice.

64. General licences

(1) Subject to such terms and conditions as the Commission may fix in the licence, a generation
licence shall, as the circumstances may require, authorise the licensee to construct, own, operate and
maintain a generation station for purposes of generation and supply of electricity in accordance with
this Act.

(2) Subject to this Act, the holder of a generation licence may sell power or ancillary services to
any of the classes of persons specified in the licence.

(3) The Commission may issue generation licences to‐

 (a) one or more of the successor companies formed under section 8, herein described as a
"successor generation company"; or

(b) one or more entities that are not successor companies formed under section 8,herein
described as an "independent power producer".

65. Transmission licences

(1) Subject to such terms and conditions as the Commission may fix in the licence, a
transmission licence shall authorise the licensee to carryon grid construction, operation, and
maintenance of transmission system within Nigeria, or that connect Nigeria with a neighbouring
jurisdiction.

(2) The transmission licensee that is a successor company formed under section 8 may also have
an obligation to carry out system operation, including the procurement of ancillary services, pursuant to
the terms of a system operation licence issued by the Commission to such licensee.

66. System operation licence

(1) Subject to such terms and conditions as the Commission may fix in the licence, a system
operation licence shall authorise the licensee to carryon system operation, including, but not limited to,
the following activities as may be specified in the licence‐

(a) generation scheduling, commitment and dispatch;

(b) transmission scheduling and generation outage co‐ordination;

(c) transmission congestion management;

(d) international transmission co‐ordination;

(e) procurement and scheduling of ancillary services and system planning for long term
capacity;

(f) administration of the wholesale electricity market, including the activity of

administration of settlement payments, in accordance with the market rules; and

(g) operation. such other activities as may be required for reliable and efficient system

(2) All contracts for procuring ancillary services shall be awarded according to an open
transparent and competitive manner, pursuant to a procedure established by the Commission, unless
the circumstances require otherwise and the Commission allows or requires an alternative method.
67. Distribution licences

(1) Subject to such terms and conditions as the Commission may fix in the licence, a distribution
licence shall authorise the licensee to construct, operate and maintain a distribution system and
facilities, including, but not limited to, the following activities as may be specified in the licence‐

(a) the connection of customers for the purpose of receiving a supply of electricity;

(b) the installation, maintenance and reading of meters, billing and collection; and

(c) such other distribution service as may be prescribed for the purposes of this section.

(2) A distribution licensee may also have the obligation to provide electricity to its distribution
customers, pursuant to the terms of a trading licence issued by the Commission to the distribution
licensee.

(3) A distribution licensee that has a trading licence issued under subsection (2) of this section
may purchase power for resale from another trading licensee and may, with the prior approval of the
Commission, purchase power from other sources except for the rights and obligations of the trading
licence described in section 25 (a) novated to a distribution licensee under section 26, all contracts for
bulk purchase of power by a distribution licensee shall be awarded according to an open, transparent,
and competitive manner, pursuant to a procedure established by the Commission, unless the
circumstances require otherwise and the Commission allows or requires an alternative method.

68. Trading licences

(1) A trading licensee shall be permitted to engage in the purchasing, selling, and trading of
electricity and the Commission shall have the authority to determine the terms and conditions of trading
licences as may be appropriate in the circumstances, and having due regard to the nature of the
activities in which the licensee intends to engage.

` (2) The Commission may also issue a temporary bulk purchase and resale licence, giving the
licensee, the ability to purchase electrical power and ancillary services from independent power
producers and successors generation companies for the purpose of re‐sales to one or more other
licensees, or to an eligible customer.

(3) All contracts for purchases of electrical power and ancillary services by the holder of such
temporary licence shall be awarded according to an open, transparent, and competitive manner,
pursuant to a procedure established by the Commission, unless the circumstances require otherwise
and the Commission allows or requires an alternative method.
69. Restrictions on licences

(1) A licensee shall not, except as provided in section 26 (7) assign or cede his licence or transfer
his undertaking, or any part thereof, by way of sale, mortgage, lease, exchange or otherwise without the
prior consent of the Commission; provided that, should the Commission determine that in any instance
the circumstances so require, it may establish licence terms and conditions providing its specific or
general consent for any or all of the foregoing.

(2) No licensee shall, without the prior written consent of the Commission, acquire by purchase
or otherwise, or affiliate with, the licence or undertaking of any other licensee or person that is in the
business of electricity generation, transmission, system operation, distribution, or trading, other than as
provided for in sections 65 (2), 67 (2) and 68; provided that the Commission may, as part of its consent,
impose conditions such as, but not limited to, adherence to codes of conduct approved by the
Commission.

70. An application for a licence

(1) An application for a licence shall be made to the Commission in the form and manner
prescribed and be accompanied by the prescribed fee and such information or documents as may be
prescribed or as the Commission may require.

(2) Within thirty days after applying for a licence under subsection (1) of this section, the
applicant shall, at his own expense, cause a notice of the application to be published in a newspaper
circulating in the area in which he intends to operate as a licensee, and in a separate, national
circulation newspaper, in accordance with such directions as may be given by the Commission, stating
the period, prescribed by the Commission, within which objections or representation in connection with
the application may be made to the Commission, and the Commission shall not issue any licence until all
objections or representations received by the Commission have been considered and determined.

(3) An applicant for a licence who owns, or a licensee who acquires, more than ten percent or
such other percentage as the Commission may specify, of the shares in a body corporate which has
applied for or holds another licence issued by the Commission shall disclose such interest to the
Commission.

(4) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, if on consideration of an application that satisfies
the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, the Commission is also satisfied that‐

(a) the applicant is likely to comply with such provisions of this Act, including, without , all
codes of conduct, standards, regulations and license terms and conditions, as apply to the service or
system it intends to provide or operate; and
 (b) the grant of the licence is in the public interest,

the Commission shall issue the appropriate licence, as the case may be, to the applicant.

(5) If on consideration of an application that satisfies the requirements of subsection (1) of this
section, the Commission is not satisfied as to the additional matters referred to in subsection (4), it shall
refuse to issue a licence to the applicant, but before refusing to issue the licence on the ground that it is
not satisfied as to the matters referred to in subsection (4) of this section, the Commission shall notify
the applicant in writing that it proposes to refuse the application and of its reasons for doing so, and
shall afford the applicant an adequate opportunity to make representations in the matter.

(6) The period between the Commission's receipt of an application under subsection (1) of this
section and all documents and information submitted in support of it, and the date on which it notifies
the applicant of the adequacy of the documents and information, shall not exceed one month.

(7) The period between the Commission's receipt of an application that satisfies the
requirements of subsection (1) of this section, and the date on which the Commission notifies the
applicant of its decision or proposed decision in accordance with subsection (4) or subsection (5), as the
case may be, shall not exceed six months.

(8) Notwithstanding subsections (1) to (7) of this section, the Commission may establish
simplified procedures for undertakings and businesses that are limited in size and scope so as to
expedite the application and licensing process.

71. Terms and conditions of licences

(1) A licence shall be issued subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed, or as the
Commission may reasonably determine, including terms and conditions prescribing the use of a tariff
methodology approved by the Commission under section 76.

(2) Without derogation from subsection (1) of this section, the terms and conditions of a licence
may require the licensee to‐

(a) enter into agreements on specified terms with other persons for the provision of or use
of electric lines and associated equipment operated by the licensee;

(b) purchase power and other resources in an economical an transparent manner;

(c) refer disputes for arbitration, mediation, or determination by the Commission.

(3) In the case of a licence issued to an applicant referred to in section 70 (3), the licence may be
issued subject to the condition that the licensee shall divest itself within a specified time of any holding
of shares in another licensee or such other conditions, including adherence to codes of conduct, that the
Commission determines to be in the public interest.

(4) In issuing or renewing a distribution licence, the Commission may impose a condition
requiring the licensee to make such reasonable provision as may be specified by the Commission in the
licence for the facilitation of rural electrification in the proximity of the service, having due regard to the
tariff methodology established by the Commission under section 76.

(5) A licence may require the licensee to provide information to the Commission on a periodic
basis, in such form and detail as the Commission may determine.

(6) Unless expressly indicated in the licence, the grant of a licence shall not hinder or restrict the
grant of a licence to another person for a like purpose and, in the absence of such an express indication,
the licensee shall not claim any exclusivity; provided that the Commission may allow a licensed activity
to be exclusive for all or part of the period of the licence, for a specific purpose, for a geographical area,
or for some combination of the foregoing.

(7) A licence may contain terms and conditions for the licence to cease to have effect or to be
modified or amended by the Commission in such circumstances as may be specified in the licence or as
may be determined by the Commission.

(8) As a condition of its licence, every licensee shall, unless expressly exempted by its licence,
prepare and submit to the Commission each year such accounting information as the Commission may
require.

(9) The Commission shall include in each licence such details as it determines or are requireed
regarding the rights and obligations of the licensee, and procedures to be followed, at the end of its
licence term.

(10) A licence shall be valid for a period of up to, but not exceeding ten years; provided that the
Commission may extend the period of a licence taking into account the nature of the undertaking or
business, for an additional period not exceeding five years at a time it determines that it is in the public
interest to do so.

(11) Every licence shall be deemed to contain a provision that the licensee comply with the
market rules to the extent applicable to the licensee.

72. Renewal of licences

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the holder of a licence may apply for a renewal of the
licence before it expires.
 (2) An application for the renewal of a licence shall be made to the Commission in the form and
manner and within the period prescribed by the Commission, and it shall be accompanied by the
prescribed fee, if any.

(3) Section 71 applies, mutatis mutandis, to the renewal of licences.

73. Amendment of licences

(1) Subject to this section, the Commission may, at any time, amend a licence or any term or
condition of a licence‐

(a) if the licensee requests the amendment; or

(b) if the amendment is pursuant to a condition of the licence imposed under section 71
(7); or

(c) upon receiving a complaint from any consumer, eligible customer, consumer
association, association of eligible customers, or other licensee; or

(d) on its own initiative.

(2) Where a licensee makes an application for the amendment of a licence, the licensee shall
publish a notice of the proposed amendments to the licence in accordance with such directions as may
be given by the Commission, stating the period, prescribed by the Commission, within which objections
or representations in connection with the amendments may be made to the Commission, and the
Commission shall not amend any licence until all objections or representations received by the
Commission have been considered and determined.

(3) In the case of an application proposing amendments to a licence of a licensee who provides
services to an area covering a building or place occupied by the Federal Ministry of Defence for defence
purposes, the Commission shall obtain the consent of the Federal Ministry of Defence before making
the amendment to the licence.

(4) Before making amendments in a licence otherwise than on the application of the licensee,
the Commission shall publish the proposed amendments, stating the period within which objections or
representations may be made to the Commission, and the Commission shall not amend any such licence
until all such objections or representations received by the Commission have been considered and
determined.

74. Cancellation of licences

(1) Upon‐
 (a) receiving a complaint from any consumer, eligible customer, consumer association,
association of eligible customers or other licensee; or

(b) on its own initiative,

the Commission may inquire into the conduct or functioning of any licensee's obligations under this Act,
rules or regulations, codes of conduct, or the terms and conditions of the licence.

(2) Subject to this section, and after an inquiry, including an opportunity for the licensee to show
cause as to why the licence should not be cancelled, the Commission may cancel any licence if, in its
opinion‐

(a) the licence was issued through fraud or the misrepresentation or non‐disclosure of a
material fact by the licensee; or

(b) the licensee has wilfully or unreasonably contravened any provision of this Act that is
applicable to the licensee; or

(c) the licensee has failed to comply with any term or condition of the licence, the breach of
which is expressly declared by such licence to render it liable to cancellation; or

(d) the financial position of the licensee is such that he is unable to fully and efficiently
discharge the duties and obligations imposed by the licence.

(3) Before cancelling a licence under subsection (2) of this section, the Commission shall notify
the licensee in writing of its intention to cancel the licence concerned and the reasons for doing so, and
shall allow the licensee an opportunity to demonstrate, within 60 days following the delivery of such a
notification, that circumstances have changed such that cancellation may no longer be warranted.

(4) If, at the expiry of the inquiry and any further opportunity to be heard, under subsections (2)
and (3) of this section, the Commission is satisfied for any reason specified in subsection (2) of this
section that it is in the public interest that the licence concerned should be cancelled, the Commission
may, by notice in writing to the licensee, cancel the licence or take such other action as it considers
appropriate.

(5) Notwithstanding subsections (2) to (4) of this section, instead of cancelling a licence, the
Commission may allow the licence to remain in force, subject to such further terms and conditions as it
may deem necessary to impose, and such terms and conditions shall form part of the licence.

(6) In the event that the Commission decides to cancel a licence, it shall serve on the licensee a
notice of cancellation fixing the date on which the cancellation shall take effect and the Commission
may make orders in regard to the undertaking of the licensee, including an order for the sale of the
undertaking of the licensee, as are, in the opinion of the Commission, necessary for maintaining
continuity in the provision of electricity service.
75. Enforcement of licences

(1) Without derogation from its powers under section 74, where the Commission is satisfied that
a licensee is contravening, has contravened or is likely to contravene any of the conditions of the
licence, the Commission may serve upon the licensee an order‐

(a) requiring the licensee to do, or not to do, such things as are specified in the order for
the purpose of rectifying or avoiding any contravention or threatened contravention of
any condition of the licence; and

(b) stipulating the period within which any requirement referred to in subsection (1) (a) of
this section shall be commenced and completed; and notice of the order shall be
published by the Commission in such manner as it considers appropriate to draw the
attention of other persons affected or likely to be affected by the contravention or
threatened contravention of the licence.

(2) Before serving an order in terms of subsection (1) of this section, the Commission shall serve
a notice upon the licensee concerned‐

(a) specifying the grounds upon which the order is to be issued and what the Commission
considers reasonably necessary for the purpose of rectifying or avoiding any
contravention or threatened contravention of any condition of the licence;

(b) stipulating the maximum period that the Commission considers reasonable for the
implementation of any requirement it proposes to order; and

(c) allowing the licensee, to make representations to the Commission within such period
from the date of service of the notice as it shall specify.

(3) After considering any representations made under subsection (2) (c) of this section, the
Commission may serve, or refrain from or defer serving, an order in terms of subsection (1), or serve an
order on different terms.

(4) An order served under subsection (1) of this section may specify a penalty for each day that
the licensee subjected to the order is in default of compliance with the order, not to exceed ten
thousand naira for each such day.

76. Tariffs

(1) The following activities are subject to tariff regulation‐

 (a) generation and trading, in respect of which licences are required pursuant to this Act,
and where the Commission considers regulation of prices necessary to prevent abuses
of market power; and

(b) transmission, distribution and system operation, in respect of which licences are
required under this Act.

(2) Prices for the activities referred to in subsection (1) of this section shall be regulated
according to one or more methodologies adopted by the Commission for regulating electricity prices
and such tariff methodologies shall‐

(a) allow a licensee that operates efficiently to recover the full costs of its businesses
activities, including a reasonable return on the capital invested in the business;

(b) provide incentives for the continued improvement of the technical and economic
efficiency with which the services are provided;

(c) provide incentives for the continued improvement of quality of services;

(d) give to consumers economically efficient signals regarding the costs that their
consumption imposes on the licensee's business;

(e) avoid undue discrimination between consumers and consumer categories; and

(f) phase out or substantially reduce cross subsidies.

(3) The Commission shall take into account any subsidy provided by the Power Consumer
Assistance Fund under this Act or from any other source, whether direct of by way of favourable
financing terms, or in any other manner, in establishing its tariff methodologies.

(4) Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, the Commission shall have the authority to
establish tariff methodologies that reflect the terms and conditions of a contract between the licensees
or between a licensee and one or more eligible customers.

(5) Notwithstanding subsection (2) (e) of this section, in establishing tariff methodologies the
Commission may differentiate among customers on the basis of differences in total electricity
consumption, the time periods on which electricity is consumed, load factors, power factors, voltage
levels, location within the country and other such criteria as may affect the cost of providing a service
and may allow a lifeline tariff for some consumers.

(6) Prior to approving a tariff methodology, the Commission shall give notice in the official
Gazette, and in one or more newspapers with wide circulation, of the proposed establishment of a tariff
methodology, indicating the period within which objections or representations in connection with the
same may be made to the Commission.

(7) In preparing a tariff methodology, the Commission shall‐

 (a) consider any representations made by licence applications, other licensees, consumers,
eligible customers, consumers associations, associations of eligible customers and such
other persons as it considers necessary or desirable;

(b) obtain evidence, information or advice from any person who, in the Commission's
opinion, possesses expert knowledge which is relevant in the preparation of the
methodology.

(8) The Commission shall fix the date on which the tariff methodology shall come into operation
and it shall it shall cause notice to be given in the official Gazette of that date.

(9) If it appears to the Commission that a tariff methodology should be changed, the
Commission shall give notice in the official Gazette, and in one or more newspapers with wide
circulation, of the proposal to change the methodology, indicating the period within which
representations in connection with the proposal may be made.

(10) After taking into account any objections or representations received in response to a notice
issued under subsection (9) of this section, the Commission may confirm the proposed changes to the
tariff methodology and the provisions of subsection (8) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(11) Every person upon whom any function has been conferred or imposed in connection with
setting tariffs, shall be bound by a tariff methodology that has come into operation under subsection (8)
or subsection (10) of this section.

(12) Every licensee shall keep at his office a current copy of the tariff methodology applicable to
that licensee and shall make a copy available for inspection on request by any person free of any charge
during the licensee's normal working hours.

(13) Any fines or penalties levied against a licensee in terms of this Act or any other law or
regulation shall not be rechargeable to the licensee's customers.

(14) Any person or licensee who contravenes or condones the contravention of the provision of
subsection (13) of this section shall be liable to a fine two times the charge to the licensee's customers
or to imprisonment of not more than one year or to both such fine and imprisonment.

PART V

Acquisition of Land and Access Rights

77. Special provisions relating to generation, transmission and distribution companies

(1) Where a generation licensee, transmission licensee or a distribution licensee, or a proposed

licensee for generation, transmission or distribution service, requires any land in connection with its
obligations under its licence or a proposed licence, such licensee may apply to the Commission, in such
form as the Commission may prescribe, for a declaration that the land is required for purposes of
generation, transmission or distribution of electricity.

(2) The Commission may call for such further information as the Commission may deem
necessary in connection with an application submitted under subsection (1) of this section and in
considering the application made under subsection (1) of this section, the Commission may invite and
consider submissions from the Commissioner of Lands of the State where the concerned land is
situated.

(3) After holding such enquiry as the Commission may consider necessary, the Commission may,
subject to such exceptions as it may have included in the relevant licence and subject to such further
conditions as it may specify, declare that the land identified by the licensee, with such modifications to
its boundaries as the Commission may specify, is required for the purpose of generation, transmission or
distribution of electricity.

(4) No such declaration shall be given without granting to the person having an interest in the
land under consideration an adequate opportunity to make representations against such declaration.

(5) The Commission shall not act under subsection (3) of this section unless it is satisfied, upon
representations made by the licensee or proposed licensee concerned, that the electricity generation,
transmission or distribution concerned is not otherwise practicable.

(6) Following a declaration by the Commission under subsection (3) of this section, the
President, shall issue a notice in the Gazette to the effect that the land is required by the Government of
the Federation for the public purposes of the Federation.

(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, the exceptions and
conditions there mentioned therein shall include such exceptions and conditions as appear to the
Commission to be necessary or expedient for the purpose on ensuring that?

(a) the physical environment is protected;

(b) there is no greater damage to streets or interference with traffic than is reasonably
necessary; and

(c) funds are available for meeting any liabilities which may arise from the exercise of any
rights or powers under subsection (1) of this section.

(8) Any person who is aggrieved by any decision of the Commission made under subsection (3)
of this section may appeal against such decision in accordance with this Act.

(9) Where the President issues a notice under subsection (6), the Governor shall, in accordance
with the provisions of section 28 (4) of the Land Use Act, revoke the existing right of occupancy
respecting the land and grant of certificate of occupancy in favour of the concerned licensee in respect
of the land identified by the Commission in such notice and the grant of such certificate, the right of
occupancy over the land shall vest in such licensee to the exclusion of the previous holder of the right of
occupancy respecting the land, who shall be entitled to claim compensation in accordance with the
provisions of the Land Use Act.

[L.F.N. 2004 Cap. L5.]

(10) A generation licensee, transmission licensee and distribution licensee shall be entitled to
access rights over lands, buildings and streets for discharging its obligations under its licence to the
extent and in the manner prescribed in regulations issued by the Commission.

(11) If a licensee, who has been given a right of occupancy over land under subsection (8) of this
section, ceases to require the land for the purposes of the licensed activity, then the licensee shall offer
the land to the previous holder on the right of occupancy, for repurchase at an amount equivalent to the
amount of compensation paid to the previous holder under subsection (9) and the provisions of the
Land Use Act and if the previous holder declines the offer to repurchase, the licensee may offer the right
of occupancy to any other person on such terms and conditions as the Commission may direct.

78. Use of certain conduits for electricity purposes

(1) In this section‐

"authority" includes a local authority and a statutory body;

"conduit" includes a tunnel or subway;

"relevant conduit" means‐

(a) a water main or any other conduit maintained by a water authority for the purpose of
conveying water from one place to another; or

(b) a public sewer.

(2) The functions of an authority with control of a relevant conduit shall include the power to‐

(a) carry out, or to authorise any person to carry out, any works in relation to that conduit
for or in connection with the installation, maintenance, adjustment, repair or alteration
of apparatus for purposes connected with the transmission or distribution of electricity;

(b) keep the electricity apparatus installed in that conduit or to authorise any other person
to keep that apparatus so installed;

(c) authorise any person to enter that conduit to inspect electricity apparatus kept installed
there;
 (d) enter into agreements on such terms, including terms as to the payments to be made to
the authority, as it deems fit, in connection with the doing of anything authorised by or
under this section; and

(e) carryon an associated business consisting of the making and carrying out of such
agreements.

(3) Where any enactment expressly or impliedly imposes any limitation on the use to which a
relevant conduit may be put, that limitation shall not have effect so as to prohibit the doing of anything
authorised by or under this section.

(4) Where the doing by an authority with control of a public sewer of anything authorised by this
section would, apart from this subsection, constitute a contravention of any obligation imposed
(whether by virtue of any conveyance or agreement or otherwise) on a licensee, the doing of that thing
shall not constitute such a contravention to the extent that it consists in, or in authorising, the carrying
out of works or inspections, or keeping of apparatus, wholly inside the public sewer.

(5) Subject to subsection (3) and (4) of this section, subsection (2) of this section is without
prejudice to the rights of any person with an interest in land on, under or over which a relevant conduit
is situated.

79. Notice of construction of railways, roads and telecommunication works and control of other
works

(1) Any person who desires to construct or extend any railway, road or any works for
telecommunications shall‐

(a) give one month's notice in writing to the Commission of his intention to commence such
construction or extension; and

(b) furnish the Commission with a plan of the proposed railway, road or telecommunication
works, together with the particulars showing the manner and position in which the
railway, road or telecommunication works are intended to be constructed or extended
and carried on and such further information as the Commission may require:

Provided that this subsection shall not apply to the construction or extension of works or
telecommunication works as may be prescribed by the Commission.

(2) If it appears to the Commission that‐

(a) the operation of or the equipment to be used in connection with the railway, road or
telecommunication works referred to in subsection (1) of this section is likely to affect
 injuriously or interfere with the work or maintenance of electricity lines or the carrying
on by a licensee of a system; or

(b) any electricity line is being affected injuriously or interfered with by the construction or
operation of or the equipment used in connection with‐

(i) a railway, road or telecommunication work referred to in subsection (1); or

(ii) any railway, road or telecommunication works or other operations whatsoever,

the Commission shall notify in writing the person constructing or operating the railway or works of the
action which that person is required to take in order to remedy or prevent the injury or interference.

(3) A person referred to in subsection (3) of this section who, after receipt of a notice in terms of
that subsection, proceeds with the construction or operation of the equipment concerned or continues
to operate the railway, road or telecommunication works without complying with the terms of that
notice shall be liable to any licensee for all loss and damage caused to the licensee by the person's
failure to comply with the terms of that notice.

PART VI

Consumer Protection and Licensee Performance Standards

80. Consumer protection standards

(1) The Commission shall develop in consultation with the licensees, the following materials‐

(a) customer service standards;

(b) customer complaint handling standards and procedures;

(c) codes of practice for the provision of assistance to special needs customers, such as the
blind or disabled, the elderly or severely ill;

(d) procedures for dealing with, and assisting where necessary, customers who have
difficulty in paying bills;

(e) procedures for applying for electricity service;

(f) procedures for disconnecting non‐paying customers or for those in breach of other
terms and conditions of an applicable tariff or contract; and
 (g) the information to be provided to consumers and the manner of its dissemination.

(2) Standards and procedures developed by the Commission shall be adhered to by the
applicable licensees and shall be published by the applicable licensees in such manner and by such
means as the Commission may direct.

(3) The Commission shall establish standards for compensation to consumers who do not enjoy
regular power supply.

81. Performance standards and codes

(1) The Commission shall develop, in consultation with licensees and other interested parties,
the following performance standards and codes‐

(a) standards of overall performance in connection with the provrsion of electricity supply
services and in connection with the promotion of the efficient use of electricity by
consumers;

(b) such technical codes and manuals as may be required for the safe, reliable, and efficient
operation of the system; and

(c) such other standards, codes and manuals, as the Commission may require.

(2) Standards, codes and manual approved by the Commission pursuant to subsection (1) of this
section shall be binding on the applicable licensees and shall be published by the applicable licensees in
such manner as the Commission may direct.

(3) Different standards may be determined for different licensees under this section.

PART VII

Competition and Market Power

82. Competition and market power

(1) The Commission shall have a continuing responsibility to monitor the Nigerian electricity
supply industry in regard to its potential for additional competition and to report on this subject, each
year to the Minister and until such time as the Minister has made a declaration under section 24 (3), the
content of these reports shall be as prescribed by section 24 (2), thereafter, the content of these reports
shall consider whether any of the regulated services in the Nigerian electricity supply industry ought to
be exempted from tariff regulation.
 (2) Upon a finding by the Commission that it is in the public interest, the Commission, after
consultation with the Minister, shall determine when, and under what conditions, a regulated service
may be exempt from tariff regulation; provided that the licence from the Commission shall continue to
be required.

(3) This section shall not be construed to limit the Commission's authority to determine such
matters as whether to restrict the introduction of competition to certain geographical areas or to certain
licensees or customers on a temporary or permanent basis.

(4) The Commission shall determine the pre‐conditions and any transitional arrangements
required for a service to be offered competitively, including, codes of conduct, rules regarding access to
information, access to the electric system, and constraints against undue discrimination in the offering
of service.

(5) The Commission shall also have an ongoing responsibility to consider, in respect of services
in competitive markets, the prevention or mitigation of abuses of market power, in its decisions and
orders regarding matters such as, but not limited to, licence applications and the grant of licences;
licence terms and conditions; the setting of prices and tariffs; and whether or not to approve a merger,
acquisition or affiliation.

(6) In discharging its ongoing responsibility to monitor the electricity businesses and markets to
determine whether there is, or may be, an abuse of market power, the Commission shall be entitled to‐

(a) require information from licensees;

(b) undertake inquiries; and

(c) establish or contract with an independent entity to provide monitoring services.

(7) In the event that the Commission determines that there is an abuse of market power it may‐

(a) issue cease orders as may be required; and

(b) levy fines not exceeding fifty million naira.

PART VIII

The Power Consumer Assistance Fund

83. Establishment of the Power Consumer Assistance Fund

 (1) The Commission shall set up and administer a fund under the name "Power Consumer
Assistance Fund" to be used for the purposes specified in subsection (4) of this section.

(2) The Commission shall keep and manage the money and assets of the Power Consumer
Assistance Fund and shall handle the procedures for disbursement from the Power Consumer Assistance
Fund under this Act.

(3) The Power Consumer Assistance Fund shall consist of the following capital and assets‐

(a) the contributions delivered under section 85; and

(b) any subsidies received from the Federal Government of Nigeria as appropriated by the
National Assembly.

(4) The Power Consumer Assistance Fund shall be used to subsidise underprivileged power
consumers as specified by the Minister.

84. Contribution rates for the Power Consumer Assistance Fund

(1) The Commission shall determine the contribution rates to be sent by designated consumers
and class of consumers and eligible customers to the Power Consumer Assistance Fund and subsidies to
be disbursed from the Power Consumer Assistance Fund, in accordance with policy directions issued by
the Minister, and subject to subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The Commission, while determining the contribution rates shall take into consideration the
impact of such rates on eligible customers and consumers who have to assume the burden of such
contribution.

85. Contribution payments for the Power Consumer Assistance Fund

(1) All consumers and eligible customers liable to make contributions under section 89 (1) shall
make contributions to the Power Consumer Assistance Fund at the fates and for the duration specified
by the Commission under section 84 (1).

(2) In making contributions to the Power Consumer Assistance Fund under subsection (1),
eligible customers shall pay contributions directly to the Commission. Consumers shall pay contributions
to their distribution licensee and the distribution licensees shall compile such contributions and send
them to the Commission. All collections and payments shall be made in accordance with regulations
established by the Commission.

86. Payments from the Power Consumer Assistance Fund

 Where the Minister has determined that subsidy payments from the Power Consumer
Assistance Fund should be disbursed to distribution companies for electricity supplied to designated
consumers, or classes of consumers, the Commission shall disburse the subsidy to such distribution
companies at the rates and for the durations specified by the Commission.

87. Fine for non‐payment of money owed

Any person who fails to pay to the Commission or a distribution licensee, within the prescribed
time period, any amount owing under this Part shall be liable to a fine not exceeding three times the
amount owed.

PART IX

Rural Electrification Fund

88. Establishment and purpose of the Rural Electrification Fund

(1) There is established and Agency, to be known as the Rural Electrification Agency, which shall
be a body corporate capable of suing and being sued in its corporate name and, subject to this Act, of
performing all acts that bodies corporate may by law perform.

(2) (a) The agency shall consist of seven members, six of whom shall be appointed from the six
geo‐political zones.

(b) The Minister shall draw up the structure of the Agency; provided that in the
composition of the membership due regard shall be given to professional competence,
stakeholder's interest and geographical spread.

(3) The headquarters of the Agency shall be at Abuja.

(4) The Minister shall, not later than one year from the date of commencement of this Act,
prepare and submit for approval of the President a sustainable and coordinated Rural Electrification
Strategy and Plan for Nigeria.

(5) In preparing the Rural Electrification Strategy and Plan the Minister shall invite and consider
the submissions of the Commission and the Rural Electrification Agency.

(6) The Rural Electrification Agency, on such date each year as may be specified by the Minister,
shall submit to the Minister annual audited statement of accounts of the Rural Electrification Fund.

(7) The accounts shall be audited by auditors appointed by the Rural Electrification Agency with
the approval of the Auditor‐General of the Federation.
 (8) The Agency shall not later than three months after the end of the financial year propose and
submit to the Minister statement of accounts in respect of that financial year.

(9) The Minister shall, once in a quarter, submit to the President reports, prepared in
consultation with the Rural Electrification Agency and the Commission, on the progress and
achievement of the Rural Electrification Strategy and Plan, which shall include information relating to‐

(a) the expansion of the main grid;

(b) the development of isolated and mini‐grid systems; and

(c) renewable energy power generation.

(10) The Minister shall periodically evaluate the impact of the rural electrification programme.

(11) The Rural Electrification Agency shall set up and administer a fund under the name Rural
Electrification Fund to be used for the purposes specified in subsection (13) of this section.

(12) The Rural Electrification Fund shall consist of the following capital and assets‐

(a) any surplus appropriated pursuant to section 53;

(b) any fines obtained by the Commission pursuant to this Act;

(c) any donations, gifts or loans made by international agencies, State Governments, the
Federal Government, local communities, businesses or any other entity;

(d) the contribution that may be made pursuant to section 90; and interest and other
benefits accrued to the Rural Electrification Fund;

(e) and monies appropriated by the National Assembly;

(f) such percentage of the annual turnover of the licensee's as may be determined by the
Commission.

(13) The purpose of the Rural Electrification Fund shall be to promote, support and provide rural
electrification programmes through public and private sector participation in order to‐

(a) achieve more equitable regional access to electricity;

(b) maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits of rural electrification
subsidies;

(c) promote expansion of the grid and development of off grid electrification; and

(d) stimulate innovative approaches to rural electrification:

Provided that no part of the Rural Electrification Fund shall be used as subsidies for consumption.
89. Contribution rates for rural electrification

(1) To the extent by the Rural Electrification Strategy and Plan and to cover any shortfall in the
capital and assets of the Rural Electrification Fund, the Commission may determine the contribution
rates to be sent to the Rural Electrification Fund by‐

(a) eligible customers; and

(b) licensees, as may be determined by the Commission.

(2) The Commission, while determining the contribution rates, shall take into consideration the
impact of such rates on eligible customers and licensees who have to assume the burden of such
contributions.

90. Contribution payments for rural electrification

(1) All licensees and eligible customers liable to make contributions under section 89 (1) shall
make contributions to the Rural Electrification Fund at the rates and for the duration specified by the
Commission under this section 89 (1).

(2) In making contributions to the Rural Electrification Fund, licensees and eligible customers
shall pay contributions directly to the Rural Electrification Agency.

(3) All collections and payments shall be made in accordance with procedures established by the
Rural Electrification Agency.

91. Establishment of criteria for geographical allocation of resources from the Rural Electrification
Fund

(1) The Rural Electrification Agency shall, in consultation with the Minister‐

(a) establish objective and transparent criteria for the geographical allocation of resources
from the Rural Electrification Fund and such criteria shall be determined taking into
account‐

(i) the need for financial support from the Fund;

(ii) progress in increasing rural electrification achieved through previous

disbursements from the Fund;

(iii) the existence of local matching funding; and

 (b) develop an open, competitive and transparent procedure for making disbursements
from the Rural Electrification Fund to individual projects, including the establishment of
eligibility and selection criteria.

(2) The eligibility criteria for the purposes of subsection (1) (b) of this section shall be
determined taking into account‐

(a) the extent to which the proposed activity can demonstrate technical, economical and
financial viability for a sustained period;

(b) the extent to which the proposed activity demonstrates support for rural development
taking into account the priorities of the local communities; and

(c) the level of community and investor commitment to the proposed activity.

(3) The selection criteria for the purposes of subsection (1) (b) of this section, and the quantum of
disbursement, shall be determined taking into account‐

(a) the resources available from the Rural Electrification Fund;

(b) the cost of each new connection created under the project; and

(c) other objective criteria that the Rural Electrification Agency may determine, such as
tariff levels and quality of service.

92. Fine for non‐payment for amount owed

Any person who fails to pay to the Rural Electrification Agency within the prescribed time
period, any amount owing under this Part shall be liable to a fine not exceeding three times the amount
owed.

PART X

Offences

93. False declarations

Any person who, in any declaration to be made under this Act, makes any statement which he
knows to be false or does not have reasonable grounds to believe to be true commits an offence and is
liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand naira or to imprisonment for a period
not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
94. Offences

(1) Any person who contravenes any provision of this Act or any regulations hereunder commits
an offence and is liable on conviction, where no specific penalty is prescribes therefore‐

(a) as a first offender, to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand naira, or to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year of to both such fine and
imprisonment; or

(b) for subsequent convictions, to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand naira or to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years of to both such fine and
imprisonment.

(2) Any person who‐

(a) fails or refuses to furnish a return or to supply information in the manner and in the
time prescribed or furnishes false or incomplete return or supplies false of incomplete
information; or

(b) wilfully delays or obstructs an inspector or police officer in the exercise of the powers or
duties conferred or imposed upon him by or under this Act; or

(c) fails or refuses, without reasonable cause, to give information to an inspector or police
officer when required to do so under section 95 or gives false or incomplete
information, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one
hundred thousand naira or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or to
both such fine and imprisonment

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, any person who wilfully destroys,
injures or removes equipment or apparatus of a licensee commits an offence and is liable on conviction
to imprisonment for a period of not less than five years and not more than seven years.

PART XI

General

95. Inspectors

(1) The Commission may appoint persons employed by it to be inspectors for the purposes of
this Act and shall furnish each person so appointed with a certificate stating that he has been appointed
as an inspector.

(2) The inspectors shall, in addition to any other functions that may be assigned to them by the
Commission, be responsible for inspecting undertakings to ensure the safety of operations and to
investigate accidents.
 (3) Subject to subsection (6) of this section, an inspector or a police officer may, at all reasonable
times, enter the premises‐

(a) of a licensee; or

(b) of any other person whereon he has reasonable cause to suspect an offence against this
Act has been committed, and shall have power to make such examination, inspection
and inquiry and do such things as may appear to him necessary for ascertaining whether
compliance has been made with this Act.

(4) Subject to subsection (6) of this section, all books, records, accounts and documents required
to be kept by a licensee in terms of this Act shall be open to inspection at all reasonable times by an
inspector or by a police officer.

(5) Subject to subsection (6) of this section, an inspector may inspect, at all reasonable times, a
station or other equipment or apparatus or premises worked or used by or in the possession or under
the control of a licensee.

(6) The powers of entry and inspection conferred by this section shall only be exercised in
accordance with the consent of the person in charge of the premises concerned or in accordance with a
search warrant issued by a magistrate having jurisdiction over such premises, upon an application made
to such a magistrate by an individual appointed for such a purpose by the Commission.

(7) An inspector, or a police officer exercising powers conferred upon him by a search warrant
issued under subsection (6) of this section, may seize any equipment, apparatus, book, record or
document which he has reasonable cause to suspect will afford evidence of the commission of an
offence against this Act and may retain it for so long as may be necessary for the purpose of any
examination, investigation, trial or inquiry.

(8) An inspector shall, on demand by any person affected by the exercise of the powers
conferred upon him by this section, exhibit the certificate issued to him under subsection (1) of this
section.

96. Regulations

(1) The Commission may, make regulations prescribing all matters, which by this Act are
required or permitted to be prescribed or which, in the opinion of the Commission, are
necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

(2) Without derogation from the generality of subsection (1) of this section, regulations
made in terms of subsection (1) of this section may provide for any or all of the following‐

(a) the administration of the affairs of the Commission, including, inter alia, the
holding of meetings, hearings and proceedings, arbitration and mediation
 proceedings, the conduct of inquiries and investigations, becoming a party, the
handling of information, the rules by which evidence shall be taken, and
generally the conduct of its business;

(b) the duties, powers, rights and obligations of a licensee;

(c) the procedure for applying for licences, requirements for information and
documentation to be submitted by applicants;

(d) the procedure for amending or cancelling licences;

(e) the determination of the standards of performance that will be required from
licensees;

(f) the information that will be required from licensees and the manner and form
by which it shall be provided;

(g) the method and manner by which the tariffs that may be charged by licensees
for their services will be determined;

(h) fees, levies, and other charges that may be payable by licensees, eligible
customers or customers;

(i) the regulation of licensee investments, assets, and properties, and the interest
in such assets and properties, in connection with the electricity industry;

(j) customer‐related matters, such as complaint handling procedures, practices

concerning customers with difficulties paying bills, connection and
disconnection procedures;

(k) the resource procurement policies of, and the associated contracting by, the
licensees, including, as may be applicable, the review and approval of same;

(I) the regulatory treatment of rural electric schemes and investments;

(m) procedures for addressing licensee mergers, acquisitions, affiliate relationships

and transactions;

(n) procedures for market power monitoring, mitigation and enforcement;

(o) the terms and conditions for the provision of system access by transmission and
distribution licensees to other entities;

(p) fines and penalties that may be payable by licensees or consumers for violations
of those things for which they may be levied under this Act; and

(q) such other regulations as may be required.

 (3) Regulations made pursuant to subsection (1) may provide for the imposition of
penalties not exceeding ten thousand naira or, in default of payment, imprisonment for a period
not exceeding six months for contravention of the regulations.

(4) Regulations made under this section shall be published in the official Gazette by the
Commission.

97. Disclosure of confidential information and use of information acquired by inspectors, etc., for
personal gain

(1) In an inspector, a police officer, a Commissioner or an employee of the Commission acquires,

in the course of his duties, information relating to the financial affairs of any person, or to any
commercial secret, or if any other person indirectly acquires such information from an inspector, a
police officer, a Commissioner or an employee of the Commission, he shall not for personal gain make
use of such information, nor disclose it to any other person except‐

(a) for the purpose of legal proceedings under this Act or any other law;

(b) to the extent that it may be necessary to do so for the purpose of this Act or any other
law; and

(c) to another inspector or Commissioner or employee of the Commission.

(2) No inspector, police officer, Commissioner or employee of the Commission shall, for personal
gain, make use of any information acquired by him in the course of his duties for a period of five years
after the date on which he ceased to be an inspector, Commissioner or employee.

(3) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) of this section commits an offence and is
liable on conviction to the forfeiture of any proceeds accruing to him on account of the contravention
and to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand naira or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding
two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

PART XII

Consequential and Transitional Provisions

98. Consequential and transitional provisions

(1) Any regulations, by‐laws or notices which, immediately before the initial transfer date, were
in force under the Electricity Act or the National Electric Power Authority Act shall continue in force,
mutatis mutandis, as if they had been made by the Commission under this Act, and may be amended or
repealed upon the issuance of regulations by the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this
Act.

[L.F.N. 2004 Cap. E7. L.F.N. 2004 Cap. N33.]

 (2) Any licence, certificate, authority or permit which was issued in terms of the Acts referred to
in subsection (1) of this section and which had effect immediately before the initial transfer date shall
continue to have effect, mutatis mutandis, for the remainder of its period of validity as if it had been
issued under the appropriate provision of this Act.

(3) Any tariff, price, levy or surcharge which, immediately before the initial transfer date, was
chargeable within any area in respect of the provision of electricity to consumers or to any particular
consumer or any undertaker shall, on and after the initial transfer date and until alternative provision is
made pursuant to this Act, continue to be chargeable in respect of the provision of electricity, to those
or similar consumers by a licensee who provides electricity within the area concerned.

(4) Subject to this Act, any right in or over land or water which, immediately before the initial
transfer date, vested in any person pursuant to the Electricity Act or the National Electric Power
Authority Act shall, on and after the initial transfer date, continue to vest in the initial holding company
concerned as if it had been acquired in terms of this Act.

(5) Subject to this Act, any permission granted, direction given or other thing whatsoever made,
done or commenced which, immediately before the initial transfer date, had or was capable of acquiring
force and effect pursuant to the Electricity Act or the National Electric Power Authority Act, shall, on and
after the initial transfer date, continue to have, or, as the case may be, to be capable of acquiring, force
and effect as it had been granted, given, made, done or commenced, as the case may be, pursuant to
the equivalent provision of this Act.

(6) The provisions of the Utilities Charges Commission Act, 1992 as amended, shall not apply to
any person to whom a licence has been issued under this Act, in respect of the licensed activities of that
person.

99. Repeal of L.F.N. 2004 Cap. E7 and L.F.N. 2004 Cap. N33

The Electricity Act and the National Electric Power Authority Act as amended are hereby
repealed.

PART XIII

Interpretation and Citation

100. Interpretation

(1) In this Act‐

"affiliate" in relation to a licensee means any holding company or subsidiary of the licensee or
any subsidiary of a holding company of a licensee, and, unless the Commission decides to the contrary,
subsidiary status shall be presumed to arise from the ownership of or the power to vote, directly or
indirectly, ten percent or more of the voting securities of such entity and holding status shall be
determined accordingly;

"ancillary services" means those functions necessary for reliable operation of a power system,
which may include, but are not limited to, services that would provide or permit the following‐

(a) facilities scheduling, control and dispatch;

(b) reactive power and voltage control;

(c) frequency regulation;

(d) operating reserves; and

(e) black start;

"Authority" means the National Electric Power Authority established pursuant to the National
Electric Power Authority Act;

"Bureau of Public Enterprises" means the Bureau of Public Enterprises established pursuant to
the Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation Act);

"captive generation" means generation of electricity for the purpose of consumption by the
generator and which is consumed by the generator itself and not sold to a third party;

"Code of Conduct" means any rules established by the Commission governing behaviour,
relationships, and practices between licensees and their affiliates;

"Commission" means the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission established under Part III
of this Act;

"Companies and Allied Matters Act" means the Companies and Allied Matters Act, L.F.N. 2004
Cap. C20, as amended;

"Competition Transition Charge" means any charge established under section 29 of this Act;

"consumer" means any end‐user of electricity who is a customer of a distribution licensee that
is not an eligible customer and, for purposes of filing a complaint with the Commission and for any other
reason that the Commission may determine, a person who is temporally disconnected or otherwise
without service, provided that a person who has applied for, but has yet to receive, service shall also be
deemed to be a consumer;

"control area" means a transmission system or interconnected transmission systems and

interconnected generating units, bounded by metering and telemetry equipment that permits a system
operator to apply a generation control scheme in order to‐
 (a) match the electrical output of the generating stations within the control area and
energy purchased from entities outside the control area, less energy sold to entities
outside the control area, with the load within the control area;

(b) maintain scheduled interchange with other control areas, within the limits of good
utility practice;

(c) maintain the frequency of the control area's electric power systems within reasonable
limits in accordance with good utility practice;

(d) maintain power flows on transmission facilities within appropriate limits to preserve
reliability; and

(e) provide sufficient generating capacity to maintain operating reserves in accordance with
good utility practice;

"cross subsidies" means the subsidisation of one class or group of consumers by another class
or group of consumers;

"distribution" means the delivery of electricity over a distribution system;

"distribution licence" means a licence granted pursuant to section 67;

"distribution system" means the system of facilities, as defined by the Commission, consisting
wholly or mainly of low voltage (less than 132kV) electric lines used for the distribution of electricity
from grid supply points to the point of delivery to consumers or eligible customers, and includes any
electrical plant and meters operated in connection with the distribution of electricity, but shall not
include any part of a transmission system;

"Electricity Act" means the Electricity Act, L.F.N. 2004 Cap. E7, as amended;

"eligible customer" means a cstomer that is eligible, pursuant to a directive or directives issued
by the Minister under section 27, to purchase power from a licensee other than a distribution licensee;

"generation" means the production at a generating station of electric power and other
generation products such as, but not limited to, reactive power;

"generation licence" means a licence issued under section 64;

"generating station" means a station for generating electricity, including buildings, plant and
machinery and all accessories used for that purpose and the site to be used for the station or
accessories;

"Grid Code" means instructions, rules, procedures, guidelines, etc., for the operation and
planning of an interconnected power system and accounting requirements relating thereto;
 "independent power producer" means an entity that is granted a generation licence under
section 64 (3) (b);

"independent system operator" means a system operator that, under section 26 (7), is not
affiliated with an entity holding a transmission licence;

"initial holding company" means the company formed under section 1;

"initial transfer date" means the date fixed by the National Council on Privatisation under
section 3 (1);

"land" means land, tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances, or any estate or interest
therein;

"licence" means a licence issued by the Commission under Part IV of this Act;

"licensee" means any person who holds a licence issued under Part IV of this Act;

"lifeline tariff" means a tariff set by the Commission with prices that incorporate cross subsidies
by other customers and which may be enjoyed by such group of consumers as the Commission may
designate under section 76 (5);

"local authority" means a local government, municipal council, town council, rural district
council or local board;

"market power" means the ability of a seller or group of sellers to maintain prices above
competitive levels, or to maintain stable prices while reducing the quality of product or service provided,
for a significant period of time;

"market rules" means rules approved under section 26 (2);

"Land Use Act" means the Land Use Act, L.F.N. 2004 Cap. L5, as amended;

"Minister" means the Honourable Minister of Power and Steel, or any other Minister to whom
the President may from time to time assign administrative functions in respect of this Act;

"National Council on Privatisation" means the Council established under section 8 of the Public
Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act;

"National Electric Power Authority Act" means the National Electric Power Authority Act, L.F.N.
2004 Cap. N33, as amended;

"person" includes an individual, company, partnership or any other association of individuals,

whether incorporated or not;

"Power Consumer Assistance Fund" means the fund established under Part VIII of this Act;
 "Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act" means the Public Enterprises
(Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act;

"relative" means spouse, child, parent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, in‐laws, cousins, and, where
applicable, their spouses;

"securities" means shares, debentures, bonds and other securities of a company;

"six geo‐political zones" for the time being means North Central (consisting of Benue State,
Nassarawa State, Niger State, Kogi State, Plateau State, Kwara State, FCT), North East (consisting of
Bauchi State, Borno State, Gombe State, Yobe State, Adamawa State and Taraba State), North West
(consisting of Kano State, Kaduna State, Katsina State, Jigawa State, Kebbi State, Sokoto State, Zamfara
State), South‐South (consisting of Delta State, Edo State, Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State, Cross River
State, Bayelsa State), South East (consisting of Anambra State, Abia State, Enugu State, Ebonyi State,
Imo State), South West (consisting of Lagos State, Oyo State, Ogun State, Osun State, On do State, Ekiti
State) under section 34 (3) of this Act;

"Stamp Duties Act" means the Stamp Duties Act, L.F.N. 2004 Cap. S8, as amended;

"street" means any street, highway, or road, or any part of a street, highway or road, and
includes‐

(a) any bridge, ferry or pontoon over which such street, highway or road passes;

(b) any drift in the line of such street, highway or road;

(c) any approach, culvert, cutting, dam, ditch, drain, embankment, fence, grid, guard, kerb,
parapet , subway or other work or thing belonging to or connected with or forming part
of such street, highway or road; and

(d) any sanitary lane or private street;

"successor company" means a successor company, formed pursuant to section 8 of this Act, to
take over designated functions of the initial holding company;

"successor generating company" means the successor company that is granted a generation
licence under section 64 (3);

"system operation" means the operation of one or more transmission systems, and "system
operator" shall be construed accordingly;

"system operation licence" means a licence granted under section 66;

"tariff" means a tariff approved by the Commission pursuant to Part IV of this Act that specifies
the prices, terms and conditions under which electricity service is to be provided;

"temporary bulk purchase and resale licence" means a licence issued under section 68 (2);
 "trading" means any form of marketing, brokering or intermediation in the sale of electricity,
whether or not it entails the purchase of electricity for resale, or whether or not title is taken to the
electricity sold;

"trading license" means a license issued pursuant to section 67;

"transfer order" means an order issued by the National Council on Privatisation pursuant to
section 10 (1) of this Act;

"transferee" means a person to whom employees, assets, liabilities, rights and obligations are
transferred by a transfer order;

"transmission" means the conveyance of electric power and energy over a transmission system;

"transmission licence" means a licence issued under section 65;

"transmission system" means a system, as defined by the Commission, consisting wholly or

mainly of high voltage (greater than or equal to 132kV) electric lines for the conveyance of electricity
within an undertaking or from one undertaking to another, including any transmission lines,
transformers, switchgear and other works necessary for and used in connection with such electrical
equipment, and the buildings as may be required to accommodate the transformers, switchgear and
other works; and

"undertaking" means any undertaking which generates, transmits, distributes or supplies

electricity, with all the assets and liabilities appertaining thereto.

101. Citation

This Act may be cited as the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005.

_____________________

ELECTRIC POWER SECTOR REFORM ACT

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION

________________________

List of Subsidiary Legislation

1. Electricity (Private Licences) Regulations.

2. Electricity (Annual Returns) Regulations.

3. Electrical Installation Regulations.

_______________________
 ELECTRICITY (PRIVATE LICENCES) REGULATIONS

ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS

REGULATION

1. Short title.

2. Interpretation.

3. Application.

4. Exceptions.

5. Application for licences, condition of.

6. Minister may require additional information.

7. Term of licence.

8. Amendment or extension of licences.

9. Assignment of licences.

10. Use of plant to cease under certain conditions.

11. Sale of electricity prohibited.

12. Application to be in writing.

13. Consent deemed given.

14. Area of supply.

15. Suspension or revocation.

16. Penalties.

17. Continuing offence.

18. General.

_________________________________

ELECTRICITY (PRIVATE LICENCES) REGULATIONS

 [L.N. 76 of 1965.]

[15th July, 1965]

[Commencement. ]

1. Short title

These Regulations may be cited as the Electricity (Private Licences) Regulations.

2. Interpretation

In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires‐

"Authority" means the National Electric Power Authority;

"electric line" means any wire, wire conductors, or other means used for conveying electrical
energy for power, lighting, or heating purposes; and includes any instrument, insulator, casing, tubing,
pipe‐covering, or pole enclosing or supporting an electric line, or anything connected therewith;

"emergency" or "emergency use" means use in the event of either the complete failure of the
public supply of electricity or such supply being inadequate to enable the licensee's installation to be
operated at full capacity by virtue of the limits of variation of voltage and frequency prescribed by the
Electrical Supply Regulations being exceeded;

"installation" means an assemblage of electric lines, apparatus and accessories intended for the
distribution or utilisation of electrical energy or both such purposes conjointly;

"Act" means the Electricity Act;

[Cap. E7.]

"private purposes" means the use of any works or an installation solely for the benefit of the
owner of the installation in connection with any commercial, manufacturing or mining operations
carried on by him by way of trade or for domestic purposes but does not include the supply of electricity
to installations not specifically covered by the term of the licence;

"public supply" means a supply of electricity derived from the distribution system of the
Authority or some other system expressly authorised by licence, or deemed to be licensed under the
provisions of section 3 (b) of the Act to supply electricity for the use of any other person;

"supply" or "supply electricity" means electricity (which term includes electrical energy)
conveyed by means of an electric line from one part of an installation to some other part or to another
installation;
 "works" includes electric lines together with any buildings, machinery, engines, matters or
things of whatsoever description required for the generation, supply or use of electrical energy.

3. Application

Subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed hereunder, these Regulations shall apply
throughout the Federation and shall govern the grant, extension, suspension or revocation of a licence
issued under the provisions of section 3 of the Act.

4. Exceptions

The provisions of these Regulations shall not apply to‐

(a) any works or installations owned and used by the Government of the Federation for the
generation, supply or use of electrical energy;

[L.N. 17 of 1975.]

(b) any works established by virtue of or under the provrsions of any Act which expressly
exempts the said works from the provision of section 3 of the Act;

(c) any installation deriving its supply of electricity from a public supply system at a
potential not exceeding 660 volts and which in the aggregate does not have an installed
capacity in excess of one hundred kilovolt amperes:

Provided that any installation upon premises subject to the Factories Act, the Minerals and Mining Act,
or the Petroleum Act shall not be subject to this exemption.

[Cap. Fl. Cap. M12. Cap. P10.]

5. Application for licences, condition of

(1) Every application for a licence whether for sole source of supply or emergency supply shall
be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation 36 of the Electrical Supply Regulations as amended,
from time to time, together with a prepared plan.

(2) In accordance with section 35 of the National Electric Power Authority Act, the Authority
shall be consulted to say whether the Corporation can undertake the functions in respect of which such
application is made either at all or within a reasonable time in the case of sole source of supply or
whether the Authority has any objection in the case of generating plant installed for emergency
purposes only.
 [Cap. N33.]

(3) Where the application involves the placing of any works or electric lines on or across, under
or over any public place, the applicant shall furnish evidence at the time of his application that‐

(a) notice in the form approved by the Minister has been served on‐

(i) the local authority concerned;

(ii) the local water supply authority;

(iii) the Director of Posts and Telegraphs; and

(iv) the owner of any other electric line intersected by the proposed works;

(b) the proposed works are not objected to or are approved subject to certain conditions.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3) of this regulation, it shall be sufficient evidence if certified
copies of any notice served and of any counter notice received by the applicant are attached to the
application.

6. Minister may require additional information

(1) Before considering any application for a licence, the Minister or any officer duly authorised
by him in that behalf may by notice in writing require an applicant to furnish such additional information
as may be deemed necessary.

(2) Where an applicant fails to furnish such additional information within sixty days of service of
any written notice, the application shall be deemed to have lapsed and any fee paid shall be forfeited.

7. Term of licence

Licences may be granted for a term not exceeding 25 years or for such shorter term as the
Minister may decide.

8. Amendment or extension of licences

(1) Licences when once issued may be amended or extended on written application to the
Minister. Any such application must be accompanied by the licence to which the application relates
together with the fee prescribed by section 36 of the Electrical Supply Regulations as amended from
time to time.
 (2) The Minister, in his absolute discretion, may refuse to grant any such application or may
order that the licence be amended or extended in conformity with the application subject to any
conditions he may think fit to impose.

(3) Where a licence is ordered to be amended or extended the terms of such amendment or
extension shall be endorsed thereon.

9. Assignment of licences

(1) A licence, and the benefits and obligations thereunder, shall not be assigned or delegated by
the licensee without the consent in writing of the Minister having first been obtained.

(2) The Minister may give such consent subject to such terms and conditions as he may see fit to
impose.

10. Use of plant to cease under certain conditions

(1) If during the term of a licence authorising the use of a private generating plant, a public
supply of electricity can be made available by the Corporation with or without the need for a capital
contribution, provided that in the latter case the contribution required is reasonable when related to
the magnitude of the supply, the Authority may serve ninety days notice in writing on the licensee
informing him that the Authority is able to supply him with electrical energy and require him to cease
operating the generating plant forming part of the licensed installation at the expiration of the said
notice, otherwise than for stand‐by use in the event of emergency. Every such notice shall specify the
rate or rates of charges and other conditions upon which the supply of electricity will be made available
and the date of availability.

(2) The licensee may within thirty days of the receipt of any notice under the provisions of the
preceding paragraph refer the matter to arbitration as provided for under section 24 (2) of the National
Electric Power Authority Act.

[Cap. N33.]

(3) The licensee shall, subject to a public supply being available to his premises, cease to use the
generating plant at the expiration of the notice referred to in paragraph 1 of this regulation otherwise
than for use in the event of an emergency. In the event of the public supply not being connected to the
premises by the date specified in the notice served in conformity with paragraph (1) of this regulation it
shall be lawful for the licensee to continue to use his generating plant for a period of thirty days
following the date on which the public supply is actually available.
11. Sale of electricity prohibited

Unless with the express permission of the Minister, and under the conditions stipulated by him,
nothing in these Regulations shall authorise any licensee to supply, sell, exchange, or barter a supply of
electrical energy however derived with any other person:

Provided that a supply for domestic purposes made freely to any residential quarters within the area of
supply specified in the licence shall not be deemed to be a contravention of this regulation

12. Application to be in writing

All applications under the provisions of these Regulations shall be in writing and addressed to
the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Mines, Power and Steel, Lagos.

13. Consent deemed given

Where an applicant for a licence has served notices in conformity with regulation 5 (3) of these
Regulations such notices shall be deemed to have been approved if at the expiration of thirty days
following the date of service thereof the recipient has failed to take any action on the matter.

14. Area of supply

(1) Plans showing the area of supply to be covered by the licence shall be by black lines on a
white ground on durable material and be prepared to a scale of not less than one inch to a mile with the
area to be licensed coloured by a wash or cross hatching.

(2) Plans shall be furnished in quadruplicate and shall be supported by a survey description of
the area to be licensed.

(3) For the purpose of this regulation a copy of an entry in a land registry or conveyance
together with copies of the relevant plan will be deemed adequate.

15. Suspension or revocation

(1) A licence when once issued may be suspended or revoked if the Minister is satisfied that the
installation has not been carried out, operated or maintained in strict conformity with any regulations
made under the provisions of the Act.

(2) The licensee may at any time during the currency of a licence surrender it for cancellation,
whereupon all rights and privileges conferred upon the licensee shall cease to have effect.
16. Penalties

person who operated or manages an unlicensed electrical installation not expressly exempted
by virtue of regulation 4 of these Regulations, or by the Act itself or who being licensed supplies
electricity to some other persons outside the licensed area of supply authorised by the licence, shall
upon proof of the offence in a court of summary jurisdiction be liable to a fine not exceeding one
hundred naira or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both such fine and
imprisonment.

17. Continuing offence

(1) Any person who continues to contravene these Regulations subsequent to conviction under
the provision of regulation 16 of these Regulations shall upon proof of the continuing offence in a court
of summary jurisdiction, be liable to a fine of fifty kobo for each day or part of a day on which the
offence continues and in addition to a fine not exceeding two hundred naira or to imprisonment for a
term not exceeding twelve months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(2) Any penalties imposed under the provisions of this regulation shall be in addition to penalties
imposed under the provision of regulation 16 of these Regulations.

18. General

These Regulations shall be supplemental to and shall in no way supersede or replace any other
regulations made under section 4 of the Act.

______________________

ELECTRICITY (ANNUAL RETURNS) REGULATIONS

ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS

REGULATION

1. Duty to keep records and submit returns.

2. Offences and penalties.

3. Short title.

SCHEDULE

______________________

ELECTRICITY (ANNUAL RETURNS) REGULATIONS

[L.N.15 of1974.]

[19thMarch,1974]

[Commencement. ]

1. Duty to keep records and submit returns

(1) Every person who, after the commencement of these Regulations, sells or by way of business
or trade supplies to any other person any plant, apparatus or works (hereinafter referred to as
"electrical generating plant") designed for the supply of electrical energy shall keep records of all such
electrical generating plants sold or supplied, setting out the following information with regard to his
undertaking in respect of that year‐

(a) the number, type and units of each electrical generating plant sold or supplied;

(b) the following particulars relating to each person to whom an electrical generating plant
has been sold or supplied, that is to say‐

(i) his name and address;

(ii) the type and capacity of electrical generating plant sold or supplied; and

(iii) the place where such electrical generating plant is to be operated or located.

(2) Every person who sells or by way of trade or business supplies any electrical generating plant
to any other person shall submit to the Chief Inspecting Engineer, Electrical Inspectorate Division,
Federal Ministry of Mines, Power and Steel, twice every year a return in the form specified in the
Schedule to these Regulations (the first return to be submitted not later than the first day of June and
the second not later than the 31st day of December) in a calendar year.

2. Offences and penalties

 (1) Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of regulation 1 of these Regulations shall
be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of one hundred naira or to
imprisonment for six months.

(2) If any person gives any information in any returns submitted in compliance with regulation 1
(2) of these Regulations which he knows to be false or untrue in any material particular, he shall be
guilty of an offence and liable upon summary conviction to a fine of one hundred naira or to
imprisonment for six months.

(3) Where an offence under these Regulations which has been committed by a body corporate is
proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect
on the part of any director, manager or secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate or any
person purporting to act in any such capacity he, as well as the body corporate, shall be deemed to be
guilty of that offence and shall be liable accordingly.

3. Short title

These Regulations may be cited as the Electricity (Annual Returns) Regulations.

__________________

SCHEDULE

[Regulation 1 (2).]

To.................................................... The Chief Inspecting Engineer,

Electrical Inspectorate Division,

Federal Ministry of Mines, Power and Steel,

Lagos.

RETURNS

From ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Name of Firm or Company

Address ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 Returns in respect of the period ……………………………………………………………………………………………..

(To be submitted in accordance with regulation 1 (2) of the

Electricity (Annual Returns) Regulations)

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5

Type and capacity Total number sold Name and address Makes of units for Premises where
(in KVA) of or supplied with of person to whom generating plant generating plant is
generating plant date generating plant sold or supplied to be operated
sold or supplied was sold or
supplied

……………..…………..………………………………..

Signature of Authorised Officer

TITLE………………………………
DATE……………………………..

____________________________

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION REGULATIONS

under sections 3 and 4

[2nd January, 1996]

 [Commencement. ]

1. Short title

These Regulations may be cited as the Regulations for Electrical Installations.

2. Interpretation

In these Regulations the undermentioned expressions shall have the meanings respectively
assigned thereto, otherwise the definitions contained in Nigerian Industrial Standards (Glossary of
Terms) shall apply‐

"accessory" means any device, other than a fitting, associated with the Wiring, fittings, and
consuming devices; for example, a small switch, cut‐out, plug, socket, or similar device;

"adaptor, socket‐outlet" means an accessory for insertion into a socket‐outlet and containing
metal contacts, to which may be fitted one or more plugs for the purpose of connecting to the supply,
portable light fittings or current‐using appliances;

"ambient temperature" means the temperature of the air or other medium where the equipment is to
be used;

"apparatus" means machines, equipment and fittings associated with generation, transmission,
distribution and utilisation of electrical energy;

"appliance" means any device which utilises electricity for a particular purpose, excluding a light
fitting or an independent motor;

"authorised inspector" means an inspector employed by the licensee concerned, save that in
any case where the licensee is also the consumer "authorised inspector" shall mean a person appointed
for the purpose by the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services;

"authorised person" means‐

(i) the owner or occupier of any premises; or

(ii) a contractor for the time being under contract with the owner, occupier; or

(iii) a person employed, appointed, or selected, by the owner, occupier, or

contractor as aforesaid to carry out certain duties incidental to the generation,
transformation, distribution, or use of electrical energy; such owner, occupier, contractor, or person
being a person who is competent for the purposes of the regulation in which the term is used;

"balanced" means a three‐wire system of generation or supply is said to be "balanced" when‐

 (i) in the case of direct‐current or single‐phase alternating current systems of generation or
supply, the loads connected between the middle and each of the outer conductors are
equal;

(ii) in the case of a three‐phase system of generation or supply, the load carried by any
combination of two conductors is equal to the load carried by any other combination of
two conductors;

(iii) in case of three‐phase four‐wire system of generation or supply, in addition to condition

in (ii) above, the loads connected between the neutral and each of the "phase"
conductors are also equal;

"bonded" means the electrical interconnection of metallic parts in order to maintain them at
the same potential and to achieve a desired distribution of currents within an earthing system;

"cable" means a length of single insulated conductor (solid or stranded) or two or more of such
conductors each provided with its own insulation which are laid up together. The insulted conductor or
conductors mayor may not be provided with an overall mechanical protective covering;

"cable, armoured" means an armoured cable is one provided with a metallic covering of wires
or tapes as a protection against mechanical injury;

"cable, bunched" means cables are said to be bunched when more than one is contained within
a single duct, conduit or trunking, or when unenclosed, cables are not separated from each other;

"cable coupler" means a means enabling the connection, at will, of two flexible cables. It
consists of a connector and a plug;

"cable ducting" means an enclosure of metal or insulating material, other than conduit or cable
trunking, intended for the protection of cables which are drawn‐in after erection of the ducting, but
which is not specifically intended to form part of a building structure;

"cable, flexible" means a flexible cable is one in which the conductor (or conductors) comprise a
number of wires, the diameter of the wires and the material of the dielectric being such as to ensure
flexibility;

"circuit" means an assembly of electrical equipment supplied from the same origin and
protected against over‐current by the same protective device(s);

"circuit‐breaker" means a mechanical switching device capable of making, carrying and breaking
current under normal circuit conditions and also of making, carrying for a specified time, and breaking
currents under specified abnormal circuit conditions such as those of short circuit;

"circuit conductor" means a current conductor forming part of a circuit or final sub‐circuit, but
excluding the earth‐continuity conductor;
 "conductor (or a core or cable)" means the conducting portion, consisting of a single wire or of
a group of wires in contact with other. For earthed concentric wiring, the term may also denote the
metal sheath of a cable;

"conduct" means an approved pipe or tube of standard dimensions and material for electrical
use;

"consumer" means any person supplied with electrical energy by the licensee;

"consumer installation" means the consumer's wiring together with any apparatus upon the
premises connected to or intended to be connected thereto and situate upon the consumer's side of the
licensee's supply terminals;

"consumer's terminals" means the point in the consumer's installation at which the incoming
supply of energy is delivered to that installation;

"cord, flexible" means a flexible cable is one which the conductor (or conductors) does not
exceed 4 mm2 in cross‐section and comprises a number of wires, the diameter of the wires and the
material of the dielectric being such as to ensure flexibility;

"core (of a cable)" means the conductor with its insulation or dielectric, but does not include
the mechanical covering. Two, three, or more cores may be laid up together to form a twin, three‐core,
or multi‐core cable;

"cut‐out" comprises all the separate parts e.g., fuse‐element, fuse‐carrier, fuse‐contacts, fuse‐
extension, and circuit contacts which, together with their mountings and base, form the complete
protecting‐device;

"damp‐and dust‐proof" applied to apparatus and accessories to denote that the live and other
component parts are protected by an enclosure or enclosures being so protected and/or fitted as to
prevent the ready ingress of dust and or moisture;

"damp situation" means a situation in which moisture is either permanently present, or

intermittently present to such an extent as to be likely to impair the effectiveness of an installation
conforming to the requirements for ordinary situations;

"dead or de‐energised" means free from any electrical connection to a source of potential
difference and from electric charge, or not having a potential different from that of the earth;

"dielectric" means that portion of a core cable which is relied upon to insulate the conductor;

"Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services" means the registered engineer for the time being
holding that office under the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;

"distribution board" means an accessory containing fuses or circuit‐breaker arranged for the
distribution to, and protection and control of, sub‐circuits or final sub‐circuit;
 "double insulation" means a conductor is said to have double insulation when it is provided
with insulating material between the conductor and its surrounding envelope or immediate support, as
well as between such envelope or support and earth;

"earthed" means connection to the general mass of earth in such a manner as will ensure at all
times an immediate discharge of electrical energy without electrical hazards;

"earth electrode" means a metal rod or rods, a system of underground metal pipes or other
conducting object, providing an effective connection with the general mass of the earth;

Note.‐ The use of pipes of public gas or water supply undertakings as a sole earth electrode is not
permitted in these Regulation;

"earthing‐lead" means the conductor connecting the earthing‐system to the metal sheathing or
apparatus required to be earthed;

"electrical energy" means electrical energy when generated, transmitted, supplied or used for
any purpose except the transmission of a message;

"electrical hazard" means danger to life or property from electrical energy;

"electricity supply authority or supply authority" means the same as licensee;

"electrode boiler (or electrode water heater)" means apparatus for the electrical heating of
water by the passage of an electric current between electrodes immersed in the water;

"final sub‐circuit" means that portion of the wiring system extending beyond the final set of
fuses and intended to supply electrical energy to current using apparatus, either directly or through an
outlet or fused spur boxes;

"flame‐proof" is applied to apparatus to denote that the containing case or other enclosure will
withstand without injury any explosion of prescribed flammable gas that may occur within it under
practical conditions of operation within the rating of the apparatus (and recognised overloads, if any,
associated herewith) and will prevent the transmission of the flame such as will ignite any prescribed
flammable gas that may be present in the surrounding atmosphere;

"fuse‐element" means a fuse element is the actual wire or strip of metal in a cut‐out which is
designed to melt when an excessive current flows;

"fuse‐switch" means a switch the moving part of which carries one or more fuses;

"hazardous location" means any premises including buildings erected thereon, whether
enclosed or not, in which explosive, highly inflammable or corrosive substances are produced,
manufactured, refined or stored or packed, and in the case of highly inflammable substances are offered
for sale, or where the same results in the presence of an explosive highly inflammable or corrosive liquid
or gas, and shall be deemed to include electrically operated equipment for the delivery of petrol and
paraffin oil, and rooms used for the storage of cinematograph films made of celluloid;

"heating point" means a socket‐outlet to which a portable heater is plugged;

"h.o.f.r. sheath (or cable)" means heat‐resisting, and flame retardant sheath;

"indirect" means contact of person or livestock with exposed conductive parts made alive by a
fault and which may result in electric shock;

"installation" means an assembly of associated electrical equipment to fulfil a specific purpose

and having certain co‐ordinated characteristics;

"insulation" means suitable non‐conducting materials enclosing, surrounding or supporting a

conductor;

"intrinsic safety"‐

(i) applied to a circuit, denotes that any electrical sparking that may occur in normal
working, under the conditions specified by the certifying authority, and with the
prescribed components, is incapable of causing an ignition of the prescribed flammable
gas or vapour;

(ii) applied to apparatus, denotes that it is so constructed that when installed and operated
under the conditions specified by the certifying authority, any electrical sparking that
may occur in normal working, either in the apparatus or in the circuit associated
therewith is incapable of causing an ignition of the prescribed flammable gas or vapour;

NOTE 1.‐ The use of the term "in normal working" is intended to cover sparking that may, in normal use,
be produced by breaking line current, or a short circuit across the lines in the circuit that is required to
be intrinsically safe. It is also intended to cover sparking that may be produced under any condition of
fault which in the opinion of the certifying authority, might arise in practice;

NOTE 2.‐For applications other than coal mining, where part of the certified equipment is to be mounted
outside the hazardous area or in a flame‐proof enclosure the assessment of intrinsic safety may be
restricted to cover only such electrical sparking as may occur within the hazardous area or outside the
flame‐proof enclosure. Any certificate of intrinsic safety issued by the appropriate authority will then
define the circumstances to which it applies;

"lighting fitting/luminaire" means equipment which distributes, filters, or transforms the light
from one or more lamps, and which includes parts necessary for supporting, fixing and protecting the
lamps, but not the lamps themselves, and where necessary circuit auxiliaries together with the means
for connecting them to the supply;
NOTE.‐For the purposes of these Regulations a batten lamp holder, or a lamp holder suspended by a
flexible cord is a luminaire;

"licensee" means any local authority, company, body, person or persons authorised by the issue
of a licence by the Minister, to use, work or operate in accordance with these Regulations, any plant,
apparatus or work designed for the supply or use of electrical energy or to supply such energy to or for
the use of any other local authority, company, body, person or persons from any such plant, apparatus
or works;

"live (alive)" means an object is said to be alive when a difference of potential exists between it
and earth, except in the case of a multi‐earthed neutral system, all metal connected to the neutral
conductor of the supply system, shall be deemed to be alive for the purpose of these Regulations;

"machine (electrical)" means a device for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy or
vice versa, or for converting one form of electrical energy into another;

"machine, drip‐proof" means one which has a frame provided with opening for ventilation, so
protected as to exclude falling water or dirt;

"machine, enclosed, ventilated" means one in which the ventilation openings in the frame are
protected with wire screen, expended metal, or other suitable perforated covers having apertures;

"machine, flame‐proof" means one in which the enclosing case can withstand, without injury,
any explosion of gas that may occur in practice within it under the conditions of operations and will
prevent the transmission of sparks or flames capable of igniting any inflammable gas or particles, such
as coal‐dust, or flour or textile flyings, which may be present in surrounding atmosphere;

"machine, protected" means one in which the internal rotating parts and live parts are
protected mechanically from accidental or careless contact, whilst ventilation is not materially
obstructed;

"machine, totally enclosed" means one so enclosed as to prevent circulation of air between the
inside and outside of the case, but not to such an extent as to make the machine air‐tight;

"mains feed" means that portion of the wiring between the main switchboard and the electric
service line from which supply is obtained;

"the Minister" means a Minister charged with responsibility for matters relating to electricity;

"multiple earthed neutral (m.e.n.)" means the neutral conductor of any low or medium voltage
alternating‐current‐system is said to be multiple‐earthed when it is earthed at the point of supply (that
is, generating station, substation, or transformer) and at one or more other point along the distribution
or service line and at each consumer's premises;
 "plug" means a device intended for connection to a flexible cord or flexible cable which can be
engaged manually with a socket‐outlet or connector or adaptor and which has current‐carrying contact
pins which may be exposed when not engaged;

"point (in wiring)" means a termination of the fixed wiring intended for the connection of
current‐using equipment;

"regulation for electricity supply" means regulations made under the Electricity Act, as from
time‐to‐time amended;

"service fuse" means the device installed by the electricity supply authority for automatically
disconnecting the installation of a consumer's premises from a service line;

"socket‐outlet" means a device with protected current‐carrying contacts intended to be

mounted in a fixed position and permanently connected to the fixed wiring of the installation, to enable
the connection to it of a flexible cord or flexible cable by means of a plug;

"space factor" means the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the sum of the overall cross‐
sectional areas of cables (including insulation and any sheath) to the internal cross‐sectional area of the
conduit or other cable enclosure in which they are installed. The effective overall cross‐sectional area of
a non‐circular cable is taken as that of a circle of a diameter equal to the major axis of the cable;

"spur" means a branch cable connected to a ring or a radial final circuit;

"sub‐main" means a branch main connecting a distribution board or fuseboard to a main

switchboard;

"switchboard" denotes an assemblage of switch‐gear with or without instruments, and includes

distribution‐board, but the term does not apply to a group of local switches in a final circuit;

"switch, double‐pole" means a switch suitable for making or breaking a circuit on two poles or
phases simultaneously or for making or breaking two separate circuits simultaneously;

"switchgear" means switches, circuit‐breakers, cut‐outs and other apparatus used for the
operation, regulation and control of electrical circuits;

"switch, linked" means a switch the contents of which are so arranged as to make or break all
poles simultaneously or in a definite sequence;

"switch, single‐pole" means a switch suitable for making or breaking a circuit on one pole or
phase only;

"switch, triple‐pole" means a switch suitable for making or breaking a circuit on three poles or
phases simultaneously;
 "trench, open" means a trench without covering, or covered by an open grille;

"trunking (for cables)" means a system of enclosures for the protection of cables, normally of
square or rectangular cross‐section, of which one side is removable or hinged;

"voltage" may mean electrical potential difference expressed in volts: Functionally the range of
the more commonly utilised voltages is classified as follows‐

(i) extra low voltage: all voltages below 100 volts;

(ii) low voltage: all Voltages exceeding 100 volts but not exceeding 250 volts;

(iii) medium voltages: all voltages exceeding 250 volts but not exceeding 1000 volts;

(iv) high voltage: all voltages exceeding 1,000 volts;

(v) extra high voltage: all voltages exceeding 132,000 volts;

"weather‐proof" means fittings, accessories and consuming devices, are said to be weather‐
proof if they are so constructed that when installed, rain, hail and splashings are excluded.

3. Meaning of "Nigerian Standard Specification"

The term "Nigerian Standard Specification" means a specification for wiring, or other materials,
fittings, accessories, appliances or apparatus for electrical purposes, issued under that name by the
Nigerian Standards Organisation and where any such specification is prescribed in these Regulations the
latest revision thereof, or any specification issued in lieu thereof by that organisation is implied.

PART I

Division One – General

1. Application; enforcement and exemptions from regulations

These regulations shall apply to all electrical installations connected to any source of electrical
energy operated under the authority of a licence granted under the Electricity Act (and whether granted
before or after the coming into force of these Regulations), and to all electrical installations for the
installing of which such a licence is required (and whether granted before or after the coming into force
of these Regulations), but save as provided in the Electricity Supply Regulations nothing herein shall
apply to any generating plant which is subject to these Regulations.
2. (1) It shall be a condition of every licence grated under the Electricity Act (and whether granted
before or after the coming into force of these Regulations) by which any electricity supply authority is
empowered to connect with such line any new installation on the consumer's premises unless and until
such installation has been inspected, tested, and certified pursuant to these Regulations.

(2) It shall also be a condition of every such licence that the electricity supply authority shall not
supply electrical energy to any installation connected with the supply authority's electric lines, or to
supply electrical energy to any other existing installation if such installation or any part thereof is not
reasonably free form electrical hazard, and such work in accordance with these regulation as such
electricity supply authority directs is not done to render such installation or such part reasonably so
free: provided that it shall not be necessary for the supply authority to require strict compliance with
these Regulations in the doing of any such work if it is satisfied that such compliance would involve
unreasonable expenditure and that the installation can otherwise be rendered reasonably free from
electrical hazard.

(3) It shall not be necessary until six months after the commencement of these Regulations for
the supply authority to insist on the use of any material necessary to make any installation comply with
the requirement of these Regulations if such materials are not in general use or are not readily
procurable in Nigeria.

3. In any case where the electricity supply authority is also a consumer of the electrical energy supplied
by it, the conditions imposed by the last preceding regulation shall apply to it in its capacity as supply
authority as if it were supplying electricity to some other consumer than itself, but in such case the
Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services or some person appointed by him in writing in that behalf
shall have and may exercise the power mentioned in regulation 2 (1) to inspect, test and certify.

4. Where a supply authority changes over from one voltage or system to another the Director of
Electrical Inspectorate Services may, by notice published in the Gazette, make such modification as may
be specified in such notice of these Regulations in their application to the reconditioning of installations
for the purposes of such change‐over.

5. The Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services may from time to time, by notice in the Gazette,
approve methods or types of construction or materials not specially provided for in these Regulations,
and impose such conditions as he deems necessary with respect to the use thereof.

6. (1) In any case where the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services upon application being
made to him in writing by any person proposing to make any new installation, is satisfied that strict
compliance with these Regulations would involve expenditure out of proportion to the degree of
freedom from electrical hazard to be secured by such compliance, he may modify any such
requirements if satisfied that reasonable freedom from electrical hazard can be otherwise secured.

(2) Every such application shall be accompanied by a full statement of the reasons why such
modification is desired and of the nature thereof, and by a certificate by the supply authority's engineer
that the application is a reasonable one and that in his opinion such modification will not lead to serious
increase in the electrical hazard.

(3) In granting any such modification the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services shall specify
what special work (if any) he requires to be done to render the installation reasonably free from
electrical hazard.

PART II

Permits for electrical installation

7. Save as provided in regulations 9 and 10 hereof, no electrical installation shall be commenced

until a written permit therefor has been obtained from the electricity supply authority.

8. (1) A supply authority may grant permits for temporary installations‐

(i) no permits for temporary installations shall be granted for any longer period
than one month after the date on which such installation is connected to the
source of supply.

(2) On the expiration of the period for which a permit for a temporary installation is granted a
further such permit may be granted for a period not exceeding one month, but the total period during
which a temporary installation may be connected to the source of supply under the authority of
successive permits shall not exceed six months from the date on which it was first connected.

9. In any case of emergency due to a breakdown or other accident any authorised person may,
without obtaining a permit as required by these Regulations, begin any work necessary to repair the
installation, but application for such permit must be made to the supply authority within 24 hours after
such work is begun.

10. In any case where an electricity supply authority is also the consumer of the electrical energy
supplied by it, or is the contractor for any electrical installation work, the Director of Electrical
Inspectorate Services or any person authorised by him in writing in that behalf shall exercise and
perform the powers, functions, and duties conferred or imposed on the electricity supply authority as
such by the foregoing provisions of this Part of these Regulations.

PART III

Requirement for safety

11. Testing

On completion of an installation or an extension or major alteration of an installation, tests

should be made with suitable instruments to verify as far as practicable that the requirements of
regulations 12 to 18 have been met; that the installation of all conductors and apparatus is satisfactory,
and that the earthing arrangements are such that in the event of an earth fault circuit or subcircuit or
apparatus is automatically disconnected from the supply so as to prevent danger.

12. Conductors and apparatus

(1) (i) All electrical conductors shall be of sufficient size and current rating for the
purposes for which they are to be used.

(ii) All apparatus shall be suitable for the maximum power demanded by the
apparatus when it is in use, and shall be otherwise so constructed, installed, and
protected as to prevent danger as far as is reasonable practicable.

(iii) All circuit conductors, including conductors forming part of apparatus, shall be
either‐

(a) so insulated, and where necessary further effectively protected; or

(b) so placed and safeguarded, as to prevent danger so far as is reasonably practicable.

(iv) Every electrical joint and connection shall be of proper construction as regards
conductance, insulation, mechanical strength, and protection. Conductors and apparatus operating at
voltages between conductors or to earth exceeding 250 volts shall either‐

(i) be completely enclosed in earthed metal which is electrically continuous and

adequately protected against mechanical damage; or

(ii) be so constructed, installed and protected as to prevent danger as far as is

reasonably practicable.
13. Protection

(1) Every electrical circuit and sub‐circuit shall be protected against excess current by fuses,
circuit‐breakers, or other similar devices which‐

(i) will operate automatically at current values which are suitably related to the
safe current ratings of the circuit; and

(ii) are of adequate making and breaking capacity; and

(iii) are suitably located and of such construction as to prevent danger from over‐
heating, arcing or the scattering of hot metal when they come into operation,
and as to permit ready renewal of fuse‐elements without danger.

(2) Where the earth‐fault‐leakage current from a circuit due to a fault of negligible impedance
from a live conductor to earthed metal is sufficient to operate the fuses or circuit‐breakers or other
similar devices provided so as to comply with regulation 13 (1), the circuit shall be protected against the
persistence of earth‐leakage currents liable to cause danger by an earth‐leakage circuit‐breaker or
equivalent device.

(3) No fuse, or circuit‐breaker other than a linked circuit‐breaker, shall be inserted in a

conductor connected with earth, and any linked circuit‐breaker inserted in a conductor connected with
earth shall be arranged to break also all the live conductors.

(4) Every single‐pole switch shall be inserted in the live conductor only, and any switch
connected in the conductor connected with earth shall be a linked switch and shall be arranged to break
also all the live conductors.

14. Precaution

(1) Where metal work, other than current‐carrying conductors, is liable to become charged with
electricity in such a manner as to create a danger if the insulation of a conductor should become
defective or if a defect should occur in any apparatus‐

(i) the metal work shall be earthed in such a manner as will ensure immediate
electrical discharge without danger; or

(ii) other adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent danger.

15. Isolation
 Effective means, suitably placed for ready operation, shall be provided so that all voltage may be
cut off from every circuit and sub‐circuit and from all apparatus, as may be necessary to prevent danger.

16. Apparatus installation

(1) Every piece of apparatus which requires operations or attention in normal use shall be so
installed that adequate means of access and working space are afforded for such operation or attention.

(2) Every electric motor shall be controlled by an efficient switch for starting and stopping such
switch should be readily accessible and easily operated and so placed as to prevent danger.

17. Abnormal conditions

(1) All apparatus and conductors exposed to weather, corrosive atmosphere, or other adverse
conditions, shall be so constructed or protected as may be necessary to prevent danger arising from
such exposure.

(2) Where a conductor or apparatus is, or is likely to be, exposed to flammable surroundings or
an explosive atmosphere, it shall be protected by a flame‐proof enclosure or be otherwise do designed
and constructed as to prevent danger.

(3) In a situation which may normally be wet or damp, where electrical apparatus is present and
might give rise to danger and where there are substantial exposed metal parts of other services (such as
gas and water pipes, sinks and baths) the earth‐continuity conductor of the electrical installation shall be
effectively connected electrically and mechanically to all such metal parts and to exposed metalwork of
the electrical apparatus which is required by regulation 11 to be earthed.

18. Additional to installations

No addition, temporary or permanent, shall be made to authorised load of an existing

installation, unless it has been ascertained that the current rating and the condition of any existing
conductors and apparatus (including those of the supply undertaking) which will have to carry the
additional load are adequate for the increased loading, and that the earthing arrangements are also
adequate.

Division Two ‐ Rules to be observed for compliance with Division One

PART IV

Electrical generating plants, transformers and batteries

19. Generators room

(1) Where an electric supply is generated upon the consumer's premises, the generators, except
in the case of extra‐low voltage plant having a capacity not exceeding five kilowatts, shall conform in all
respects to the Nigerian Standard Specifications applicable to such machines.

(2) Generators other than flame‐proof, force‐drought, induced drought, or pipe‐ventilated

machines shall only be placed in a separate compartment that is adequately protected.

(3) Generators shall be placed in position in which they are not exposed to risk of mechanical
injury, or to damage from water, steam, or oil.

(4) Terminals of generators shall be so guarded that they cannot be accidentally touched or
short‐circuited.

(5) No unprotected woodwork, other than hardwood barriers, or any combustible materials
shall be within a distance of 300 mm (measured horizontally) from or within 1200 mm (measured
vertically) above or below the generators.

20. Storage batteries and controls

When apparatus is supplied from secondary batteries, the work of connecting such apparatus to
such batteries shall be done in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations which would govern
the connecting of such apparatus with a generating plant developing the same difference of potential.

21. Battery room

(1) Every battery shall be so arranged that a potential difference exceeding fifty volts does not
exist between adjacent cells without adequate protections against electrical hazard, and that each cell
shall be readily accessible from the top and from at least one side.

(2) In a lead‐sulphuric‐acid battery having more than 33 cells, and in a nickel‐iron alkaline
battery having more than 53 cells, shall be supported on glass or vitreous porcelain insulators. Where a
battery comprises more than 56 lead‐sulphuric‐acid cells or eight nickel‐ iron‐ alkaline cells the stands
also shall be insulated.

(3) Cells having containers not sealed or not provided with screw‐down covers shall be fitted
with spray‐arrestors.
 (4) Suitable means shall be provided for controlling the current with which a battery is being
charged. Such means shall comprise, as a minimum, an automatic cut‐in and cut‐out switch and fusible
cut‐out, or alternatively, a circuit‐breaker with overload and reverse‐current trips.

(5) The room in which batteries are placed shall be thoroughly ventilated.

22. Static transformers and choke coils

(1) Transformers and choke‐coils shall be either amply ventilated or else oil‐immersed. But in
situations where inflammable or explosive gases, dust or flying particles are liable to be present the
transformers shall be oil‐immersed.

(2) Transformers shall be in accordance with Nigerian Standard Specifications.

(3) Auto‐transformers, resistances shall not be used to reduce the voltage to low or extra‐low
voltage‐

(a) to supply general wiring in buildings; or

(b) for any other purpose where the low or extra‐low voltage circuit or apparatus has
exposed live metal with which it is possible for any person to make contact.

PART V

Temporary installations and installations on construction sites

23. General

Temporary installations and installations on construction sites shall comply in all respects with
the requirements of these Regulations for permanent installations and in addition with the
requirements of regulations 24 and 25.

24. Responsibility for installation

Every installation on a construction site, and every temporary installation other than an
installation in a private dwelling, shall be in the charge of a competent person, who shall accept full
responsibility for the safety of the installation, for its use, and for any alternation or extension thereto.
The name and designation of such person shall be prominently displayed close to the main switch or
circuit‐breaker of the installation.

25. Testing
 Every installation to which this section applies shall be inspected and tested in accordance with
the requirements of Part XII‐Testing, at intervals of three months or at such shorter periods as the
particular nature of the installation necessitates.

PART VI

Controls of supply to consumers installation

26. Supply control

(1) Every consumer installation shall be adequately controlled by switchgear readily acceptable
to the consumer which shall incorporate‐

(i) means of isolation; and

(ii) means of excess‐current protection; and

(iii) means of earth‐leakage protection.

(2) All such installations shall be easily accessible to the consumer and situated as near as
possible to‐

(i) the point or points of entry of the service main in the case of a public supply; or

(ii) the generator in the case of a private plant.

(3) In the case of a private plant where the building containing the generator is isolated from the
building in which the electricity is consumed, a main switch shall be installed at the point at which the
main cables enter the latter building. Where more than one building is supplied from a common main,
switches shall also be installed at each building.

(4) The means of isolation required by regulation 26 (1) shall comprise a linked switch suitable
for operation on load or a linked circuit‐breaker arranged to disconnect all circuit conductors of each
installation from the supply.

27A. Protection

(1) The means of excess‐current protection required by regulation 26 (1) shall comprise either a
fuse inserted in each live conductor of the supply, or circuit‐breaker having an excess‐current release
fitted in each live conductor of the supply.
 (2) Every means of excess‐current protection shall be suitable for the maximum short‐circuit
current attainable.

(3) The characteristics and settings of excess‐current protective gear, including fuses, and
arrangement of the installation, shall be such that discrimination in the operation of the excess‐current
protection gear is ensured.

(4) Throughout a 2‐wire installation connected to a source of supply having one pole connected
with earth, all fuses and single‐pole control devices, e.g. switch, circuit‐breaker, thermostats, and the
like, shall be connected in the live conductor only. This does not preclude the use of double‐pole linked
devices controlling both conductors of the supply.

(5) Throughout a 2‐wire installation connected to a source of supply having neither pole
connected with earth, every switch or circuit‐breaker shall be of the double‐pole linked type, and fuses
(where installed) shall be fitted in both poles.

(6) Every conductor in the installation shall be protected against excess current by a fuse or
circuit‐breaker fitted at the origin of the circuit of which the conductor forms part. The current rating of
every fuse used for this purpose shall not exceed that of the lower‐rated conductor in the circuit
protected, account being taken of the class of excess‐current protection afforded by the fuse. Every
circuit‐breaker used for this purpose shall operate when the circuit protected is subjected to a sustained
excess current of 1.5 times the rating (appropriate to this form of protection) of the lowest‐rated
conductor in the circuit. Sizes of fuse elements for semi‐enclosed fuses are given in Table 1 in Schedule
1.

27B. Cut‐out

(1) For low and medium voltage every cut‐out shall comply with regulation 27.

(2) It shall be provided with a suitable incombustible and insulating carrier for the fuse of such
shapes as to protect a person handling it from shock and burns; and contacts shall be provided on the
carrier to which the ends of the fuse can be readily attached.

(3) The base shall be provided with fixed circuit contacts of such shape as to retain the carrier in
position in the presence of vibration.

(4) The bus‐bars, fixed contacts, removable contacts, and fuses shall be so shielded as to protect
a person against contact with live metal when the fuse‐carrier is being inserted or removed.

28. Switchboard
 (1) Switchboards shall be constructed wholly of durable, non‐ignitable, non‐absorbent materials,
and all installations shall be permanently high strength and insulation resistance.

(2) All switchboards with metallic frames, shall be provided with suitable terminals, to which the
earthing lead shall be attached.

(3) The various exposed live parts of switchboards shall be so arranged by suitable spacing or
shielding with non‐ignitable insulating materials that an arc cannot be maintained between any such
parts or between such parts and earth. For voltage not exceeding 250 volts the minimum clearance
between the live metal parts of fuses of opposite polarity or phase, or between any live metal and any
earthed metal shall be 50 mm. For medium voltage the clearance shall not be less than 100 mm. Fuses
which on blowing expel the gas parallel to the axis of the fuse, and which are of opposite polarity or
phase, may be mounted one above the other if an insulating shield is fixed between them.

(4) The arrangements of all parts shall be such that the connections to all instruments and
apparatus can be readily traced.

(5) All parts, including connections, shall be readily accessible and no fuse, circuit‐breaker, or
switch other than an isolating switch shall be fixed on the back of the switch‐board panel if it is
necessary to operate the same from behind.

(6) All nuts or parts carrying over 25 amperes, shall be effectively locked so that they cannot
become loose.

(7) All bus‐bars and connections on switchboards shall be in accordance with relevant Nigerian
Standard Specifications.

(8) Where a scheme of colouring is employed to distinguish switchboard bus‐bars and

connections to individual poles or phases, such scheme of colouring shall be in accordance with relevant
Nigerian Standard Specifications.

(9) The arrangement of bus‐bars carrying alternating current shall be in accordance with
relevant Nigerian Standard Specifications.

(10) Conductors must be symmetrically placed and spaced apart, and so arranged that the
course of every conductor may be readily traced.

(11) All circuits, instruments, and important apparatus shall be clearly and indelibly labelled for
identification.

(12) Switches shall be so arranged that their blades or moving parts are disconnected from the
supply in the off position. They shall be so mounted that the top of the handle is at a height not
exceeding 2.3m above floor level.
 (13) In every case in which the switches and fuses are fitted on the same pole or phase these
switches shall preferably be so arranged that the fuses are disconnected from the supply when their
respective switches are in the "off" position.

(14) Where meters, service fuses, or other apparatus belonging to the supply authority are to be
mounted on a switchboard, loops shall be left in the leads of sufficient length to allow the ends of the
conductors to be properly connected by the supply authority.

(15) Each distribution board shall have fitted in or on its case or cover, or in an adjacent
conspicuous position, an indication of the circuit protected by each fuse or circuit‐breaker contained
therein and of the appropriate current rating for the circuit so protected.

(16) More than one phase supply shall be brought into a multi‐gang switch box.

(17) Where service meters are not mounted on the main switchboard they shall be mounted on
a substantial base.

(18) Where instrument transformers are used, and are easily accessible, all live metal shall be
effectively insulated.

29. Final sub‐circuits

(1) The number of points which may be supplied by a final sub‐circuit of rating not exceeding 15
amperes is limited by their aggregate demand as determined from Table 2 in Schedule 1; there shall be
no other allowance for diversity in the final sub‐circuit and the current rating of the cable must not be
exceeded.

(2) All socket outlets in any room shall be connected to the same phase (or pole of a 3‐wire
system).

(3) Where an installation comprises more than one final sub‐circuit, each shall be connected to a
separate way in a distribution board.

(4) The wiring of each final sub‐circuit shall be electrically separated from that of every other
final sub‐circuit. To facilitate disconnection of each sub‐circuit for testing, the neutral conductors shall
be connected at the distribution board in the same order as that in which the live conductors are
connected to the fuses or circuit‐breakers.

(5) A final sub‐circuit having a rating exceeding 15 amperes shall not supply more than one
point.

For the purpose of this regulation the following items may each be regarded as one point‐
 (i) a cooker control unit incorporating socket outlet;

(ii) a light fitting track system provided that individual light fittings are suitably
protected against excess current.

(6) To determine the rating of a final sub‐circuit supplying stationary cookers in domestic
premises, the current demand of each cooker shall be assessed not less than 30A. The minimum size of
cable should be 6 mm‐.

(7) Every stationary cooking appliance in domestic premises shall be controlled by a switch
separate from the appliance and installed within 2m of the appliance.

30. Diversity

(1) Diversity shall not be allowed for when calculating the size of circuit conductors and switch‐
gear of final sub‐circuits, other to the extent specifically permitted by regulations for final sub‐circuits,
for cooking appliances.

(2) Diversity may be allowed for when calculating the size of circuit conductors and switch‐gear
and circuits other than final sub‐circuits provided this is justified by known or anticipated conditions.

NOTE.‐Allowance for diversity is a matter calling for special knowledge and experience and the
application of diversity should be decided by the engineer responsible for designing each particular
installation.

31. Ring and radial circuit

(1) In domestic installations either radial or ring final sub‐circuit conforming with Table 3 may be
installed to serve socket outlets complying with relevant Nigerian Standard Organisation's Specification
and Stationary appliances of rating not exceeding 13 amperes provided that the general requirements of
regulations and in case of ring sub‐circuits, the special requirements of regulations 31 (5) to 31 (11) are
met.

(2) Each socket outlet of a twin or multiple socket outlet unit shall be counted as one socket for
the purpose of regulation 31 (1) and Table 3.

(3) A stationary appliance connected permanently (i.e. not through a plug and socket outlet) to a
radial or ring final sub‐circuit conforming with regulation 31 (1) shall be locally protected by a fuse of
rating not exceeding 13 amperes and controlled by a switch or protected by a circuit‐breaker of rating
not exceeding 15 amperes.

(4) The conductor sizes tabulated in Table 3 in Schedule 1 are minimum and shall be increased if
necessary where circuits are installed in groups or in conditions of high ambient temperature, taking
account of the class of excess‐current protection provided. In such circumstances it must be ensured
that‐

(i) for radial final sub‐circuit, the current rating of the conductors is not less than
that of the fuse or circuit‐breaker protecting the final sub‐circuit; and

(ii) for ring final sub‐circuits, the current of the conductors forming the ring is not
less than 0.67 times the rating of the fuse or circuit‐breaker protecting the final
sub‐circuit.

(5) Each circuit conductor of a ring final sub‐circuit shall be run in the form of a ring,
commencing from a way in a distribution board (or its equivalent), looping into the terminals of socket
outlets and joint boxes (if any) connected in the ring and returning to the same way of the distribution
board.

(6) Except where a ring final sub‐circuit is run throughout in metallic conduit, ducts or trunking,
or in metal‐sheathed cable, the earth‐continuity conductor shall also be run in the form of a ring having
both ends connected to earth at the distribution board (or its equivalent).

(7) Each ring final sub‐circuit conductor shall be looped into every socket‐outlet or joint box
which forms parts of the ring and shall either remain unbroken throughout its length or, alternatively, if
the conductor is cut, its electrical continuity shall be ensured by joints complying with regulations 50 to
52.

(8) For ring final sub‐circuits complying with regulation 31 (1) to 31 (4) the total number of spurs
shall not exceed the total number of socket‐outlets and stationary appliances connected directly in the
ring.

(9) For ring final sub‐circuits complying with regulation 31 (1) to 31 (4) fused spurs shall be
connected through fused spur boxes. The rating of the fuse shall not exceed that of the cable forming
the spur and in any event shall not exceed 13 amperes.

The total current demand of points served by a fused spur shall not exceed 13 amperes.

(10) For ring final sub‐circuits complying with regulation 31 (1) to 31 (4), non‐fused spurs shall
be connected to the ring at the terminals of socket‐outlets or at joint boxes or at the origin of the ring in
the distribution board. Non‐fused spurs shall have a current rating not less than that of the conductors
forming the ring. Not more than two socket‐outlets, or one twin socket‐outlet, or one stationary
appliance, shall be fed from each non‐fused spur.

(11) In domestic premises, a ring final sub‐circuit may serve an unlimited number of points but
shall not serve an area of more than 100m2. Where two or more ring final sub‐circuits are installed, the
socket‐outlets and stationary appliance to be served shall be reasonably distributed among the separate
ring final sub‐circuits.
 (12) For industrial, commercial and other non‐domestic installations radial and ring final sub‐
circuits otherwise conforming with the requirements of regulation 31 (1) to 31 (10) may be installed
where, owing to diversity, the maximum demand of apparatus to be connected is estimated not to
exceed the corresponding fuse or circuit‐breaker rating set out in Table 3 in Schedule 1.

(13) Provision shall be made so that every portable appliance and portable light fitting can be
fed from an adjacent, conveniently accessible socket‐outlet.

NOTE l.‐In industrial and commercial premises it may be desirable to provide pilot lamps to indicate
when portable non‐luminous heating appliances such as smoothing irons and soldering irons, are in
operation.

NOTE 2.‐For hand‐held appliances which are likely to be used out of doors or in damp situations,
attention is drawn to the added safety which can be obtained by the use of a double‐wound transformer
having a reduced secondary voltage or alternatively by the use monitored earth‐continuity circuits.

31B. Control of socket‐outlets and appliances

(1) Where the supply is direct current, each socket‐outlet shall be controlled by a switch
immediately adjacent thereto or combined therewith. Where the supply is alternating current and the
plug is readily withdrawable, such a switch need not be provided.

(2) An appliance or light fitting connection to an installation other than by means of a plug and
socket outlet shall be controlled by a switch or switches which shall be arranged to disconnect all live
supply conductors. For an appliance fitted with heating elements which can be touched or into which
more than one phase of the supply is introduced, the switch shall be a linked switch arranged to break
all the circuit conductors.

(3) The switch required by regulation 31B (2) shall be separate from the appliance or light fitting
in a readily accessible position subject to the provisions of regulations 31B (4), 31B (5) or 31B (6) where
applicable.

(4) The switch required by regulation 31B (2) may be mounted on the appliance or light fittings
provided the connections are so arranged that the appliance or light fitting can be dismantled for
maintenance without thereby exposing any part which remain live when the switch is open. Any
conductors or cables which then remain live shall be as short as possible, separated from any other
conductors or cables by screens of earthed metal or suitable barriers of insulating material and so
installed that they are not adversely affected by any heat from the appliance or light fitting.

(5) Where regulation 168 requires a switch to be situated so as to be normally inaccessible to a

person who is using a bath or shower, it is admissible for the switch to be placed in a suitable position
outside and immediately adjacent to the normal access door of the room, or to be of the type operated
by an insulating cord.
 (6) The switch or switches providing control of comprehensive space cooling, or lighting
installations, comprising more than one appliance or light fitting may be installed in a separate room.

32. Motor circuits

(1) Every electric motor shall be provided with means for starting and stopping, the latter so
placed as to be easily operated by the person in charge of the motor.

(2) Every electric motor shall be provided with the control apparatus specified in items (i) to (iii)
below‐

(i) means to prevent automatic restarting after a stoppage due to a drop in voltage
or failure of supply, where unexpected restarting of the motor might cause
danger;

(ii) where more than one method of manually stopping a motor is provided and
danger might be caused by the unexpected restarting of the motor, or of a
machine being driven by the motor, means to prevent restarting until every
stopping device has been reset;

(iii) means of isolation suitably placed and so connected that all voltage may
thereby be cut off from the motor and all apparatus, including any automatic
circuit‐breaker, used therewith. If this means of isolation is remote from a
motor, an additional means of isolation adjacent to the motor shall be installed
or, alternatively, provisions shall be made for the primary means of isolation to
be locked in the "off" position.

(3) Every electric motor having a rating exceeding 0.37 kW shall be provided with control
apparatus incorporating a suitable device affording protection against excess current in the motor or in
the cables between the device and the motor. The supply authority shall be consulted regarding starting
arrangements for motors requiring heavy starting current.

(4) Cables carrying the starting, accelerating and load current of a motor shall be of rating at
least equal to the full‐load current rating of the motor when rated in accordance with the relevant
Nigerian Standard Specifications.

(5) A final sub‐circuit supplying a motor shall be protected in accordance with the requirements
of regulation 27A (6), unless regulation 32 (6) applies.

(6) Where a starter is provided which affords protection against excess current in a motor and in
the cables between the starter and the motor, the rating of the fuse or circuit‐breaker protecting the
final sub‐circuit which supplies the motor may be up to twice that of the cable between the fuse or
circuit‐breaker and the starter.
 (7) The size of the cables for the motor circuits of slip‐ring or commutator induction motors shall
be suitable for the starting and load conditions.

PART VII

Conductors and cables

33. Materials and type of cable

(1) All conductors for internal wiring other than the outer conductors of earthed concentric
systems shall be of annealed copper, and shall conform to Nigerian Standard Specifications.

(2) Every non‐flexible cable for use as fixed wiring operating at low and medium voltage shall be
selected from one of the following types and shall comply with the appropriate Nigerian Standard
Specifications so far as this is applicable. In cables of every type, conductors of cross‐sectional area 10
mm2 or less shall be of copper or copper‐clad aluminium. Any of the types of cable sheathed with p.v.c.
or lead, or having a h.o.f.r. sheath, if intended for aerial suspension, may incorporate a catenary wire‐

(i) non‐armoured p.v.c. insulated cables;

(ii) armoured p.v.c. insulated cables;

(iii) split‐concentric copper‐conductor p.v.c. insulated cables;

(iv) rubber insulated cables;

(v) impregnated‐paper‐insulated cables, lead‐sheathed or aluminium sheathed;

(vi) mineral‐insulated metal‐sheathed cables.

(3) Bus‐bars and bus‐bar connections on switchboards shall comply with Nigerian Standard
Specifications. The requirement does not apply to bus‐bar trunking system.

(4) Every conductor for use as an overhead line shall be selected from one of the following types
and shall comply with the appropriate Nigerian Standard Specifications‐

(i) hard‐drawn copper or cadmium‐copper conductors;

(ii) hard‐drawn aluminium and steel‐cored aluminium conductors;

(iii) aluminium‐alloy conductors;

(iv) insulated conductors for overhead power lines.

 (5) Every flexible cable and flexible cord for use at low and medium voltage shall be selected
from one of the following types and shall comply with the appropriate Nigerian Standard Specifications
so far as this is applicable.

This regulation does not apply to a flexible cord forming part of a portable appliance or light fitting
where the appliance or light fitting as a whole is the subject of and complies with Nigerian Standard
Specifications, or to special flexible cables and flexible cords for combining power and
telecommunication wiring‐

(i) insulated flexible cords;

(ii) rubber‐insulated flexible cables;

(iii) insulated flexible cables (non‐armoured);

(iv) braided travelling cables for lifts;

(v) rubber‐insulated flexible trailing cables for quarries and miscellaneous mines.
Such rubber‐insulated flexible cables and flexible cords, may incorporate a
flexible armour of galvanised steel or phosphor‐bronze, or a screen of tinned
copper‐wire braid.

(6) All cables, including flexible cables and flexible cords, for use at extra‐low voltage shall have
adequate insulation, and further protection if necessary, to ensure that they do not cause risk of fire.

34. Choice of type of installation

(1) The type of insulation, and protective covering if any, of every cable for fixed wiring shall be
selected so as to allow compliance with the requirements of this section as to precaution against
mechanical damage by heat, fire or explosion, and damp and corrosion.

(2) Cables insulated and/or sheathed with general‐purpose p.v.c., shall not be installed in
refrigerated spaces or other situations where the temperature is considered consistently below 0 oC.

(3) Single‐core cables armoured with steel wire or tape shall not be used for a.c.

(4) Every flexible cable and flexible cord shall be selected from one of the following types‐

(i) braided circular;

(ii) un‐kinkable;

(iii) circular sheathed;

(iv) flat‐twin sheathed;

 (v) braided circular twin and three‐core, insulated with glass fibre;

provided that these types shall be used only in dry situations for light fittings or for other applications
where the cord is not subject to abrasion or undue flexing.

(5) Flexible cables and flexible cords, where they are exposed to risk of mechanical damage,
shall as a minimum be of a type sheathed with rubber or p.v.c. and where necessary shall also be
armoured.

(6) Flexible cables and flexible cords which in normal use are exposed to risk of contact with
water shall be of a type sheathed with rubber or p.v.c.

(7) Where flexible cables or flexible cords are exposed to risk of contact with oil or petrol, or
where cable which will not support combustion is required, use shall be made of cables or cords having
a p.v.c., h.o.f.r. or oil resisting and flame retardant sheath.

35. Voltage rating and conductor sizes

The voltage rating of every cable shall be not less than the declared or nominal voltage of the
circuit.

36. The size of every bare conductor or cable conductor shall be such that its current rating as
stated in Tables 15‐3 and or the Preface thereto, after the application of any factors appropriate to the
type of cable, the conditions of installation, and the class of excess‐current protection provided it is not
less than the maximum sustained current which will normally flow through it. This regulation does not
apply to certain conductors on switchboards.

(2) No cable having a conductor of normal sectional area less than 1 mm2 and no flexible cord
having a conductor of nominal sectional area less than 0.75 mm2 shall be used.

(3) Service mains shall be stranded, and shall have a carrying capacity not less than the
maximum demand of the installation, but in no case shall they be smaller than 6 mm2.

37. (1) Where the maximum demand is not readily ascertainable it shall be assessed as follows‐

Lighting Two thirds of connected load.

Heating (including cooking and cooling) Three quarters of connected load.

Power:

One motor Total connected load.

 Two motors Three quarters of connected load.

Exceeding two and not exceeding five motors Two thirds of connected load.

Exceeding five motors One half of connected load.

(2) Where electrical energy is used for more than one purpose the maximum demand shall be
assessed by adding together the figures obtained from the above calculations.

(3) The earthing‐lead shall be stranded cable or flat copper, the latter not less than 19 mm wide
by 3 mm. No conductor of a cross‐sectional areas less than 6 mm2 shall be used as an earthing lead.

38. (1) Every conductor used as earth continuity conductors shall have cross‐sectional area of not
less than the cross‐sectional area of the largest live conductor but in any case not less than 1.5 mm2

(2) Cables connected in parallel shall be of the same type, size and length, to ensure proper
division of the current.

(3) The size of every bare conductor or cable conductor shall be such that the drop in the
voltage from the consumer's terminals to any point in the installation does not exceed 2.5% of the
declared or nominal voltage when the conductors are carrying the full load current, but disregarding
starting conditions. This requirement shall not apply to wiring fed from an extra‐low‐voltage secondary
of a transformer.

(4) Where allowance is made for diversity, it may be taken into account in calculating voltage
drop.

General installation

39. Protection against damages

(1) All conductors and cables shall be adequately protected against any risk of mechanical
damage to which they may be liable in normal conditions of service.

(2) Where cables pass through holes in metalwork, precautions shall be taken to prevent
abrasion of the cables on any sharp edges.

(3) Non‐sheathed cables shall be protected by enclosures in conduit, duct or trunking.

(4) Cables shall not be run in a lift (or hoist) shaft unless they form a part of the lift installation.
Cables of lift installations, other than travelling cables, in such a shaft shall be‐

(i) armoured; or

(ii) mineral‐insulated, metal‐sheathed; or

 (iii) of a type having a h.o.f.r. or oil‐resisting and flame‐retardant shaft; or

(iv) enclosed in metal conduit, duct or trunking, high impact rigid p.v.c. conduit, or
otherwise effectively protected against mechanical damage.

40. Bending and supports

The internal radius of every bend in a cable shall be not less than the appropriate value stated in
Table 4.

41. Every cable installed in or on a building shall be supported by one of the methods described
below and supports shall be so arranged that there is no appreciable mechanical strain on any cable
termination‐

(i) for non‐sheathed cables, installation in conduit without further fixing of the
cables, provided that precautions are taken against undue compression of the
insulation at the top of any vertical runs exceeding 5m in length;

(ii) for non‐sheathed cables, installation in trunking without further fixing of the
cables, provided that vertical runs shall not exceed 5m in length without
intermediate support;

(iii) for sheathed and/or armoured cables installed in accessible positions,

supported by clips at appropriate spacings;

(iv) for cables of any type, resting without fixing in horizontal runs of ducts or
trunking;

(v) for sheathed and/or armoured cables in horizontal runs which are inaccessible
and unlikely to be disturbed, resting without fixing on part of a building
provided that the surface is dry and reasonably smooth;

(vi) for sheathed‐and‐armoured cables in vertical runs which are inaccessible and
unlikely to be disturbed, support at the top of the run by a clip and a rounded
support of a radius not less than the appropriate value stated in Table 4;

(vii) for sheathed cables without armour in vertical runs which are inaccessible and
unlikely to be disturbed, support by the method described in item (vi) above:
provided that the length of run without intermediate support shall not exceed
2m for a lead/sheathed cable or 5m for a rubber or p.v.c. sheathed cable;
 (viii) for rubber or p.v.c. sheathed cables, installation in conduit without further fixing
of the cables, provided that any vertical runs shall be in conduit of suitable size
and shall not exceed 5m in length;

(ix) for rubber or p.v.c. sheathed cables installed as surface wiring, clips shall be
spaced at intervals not exceeding 200 mm;

(x) support by a catenary wire incorporated in the cable during manufacture,

provided that the spacings between supports shall not exceed those stated by
the manufacturer;

(xi) for flexible cords used as pendants, attachment to a ceiling rose or similar
accessory by the cord‐grip or other method of strain relief provided in the
accessory;

(xii) for cables of the types described in item (i) and (iii) of regulation 39 (4) in lift
shafts, support by clips at spacings not exceeding 1m.

42. Protection against heat

Every cable shall be so selected and installed as to be suitable for operation under such ambient
temperatures of its surroundings as are likely to occur, which shall not exceed the appropriate value
stated by the manufacturer, account being taken of any transfer or heat from any accessory, appliance
(e.g. immersion heater or other appliance) or lighting fitting to which cable or flexible cord is connected.

43. Flammable and explosive locations

If it is necessary to install cables in a situation where flammable and/or explosive, dust,

flammable volatile liquid or vapour or gas is likely to be present, or where explosive materials are
handled or stored, one or more of the following types of wiring systems shall be used. This regulation
does not apply to cables of intrinsically‐safe circuits; nor does it normally apply to adequately ventilated
battery rooms or garages‐

(i) cables in solid‐drawn or seam‐welded conduit;

(ii) lead‐sheathed, steel‐armoured cable;

(iii) mineral‐insulated cable or copper‐sheathed cable;

(iv) armoured p.v.c. insulated cable having an overall extruded covering of p.v.c.
provided that this type shall not be buried direct in ground which may be
contaminated by flammable volatile liquid.
44. Where cables, conduits, dust or trunking pass through floors, walls, partitions or ceilings, the
surrounding hole shall be made good with cement or similar fire‐resisting material to the full thickness
of the floor, wall, etc., and space through which fire or smoke might spread shall not be left around the
cable, conduit, duct or trunking. In addition, where cables, conduits or conductors are installed in the
channels, duct, trunking, or shafts which pass through floors, walls, partitions or ceilings, suitable
internal fire‐resisting barriers shall be provided to prevent the spread of fire.

45. Damp and corrosive situations

(1) Every cable shall be installed where it will not be exposed to rain, dripping water, condensed
water, accumulations of water or oil, or corrosive substance; or shall be of a type designed to withstand
such explosive.

(2) In damp situations and wherever they are exposed to the weather all metal sheaths and
armour of cables, metal conduit, duct, or trunking, and clips and their fixings, shall be of corrosion‐
resisting material or finish and shall not be placed in contact with other metals with which they are
liable to set up electrolytic action; conduit, if of steel shall be galvanised heavy‐gauge. This regulation
does not normally apply to conduit buried in plaster.

46. (1) Armoured p.v.c. insulated cables and mineral‐insulated metal‐sheathed cables installed in
damp situations or in concrete ducts or wherever

[EDITORIAL NOTE: Full text of this subsection is not available at the time of printing this publication. This
text will be inserted and issued to subscribers in subsequent updates.]

(2) Aluminium‐sheathed cables installed in underground pipes or in concrete ducts shall be

provided with a corrosion‐resistant finish.

47. Segregation of circuits

Where an installation comprises extra low‐voltage or telecommunication or fire‐alarm circuits, as well as

circuits operating at low voltage and connected directly to a mains supply system, precautions shall be
taken to prevent electrical contact between the cables of the various types of circuit.

48. (1) Types of circuit described in these Regulations are divided into categories as follows‐
(a) Category I circuits:‐circuits (other than fire alarm circuits) operating at low voltage and supplied
directly from a mains supply system.

(b) Category II circuits:‐with the expectation of fire‐alarm circuits all extra low‐voltage circuits; and
telecommunication circuits (e.g. radio, telephone, sound‐distribution, burglar‐alarm, bell and call
circuits) which are not supplied directly from a mains supply system.

(c) Category III circuits: ‐fire‐alarm circuits.

(2) Cables of Category I circuits shall not be drawn into the same conduit or duct as cables of Category II
circuits, unless the latter cables are insulated in accordance with the requirements of these Regulations
for the highest voltage present in the Category I circuits.

(3) Cables of Category I circuits shall not in any circumstance be drawn into the same conduit or duct as
cables of Category III circuits.

49A. (1) Where a common channel or trunking is used to contain cables of Category I circuits, and
Category II circuits, all cables connected to Category I circuits shall be effectually partitioned from the
cables of the Category II circuits, or alternatively the latter cables shall be insulated in accordance with
the requirements of these Regulations for the highest voltage present in the Category I circuits. Where a
common channel or trunking is used to contain cables of Category I and Category III circuits, the two
Categories of circuits shall be separated by continuous partitions of fire‐resisting material; provided that
this requirement shall not apply where the Category III circuits are wired in mineral‐insulated metal‐
sheathed cable.

(2) In conduit, duct, or trunking systems, where controls or outlets for Category I and Category II circuits
are mounted in or on common boxes, switch‐plates or blocks, the cables and connections of the two
Categories of circuits shall be partitioned by means of rigid fixed screens or barriers. At any common
outlets in a trunking system for Category I and Category III circuits, the two categories of circuits shall be
separated by continuous partitious of fire‐resisting material.

(3) Where cores of Category I and Category II circuits are contained in a common multi‐core cable,
flexible cable or flexible cord, the cores of the Category II circuits shall be insulated individually or
collectively as a group, in accordance with the requirements of these Regulations, for the highest
voltage present in the Category I circuits, or alternatively shall be separated from the cores of the
Category I circuits by an earthed metal braid of equivalent current‐carrying capacity to that of the cores
of the Category I circuits. Where terminations of the two categories of circuits are mounted in or on
common boxes, switch‐plates or blocks, they shall be partitioned in accordance with regulations or
alternatively be mounted on separated and distinct terminal blocks adequately marked to indicate their
functions.

(4) Cores of Category I and Category III circuits shall not in any circumstances be contained in a common
multi‐core cable, flexible cable or flexible cord.

(5) Metal sheaths and armour of all cables operating at low voltage, and metal conduits, ducts and
trunking and bare earth‐continuity conductors associated with such cables, which might otherwise come
into fortuitous contact with other fixed metalwork shall be either effectually segregated therefrom, or
effectually bonded thereto so as to prevent appreciable voltage differences at such possible points of
contact. Electrical services shall not be installed in the same conduit or trunking as pipes or tubes of
non‐electrical services e.g. air, gas, oil or water.

49B. Identification of conductors

(1) Every non‐flexible single‐core cable and every core of a twin or multi‐core cable for use as
fixed wiring shall be identifiable at its terminations and preferably throughout its length, by the
appropriate method described in items (a) to (d) below.

This regulation does not apply to special cables designed for heating‐

(a) for rubber and p.v.c. insulated cables, the use of core colours in accordance with the
requirements of Table SA of Schedule 1 or the application at terminations of sleeves or
discs of the appropriate colours prescribed in the Table;

(b) for armoured p.v.c. insulated cables as an alternative to the method described in items
(a) above, the use of numbered cores; provided that the numbers 1, 2 and 3 shall signify
live conductors, the number 0 the neutral conductor, and the number 4 the fifth
(special‐purpose) core, if any;

(c) for paper‐insulated cables, the use of numbered cores, provided that the numbers 1, 2
and 3 shall signify live conductors, the number 0 the neutral conductor, and the number
4 the fifth (special‐purpose) core, if any;

(d) for mineral‐insulated cables, the application at terminations of sleeves or discs of the
appropriate colours prescribed in Table 5A Schedule 1.
 (2) Bare conductors shall be made identifiable where necessary by the application of sleeves or
discs of the appropriate colours prescribed in Table 5A Schedule 1 or by painting with those colours.

(3) Any scheme of colouring used in a consumer's installation to identify switchboard bus‐bars
or poles shall comply with the requirements of Table 5A so far as these are applicable.

(4) The cores of every flexible cable including a flexible cord, shall be coloured throughout in
accordance with the requirements of Table 5B Schedule 1. The colour combination green and yellow is
reserved exclusively for identification of earthing conductors and shall not be used for any other
purpose. This regulation does not apply to p.v.c. insulated parallel‐twin non‐sheathed flexible cords.

(5) Flexible cables or flexible cords having the following core colours shall not be used: green
alone; yellow allow alone; or any bicolour other than the colour combination green and yellow
mentioned in regulation 49 (4).

50. Terminations

(1) All terminations of cable conductors and bare conductors shall be mechanically and
electrically sound.

(2) Every connection at a cable termination shall be made by means of a terminal, soldering
socket, or compression‐type socket; shall securely contain and anchor all the wires of the conductor,
and shall not impose any appreciable mechanical strain on the terminal or socket.

(3) An aluminium conductor shall not be placed in contact with a terminal of brass or other
metal having a high copper content, unless the terminal is suitably plated or other suitable precautions
are taken to prevent corrosion.

(4) At every cable termination, the insulation shall be removed no further than is necessary for
compliance with regulation 50 (2).

(5) At every cable termination, any braid, tape, sheath, or armour over the insulation shall be
cut back from the end of the insulation, as may be necessary to prevent undue leakage from live parts of
the braid, tape, sheath, or armour. This regulation does not apply to mineral‐insulated cables.

(6) In any situation, the exposed conductor and insulation of cables insulated with impregnated
paper shall be protected from ingress of moisture by being suitably sealed.

(7) The ends of mineral‐insulated metal‐sheathed cables shall be protected from moisture by
being suitably sealed and the insulation shall be thoroughly dry before the sealing material is applied.
Such sealing material, and any material used to insulate the conductors where they emerge from the
insulation, shall have adequate insulating and moisture proofing properties, and shall retain these
properties throughout the range of temperatures to which the cable is subjected in service.
 (8) Soldering fluxes which remain acidic or corrosive at the completion of the soldering
operation shall not be used.

51. (1) Where a non‐metallic outlet box of thermoplastic material (e.g. p.v.c.) is used for the
suspension of, or is in contact with, a light fitting, care shall be taken to ensure that the temperature of
the box does not exceed 60°C. The mass suspended from the box shall not exceed 3 kg.

(2) The termination of cables in a situation where flammable and/or explosive dust, flammable
volatile liquid or vapour or gas is likely to be present, or where explosive materials are handled or
stored, shall be avoided wherever possible. Otherwise, the terminal shall be enclosed in a flame‐proof
fitting or alternatively, where methods are employed for avoiding the explosion hazard other than by
the use of flame‐proof equipment the terminations shall be enclosed in a box suitable for such use.

(3) Cable glands shall securely retain the outer sheath or armour of the cables without damage
to these, and where necessary shall incorporate adequate means of maintaining earth continuity
between the sheath or armour and the threaded fixing component of the gland.

52. Cable joints

(1) Where joints in cable conductors and bare conductors are necessary they shall be
mechanically and electrically sound. Joints in non‐flexible cables shall be accessible for inspection
provided that this requirement shall not apply to joints in cables buried underground, or joints buried or
enclosed in non‐combustible building material so that no danger can arise. Joints in non‐flexible cables
shall be made by soldering, brazing, welding, or mechanical clamps, or be of the compression type;
provided that mechanical clamps shall not be used for inaccessible joints buried, or enclosed in the
building structure. All mechanical clamps and compression‐type sockets shall securely retain all the
wires of the conductors.

(2) Every joint in a cable shall be provided with insulation not less effective than that of the
cable cores and shall be protected against moisture and against mechanical damage. Soldering fluxes
which remain acidic or corrosive at completion of soldering operation shall not be used.

(3) For joints in paper‐insulated metal‐sheathed cables, a wiped metal sleeve or joint box, filled
with insulating compound, shall be provided.

Wiring systems

53. (1) Bare or lightly‐insulated conductors may be installed in buildings for the following purposes
only‐

(i) earth continuity conductors, earthing leads;

 (ii) the external conductors of earthed concentric wiring systems;

(iii) conductors of extra‐low voltage systems;

(iv) protected rising‐main and bus‐bar system;

(v) collector wires for travelling cranes or trolleys or for similar purposes.

(2) Bare or lightly‐insulated conductors of extra‐low voltage systems shall have adequate
insulators, and further protection where necessary, to ensure that they do not cause risk of fire.

54. (1) Where bare conductors are used for rising‐main and bus‐bar systems operating at low
voltage, they shall‐

(a) be so installed that they are inaccessible to unauthorised persons and either be totally
enclosed in earthed metal or fixed in a channel, trunking, or shaft specially provided for
the purpose; and

(b) be of adequate strength to withstand the electro‐mechanical forces that may be set up
by the prospective short‐circuit current; and

(c) be free to expand and contract, as the temperature changes, without detriment to
themselves or to any other part of the installation; and

(d) where they pass through floors, walls, partitions, or ceilings, they shall pass through
directly and be protected by enclosure in non‐absorbent, non‐combustible insulating
material, unless earthed metal trunking is used.

(2) Bare collector wires of the type described in item (v) of regulation 53 (1) which are
necessarily exposed in normal service shall be efficiently protected against contact by screens or barriers
or by adequate clearance. At each position for such wires, suitable straining gear fitted with double
insulation shall be provided.

55. Metal sheathed and armoured cables

All metal sheaths and armour of cables and associated accessories shall be earthed in
accordance with these Regulations. Where non‐metal joint boxes are used with metal sheathed and or
armoured cables, the continuity shall be maintained by a metal bonding strip or similar means having a
resistance not higher than that of an equivalent length of metal cable sheath or, (for armoured non‐
metal sheathed cables), the armour of the largest cable entering the box.
56. Paper insulated cables

Paper insulated cables shall be of a non‐draining type which will comply with appropriate
Nigerian standard, where migration of the impregnating compound would otherwise be liable to occur.

57. Conduits systems

(1) The conduits for each circuit shall be completely erected before any cable is drawn in. This
requirement does not apply to prefabricated flexible conduit systems which are not wired in situ.

(2) Conduits shall be securely fixed, and where they are liable to mechanical damage they shall
be adequately protected.

(3) Inspection type conduit fittings such as inspection boxes, draw boxes, elbows, and tees, shall
be so installed that they can remain accessible for such purposes as the withdrawal of existing cables or
the installing of additional cables.

58. The number of single core rubber insulated, braided and compounded cable, or p.v.c. insulated
non‐sheathed cables run in one conduit shall be such as to permit of easy drawing in. The number of
cables drawn in shall not be greater than the appropriate number given in Table 6 or Table 7 of Schedule
1 as applicable. For types of cables having larger overall diameters than those shown in the Table,
appropriate reduction shall be made in the number of cables drawn in. For groups of cables other than
those provided in Tables 6 and 7, the number and sizes of the cables installed shall be such that a space
factor of 40% is not exceeded. The number stated in the tables, and the space of 40% relate to conduit
runs incorporating not more than two 90o bends or radius not less than that specified for normal bends
or for runs having more bends than this or having opposing adjacent bends or for runs containing
additional sets or other restrictions, appropriate reduction shall be made in the number of cables
installed.

59. (1) The use of solid (non‐inspection) conduit, elbows of tees shall be restricted to‐

(a) locations at the ends of conduits immediately behind a light fitting, outlet box or
accessory of the inspection type; or

(b) one solid elbow located at a position not more than 500 mm from a readily accessible
outlet point provided that all other bends in the conduit run are not more than the
equivalent of one right angle.

(2) Ends of lengths of conduits shall be so reamed and where they terminate at boxes, trunking
and accessories not fitted with spout entries, shall be so bushed, as to obviate abrasion of cables.
 (3) Substantial boxes of ample capacity shall be provided at every junction involving a cable
connection in a conduit system. Where non‐metallic conduits are used, and where metal conduits are
terminated, boxes may be of non‐absorbent, non‐flammable material other than metal. All unused
conduit entries shall be blanked off, and all removable covers firmly secured to provide complete
enclosure.

(4) Conduit systems not intended to be gas‐tight shall be self‐ventilating, and drainage outlets
shall be provided at any points in the installation where condensed moisture might otherwise collect.

60. Metal conduit: special requirement

(1) Metal conduit and fittings for use in wiring systems shall comply with Nigerian Standard
Specifications for rigid steel conduits and fittings, for flexible steel conduits and adaptors and for
aluminium or zinc‐base‐alloy conduits and fittings as appropriate. Where steel pipes are used as
conduits, they shall comply with appropriate Nigerian Standard Specifications and shall have a
corrosion‐resistant finish inside and outside.

(2) Metal conduit systems shall be earthed. All joints shall be made mechanically and electrically
continuous by screwing or by substantial mechanical clamps, or by inserts but plain slip or pin‐grip
sockets shall not be used.

(3) For the purpose of these Regulations, flexible steel conduits having an outer sheath of
insulating material (e.g., p.v.c.) shall be deemed to be metal conduits.

(4) Cables of a.c. circuits installed in steel shall always be so bunched that the cables of all
phases and the neutral conductor (if any) are contained in the same conduit.

61. Non‐metal conduit: special requirement

(1) Rigid non‐metallic conduits and conduit fittings for use therewith shall comply with relevant
Nigerian Standard Specifications as appropriate.

(2) Non‐metallic systems shall be used only where it is ensured that they are suitable for the
extremes of ambient temperatures to which they are likely to be subject in service, and where used,
earth continuity conductor shall be installed throughout the system.

(3) The method of support for rigid p.v.c. conduit shall allow for the longitudinal expansion and
contraction of the conduits which may occur with variation of temperature under normal operating
conditions.

(4) For the purpose of these Regulations, conduits comprising metal parts having an inner and
outer covering of insulating material are deemed to be non‐metallic conduits, provided that effective
precautions are taken to prevent the metal parts of the conduits at their ends from coming into contact
with any other metal parts.

62. (1) Flexible metal conduit and fittings shall comply in all respects with relevant Nigerian
Standard Specifications. Flexible non‐metallic conduit shall comply with relevant Nigerian Standard
Specifications and fittings for use therewith shall also comply with the relevant Nigerian Standard
Specifications.

(2) (a) Flexible metal conduit shall not be used as the sole means of providing earth continuity,
and a separate earth‐continuity conductor complying with the requirements of Nigerian Standard
Specifications shall be provided for every part of a system formed by such conduit.

(b) Where necessary, flexible conduit shall be adequately supported.

63. Pre‐fabricated conduit, duct and trunking systems

(1) In the prefabrication of conduit systems which are not to be wired in situ, adequate
allowance shall be made for variations in building dimensions so that the conduits or cables are not
subjected to tension or other strain during installation. Adequate precautions shall also be taken against
damage to such systems during installation and any subsequent building operations, especially against
deformation of the conduits and damage to any exposed cable ends.

(2) Ducts of metal or insulating material, and trunking, shall be securely fixed, and where they
are liable to mechanical damage they shall be adequately protected.

(3) Trunking shall be constructed of metal or non‐combustible insulating material.

(4) Cables of a.c. circuits installed in steel ducts or trunking shall always be so bunched that the
cables of all phases and the neutral conductor (if any) are contained in the same duct or trunking.

(5) Every entry to finished ducts or trunking shall be so placed as to prevent the ingress of water,
or be protected against such ingress. All removable covers shall be securely fixed after wiring is
completed.

(6) Every outlet for cables from a duct system, every joint in such a system, and every joint
between such a system and another type of duct or conduit, shall be so formed that the joints are
mechanically sound and that the cables drawn in are not liable to suffer abrasion.

(7) Every bend formed in a concrete duct (whether or not formed by channels or formers
retained in position after the concrete has set) shall be of an inner radius not less than four times the
diameter of the completed duct.
 (8) Ducts cast in situ in concrete, by means of a suitable form laid before the concrete is poured,
into which cables are to be drawn (whether or not former are retained in position after the concrete has
set) shall be so formed that the radial thickness of concrete or screed surrounding the cross‐section of
the completed duct is not less than 15 mm at every point. Where all or any part of the completed duct is
formed by the concrete or screed, rubber‐insulated, braided and compounded cables, non‐sheathed
p.v.c.‐insulated cables are installed in this type of duct and there is a risk that the duct may become
damp, the cable shall be of a type having overall extruded covering of p.v.c.

(9) The number of cables to be installed in ducts shall be such as will permit easy drawing‐in
without damage to the cables and shall be such that a space factor of 35% is not exceeded. This space
factor relates to runs of ducts incorporating not more than two 90o bends or the equivalent; for runs
having more bends than this, appropriate reduction shall be made in the number of cables installed.

(10) The number of cables to be installed in trunking or channels shall be such that a space
factor of 45% is not exceeded.

64. Flexible cords and cables: special requirements

(1) Flexible cables or flexible cords shall be used for all connections to movable apparatus. For
the purposes of this regulation, an electric cooker of rated input exceeding 3 kW, is deemed not to be
movable.

(2) Where armoured flexible cables and flexible cords are used, the armouring shall not be used
as the sole means of providing earth continuity conductor shall be provided.

(3) Flexible cables and flexible cords shall not be used as fixed wiring unless contained in earthed
metal or other non‐combustible and mechanically strong enclosure; provided that this requirement shall
not apply to short lengths of sheathed flexible cable or flexible cord used for final connections to fixed
apparatus or of connection of control gear of fluorescent lamps or discharge lamps. Non‐sheathed
flexible cables and flexible cords shall not be drawn into conduits or ducts.

65. (1) Exposed lengths of flexible cables cord used for final connections to fixed apparatus shall be
as short as possible and connected to the fixed wiring by one of the following means‐

(i) a plug and socket‐outlet; or

(ii) a fused spur‐box having suitable provision for the entry of the flexible cable or
flexible cord; or

(iii) a switch forming the means of local control of the apparatus; or

(iv) a suitable joint box.

 (2) Where a twin flexible cord supports, or partly supports, a light fitting, the maximum mass
supported by the cord shall not exceed the appropriate value indicated below‐

Nominal cross‐sectional area of conductor (mm2) Maximum mass (kg)

0.75 5

1.0

(3) No flexible extension shall be taken more than 2m across a ceiling to a drop‐light. Such
flexible extensions shall be supported by an insulated hook fixed to the ceiling.

66. Earthed concentric wiring

(1) Earthed concentric wiring may be used only after approval has been given by‐

(a) the electricity supply authority where the supply is obtained from an electric power
board or other public body;

(b) the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services in any other case.

(2) The use of earthed concentric wiring shall in all cases be subjected to the following
conditions‐

(i) when the supply is derived from a supply authority's mains it shall be taken
from the secondary side of transformers or converters so arranged that the
public supply system is electrically insulated therefrom;

(ii) every earthed concentric installation shall be so arranged that the internal
conductor is protected by a single‐pole circuit‐breaker or switch and fuse placed
in a position easily accessible to the consumer and situated as near as possible
to‐

(a) the point or points of entry of the service main or to the secondary of the transformer,
in case of a public supply; or

(b) the generator in any case.

67. Earthed concentric installations

(1) When the supply is direct current the external conductor shall always be the one nearest to
earth potential and shall, where possible be negative to the inner conductor; and the difference of
potential between any two points in the external conductor shall not exceed‐

(a) system; or seven volts if the internal conductor is connected to the positive pole of the

(b) one and a half volts if the internal conductor is connected to the negative pole of the
system.

(2) From the position or positions at which the installation is earthed, concentric wiring shall be
employed throughout up to all fixed positions for fittings or accessories. At all positions where the
external conductor ceases to surround the internal conductor the latter shall be separated from the
surface upon which the fitting or accessory is mounted by an in‐corrodible metal plate or terminal box
to which the external conductor is electrically connected. This requirement does not preclude the
interposition of a wooden block between the metal plate and the fitting or accessory mounted thereon,
provide that this metal plate covers the principal recessed in the wooden block.

(3) Where the sheathing of a cable is used as one conductor, the resistance of the sheathing
shall not be greater than that of the inner conductor when measured at a temperature of 20°C.

(4) Joints in the external conductor, however made, shall be of such a nature that the
conductivity of the conductor is not reduced.

(5) All circuits, lamps, and appliances shall be controlled and protected by single‐pole circuit‐
breakers, or switches and fuses, which shall be inserted in the internal conductor of the circuit. No
circuit‐breaker, switch or fuse, shall be included in the external conductor.

(6) Ordinary accessories may be used, but if lamp‐holders having central contacts are employed,
such central contacts shall be connected to the internal conductor.

(7) Lamp fittings may be wired with two separate wires, being insulated and connected to the
internal conductor and the metal work of the fitting.

(8) Twin flexible cords may be used between fixed points and portable or pendant fittings. If
such flexible cords terminate in plug‐and‐socket connections, these connections shall be of either the
concentric or the two‐pin polarised type.

68. Consumers wiring between buildings

(1) Consumer's wiring intended for operation at low voltage and installed underground for
distribution between a building and point of utilisation not attached thereto (e.g. another building), shall
be in the form of one or more of the following systems, using the type of cable indicated‐
 In ducts

(i) metal‐sheathed and served cable; or

(ii) mineral‐insulated, metal‐sheathed cable having an overall extruded covering of

p.v.c.; or

(iii) armoured p.v.c. insulated cable having an overall extruded covering of p.v.C.; or

(iv) p.v.c. insulated, p.v.c. sheathed cable or rubber‐insulated cable having an oil‐
resisting and flame‐retardant or h.o.f.r. sheath.

In conduits or pipes

(2) (a) p.v.c. insulated, p.v.c. sheathed cable, or rubber‐insulated cable having an oil‐resisting
and flame‐retardant or h.o.f.r. sheath in adequately protected heavy‐gauge steel conduit or galvanised
steel pipe, provided that the conduit or pipe shall not be used as an earth‐continuity conductor; or

(b) p.v.c. insulated, p.v.c. sheathed cable or rubber‐insulated cable having an oil‐resisting and
flame‐retardant or h.o.f.r. sheath, in non‐metallic conduit.

Laid direct in the ground

(3) (a) metal‐sheathed, armoured and served underground cable; or

(b) armoured p.v.c. insulated cable having an overall extruded covering of p.v.c.; or

(c) metal‐sheathed and served underground cable, or mineral insulated copper‐sheathed cable
having an overall extruded covering of p.v.c. with mechanical protection by cable cover except where
installed under a permanent surface.

69. Consumer's wiring intended for operation at low voltage and installed on exterior surface walls,
boundary walls and the like for distribution between a building and the point of utilisation not attached
thereto (e.g. another building), shall be in the form of one or more of the following systems. Such wiring
shall not be installed on fences‐

(i) heavy‐gauge hot‐dipped galvanised steel conduit (see Appendix 2) or steel pipe
systems complying with regulation 60 (1) to (4);

(ii) mineral‐insulated, metal‐sheathed cable, preferably having an overall covering

of p.v.c., preferably black in colour;

(iii) armoured and served cables or preferably, armoured cables having an overall
covering of p.v.c. or an oil‐resisting and flame‐retardant or h.o.f.r. sheathed
overall, preferably black in colour;
 (iv) lead‐sheathed cables;

(v) insulated cables, having a p.v.c. sheath preferably black in colour, or high impact
rigid p.v.c. conduit, preferably black in colour.

70. Consumer's overhead wiring intended for operation at low voltage and for distribution between
a building and a point of utilisation not attached thereto (e.g. another building), shall be in the form of
one or more of the following systems using the types of cable or conductor indicated. Lengths of span
shall not exceed, and height above ground shall be not less than, the appropriate values indicated in
Table 8 Schedule 1‐

(i) p.v.c.‐insulated, p.v.c. sheathed cable or rubber‐insulated cable having an oil‐

resisting and flame‐retardant or h.o.f.r. sheath, preferably black in colour,
without intermediate support; provided that the terminal supports shall be so
arranged that no undue strain is placed upon the conductors or insulation of the
cable, and provided that adequate precautions are taken against any risk of
chafing of the cable sheath;

(ii) p.v.c.‐insulated, p.v.c sheathed cable, or rubber‐insulated cable having an oil‐

resisting and flame‐retardant or h.o.f.r. sheath, installed in heavy‐gauge hot‐
dipped galvanised steel conduit without intermediate support: provided that
the conduit shall be earthed in accordance with Part XI and shall be securely
fixed at the ends of the span, and shall not be jointed in its span;

(iii) p.v.c.‐covered over and live conductors of hard‐drawn copper, hard‐drawn

cadmium‐copper, hard‐drawn aluminium, steel cored aluminium, or aluminium
alloy, installed on insulators without intermediate support; provided that no
part of the span shall be accessible to any person from any building or other
place without the use of a ladder or other special device;

(iv) cables having a sheath of p.v.c. or lead, or an oil‐resisting and flame‐retardant

or h.o.f.r. sheathed, preferably black in colour, adequately supported by a
catenary wire;

(v) special aerial cable incorporating a catenary wire;

(vi) bare or p.v.c. covered overhead lines having conductors of hard‐drawn copper,
hard‐drawn cadmium copper, hard‐drawn aluminium or steel‐cored aluminium,
or aluminium alloy.

71A. Collector and trolley cables

 (1) Bare conductors may be used as collector or trolley wires for travelling cranes and similar
appliances and for battery connections.

(2) They shall be supported upon insulators, and so spaced that risk of accidental contact
between the conductors themselves or between conductors and walls or any other conducting structure
is reduced to a minimum.

(3) The circuit supplying current to such bare conductors shall, except in the case of the
regulating cells of batteries, be protected either by a suitable circuit‐breaker or by a suitable switch and
fuse.

(4) Bare conductors extended to positions liable to lightening‐discharge shall be fitted with
lightening‐arrestors on each pole or phase.

(5) Wall rosettes or brackets used as supports for span‐wires shall not be fixed within 300 mm of
any gas‐pipe.

(6) Except as hereinbefore specified, bare conductors shall be used only in positions not
ordinarily accessible to unauthorised persons and in such circumstances as may be sanctioned by the
authorised inspector.

71B. Cables which are used in connection with the electric bells, telephone and signalling apparatus,
etc., in a building shall be kept away from and not be installed in the same casing or conduit as the
cables used for the distribution of the electrical supply throughout the building.

72. Bell and signalling circuits (except telephone circuits) may be operated from the electric lighting,
heating, or power supply mains, provided that they are connected to the secondary side of double‐
wound transformers, having a secondary voltage not exceeding twelve volts, and further provided that‐

(i) each transformer is mounted on the main switchboard;

(ii) each transformer is protected on the primary side by a single‐pole switch and
fuse, and one side of the secondary winding is earthed;

(iii) the conductors when un‐enclosed are secured individually by means of in‐
sulated staples, and where subject to mechanical injury the conductors are
adequately protected;

(iv) joints in the conductors are, as far as practicable, avoided, but where they are
unavoidable they are staggered, soldered and efficiently insulated;

(v) the conductors are insulated with vulcanised rubber/p.v.c. save that ordinary
bell‐wire may be used if the transformers are of a capacity not exceeding fifty
 watts and so designed that on sustained short circuit their impedance is such as to limit the
current to such a value as will not burn out the transformer.

73. The control‐circuit wiring and accessories in the wiring systems having extra‐low voltage control
shall comply with the following requirements‐

(i) remote controlled switches shall have their live parts enclosed in non‐
combustible and non‐absorbent cases. They shall be fixed in full view in readily
accessible positions. The insulation resistance between the supply terminals and
the control terminals of the switch shall be not less than 100 Megaohms;

(ii) all control wiring shall be run entirely apart from the supply wiring;

(iii) the voltage of the control circuit shall not exceed twelve volts. Transformers
shall double‐wound with one side of the secondary earthed and shall be
mounted on the switch or distribution board, and be controlled by a switch and
fuse on the primary side;

(iv) where subject to mechanical injury conductors shall be protected. When un‐
enclosed they shall be secured with clips having rounded edges or insulated
staples, but two or more conductors shall not be secured under the same
staple;

(v) between roof and ceiling, conductors may be fastened to the sides of joists or
battens without further protection. Where buried in plaster or concrete they
shall be enclosed in an approved metallic sheathing. All joints shall be
accessible, and be efficiently soldered and insulated;

(vi) bushes shall be of substantial mechanical construction. The conductors shall

terminate in suitable terminals and be secured by a metal thread screw. Heating
circuits shall not be controlled by this system unless fitted with an indicating
device.

74. Hazardous locations

(1) Electric wires, fittings, consuming devices and associated equipment installed in hazardous
locations in which explosive or highly inflammable substances are produced, manufactured, refined,
stored or packed shall be installed and maintained to comply with the following additional
requirements‐
 (i) all electrical conductors shall be enclosed in an efficiently earthed metallic
envelope so constructed that in the event of the ignition of an inflammable or
explosive material within the metallic envelope, there will be no transmission of
flame to the atmosphere surrounding it;

(ii) each consuming device shall be provided with automatic protective equipment
to cut off the electricity in the event of overload or an electrical fault
developing, in addition to means for normally cutting off all power to, or, in the
immediate vicinity of the device in the event of danger; provided that this
paragraph shall not apply to single lights which form part of a group of lights
installed and maintained in conformity with this regulation;

(iii) all current consuming devices including lighting fixtures shall be housed in
metallic enclosures certified as flame‐proof and the enclosures maintained in
such a condition that the validity of the flame‐proof certificate is not impaired;

(iv) the attachment of all metallic envelopes enclosing cables to consuming devices
shall be such as not to invalidate any flame‐proof certificate;

(v) before effecting maintenance or repairs involving the opening of a flame‐proof

enclosure, all conductors within the flame‐proof enclosure to be worked on
shall be made dead and earthed, and on completion of maintenance or repair,
the apparatus not made alive until all openings have been closed restoring
flame‐proofness.

(2) The provisions of this regulation shall not apply because of the presence of stationery
electrical storage batteries of the electro‐chemical type or because of the re‐charging of portable
electric batteries.

75. In this regulation "certified as flame‐proof" means so certified by the Director of Electrical
Inspectorate Services, and equipment shall be deemed to be so certified if it bears a label consisting of
the letters FLP enclosed in a crown in out‐line together with the relevant number of the certificate. The
Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services may by notice in writing in any particular case approve an
alternative certification as being an adequate substitute for the requirements of this paragraph.

76. (1) In rooms containing stationary electric storage batteries of the lead‐acid or alkaline types, or
where corrosive gases or liquids which are not explosive or highly flammable are present‐

(i) the system of wiring employed shall be such that all electrical conductors
including earthing connections are enveloped in a corrosion‐proof non‐metallic
sheath;
 (ii) where metallic enclosures are necessarily used for motors, switch‐gear or other
accessories, including conductors which are liable to mechanical damage, all
exposed metallic surfaces shall be effectively painted or other‐wise coated to
resist corrosion;

(iii) all cables, entries to equipment or accessories shall be such that the non‐
corrosion sheath of conductors enters the terminal chamber of the equipment
or accessory and the entry hole or holes are fitted with an accessory to exclude
the corrosive liquid or gas present;

(iv) all unused entry holes shall be effectively sealed.

(2) (i) Distribution boards shall not be fixed in freezing or cooling chambers‐

(ii) switches shall not be fixed in freezing or cooling chambers;

(iii) no conductors other than those required for the supply and use of current therein shall be
installed in freezing chambers and cool stores.

(3) (i) cable insulated with rubber shall not be used in situations where the temperature of the
conductor would exceed 60°C for short periods, or 50 °C for long periods;

(ii) cable insulated with paper or fibre shall not be used in situations where the temperature of the
conductor would exceed 80°C;

(iii) where higher temperatures are liable to be experienced, the wiring shall be in accordance with
the requirements of the authorised inspector.

77 .All cables shall be installed in such a manner as will not damage or weaken the building
unnecessarily and with the least possible cutting‐away of any structural work.

Part VIII

Equipment fittings and accessories

78. Construction of fittings

Fittings shall be so designed and constructed that the passages for the insulated conductors are
of ample size, and are free from rough projections and sharp angle, or bends. All outlets shall have well‐
rounded edges or be bushed.
79. Fittings shall be so designed, and the insulated conductors so installed that no stress can be
applied by the conductors to any terminal to which they may be connected.

80. Fittings shall be so designed and fixed that neither dust not moisture can readily accumulate on
live parts.

81. Where a hanging fitting exceeds 5 kg in weight it shall be supported by a metal chain, tube, or
rod, or by several flexible cords in such a manner that the maximum weight to which any cord is
subjected shall not be greater than that specified in regulation 67 (2).

82. Open‐type fittings shall not be furnished with inflammable shades unless such shades are kept
free from contact with the lamps by suitable guards or supports.

83. Enclosed type fittings shall be provided with a removable glass receptacle arranged to enclose
the lamp completely, and of such size or construction as to prevent undue heating of the lamp; and if
the position of the fitting be such that the glass receptacle is liable to mechanical damage, the glass shall
be protected by a suitable wire guard.

84. Fittings, whether fixed or portable, shall, whenever exposed to rain, drip or externally
condensed moisture, be of the weather‐proof type.

85. Fittings

Fittings for lamps shall be so designed as to provide for adequate dissipation of heat from such
lamps.

86. Enclosed fittings shall be used‐

(i) in places where inflammable or explosive dust or gas is liable to be present or

where inflammable goods are stored, and they shall be of strong construction,
having air‐tight external globes of thick glass provided with substantial guards;

(ii) in positions in which the lamp is either near to or can swing into contact with
readily combustible materials.
87. The handle of every hand‐lamp (not being a hand‐lamp made entirely of metal as specified in
the last preceding regulation) shall be made of treated hard‐wood, or of some suitable non‐ignitable
composite insulating material capable of withstanding round usage in service.

88. Where portable fittings, appliances, or accessories are likely to be used, the voltage between
any two points in one room or compartment shall not exceed 250 volts, unless the fittings, appliances or
accessories between which there may be a higher voltage are so situated that they cannot be brought
within 2 meters of each other, or, alternatively, unless the metal frames and sheathings of all such
portable appliances and accessories are earthed.

89. Flexible conductors of portable fittings or apparatus shall be connected through wall plugs.

90. Fittings shall be mounted on a base‐block.

91. Accessories other than fuses shall be mounted on a base‐block unless they are completely
enclosed in metallic casing, and where the surface on which it is mounted is liable to become damp the
base‐block shall be rendered impervious to moisture.

92. Ceiling roses

(1) A ceiling rose shall not be installed in any circuit operating at a voltage normally exceeding
250 volts.

(2) A ceiling rose shall not be connected to the fixed wiring in such a manner that one of its
terminal remains alive when the associated switch is off unless that terminal cannot be touched when
the ceiling rose is dismantled to the extent necessary for the replacement of the associated flexible cord.

(3) A ceiling rose shall not be used for the attachment of more than one outgoing flexible cord,
unless it is specially designed for multiple pendants.

(4) The earthing terminal of every ceiling rose shall be connected to the earth‐continuity
conductor of the final sub‐circuit.

93. Lamp‐holders
 Lamp‐holders for filament lamps shall normally be used only in circuits operating at a voltage
not exceeding 250 volts.

94. Every lamp‐holder for a bayonet‐cap lamp in any damp situation or in any situation in which it
can readily be touched by a person in contact with or standing on earthed metal shall be‐

(i) earthed; or

(ii) constructed of, or shrouded in, insulating material and for moulded insulated
bayonet, fitted with a protective shield.

95. Where centre‐contact bayonet or Edison‐type screw lamp‐holders are connected to a source of
supply having an earthed neutral conductor, the outer or screwed contact shall be connected to that
conductor. Where such lamp‐holders are used in circuits having neither pole connected with earth, or in
any damp situation or in any situation in which they can readily be touched by a person in contact with
or standing on earthed metal, they shall be provided with a protective shield of insulating material or
shall be placed or safe guarded, so that neither the lamp cap nor the outer or screwed contact of the
lamp‐holder can be inadvertently touched when the lamp cap is engaged with that contact.

96. Where arc lams are used in positions where danger might otherwise arise, they shall be
protected either by a metal reflector rigidly fixed beneath the arch or by a globe or lantern. Wherever
noxious fumes are likely to be emitted from such a lamp, suitable ventilation shall be provided.

97. Application of transformers

Where a step‐up transformer forms part of a consumer's installation, a linked switch shall be
provided for isolating the transformer from all circuit conductors of the supply.

98. An auto‐transformer having an output in the extra‐low‐voltage range shall not be used to
supply‐

(i) any socket‐outlet; or

(ii) any portable appliance, unless the auto‐transformer is contained therein; or

(iii) earthed concentric wiring; or

(iv) any extra‐low‐voltage circuit which is outside the scope of these Regulations,
e.g. an electric bell circuit operating at a voltage not exceeding 15 volts.
99. A step‐up auto‐transformer shall not be connected to an installation obtaining its supply from a
system in which none of the poles of the supply is connected to earth.

100. The common terminal of every auto‐transformer winding shall be connected to the neutral
conductor.

101. Capacitor

Every capacitor, unless incorporated for the sole purpose of radio interference suppression or
directly connected across a motor winding, shall be provided with a means, such as a high‐resistance
leak, for its prompt automatic discharge immediately the supply is disconnected. This requirement shall
not apply to small capacitors where no risk of shock can arise.

102. Plugs, socket‐outlets and adaptors

Every plug and socket‐outlet shall as a minimum comply with requirements set out in items (i)
and (ii) below, and in addition comply with the appropriate requirements of regulations 103 to 106 and
Table 9‐

(i) it shall not be possible for any pin of the plug to be engaged with any live
contact of its associated socket‐outlet while any other pin of the plug is
completely exposed; provided that this requirement shall not apply to socket‐
outlets and plugs for extra‐low‐voltage circuits; and

(ii) it shall not be possible for any pin of the plug to be engaged with any live
contact of any socket‐outlet within the same installation other than the type of
socket‐outlet for which it is designed.

103. In circuits in which one pole is earthed at the source of supply, every socket‐outlet and plug shall
be of the non‐reversible type, with provisions for earthing.

104. Plug and socket‐outlets may be used in two‐wire circuits operating at a voltage not exceeding
250 volts for the connection of electric clocks, provided that the plug and socket‐outlets are designed
specifically for that purpose and that each plug incorporates a fuse of rating not exceeding 3 amperes.
105. Every plug containing a fuse shall be non‐reversible and so designed and arranged that no fuse
can be connected in an earthed conductor.

106. For two‐pole‐and‐earth circuits, the connection of plugs, socket‐outlets and connectors shall be
in accordance with Table 10 Schedule 1.

107. Where outlets from a socket‐outlet adaptor have a lower current rating than that of the input,
appropriate fusing shall be provided for each outlet of lower rating. Every socket‐outlet adaptor used at
a voltage exceeding extra‐low voltage shall be non‐reversible and shall be so designed that the output
contacts are arranged in the same phase or polarity as those of the corresponding socket‐outlet
adaptors intended for use with electric shaves shall incorporate a fuse of rating not exceeding 3
amperes and shall be marked "FOR SHAVES ONLY".

108. Weather‐proof plugs and sockets shall be used wherever exposed to rain, drip, or externally
condensed moisture.

109. Such accessories shall be of specially robust construction, and be provided with efficient means to
keep the socket weatherproof when the plug is removed therefrom. When a loose cover is employed for
this purpose it shall be anchored to the socket by means of a chain.

110. When the plug is inserted in its socket, the combined fitting and its interlocking switch (if any), shall
also be weatherproof.

111. In places where petrol‐driven conveyances are stored or repaired, plugs and sockets shall be placed
not less than 2 metres above the floor level unless an interlocked plug and gas‐tight switch is used.

112. (1) Adaptors for use in lampholders shall be constructed of though, non‐ignitable, non‐
conducting, non‐hygroscopic material other than hardwood.

(2) Adaptors for use in screw holders shall be of one of the following types‐

(i) combined adaptor with pull‐out plug;

(ii) adaptor with a loose screw to prevent twisting of the flexible conductor.
113 A. Cable couplers and connectors

Cable couplers and conductors shall be mechanically and electrically sound and grounded either
in metal which can be earthed or in non‐combustible insulating material. Where the apparatus to be
connected requires earthing, every cable coupler and connector shall have adequate provision for
maintaining earth continuity.

114A. Electric signs

Every electric sign shall comply with the following requirements‐

(a) it shall be readily accessible for inspection and attention;

(b) it shall be fire‐proof, or alternatively the wiring shall be independent, and shall be
controlled by a fuse and switch on each live conductor. When more than one switch is
required the switches shall be linked;

(c) where elaborate switching and flashing apparatus is installed, a special non‐ignitable
enclosure shall be provided;

(d) if fixed in the open air‐

(i) it shall be weather‐proof and lamp‐holders shall be weather‐proof;

(ii) only non‐ignitable material shall be used in its construction, except for letters
and designs, for which hardwood is permissible.

Part IX

Appliances

113B. Heating and cooking appliances

(a) All heating and cooking appliances shall be so constructed and mounted that their supports
and those parts which have necessarily to be handled in their operation cannot become heated to a
temperature exceeding 55 degrees centigrade. The heating elements shall be of materials durable at the
highest temperature to which they attain during use, and be so arranged that they can be readily
replaced.

(b) The support and flame of every fixed appliance shall be provided with a suitable terminal to
which the earthing lead shall be connected. The conduit shall not be considered as an earthing lead in
this case.
114B (i) The connections between heating elements shall be effected either by parts of the elements
themselves or by material having heat‐resisting properties similar to those of the elements;

(ii) the junction between elements and switches or external connecting‐leads shall be effected
without solder by connectors which shall be so placed that the temperature of no part of the switch or
terminal connections can rise above 80°C.

115. All connections between elements or between elements and main terminals shall, unless self‐
supporting or rigidly fixed in posited, be continuously insulated with suitable non‐ignitable material.

116. The hot‐plates of all electric cookers shall be iron‐clad, and the oven elements shall be so guarded
that the cooking utensils cannot be brought into contact with them, and so that accidental personal
contact cannot be made.

117. (1) Each element shall be protected and controlled by a switch and fuse on the live side.

(2) When a plug‐socket is fitted to the appliance it shall have a switch and fuse on the live side,
and be so mounted as to secure freedom from electrical hazard. This plug shall have a separate contact
connected to earth, and any portable apparatus used from this plug shall be earthed in accordance with
the requirement of these Regulations.

118. Control

(1) Appliances shall be protected by a fuse on each live conductor.

(2) Appliances shall be controlled as a whole by a switch on each live conductor and such switch
shall be mounted on the wall adjacent to and within easy reach of such appliance. If more than one
switch is so used for anyone appliance, all such switches shall be linked.

(3) The wiring to fixed appliances shall be in screwed conduit connected mechanically and
electrically to the metal frame of the appliance provided that flexible metallic conduit may be used
between the wall and the appliance if connected mechanically to the screwed conduit and the metal
frame of the appliance.

(4) For the purpose of this regulation a fixed appliance is one which is obviously intended by
size, weight, and construction to be secured in a fixed position.

(5) Heating and cooking appliances shall not be fixed near combustible materials unless the
latter are suitably protected.
119. Portable appliances

Portable appliances shall be of such shape or be so weighted that they cannot be easily
overturned.

120. Heating points

(1) Heating‐points shall each be rated at not less than 1,000 watts, and shall be controlled by a
switch of not less than eight amperes capacity. For appliances over 1,800 watts, the heating points shall,
except in the case of a multi‐earthed neutral system, be controlled by a double‐pole switch.

(2) The minimum size of conductor for any heating point shall be 2,5 rnm2.

(3) Switches for heating points shall be at a distance not less than 300 mm from any switch
controlling lighting.

121. Boilers and water heaters‐general

Electrode boilers and electrode water‐heaters shall be connected to a.c. systems only, and be
installed in accordance with the general requirements of regulations 122 to 125 and, according to type
of equipment concerned, with the particular requirements of regulations 127 and 128.

122. The supply to the heater or boiler shall be controlled by a circuit‐breaker which shall be‐

(i) of the multiple linked type arranged to disconnect the supply from all electrode
simultaneously; and

(ii) provided with excess‐current protective devices in each conductor feeding an

electrode; and

(iii) so placed that it may easily be operated by the person in charge, and where it is
not adjacent to the electrode boiler there shall be a means at hand at the boiler
to open the circuit‐breaker instantaneously.

123. Adequate means, such as an isolator adjacent to the heater or boiler, or a locking device on the
circuit‐breaker, shall be provided to prevent the apparatus being made live while persons are working
thereon.
124. Where the circuit‐breaker is remote from the heater or boiler, indicating lamps shall be
provided adjacent to or mounted on the boiler, to indicate whether the circuit‐breaker is in the "on" or
"off" position.

125. The earthing of the heater or boiler shall comply with the requirements for earthing, in
addition, the shell of the heater or boiler shall be bonded to the metallic sheath and armour, if any, of
the incoming supply cable. The rating of the earthing lead, which shall be connected to the shell of the
heater or boiler, shall be not less than that of the largest phase conductor connected to the apparatus,
or, where an earth‐leakage protective device is provided, not less than the operating current of the
device, subject to a minimum conductor size of 2.5 rnrn2.

126. Where an electrode water‐heater or electrode boiler is directly connected to a supply at a

voltage exceeding low voltage, the installation shall, in addition to complying with the general
requirements of regulations 121 to 125 include a differential earth‐leakage protective device arranged
to disconnect the supply from the electrodes on the occurrence of a sustained earth‐leakage current in
excess of 10% of the rated current of the heater or boiler under normal conditions of operation, except
that if in any instance a higher value is essential to ensure stability of operation of the heater or boiler,
the value may be increased to a maximum of 15%. A time delay may be incorporated in the device to
prevent unnecessary operation in the event of unbalance of short duration.

127. Three‐phase boilers and water heaters

Where an electrode water‐heater or electrode boiler is connected to a three‐phase supply, in

addition to complying with the general requirements of regulations 123 to 125, the shell of the heater or
boiler shall be connected to the neutral of the supply as well as to the earthing lead. The current rating
of the neutral conductor shall be not less than that of the largest phase conductor connected to the
apparatus.

128. Single‐phase boilers and water heaters

Where the supply to an electrode water‐heater or electrode boiler is single‐phase supply and
one electrode is connected to a neutral conductor earthed by the supply authority, in addition to
compliance with the general requirements of regulations 121 to 125, the shell of the water‐heater or
boiler shall be connected to the neutral of the supply as well as to the earthing lead.
129. Every water heater or boiler having un‐insulated heating element immersed in the water shall
comply with the requirements of regulations 130 to 135.

130 . The parts of the heater or boiler intended to be connected to the incoming water supply and to
the outlet pipe for the heater water, shall be of metal so as to afford the means of earthing required by
these Regulations.

131. The heater or boiler when in use shall have an insulation resistance between the element and
the metal parts referred to in regulation 130 above of not less than 0.25 megaohm with water flowing.

132. The heater or boiler shall incorporate an automatic device to prevent a dangerous rise in
temperature.

133. All metal parts of the heater or boiler which are in contact with the water (other than current‐
carrying parts) shall be solidly and metallically connected to a metal water‐pipe through which the water
supply to the heater or boiler is provided, and the said water‐pipe shall be in effective electrical
connection with earth by a means independent of the earth‐continuity conductor.

134. The heater or boiler shall be provided with an earthing terminal which is in effective electrical
connection with all exposed metal parts of the heater or boiler, and this terminal shall be effectively
connected with the consumer's earthing terminal via the earth‐continuity conductor of the final sub‐
circuit supplying the heater or boiler.

135. The heater or boiler shall be permanently connected to the electricity supply through a double‐
pole linked switch which is separate from and within easy reach of the heater or boiler, and the wiring
from the heater or boiler shall be directly connected to that switch without the use of a plug and socket‐
outlet; and, where the heater or boiler is installed in a room containing a fixed bath, the switch shall in
addition be placed outside the room.

PART X

Motors, control gears and lifts

136. Motors shall conform in all respects with Nigerian Standard Specifications.

137. Terminals of motors shall be so guarded that they cannot be accidentally touched or short‐
circuited.

138. Position and safety precautions

Motors shall, wherever possible, be placed in well ventilated space in which inflammable gases
cannot accumulate. Where that is not practicable, the motors shall be of the flame‐proof or pipe
ventilated type, with inlet and outlet connected to the outer air.

139. Motors shall, wherever possible, be placed in positions in which they are not exposed to risk of
mechanical injury or damage from water, steam, oil. Motors necessarily exposed to such conditions shall
have suitable types of enclosing frames selected from the standard "types of enclosures" specified in
Nigerian Standard Specifications.

140. Pipe‐ventilated forced‐drought, and induced‐draught motors shall be supplied with air as cool as
possible, and the air‐intakes shall be guarded against the admission of dirt or moisture.

141. No unprotected woodwork or other combustible material shall be within a distance of 300 mm
(measured horizontally) from or within one meter (measured vertically) above any motor, unless such
motor be of the totally enclosed, flame‐proof, or pipe‐ventilated type with inlet and outlet connected to
the outer air. A metal plate or tray extending 300 mm beyond the base of the machine shall be placed
under every open‐type machine which is mounted on or over a floor consisting of wood or other
combustible materials.

142. Where conductors are run in conduit, or where metal‐sheathed cables are used, the conduit or
metal sheath, as the case may be, shall terminate in and be properly secured to the motor terminal box;
provided that flexible metallic may be used between screwed conduit and the motor terminal box.

143. Trailing cables used in connection with portable motors shall have their protective sheathing
terminating in and properly secured to the motor terminal box.
144. Resistances and machine‐control gears

(1) The general construction of all resistances and machine‐control gear shall be accordance
with the appropriate Nigerian Standard Specifications.

(2) All these parts shall be so guarded as to prevent accidental contact therewith.

145. The frame of every resistance and control gear shall be provided with a suitable terminal to
which the earthing lead can be connected.

146. Resistances shall be so proportioned and placed that they do not rise to such a temperature as
to impair their durability, and they shall be so disposed within their cases that no accessible part of such
cases shall rise to a temperature higher than 80°C.

147. Internal connections, the temperature rise of which may exceed 30°C shall not be soldered, and
all such connections, unless self‐supporting or rigidly fixed in position, shall be continuously insulated
with non‐ignitable material or beads.

148. Suitable terminals with cable sockets shall be provided for the attachment of external leads, and
shall be so situated that such leads enter the case below the resistance, and are not exposed at any
point to a high temperature.

149. Location of control gears

(1) All resistance control gear shall, as far as possible, be placed‐

(a) in positions in which they will not be exposed to risk of mechanical injury or to damage
from water, steam, or oil;

(b) in well‐ventilated spaces in which inflammable or explosive gases or dust cannot

accumulate.

(2) Where necessarily exposed to such conditions as aforesaid, resistance and control gear shall
be completely enclosed; and if liable to be exposed to inflammable or explosive gases or dust, control
gear shall be flame‐proof.
150. All woodwork or other combustible material which is within a distance of 600 mm (measured
vertically below), or 150 mm (measured in any other direction) from the frames or cases containing
resistance shall be protected with non‐ignitable material.

151. Electric lifts

Every electrically‐operated lift shall be operated from a circuit which is independent of the
lighting installation.

152. The trailing‐cable shall be multi‐core, and shall comprise the requisite number of conductors to
keep the wiring of the control and each set of safety‐devices entirely separate.

153. All cables in the lift or hoist shaft, except trailing‐cables, shall be enclosed in screwed metal
conduits, the control and motor leads being in separate conduits.

PART XI

Earthing

154. Prevention of danger from earth leakage current

Every item of apparatus and every live conductor shall be effectively prevented, by one of the
methods described in items (i) to (iv) below, from giving rise to danger from earth‐leakage currents‐

(i) enclosed in insulation which is durable and substantially continuous, i.e., "all‐
insulated" construction;

(ii) double insulation;

(iii) earthing of exposed metal parts in accordance with the requirements of this
section;

(iv) isolation of metal in such a way that is not liable to come into contact with live
parts or with earthed‐metal.

155. General provisions

 In every installation operating at any voltage, a consumer's earthing terminal shall be provided
adjacent to the consumer's terminals. Throughout every circuit of such an installation, an earth‐
continuity conductor shall be provided and connected to the consumer's earthing terminal.

156. All metal work of wiring systems (other than current‐carrying parts), including cables, sheathes
and armour, conduit, ducts, trunking, boxes, and catenary wires, shall be connected to the appropriate
earth‐continuity conductors.

157. Exposed metalwork of all apparatus shall be connected to the appropriate earth‐continuity
conductors.

158. The earthing terminal of every socket‐outlet shall be connected to the earth‐continuity
conductor of the final sub‐circuit. Where the earth‐continuity conductor is formed by conduit, trunking,
duct, or the metal sheath and/or armour of cables, the earthing terminal of each socket‐outlet shall be
connected by an appropriate conductor to an earthing terminal incorporated in the associated box or
other enclosure. For the purpose of this regulation, physical connection of adjacent sections of ducts or
trunking is necessary to ensure earth‐continuity.

159. At every lighting point with metal fittings, an earthing terminal shall be provided and connected
to the earth‐continuity conductor of the final sub‐circuit.

160. An earthing terminal, connected to the earth‐continuity conductor the final sub‐circuit shall be
provided at every metal lighting switch position unless this takes the form of an earthed metal box
having a means of fixing the switch‐plate in reliable electrical contact with the box.

161. Metalwork (other than current‐carrying parts) and one point of the secondary winding of any
transformer shall be connected to the appropriate earth‐continuity conductor, provided that this
regulation shall not apply to‐

(i) a transformer in which the windings are mounted on separate limbs of an earthed core
or are separated by an earthed metallic screen; or

(ii) a double‐insulated transformer; or

 (iii) the secondary winding of a "high‐reactance" transformer serving solely to energise a
tesla coil or the heating element of an electric discharge lamp; or

(iv) the secondary winding of a transformer in a shaver supply unit; or

(v) a transformer which is an integral part of an item of apparatus, where the apparatus as
a whole is the subject of and complies with Nigerian Standard Specification; or

(vi) a transformer used in are welding installations designed in accordance with Nigerian
Standard Specification.

162. Isolated metal

(1) Where isolation of metal is adopted for the prevention of dangerous earth‐leakage currents,
it shall be confined to the following items‐

(i) short isolated lengths of metal used for the mechanical protection of cables
having a non‐metallic sheath, other than over‐head spans of conduit between
buildings or conduit used for protection of cables in circuits operating at
voltages exceeding low voltage in discharge‐lighting installations;

(ii) metal clips used for fixing cables;

(iii) metal lamp caps;

(iv) small metal parts such as screws or name‐plates isolated by insulating material;

(v) metal chains for the suspension of lighting fittings;

(vi) metal lighting fittings using filament lamps installed above a non‐conducting
floor and so mounted, or so screened in non‐conducting material that they
cannot readily be touched by a person standing on or within reach of earthed
metal;

(vii) catenary wires where insulated hangers are used.

163. Bonding

(1) The consumer's earthing terminal shall be bonded to the metalwork of any public gas
services and any water services on the consumer's premises in addition to the connection to the general
mass of the earth.
 (2) It shall be noted that before the consumer's earthing terminal is bounded to the metalwork
of any gas or water service, connection of the earthing terminal to an effective means of earthing should
be completed.

164. The bonding connections to any gas or water service shall be made as near as practicable for the
point of entry of those services into the premises; provided that where there is an insulating section or
insert at that point, the connection shall be made to the metalwork on the consumer's side of that
section or insert and, in the case of a gas service on the consumer's side of the gas meter.

165. Copper bonding leads used for compliance with regulation 163 shall be of cross‐sectional area
not less than the appropriate value shown in Table 12 subject to a minimum size of 6 mms. For the
purposes of this regulation, the associated circuit conductor shall be the largest conductor connected
into the input side of the consumer's switch‐gear. Conductors of material other than copper shall have a
resistance not exceeding that of the prescribed copper conductor. Connections to the pipes of other
services shall be made by means of clamps.

166. The exposed metalwork of all apparatus which is required by these Regulations to be earthed,
which might otherwise come into fortuitous contact with extraneous fixed metalwork shall be either
effectually segregated therefrom, or effectually bonded thereto so as to prevent appreciable voltage
differences at such possible points of contact. Copper bonding leads shall be of cross‐sectional area not
less than the appropriate value shown in Table 1.2, subject to a minimum of 1.5 rnrn2 where the
bonding lead is un‐enclosed. Conductors of material other than copper shall have resistance not
exceeding that of the prescribed copper conductor.

167. Bathrooms

In a room containing a fixed bath or shower cubicle, part of a lamp‐holder within a distance of
2,5 m from the bath or shower cubicle shall be constructed of, or shrouded in, insulating material.
Bayonet‐type lamp‐holders shall be fitted with a protective shield. As an alternative, totally enclosed
light fittings may be used.

168. Every switch or other means of electrical control or adjustment shall be located outside the
inner walls of a fixed bathroom normally inaccessible to a person using a fixed bath or shower. This
requirement does not apply to insulating cords or cord‐operated switches. No stationary appliance
having elements which can be touched shall be installed within reach of a person using the bath or
shower.

169. In a room containing a fixed bath or shower, there shall be no socket‐outlets and there shall be
no provision for connecting a portable appliance except for a shaver supply unit.

170. In a room containing a fixed bath or shower, electric shavers shall be connected only by means
of shaver supply units where the secondary circuit supplying the output sockets shall be isolated both
from the supply mains and from earths.

171. Protection against earth leakage

The earthing of the consumer's installation shall be effected in such a manner that no fault of
negligible impedance to earthed metal shall be so sustained as to cause danger and shall be in
accordance with the appropriate requirements of these Regulations.

172. Protection by fuse or circuit breakers

Earth‐leakage protection may be afforded by means of fuses or excess‐current circuit‐breakers

provided that the earth exceeds‐

(i) 3 times the current rating of any semi‐enclosed fuse, or any cartridge fuse
having a fusing factor exceeding 1.5, used to protect the circuit (see Table 11);
or

(ii) 2.4 times the rating of any cartridge fuse having a fusing factor not exceeding
1.5, used to protect the circuit; or

(iii) 1.5 times the tripping current of any excess‐current circuit‐breaker used to
protect the circuit.

173. Where the requirements of regulation 172 cannot be satisfied, earth‐leakage protection shall
be provided by one or more earth‐leakage circuit‐breaker for all parts of an installation to which the
requirement of earthing applies, installation of the earth‐leakage circuit‐breakers shall satisfy the test
requirements of these Regulations.
174. A current‐operated earth‐leakage circuit‐breaker shall be used only where the pro‐duct of its
operating current in amperes and the earth‐loop impedance in ohms does not exceed 40. Where such a
circuit‐breaker is used, the consumer's earthing terminal shall be connected to a suitable electrode.

175. Every voltage‐operated earth‐leakage circuit‐breaker shall be arranged to have its operating coil
connected between the consumer's earthing terminal (which may serve the whole or part of an
installation) and an earth electrode, the connecting lead shall be insulated.

176. The earth electrode used with any voltage‐operated earth‐leakage circuit‐breaker shall be
placed outside the resistance of any parallel earth which may exist, for example where a water heater is
installed. If by subdivision of the earthing system, discrimination in operation between a number of
voltage‐operated earth‐leakage circuit‐breakers is to be afforded, the resistance areas of the associated
earth electrodes shall not overlap.

177. Earth continuity conductors

Every conductor used as an earth‐continuity conductor shall satisfy the appropriate

requirements stated below‐

(i) where the conductor forms part of the same cable as the associated circuit
conductors, other than a flexible cable or flexible cord, the conductor shall
comply with the relevant requirements for the cable;

(ii) where the conductor is contained in a flexible cable or flexible cord, it shall have
a cross‐sectional area not less than that of the largest associated current‐
carrying conductor;

(iii) every cable sheath and/or armouring used as an earth‐continuity conductor

shall satisfy the relevant requirements of standards mentioned in these
Regulations;

(iv) conductors of copper other than those mentioned in item (i) to (iii) above, shall
have a cross‐sectional area not less than the appropriate value shown in Table
12, subject to a minimum of 1.5 rnrn2 where the conductor is un‐enclosed.
Conductor of material other than copper shall have a resistance not exceeding
that of the prescribed copper conductor.

178. Installation
 The installation of every earth‐conductor and earthing lead shall satisfy the appropriate
requirements stated below‐

(i) every earth‐continuity conductor of cross‐sectional area 1.5 rnrn2 up to and

including 6 mm2, other than copper strip, shall be protected throughout by
insulation at least equivalent to that provided for a single‐core, non‐sheathed
cable of appropriate size;

(ii) where the sheath of earth‐continuity conductors is removed adjacent to joints

and terminations, earth‐continuity conductors of cross‐sectional area up to and
including 6 mm2 shall be protected by insulating sleeving;

(iii) bare earth‐continuity conductors shall be protected, where necessary, against

mechanical damage and corrosion, particularly at terminations;

(iv) every bare earth‐continuity conductor of the types other than copper strip, shall
be identifiable at terminations as appropriate;

(v) all joints in earth‐continuity conductors shall be mechanically sound, electrically

continuous and protected, where necessary, against corrosion;

(vi) connections to cable sheaths and/or armouring, and to pipes, shall be soundly
made by soldered joints or by clamps. Every clamp shall be so installed as to
provide reliable connection without damage to the associated cable or pipe;
(vii) copper‐clad aluminium conductors shall not be used for bonding connection to
water pipes likely to be frequently subjected to condensation in normal use, or
in other situations where the terminations of the conductors are likely to be
exposed to sustained wet conditions. This requirements does not apply to
terminations which may be only initially damp during building construction.

179. Earthing leads

Pipes such as gas or water pipes, or members of structural metalwork, shall not by themselves
constitute an earth‐continuity conductor, but it is admissible to bond them to the earth‐continuity
conductor where this is necessary.

180. The cross‐sectional area of every copper conductor used as an earthing lead shall be not less
than that shown in Table 12 except that for connection of an earth‐leakage circuit‐breaker to an earth
electrode a cross‐sectional area of 2.5 mm need not be exceeded. A maximum size of copper conductor
of 70 rnrn2 cross‐sectional area need not normally be exceeded except for the earthing of a transformer
neutral or electrode boiler. For the purpose of this regulation, the associated circuit conductor shall be
the largest conductor connected into the input side of the consumer's switch‐gear. Every conductor of
material other than copper shall have a resistance not exceeding that of the prescribed copper
conductor. Copper‐clad aluminium conductors shall not be used for final connections to earth
electrodes.

181. Every connection of an earthing lead to an earth electrode or other means of earthing shall be
readily accessible and soundly made by use of soldered joints or clamps: A permanent label indelibly
marked with the words "Safety Electrical Earth ‐ DO NOT Remove", in a legible type not less than 4.75
mm high, shall be permanently fixed at the point of this connection.

182. Where protection against dangerous earth‐leakage currents by fuses or excess‐current circuit‐
breakers is admissible, one of the following methods of earthing shall be employed‐

(i) where the supply undertaking provides an earthing point which affords a metallic return path to
the means of earthing of the supply system, the earthing lead shall connect the consumer's
earthing terminal to this point;

(ii) where a means of earthing has not been provided by the supply undertaking, the consumer's
earthing terminal shall be connected by the earthing lead to an effective earth electrode or
electrodes, such as a copper strip or rod, which shall be buried in the ground at a position as
near as practicable to the consumer's earthing terminal and shall satisfy the tests specified in
Appendix 3;

(iii) where Protective Multiple Earthing (P.M.E.) is provided by the supply undertaking, and with the
concurrence of the Post Office, the earthing lead shall be connected to the consumer's earthing
terminal and, together with the neutral conductor of the consumer's installation, shall be so
arranged that connection to the neural conductor of the incoming supply can be carried out by
the supply undertaking.

183. The metalwork of public gas services and water services shall not be used as the sole earth
electrode of the installation.

184. If more than one plate or tubular earth electrode is employed for one earthing system they shall
be efficiently and permanently connected together.

185. Method of earthing

 Every fixed heating and cooking appliance shall, for the purpose of earthing, be provided with a
suitable terminal to which the earthing lead shall be connected.

186. In the case of fixed heating and cooking appliances, and of motors of over 3.75kW an earthing
lead other than the conduit shall be taken direct from the appliance or motor to the nearest earth.

187. (1) Where the multiple‐earthed neutral system is used, the earthing lead shall be taken from the
neutral bar or stud, and the conduit shall (in addition to being itself earthed) be connected to this
earthing lead.

(2) Save as provided in the last preceding paragraph the neutral wire of any system shall not be
used as an earthing lead.

188. Precautions in earthing

Pipes conveying gas, hot water, or an inflammable liquid shall not be used as an earthing
system.

Division Three ‐ Testing

PART XII

Tests, inspections and certification

189. General

The contractor carrying out any installation shall notify the electricity supply authority or a
licensee in writing of the completion thereof, and except as provided in regulation 206 hereof, shall not
allow the current to be switched on from the source of supply until the installation has been duly
inspected and he has been notified that a certificate has been issued pursuant to regulation 201 hereof.

190. Supply authority as the contractor

Where an electricity supply authority itself contracts to carry out any installation for a
consumer, the following special provisions shall apply‐

(i) the notice required by regulation 188 hereof need not be given;
 (ii) the certificate to be issued pursuant to regulation 211 hereof shall be a
certificate by the supply authority to the Director of Electrical Inspectorate
Services.

191. Inspection on behalf of the Director Inspectorate Services

Any person authorised in writing in that behalf by the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services
may at any time, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on any day of the week other than Sunday,
demand admission to the premises of any consumer for the purpose of ascertaining whether the
requirements of these Regulations have been complied with.

192. If any consumer refuses to admit such person during such hours, the electric supply authority
shall on demand in writing by the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services disconnect the consumer's
installation from the source of supply.

193. Tests

The testing and inspection are to be carried out in the sequence‐

(i) verification of polarity;

(ii) tests of effectiveness of earthing;

(iii) insulation resistance tests;

(iv) test of ring‐circuit continuity.

194. Basic requirement: general

Every installation and every major alteration to an existing installation shall, on completion, be
inspected and tested in accordance with the requirements of this section to verify, as far as practicable,
that the requirements of these Regulations have been met. In the case of a major alteration, both the
new work and that part of the existing installation related thereto shall be inspected and tested.

195. Polarity test

A verification of polarity shall be made and it shall be insured that all fuses and single pole
control devices, are connected in the live conductor only, that centre contact bayonet and Edison‐type
screw lampholders in circuits having an earthed neutral conductor have their outer or screwed contacts
connected to that conductor, and that wiring has been correctly connected to plugs and socket‐outlets.

196. Earth continuity test

A separate test of every earth‐continuity conductor shall be made by the contractor and other
person responsible for the work, before an installation or major alteration to an installation is put into
commission. Where earth‐leakage protection relies on the operation of fuses or excess‐current circuit‐
breakers, the impedance or resistance between the consumer's earthing terminal and the remote end of
every earth‐continuity conductor shall not exceed the appropriate value prescribed.

197. Earth effectiveness tests

Where earth‐leakage protection relies on the operation of fuses or excess‐current circuit‐

breakers, the contractor and other person responsible for the work shall test the effectiveness of the
earthing of each completed installation or major alteration by means of an earth‐loop‐impedance test.

198. Where earth‐leakage circuit‐breaker, relies on the operation of an earth‐leakage circuit‐

breaker, its effectiveness shall be tested as specified in the Appendix 3.

199. Insulation resistance tests

The insulation resistance tests shall be made before a completed installation or major alteration
to an existing installation, is permanently connected to the supply. For these tests large installations
may be divided into groups of outlets, each containing not less than 50 outlets. A d.c. voltage not less
than twice the normal voltage of the supply (r.m.s. value of a.c. supply) shall be applied for the
measurement of insulation resistance, provided that for tests on low‐voltage circuits, the test voltage
need not exceed 500V d .c.

200. When measured with all fuse links in place, all switches (including, if practicable, the main
switch) closed and, except where earthed concentric wiring is installed, all poles, or phases of the wiring
electrically connected together, the installation resistance to earth shall be not less than 1 megaohm.

201. When measured between all the conductors connected to anyone pole or phase of the supply
and, in turn, all conductors connected to each other pole or phase of the supply, the insulation
resistance shall be not less than 1 megaohm. Wherever practicable, so that all parts of the wiring may
be tested, all lamps shall be removed and all current‐using apparatus shall be disconnected and all local
switches controlling lamps or apparatus shall be closed; where the removal of lamps and/or the
disconnection of current‐using apparatus is impracticable, the local switches controlling such lamps
and/or apparatus shall be open. This test is not applicable to earthed concentric wiring systems.

202. Where apparatus is disconnected for the tests under regulations 200 and 201, the insulation
resistance between the case or framework and all live parts of each item of fixed apparatus shall be
measured separately and shall be not less than 1.0 megaohm.

203. Ring circuit continuity test

A test shall be made to verify the continuity of all conductors (including the earth‐continuity
conductor) of every ring circuit.

204. Certification

Following the inspection and testing required by this section for a completed installation, or
major alteration to an existing installation, a completion certificate shall be given by the contractor or
other person responsible, or by an authorised person acting on his behalf, to the person ordering the
work. The certificate shall be signed by a registered electrical engineer and shall be in the form set out in
these Regulations. Any defects or omissions revealed by inspection or test shall be made good before a
completion certificate is issued.

205. For a major alteration to an existing installation, the person ordering the work shall be notified
of any repairs required to that part of the existing installation which is required to be inspected and
tested, but completion certificates shall apply only to the new work.

206. Every re‐inspection of an installation should be reported upon by means of an Inspection

certificate which should be submitted to the consumer and be signed by a competent person who
should be a registered electrical engineer.

207. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing provisions of this part of these
Regulations, the supply authority may, in case of urgency on the recommendation of the authorised
inspector, permit an installation to be temporarily connected with the source of supply notwithstanding
that anyone or more of the hereinbefore prescribed insulation resistance tests have not been satisfied;
provided that no such permit shall be granted unless the installation otherwise generally complies with
the requirements of these Regulations, and is certified by the authorised inspector to be reasonably free
from electrical hazard, or for a longer period than one month; provided further than the Director of
Electrical Inspectorate Services on the recommendation of the supply authority, may extend such period
beyond one month.

208. On the expiration of the period or extended period as aforesaid for which temporary connection
has been so permitted, the installation shall be disconnected from the source of supply unless before
such expiration the authorised inspector has issued his certificate pursuant to the last preceding
regulation.

209. Periodic inspections and tests

The results of a periodic inspection and test of an installation, or any part thereof, shall be
recorded on an inspection certificate and give by the contractor or by an authorised person acting on his
behalf, to the person ordering the inspection. The certificate shall be in the form set out in these
Regulations.

210. A notice of such durable material as to be likely to remain easily legible throughout the life of
the installation, shall be fixed in a prominent position at or near the main distribution board of every
installation upon completion of the work. The notice shall be inscribed in indelible characters not
smaller than those here illustrated and shall read as follows‐

"IMPORTANT"‐ This installation should be periodically inspected and tested and a report
on its condition obtained, as prescribed in the Regulations for Electrical Installations.

211. Periodic inspection and tests of electrical installations shall be carried out and recorded on an
inspection certificate at intervals of not more than three years.

212. (1 ) After having inspected and tested an installation the authorised inspector, if satisfied that
the work has been done in a workmanlike manner in accordance with the requirements of these
Regulations and if the test made as required by the foregoing provisions of this Part of these Regulations
have been satisfied, shall certify in writing to the electricity supply authority that the installation has
been duly inspected and tested and may be safely connected with the source of supply.
 (2) Nothing in any such certificate shall relieve the owner or occupier of any premises from the
obligation to bring any installation into conformity with these Regulations if on any subsequent
inspection any defects are discovered which render such installation electrically hazardous.

Division four ‐ Special application

PART XIII

Agricultural and horticultural installation

213. General

All installations in agricultural and horticultural holdings, except dwellings, shall comply with the
requirements of this Part and generally with the Regulations for Electrical Installations.

214. Switch‐gear

Main switch‐gear shall not be installed‐

(i) within reach of livestock; or

(ii) in any position where access to it may be impeded by livestock, account being
taken of the conditions likely to arise in the event of panic by the livestock.

215. Control of building

Where an installation serves more than one building, a switch shall be installed in or adjacent to
each building for the control and isolation of all those parts of the installation contained in that building.
For the purposes of this regulation a glass‐house is deemed to be a building and where glass‐houses are
combined in a block, separate means of control shall be provided for each house within the block.

216. For isolated items of apparatus, e.g. pumps, remote from the main installation, a separate
means of control adjacent to the apparatus and readily accessible to the person in charge of the
apparatus, shall be provided.

217. Presence of different voltage

 Means of access to all live parts of switch‐gear and other fixed live parts where different
nominal voltages exist shall be marked to indicate the voltages present.

218. Control of points

Every point, including every socket‐outlet, shall be controlled by a switch or switches, which
shall be readily accessible at all times. For motors driving machinery, the switches shall be clearly
marked to show the on and off positions.

219. Selection of types of cables

Cables sheathed with general‐purpose rubber shall be used only for dry, clean situations indoors
and for clean situations outdoors.

220. Non‐served metal‐sheathed paper‐insulated cables shall be used only for dry, clean situations
indoors and for clean situations outdoors.

221. Bright‐wire armoured cables shall not be used out of doors.

222. Non‐sheathed twisted‐twin flexible cords and non‐sheathed parallel‐twin flexible cords shall not
be used.

223. Cable installation

All cables shall be placed out of reach of livestock and clear of all vehicles.

224. Cables having a sheath of p.v.c. or an oil‐resisting and flame‐retardant or h.o.f.r. sheath, shall
not be placed where they would be liable to contact with liquid creosole.

225. Where additional protection against mechanical damage to cables is required, it shall wherever
possible be provided by the use of non‐metallic materials, e.g. non‐metallic conduit or hardwood, and in
any event metal conduit shall not be used.
226. Where long runs of cable must be placed along the sides of a building, they shall wherever
practicable be placed on the outside of the building, and as high as practicable.

227. Wiring between buildings

Cables buried underground shall be placed at a sufficient depth to avoid any risk of damage by
implements used for purposes of cultivation or drainage. In any case not less than 600 mm, and where
consideration of drainage arise a depth of 1m may be necessary.

228. Where conductors or cables are carried overhead, supported by buildings or by poles, the
minimum height above ground and maximum lengths of span specified in regulation 70 are applicable,
provided for the purpose that any position on any horticultural holding is deemed to be accessible to
vehicular traffic.

229. Steel conduit or pipe shall not be used for spanning gaps between buildings.

230. Exposure to flammable dust

Where apparatus may be exposed to a concentration of flammable dust, such as in situations

used for grain milling and mixing, grain drying, some intensive rearing houses, and the like, the
apparatus shall satisfy the test requirements of regulation 74.

231. Garages

Where vehicles are housed, stored or repaired in buildings or other enclosed spaces, every fixed
item of apparatus shall be mounted at a sufficient height or in such a position as to be clear of all
vehicles.

232. Lamp‐holders

All Edison‐type screw lamp‐holders shall be of the drip‐proof type and shall be provided with a
protective shield. The requirements of regulations 93 and 94 for the use of such lamp‐holders in damp
situations shall apply to all situations in agricultural or horticultural installations.
233. Couplers

Cable couplers shall not be used.

234. Earth leakage

In situations accessible to livestock in and around agricultural buildings, the installation shall so
far as is practicable be of "all‐insulated" construction.

235. An earthing terminal, connected to the earth‐continuity conductor, shall be provided at every
outlet point in the installation.

236. In situations accessible to livestock, a metal pipe or conduit shall not be used as a sole earth‐
continuity conductor, though it may be used to supplement a separate earth‐continuity conductor.

237. The earthing lead of an agricultural installation shall be adequately protected against
disturbance or damage by livestock or by passing mechanical implements. Where the earthing lead is
not enclosed in conduit or equivalent mechanical protection, it shall be of the armoured type.

238. Protection against earth‐leakage currents by isolation of metalwork, as provided for in item (i),
(v) and (vi) of regulation 162, is not recognised for agricultural and horticultural installations, unless the
metalwork is out of reach of livestock and is not liable to accidental contact with passing machinery,
implements or vehicles.

239. Wash troughs

Every switch or other means of control or adjustment not forming an integral part of other
apparatus shall be so situated as to be out of reach of a person in contact with wash troughs, sterilising
equipment and the like. Where apparatus having exposed metalwork and incorporating a switch or
other means of control of adjustment is adjacent to extraneous fixed metalwork, effectual bonding shall
be carried out as that regulation requires; the alternative of effectual segregation is not recognised for
agricultural and horticultural installations.

240. Electric fence controllers

 Every mains‐operated electric fence controller shall be so installed that, as far as is reasonably
practicable, it is free from risk of mechanical damage or unauthorised interference.

241. A mains‐operated electric fence controller shall not be fixed to any pole of an overhead power
or telecommunication line; provided that, where a low voltage supply to an electric fence controller is
carried by insulated overhead line from a distribution board, the controller may be fixed to the pole
carrying the supply.

242. Any earth electrode connected to the earth terminal of an electric fence controller shall be
separate from the earthing system of any other circuit and shall be situated outside the resistance area
of any electrode used for protective earthing.

243. Not more than one controller shall be connected to any electric fence or similar system of
conductors.

244. Every electric fence or similar system of conductors and the associated controller shall be so
installed that it is not liable to come into contact with any power or telecommunication apparatus or
wiring, including an overhead power line, telephone or telegraph wires or an aerial, or with all earth‐
continuity conductor.

Part XIV

Places of public amusement

245. General

(1) The regulation in this Part shall apply to theatres, music‐halls, motion‐picture theatres, and
public halls, and embody special requirements in addition to any other requirements of these
Regulations.

(2) In case of any dispute as to whether a place is a public hall, the matter shall be submitted to
the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services whose decision shall be final.

246. All fixed wiring shall be enclosed in screwed galvanised conduits.

247. (1) The state‐switchboard shall be either of the dead‐front type or the accessories shall be of the
totally enclosed type.

(2) The switchboard shall be fixed in convenient position preferably overlooking the stage, and
inaccessible to all but the switchboard operator.

(3) A platform with proper means of access shall be provided for the switchboard operator. The
platform shall be of fire‐resisting material, with a hardwood or other insulating floor. The hand‐rail of
the platform, if of metal, shall not be connected directly or indirectly to earth.

(4) Switchboards and fuse boards shall be fixed in accessible positions where they will not obstruct
passage or exit ways.

248. (1) Resistances shall be mounted on incombustible bases, and shall be so protected and placed at
such a distance from any combustible material that no part of the resistance, if broken, can fall on such
material, or vice versa.

(2) The resistances shall be provided with adequate ventilation.

249. Stage‐lighting, including footlights, border‐lights, and proscenium side‐lights, shall be so wired
that the maximum current on each circuit shall not exceed ten amperes.

250. Cables to battens and floats shall be suspended in such a manner that no stress can be applied
by the conductors to any terminal to which they may be connected and shall be either‐

(a) flexible cables covered with tough‐rubber compound; or

(b) vulcanised rubber‐insulated cables containing not less than seven strands for each
conductor and enclosed in canvas hose; or

(c) flexible cables covered with a slow‐burning braiding approved by the Director of
Electrical Inspectorate Services; or

(d) flexible cables, covered with asbestos, or fire‐resisting braiding approved; or

(e) flexible cables covered with cord braiding.

251. (1) Lamps on battens, footlights, etc., shall be protected by stiff wire guards so arranged that no
scenery or other inflammable material can come in contact with the lamps, and shall be properly
protected from every liable to cause short‐circuit.
 (2) No readily combustible material shall be used in connection with any lamps in such a manner that it
might come in contact with the lamps or conductors.

252. Every electrical fitting or apparatus of any description shall be so fixed or arranged that in no
circumstances can it interfere with the proper working of the safety‐curtain.

253. Portable lamps for the orchestra or similar lighting shall be connected to a sub‐circuit or sub‐
circuits to which no other lighting is connected.

Special requirements for motion picture theatres

254. Lighting and electrical installation

The provisions of this Part shall apply to every cinematograph theatre, projection room, re‐
winding room and file store‐room.

255. Control of lighting

Where the general lighting of the premises can be controlled from within the projection or re‐
winding room, there shall be separate and independent means of control outside of and away from the
projection or re‐winding room.

256. Electrical installation

Where electrical energy is used for lighting or other purposes within the building the following
provisions shall be observed‐

(a) except as otherwise provided in the Cinematograph Regulations, the installation

generally shall be in accordance with these Regulations;

(b) the main supply fuses and switches shall not be accessible to the public. They shall be
located where there is ample space and head room and where there is no risk of fire
resulting therefrom. In no circumstances shall they be placed in a projection room, re‐
winding room, or film store;

(c) a separate circuit shall be taken from the source of supply for the projector circuit so
that no accident to this circuit can affect the general lighting;

(d) each of the main circuits shall be separately protected by an efficient linked switch and
by a fuse on each phase;
 (e) the general wiring of the building shall be in accordance with these Regulations, except
as regards any necessary flexible conductors such as may be required for pendant lamps
or movable fittings;

(f) conductors from the switchboard in the projection room to the cinematograph machine
shall be enclosed in screwed conduit, and terminate in a terminal‐box approved by the
authorised inspectors from such box to the lamp shall be covered with fire‐resisting
material;

(g) the conductor for cinematograph machines and accessories shall be taken as a separate
circuit from the source of supply or from the supply side of the main fuses in the general
lighting‐circuit; and there shall be efficient switches and fuses inserted at the point
where the supply is taken, and in addition an efficient double‐pole switch shall be fitted
in the conductors within the projection room;

(h) the maximum potential difference across the carbons of the lamp or between any part
of the arc‐circuit on the cinematograph machine and earth shall not exceed 100 volts in
any circumstances;

(i) resistances for cinematograph machines shall not be placed inside the projection room.

257. The general wiring shall be carried out in accordance with the following systems‐(1) Copper
cables installed in screwed galvanised conduit: Provided that‐

(a) the conduits shall be mechanically and electrically continuous throughout and shall be
efficiently earthed in the manner specified in these Regulations;

(b) the electrical resistance of the conduit in a complete installation, and of the earth
connection, shall not exceed the maximum values specified in these Regulations;

(c) where the galvanising of the conduit or fittings has been damaged by the use of tools or
by screwing or threading, the exposed metal shall be painted with an aluminium paint
after erection;

(d) metal conduit shall not be buried in the ground. Where it is necessary to bury cables,
armoured cables shall be used.

(2) A suitable fire‐resisting mineral, insulated and metal sheathed system: Provided that‐

(a) the system shall be in accordance with the appropriate Nigerian Standards
Specifications;

(b) the system shall be installed and tested in accordance with the General Regulations for
Electrical Installations.
258. Projection and rewinding room and film store

All wiring contained in the projection and rewinding rooms and film store shall be carried out in
a mineral insulated metal sheathed, fire‐resisting system, approved by the Director of Electrical
Inspectorate Services. All slack cables shall be heavily covered with fire‐proof material.

259. An efficient double‐pole main switch shall be fixed within the projection room whereby all
current may be cut off from the projector circuit or circuits within the projection room and an additional
double‐pole or triple‐pole switch shall be fixed for each arc lamp so that the current may be cut off
whilst recarboning is taking place.

260. Where two or more projectors are installed and a change‐over switch is required, it shall, unless
it be a double‐pole switch having a secure "off" position, be in addition to and not in substitution for the
main switch.

261. All live parts of apparatus within one and a half metre of the projector shall be shielded so that
they cannot be accidentally touched. The covers of enclosed switches shall be of metal and shall be so
constructed that the switch handle does not work through an open slot.

262. The lamp or lamps for lighting the projection and re‐winding room and film store shall not be
connected to the safety lighting and shall be of the bulkhead type.

263. All metal work liable to become accidentally charged, including the projecting apparatus, shall
be efficiently earthed. The size of the earth wires shall be in accordance with the requirements of these
Regulations.

264. The arc lamp adjusting handles shall be made of insulating material and shall be so constructed
and arranged that the hand cannot inadvertently touch live metal.

265. Resistances, in which more than two kilowatts are dissipated, shall be placed in a room or place
other than the projector or re‐winding room and accessible only by the technical staff. If such room or
place is within the theatre, the room or place shall not communicate directly with the auditorium. It
shall be well ventilated by ample inlets and outlets connecting directly with the outer air. Switches
suitably placed shall be provided whereby the pressure may be cut off from the resistance.

266. Motor generators or electrical generating plant and the main switch‐gear shall be in a room or
rooms constructed of fire resisting materials. Such room or rooms may also contain resistance and the
main supply fuses and switches and shall be well ventilated and shall not communicate directly with the
auditorium or any part of the building to which the public is admitted. Such room or rooms shall not be
used as a projection room, rewinding room, film‐store.

267. Safety lighting

Safety lighting shall be provided in every cinematograph theatre and shall be maintained in good
working order and so kept in use that it is adequate to enable the public to see the way out of the
premises.

268. Electrical conductors forming part of the safety lighting system shall not be contained in the
same conduit or incorporated in the same cable as electrical conductors used for any other purpose.

269. Batteries for safety lighting

Where the safety lighting is derived from a battery of accumulators, the battery shall be of such
capacity and so maintained as to be capable of supplying at normal voltage the full load which will be
connected thereto while the public is upon the premises.

270. All electric conductors shall be of adequate size for the current which they have to carry and
shall be efficiently covered with insulating material and shall be either placed out of reach of persons in
the auditorium and where they are not liable to damage, or protected against injury by suitable casings.

PART XV

Electric discharge and fluorescent light circuits and signs

271. Switches
 Every switch not specifically designed to break an inductive load of its full rated capacity shall, if
used to control a discharged lighting circuit, have a current rating of not less than twice the total steady
current which it is required to carry or, if used to control filament lighting and discharge lighting, have a
current rating of not less than the sum of the current flowing in the filament lamps, and twice the total
steady current flowing in the electric discharge lamps.

272. Circuit loading

Circuits shall be capable of carrying the total steady current viz that of the lamp(s) and any
associated gear and also their harmonic currents. Where more exact information is not available, the
demand in volt‐amperes may be taken for the purpose of this regulation as the rated lamp watts
multiplied by not less than 1.8. The neutral conductor in every discharge‐lighting circuit shall have a
cross‐sectional area not less than that of the phase conductor(s).

NOTE.‐ The multiplier referred to in regulation 272 is based on the assumption that a circuit
is corrected to a power factor of not less than 0.85 lagging, and takes into account control‐
gear losses and harmonic currents.

273. Transformer and inductors

Every inductor and high‐reactance transformer shall be installed as near as is practic‐able to its
associated electric discharge lamp.

274. Screening

All live parts, including all apparatus and conductors but excluding the lamps except in the
neighbourhood of their terminal, shall be provided with effective screens of earthed metal or insulating
material, of mechanical strength adequate to withstand the conditions of normal service, or
alternatively for installations on the exterior of a building, such live parts may be so situated as to be
accessible only to authorised persons. Screens of insulating materials used for this purpose shall be non‐
hygroscopic anti‐tracking, and substan‐tially non‐combustible.

275. Motor‐generators and converters

Every circuit which is energised by a motor generator or double wound converter shall be
permanently earthed at a terminal of the motor‐generator converter.
276. Maximum permissible voltage

No circuit shall use a voltage exceeding 5 kilovolts r.m.s. to earth, measured on open circuit.

277. Transformers of input exceeding 500W

Every circuit at a voltage exceeding low voltage supplied from a transformer having a rated
input exceeding 500 watts shall be provided with means for the automatic disconnection of the supply
in the event of a short circuit on an earth‐leakage current which exceeds 20% of the normal steady
current in the circuit.

278. Ancillary requirement

Ancillary equipment for installations at voltages exceeding low voltages, including inductors,
capacitors, resistors, and transformers shall be either totally enclosed in a substantial, earthed, metal
container which may form part of lighting fitting, or alternatively shall be placed in a suitably ventilated
enclosure of non‐combustible material or of fire‐resisting construction which is reserved for this
equipment. A notice, "DANGER ‐ HIGH VOLTAGE", shall be placed and maintained on every such
container or enclosure that is accessible to unauthorised persons and otherwise, where necessary. The
word "DANGER" shall be in block letters not less than 10 mm high and the words "HIGH VOLTAGE" in
letters not less than 5 mm high. The letters shall be in red on a white background and the size of each
notice shall be not less than 65 mm by 50 mm overall.

279. Segregation of circuits

No conductor which is in metallic connection with a discharge lamp operating at a voltage

exceeding low‐voltage shall be in connection with any conductor or the mains supply other than by
means of any connection with earth complying with these Regulations; provided that auto‐transformer
delivering voltage not exceeding 1.5 kilovolts r.m.s. measured on open circuit may be used on a.c. 2‐wire
circuit in which one pole of the supply is connected with earth, subject to the provision of means of
isolation of both poles of the supply.

280. Isolation of circuits

One of the following means shall be provided inside the building for the isolation from all poles
of the supply of every self‐contained light fitting or alternatively of every circuit supplying discharge
lamps operating at a voltage exceeding low voltage, except that means need not be provided for
isolation from the neutral conductor of a 3‐phase 4‐wire installation‐
 (i) an interlock on the self‐contained light fitting, so arranged that before access
can be had to live parts, the supply is automatically disconnected, such means
being provided in addition to the switch normally used for controlling the
circuit; or

(ii) effective local means for the isolation of the circuit from the supply, e.g. an
adjacent plug and socket‐outlet conveniently placed, such means being
provided in addition to the switch normally used for controlling the circuit; or

(iii) a switch having a removable handle or a switch which can be locked, or a

distribution board which can be locked, arrangements being made to prevent
the restoration of the supply by unauthorised persons. Where an installation
comprises more than one such switch or distribution board, all keys and
removable handles shall be non‐interchangeable.

281. Fireman's switch

A fireman's emergency switch shall be provided for the following installations operating at a
voltage exceeding medium voltage‐

(i) exterior installations;

(ii) interior installation which run unattended (e.g. for window lighting or display
purposes).

EXEMPTION.‐For the purpose of regulation 282 a portable discharge‐lighting fitting or

sign of rating not exceeding 100 watts and fed from a socket‐outlet which provides the
local means of isolation required by regulation 282 (ii), need not be regarded as forming
part of an interior installation operating at a voltage exceeding medium voltage.

282. Every fireman's emergency switch shall‐

(i) be arranged to isolate the installation from all poles of the supply, except that it
need not isolate the installation from the neutral conductor of a 3‐phase 4‐wire
supply; and

(ii) be coloured red and have fixed near it a nameplate marked with the words,
("FIREMAN'S SWITCH"), the plate being of minimum size 150 mm by 100 mm,
with lettering that shall be easily legible from a distance appropriate to the site
conditions but not less than 13 mm high; and
 NOTE TO ITEM (II).‐It is desirable that the nameplate should also be marked with the name of the
company which installed or (if different) which maintains the installation.

(iii) have its ON and OFF positions clearly indicated by lettering legible to a person
standing on the ground, and the OFF position shall be at the top; and

NOTE TO ITEM (III).‐It is desirable that the fireman's switch be provided with a lock or
catch so designed as to prevent the switch being inadvertently or accidentally returned
to the ON position.

(iv) be fixed in a conspicuous position, reasonably accessible to firemen, and except

in the case of an agreement to the contrary with the local fire‐brigade authority,
at not more than 2.75m from the ground; and

(v) for exterior installations, be outside the building and adjacent to the electric
discharge lamp(s), or alternatively a notice indicating the position of the switch
shall be placed adjacent to the electric discharge lamp(s) and a nameplate shall
be fixed near the switch so as to render it clearly distinguishable; and

(vi) for interior installations, be in the main entrance to the building or alternatively
in a position to be agreed with the local fire brigade authority; and

NOTE TO ITEMS (V) (VI).‐It is desirable that, whenever practicable, all exterior
installations on any one building should be controlled by a single fireman's
switch. Similarly, all internal installations in anyone building should be controlled by
a single fireman's switch independent of the switch for any external installation.

(vii) where more than one such switch is installed on anyone building be clearly
marked to indicate the installation or section of the installation which it
controls, and the local fire‐brigade authority shall be notified accordingly.

283. A fireman's switch may be used to open one or more contactors or circuit‐breakers for the total
isolation of an installation from the supply, provided that every such contractor or circuit‐breaker is
arranged to open automatically on failure of the supply to its holding coil circuit.

284. Types of cables

Connections in circuit at a voltage exceeding medium voltage shall be made by cable complying
with Nigerian Standard Specifications, except as provided in regulations 285, 286, 293 and 294. Metal‐
sheathed, or armoured, or metal‐sheathed and armoured, cable shall be used, except that cable having
a non‐metallic sheath may be used‐
(a) in exterior installations for inter‐lamp series connections not exceeding 3m in length which are
not likely to suffer mechanical damage, or which are installed in box signs constructed
substantially of non‐combustible material; and

(b) in interior installations, in self‐contained light fitting.

285. Bare or lightly insulated conductors

Bare or lightly‐insulated conductors of copper or nickel having a cross‐sectional area of not less
than 0.4 mm2 (170.71 mm), may be used for series connections in circuit operating at a voltage
exceeding low voltage, e.g. for window signs provided that either‐

(a) the conductor does not exceed 1m length is supported at intervals not greater than 500
mm, is not exposed to the likelihood of mechanical damage, and is completely
protected by non‐combustible, non‐hygroscopic insulating material which if in the form
of glass tubing has a wall thickness not less than 1 mm and overall diameter not less
than 5 mm and is so arranged as to be reasonably secured against any displacement
which would expose any part of the live metal, or

(b) the conductor is in an enclosure to the interior of which only authorised persons can
have access.

286. For shop‐front fascia installations, bare or lightly insulated conductors shall be used only for
connections housed within an earthed metal enclosure or for connections between the terminals of
electrode housings. For all other connections behind or through fascia panels, including series
connections, armoured or metal‐sheathed or metal‐braided cable shall be used.

287. Cables and conductors in circuit operating at a voltage exceeding low voltage shall be supported
at intervals not exceeding the appropriate value stated in Table 13 in Schedule 1. Supports for insulated
and braided cables and for bare conductors shall be of non‐combustible, non‐hygroscopic insulating
material, e.g. glass or glazed porcelain.

288. Creepagos and clearances

The length in mm measured along the centre line of every support which serves to separate
bare metal or cable operating at a voltage exceeding medium voltage the cable being neither metal‐
sheathed nor armoured, from earthed metalwork, woodcraft, or surfaces likely to become damp, shall
be not less than the value obtained by multiplying the voltage to earth of the transformer secondary in
kilovolts (r.m.s.) measured on open circuit, by 10.

289. In circuit operating at a voltage exceeding low voltage, the air gap in mm from metal or cables
which are neither metal‐sheathed not armoured, to earthed metal woodwork, or surfaces likely to
become damp, shall be not less than the value obtained by multiplying the voltage to earth of the
transformer secondary in kilovolts (r.m.s.) measured on open circuit, by 4.

290. Cable installation

In a circuit operating at a voltage exceeding medium voltage, every cable shall be supported
close to each terminal connection and in no instance at a distance greater than 150 mm, or 300 mm if a
glazed porcelain electrode‐receptacle forming an adequate support for the cable is used.

291. Where a connection is made to a cable in a circuit operating at a voltage exceeding medium
voltage, the insulation exposed by removing the metal sheath or braid shall be suitably protected from
the effect of ozone.

292. Where likely to suffer mechanical damage, every cable in a circuit operating at a voltage
exceeding low voltage shall be armoured or otherwise suitably protected. Non‐armoured cable shall not
be drawn into metal tubing except where they pass through walls or floors where they may be installed
in short lengths of metal conduit which shall be earthed.

293. Where not otherwise readily identifiable, cables in a circuit operating at a voltage exceeding low
voltage or their protective covering shall be distinguished by tabs or labels marked "DANGER" securely
attached at intervals not greater than 1.5m. The letters shall be in red on a white background, and shall
be not less than 10 mm high.

294. Earthed return conductors

The return cable from an electrode to a transformer terminal which is earthed may be a low
voltage cable provided that the cross‐sectional area of the conductor is not less than 2.5 rnrn2.
295. The metalwork of a rotating device (e.g. the hands of a clock) may be used as a return
conductor provided that adjacent un‐insulated metalwork is permanently and effectively earthed.

296. Regulation L.N. 25 of 1958

The Electric Wiring Regulations Cap. 106 L.F.N. of 1990 are hereby repealed.

___________________________
_______________
 TABLE 3

Radial and ring final sub‐circuits

Description and special Minimum Minimum Minimum Rating of Maximum number

conditions if any copper con- copper clad copper con- fuse or cir- of socket-outlets
ductor size aluminium ductorsize cuit-breaker and stationary
or rubber or conductor of mineral protecting appliance of rat-
p. v.c. insu- size ofp.v.c. insulated final sub- ing not exceeding
lated cable insulated cable used circuit 13 amperes
used cable used throughout
throughout throughout (alternative
to Col. 2)
I 2 3 4 5 6

mnr' mnr' mm' A

(a) Radial final sub- Provided that no

circuit serving one fixed water heat-

room only of less ing appliance
than 30 m2 floor shall be connected
area which is not a to any of these
kitchen ................. 2.5 4 1.5 20 points.

(b) Radial final sub-

circuit serving 2.5 4 1.5 20 2
rooms other than
in (a) above .......... 4.0 6 2.5 30 6
(c) Ring final sub- See regulation
circuit with spurs 2.5 4 1.5 30 31 (8)-(12)

ifany ....................

Appliance of 15VA rating or less may be ignored

_____________________

TABLE 4

Minimum internal radius of bends in cables for fixing wiring

Insulation Finish Overall diameter Factor to be applied

 to overall diameter of
cable to determine
minimum internal
radius of bend
Rubber or p.v.c. Non-armoured Not exceeding 10 mm ..... 3
(circular copper Exceeding 10 mm but not
or circular
stranded alumin- exceeding 35 mm ............ 4
ium conductors Exceeding 25 mm ............ 6
Armoured Any ................................. 6
p.v.c. (solid Armoured or non-armoured Any ................................. 8
aluminium or
shaped copper
conductors)

TABLE 4-continued

Insulation Finish Overall diameter Factor to be applied

to overall diameter of
cable to determine
minimum internal
radius of bend
Impregnated Lead or corrugated aluminium Any ................................. 12
paper sheath with or without armour
Smooth aluminium sheath with Not exceeding 30 mm ..... 12
or without armour Exceeding 30 mm but not
50mm ............................. 15
Exceeding 50 nun ........... 18
Mineral Copper or aluminium sheath Any ................................. 6
with or without p.v.c. covering

*The factors are applied to the diameter over the aluminium sheath

_____________________

Table 5A

Colour identification of cores of non‐flexible cables and bare conductors for fixed wiring
 Colour identification of cores of rubber
‐or p.v.c insulated non – flexible cable, or of sleeve or
Function disc to be applied to conductors or cable core

Earthing ................................................ green and yellow

Live of a.c. single‐phase circuit ............... red or yellow or brown or blue

Neutral of a.c. single or three‐phase ............. black

Phase R of 3‐phase a.c. circuit ....................... red

Phase Y of 3‐phase a.c. circuit ........................ yellow

Phase B of 3‐phase a.c. circuit ....................... blue

Positive of d .c. 2‐wire circuit ........................ red

Neqative of d.c. 2‐wire circuit ........................ black

Outer (positive or negative) of d.c. 2‐wire circuit derived red

from 3‐wire system................
red
Positive of 3‐wire d.c. circuit ..............................
black
Middle wire of I‐wire d.c. circuit.....................
blue
Negative of 3‐wire d.c. circuit ............................. .
Fifth (special purpose) core in 5‐core armoured p.v.c.
Cables.......................................
Orange

*Identification of conductors Rule 49 (1), (2), (3), (4)

_____________________
 Cable size Conduit size and gauge

Nomi
nal Nomi-
con- Number and nal 16 mm or 20 mm or 25 mm or 32 mm or
due- diameter of overall 5/S in 3/4 in I in 11/4 in
tor wire No/mm2 diame-
size termm
mm2
I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Met- Me/- Metric Met- Met- Met- Met- Metric
ric ric Light ric ric ric ric Heavy
P. V. C. cables Light Heavy Heavy Light Heavy Light
Maximum number of cables

2.5 7/0.67 3.8 4 4 8 7 13 11 22 20

4 7/0.85 4.3 3 3 6 5 10 9 17 16
6 7/1.04 4.9 3 2 5 4 7 7 13 12
10 7/1.35 6.2 - - 3 2 4 4 8 7
16 7/1.70 7.1 - - 2 - 3 3 6 5
25 7/1.24 9.0 - - - - 2 2 4 4
15 19/1.53 10.1 - - - - - - 3 2
50 19/1.78 12.0 - - - - - - 2 2
Rubber cables

1.0 1/1.13 3.4 6 5 10 8 16 14 28 25

1.5 1/1.38 3.6 5 4 9 8 14 13 27 23
2.5 1/1.78 4.0 4 3 7 6 11 10 20 18
4 7/0.85 5.2 2 2 4 3 7 6 12 I1
6 7/1.04 6.0 2 - 3 2 5 4 9 8
10 7/1.35 7.3 - - 2 - 3 3 6 5
16 7/1.70 8.4 - - - - 2 2 4 4
25 712.14 10.1 - - - - - - 3 2
35 19/1.53 11.7 - - - - - - 2 2

Note. ‐ The maximum numbers of cables in the table relate to conduit runs incorporating not more than
two 90° bends or the equivalent. Where runs include additional bends, sets or other restrictions, the
numbers must be appropriately reduced. This applies particularly where solid conductor cables are to be
drawn in.

_____________________

Table 7

Capacities of p.v.c. conduits

Maximum capacities of p.v.c. conduits, for the simultaneous drawing‐in of single core p.v.c. cables or
rubber cables
 Cable size Conduit size and gauge
Nominal Number and Nominal 16 mm or 20 mm or 25 mm or 12 mm or
conducto diameter of overall
r 5/8 in )/4 in 1 in 11/4 in
size mm} wire No/mm} diameter mm
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Metric Metric Metric Metric
P. v.c. Cables A orB A orB A orB A orB
Maximum number of cables
1.0 1/1.12 2.9 7 12 20 34
1.5 1/1.38 3.1 6 11 18 30
1.5 7/0.50 3.3 6 10 16 28
2.5 1/1.78 3.5 5 8 14 20
2.5 7/0.67 3.8 4 7 12 20
4 7/0.85 4.3 3 5 9 15
6 7/1.04 4.9 2 4 7 12
10 7/1.35 6.2 - 2 4 7
16 7/1.70 7.3 - 2 3 5
25 7/2.4 9.0 - - 2 3
35 19/1.53 10.3 - - 2 3
50 19/1.78 12.0 - - - 2
Rubber
1.0 1/ 1.13 3.4 5 9 15 25
1.5 1/ 1.38 3.6 5 8 13 22
2.5 1/ I. 78 4.0 4 6 10 18
4 7/0.85 5.2 2 4 6 10
6. 7/1.04 6.0 - 3 4 8
10 7/1.35 7.3 - 2 3 5
16 7/1.70 8.4 - - 2 4
25 712.14 10.1 - - - 2
35 19/1.53 11.7 - - - 2

Note. ‐ The maximum number of cables in the table relate to conduit runs incorporating not more than
two 900 bends or the equivalent. Where runs include additional bends, sets or other restrictions, the
numbers must be appropriately reduced. This applies particularly where solid conductor cables are to be
drawn in.

_____________________
TABLE 12
Minimum sizes of copper earthing leads, copper bonding leads and copper earthing continuity
conductors not forming part of the same cable as the associated circuit conductors
Nominal cross Nominal cross Nominal cross
sectional
area of largest area of earthing lead area ofsectional
sectional earthing lead Nominal cross
t d i it conductor conductor f b di l d
ductor
I 2 3 4
mm2 mm" mm2 mm2
1.0 6 1.0 1.0
1.5 6 1.0 1.0
2.5 6 1.0 1.0
4 6 2.5 1.0
6 6 2.5 1.0
10 6 6 2.5
16 6 6 2.5
25 16 16 6
35 16 16 6
50 16 16 6
70 50 50 16
95 50 50 16
120 50 50 16
150 50 50 16
185 70 70 50
240 70 70 50
300 70 70 50
400 70 70 50
500 70 70 50
630 70 70 50

TABLE 13
Support for cables and conductors in circuit operating at a voltage exceeding medium voltage

Spacing of supports
Types of cable or conductor
Horizontal Vertical

mm mm
Bare conductors 500 500
Insulated and braided cables 500 800
Metal-sheathed non-armoured cable 800 1250
Armoured or metal-sheathed and ... 1000 1500

_____________________

Table 14

Allowance for diversity

Estimation of the maximum current which will normally flow in an installation. For use in calculating the
size of cables and switch‐gear except for final sub‐circuits
 Type of installation
Purpose affinal sub- Individual Shops, etc., e
fedfrom the wiring to domestic Block of Hotel, offices and
diversity applies tion including residentialflats houses, ness
individualflats houses, etc. other than
a block factories
I. Lighting 66% 50% 75% 90%
2. Heating and power 100% f1 up to 100% f1 ofthe 100% f1 ofthe 100% fl of
appliances (but see amperes largest largest largest
below)
+50% of any +50% fl of +80% 11 of +75% 11
lin excess
d d
of 10 largest d
largest f
remaining
amperes appliances
appliance +33% fl of3rd +60% 11 of
largest remaining
appliances
+20% of
remaining
appliance
3. Cooking 10 amperes 100% 11 100% fl 100% fl of
permanently est appliance est appliance largest
30% f1 of con- 50% fl of 2nd +80% 11 of +80% 11 of
nected largest largest largest
appliances in
excess of 10
amperes
+5 ampere if +33% fl of3rd +60%11 of +60% 11 of
socket -outlet largest remaining remaining
incorporated appliances appliances
unit
+25% fl of 4th
largest
+20% of
remaining
appliances

Type of installation
 Purpose offinal sub- Individual Shops, etc., e
circuits g
fedfrom the wiring to domestic Block of Hotel, offices and
diversity applies tion including residentialflats houses, ness premises,
individual flats houses, etc. other than
a block factories
4. Motors other than 100% f1 of the 100% f1 of the
Kft
motors which are largest motor largest motor
NO DIVERSITY ALLOWED
ject to special condi-
tions
+50% fl of +80% f1 of2nd
remaining largest motors
+60% fl of re-
maining
5. Water heaters 100% fl of the largest appliance To be assessed by a competent
(instan
taneous type) person
150% f1 of 2nd largest To be assessed by a competent
appliance
person
+25 of remaining appliances To be assessed by a competent
person
6. Water heaters
(th NO DIVERSITY ALLOWED**
statically controlled)
7. Socket-outlets and 100% largest 100% largest 100% largest 100% largest
sta fuse
tionary appliances in or circuit- fuse
or circuit- fuse
or circuit- fuse or circuit-
accordance with rating of rating of rating of breaker rating
ual circuits ual circuits ual circuits individual
circuits
+40% sum of +40% sum of +50% sum of +40% sum of
f circuit-
or fuse or circuit- fuse or circuit- fuse or circuit-
rating of other breaker rating breaker rating breaker rating
circuits other circuits other circuits other circuits
8. Socket -outlet and 100% fl of 100% fl of 100%f1 of 100% fl of
sta
tionary appliances largest point largest point largest point larg
est point
than those listed
40% fl of other +40% fl of 75% f1 of 75% fl of
other points other
points points in main rooms points
(dining room,
etc.)
40% f1 of
remaining

_________________

*For the purpose of this Table, an instantaneous water‐heater is deemed to be water‐heater of any
loading which heats water only while the tap is turned on and therefore uses electricity intermittently.

**It is important to ensure that the distribution boards are of sufficient rating to take the total load
connected to them without the application of any diversity.
 _________________

SCHEDULE II

APPENDIX 1

Completion Certificate

(Prescribed for electrical installations of buildings)

Completion Certificate to be given by the contractor or other person responsible for the construction of
the installations, or major alteration thereto, or by an authorised person acting on his behalf.

I certify that the electrical installation at……………………………………………………...........................................

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

has been inspected and tested, in accordance with the requirements of Federation of Nigeria. Electricity
Act and Regulations for Electrical Installations and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the
installation summarised complies, at the time of my test, with those Regulations current at the date of
contract for the work, except as stated.

I recommend that this installation be further inspected and tested after an interval

of not more than

…………………………………………………………. months

…………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………

Signed Date

For and on behalf of…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Address………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Particulars of the installation covered by this Certificate

New installation…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Alteration/ Extension to existing installation…………………………………………………………………………………………

Number of liqhtinq points……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Number(s) of socket‐outlets …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Details of stationary appliance/fixed apparatus …………………………………………………………………………………….

Details of departures (if any) from the Regulations…………………………………………………………………………………

Comments (if any) on existing installation (where this certificate relates to an alteration or

addition)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

INSPECTION CERTIFICATE
(Prescribed for electrical installations of buildings)
Inspection Certificate to be given by the contractor or other person responsible for carrying out an
inspection and test of an installation, or part of an installation, or by an authorised person acting on
his behalf.
I certify that the electrical installation at ............................................................... .

has been inspected and tested, in accordance with the requirements of Federation of Nigeria Elec‐
tricity Act and Regulations for Electrical Installations and that, the results are as indicated below.
I recommend that this installation be further inspected and tested after an interval of not more than
three years.
Items inspected or tested
Method of earthing‐
Cable sheath ........................................................................................................... .
Additional overhead line conductor ...................................................................... .
Protective multiple earthing (P.M.E.) .................................................................... .
Buried strip/rod/plate ............................................................................................ .
Earth‐leakage circuit‐breaker, voltage operated ................................................... .
Earth‐leakage circuit‐breaker, current operated ................................................... .
The impedance of each earth‐continuity conductor is satisfactory ...................... .
The total earth‐loop impedance is satisfactory/unsatisfactory for ready operation of the largest‐
rated excess‐current protective device relied upon for earth‐leakage protection .
Earth‐leakage protection is afforded by a current operated/voltage operated earth‐leakage circuit‐
breaker, the operation of which is effective .......................................................... .
Polarity throughout the installation is correct ....................................................... .
All single‐pole control devices are in live conductors only .................................... .
The installation resistance of the fixed wiring installation is not less than 1.0 megaohm .
Each item of apparatus tested separately is in good serviceable condition, except as stated below

There is no sign of overloading of conductors accessories except as stated below .

Apparatus tested includes/does not include portable appliances ........................ .

Comments (if any) and departures from the Regulations for Electrical Installations .
................................................................. .................................................
 Date Signed and Sealed
Coren Reg. No ........................................................................................................ .
For and on behalf of ............................................................................................... .

Address ................................................................................................................... .

Notes on the Application of Diversity

It is impossible to specify in these Regulations the amount of diversity for every type of installa‐
tion but the figures given in the following table may be taken as a guide. The amount by which
they are increased or decreased for each installation should be decided by the engineer responsible
for the design of that installation. The values given in the Table refer to percentage of connected
load, or, where followed by the letters "f.I." to the percentage of full‐load current of a heating
appliance, motor, or other current‐using device, or a socket‐outlet. In calculating the maximum
current, appliances and socket‐outlets should be considered in the order of their current ratings, the
largest first. For installations such as blocks of flats, the calculation for diversity in the rising main
should be based on the aggregate current rating of all points connected to the system and not based
on the sum of the normal demands of the flats obtained after applying diversity to each flat.

_________________________

APPENDIX 2

Notes on precautions against corrosion of metal sheathes of cables and metal conduit
ducts and trunking and their fixings
In damp situations, precautions are desirable against corrosion of metal cable sheaths and armour
of cables, metal conduit and conduit fittings, metal duct and trunking systems, and associated
metal fixings, where these are likely to come into contact with any of the following materials‐
(i) materials containing magnesium chloride which are used in the construction of floors and
dadoes;
(ii) plaster undercoats contaminated with corrosive salts;

(iii) lime, cement and plaster (e.g. on unpainted walls);

(iv) oak and other acidic woods;

(v) dissimilar metals liable to set up electrolytic action.

Application of bitumen or bituminised paint before erection or prevention of contact by separation
with bitumen felt, and recognised as effectual precautions against corrosion.
Special care is required in the choice of materials for clips and other fittings, for bare aluminium
sheathed cables and for aluminium conduit, to avoid risk of local corrosion in damp situations.
Suitable materials for this purpose are the following‐
Porcelain,
Aluminium,
Corrosive‐resistant aluminium alloys,
Zink alloys,
Iron or steel protected against rust by galvanising,
Sherardising, etc.

Notes on the Application of Diversity

It is impossible to specify in these Regulations the amount of diversity for every type of installation but
the figures given in the following table may be taken as a guide. The amount by which they are
increased or decreased for each installation should be decided by the engineer responsible for the
design of that installation. The values given in the Table refer to percentage of connected load, or,
where followed by the letters "f.l." to the percentage of full‐load current of a heating appliance, motor,
or other current‐using device, or a socket‐outlet. In calculating the maximum current, appliances and
socket‐outlets should be considered in the order of their current ratings, the largest first. For
installations such as blocks of flats, the calculation for diversity in the rising main should be based on the
aggregate current rating of all points connected to the system and not based on the sum of the normal
demands of the flats obtained after applying diversity to each flat.

_________________________

Appendix 2

Notes on precautions against corrosion of metal sheathes of cables and metal conduit ducts and trunking
and their fixings

In damp situations, precautions are desirable against corrosion of metal cable sheaths and armour of
cables, metal conduit and conduit fittings, metal duct and trunking systems, and associated metal
fixings, where these are likely to come into contact with any of the following materials‐

(i) materials containing magnesium chloride which are used in the construction of floors and
dadoes;

(ii) plaster undercoats contaminated with corrosive salts;

(iii) lime, cement and plaster (e.g. on unpainted walls);

(iv) oak and other acidic woods;

(v) dissimilar metals liable to set up electrolytic action.

Application of bitumen or bituminised paint before erection or prevention of contact by separation with
bitumen felt, and recognised as effectual precautions against corrosion.
Special care is required in the choice of materials for clips and other fittings, for bare aluminium
sheathed cables and for aluminium conduit, to avoid risk of local corrosion in damp situations. Suitable
materials for this purpose are the following‐

Porcelain,

Aluminium,

Corrosive‐resistant aluminium alloys,

Zink alloys,

Iron or steel protected against rust by galvanising,

Sherardising, etc.

Contact between bare aluminium sheaths or aluminium conduits and any parts made of brass or other
metal having a high copper content, should be especially avoided in damp situations, unless the parts
are suitably plated. If such contact is unavoidable, the joint should be completely protected against
ingress of moisture, wiped joints in aluminium‐sheathed cables should always be protected against
moisture by a suitable paint, by an impervious tape, or by embedding in bitumen.

________________________

Appendix 3
Earthing tests and measurements

The following methods shall be used to carry out the test called for in these Regulations‐

(1) Test of earth‐continuity conductors:

The resistance of earth‐continuity conductors referred to below are subject also to the
requirements for earth loop impedance. Lower values than those stated may be necessary in order to
meet the requirements for the total earth loop impedance (see Regulations 173).

(a) A.C. test:

Tests of earth‐continuity conductors shall preferably be made with alternating current at the
frequency of the supply and of magnitude approaching 1.5 times the rating of the final sub‐circuit
under test, except that the current need not exceed 25 amperes. The test shall be made when the
normal supply is disconnected from the final sub‐circuit under test. One end of the earth‐continuity
conductors shall be connected to a cable of known resistance, which may be one of the cables of the
final sub‐circuit. An a.c. voltage not exceeding 40 volts shall then be applied between the other end of
the earth‐continuity conductor and the other end of the cable. Subject to the requirements for total
earth loop impedance, it is satisfactory if in this instance the ratio voltage/current, less the resistance of
the return conductor, does not exceed lohm.

(b) Reduced A.C. test:

If it is preferred, e.g. owing to the need to use hand testers, not to apply a test at full current as
described above, a lower value of alternating current at approximately the frequency of the supply may
be used for the testing of an a.c. installation, following in other respects the same procedure.

Subject to the requirements for total earth loop impedance, it is satisfactory if, after allowance
has been made for the return conductor, a value not exceeding 0.5 ohm for the ratio voltage/current is
obtained where steel conduit or pipe forms parts or whole of the earth‐continuity conductor, or a value
of 1 ohm where the earth‐continuity conductor is composed entirely of copper, copper‐alloy or
aluminium. It is often more convenient if a hand‐generator or other portable device can be used rather
than a transformer fed from the supply, as in this event the live conductors of the various sub‐circuits,
while disconnected from the supply, may be connected for purpose of test to the consumer's earthing
terminal and a test can then be carried out between line and earthing conductor at each individual
point, such as a socket‐outlet.

(c) D.C. test of A.C. installation:

If it is not convenient to use a.c. for the testing of an a.c. installation, d.c. may be applied
instead, provided it has been ensured by inspection throughout the whole length of the earth‐continuity
conductor no inductor is incorporated. In these circumstances and subject to the requirements for total
earth loop impedance, it is satisfactory, where steel conduit or pipe forms part or the whole of the
earth‐continuity conductor, if a value of resistance not exceeding 0.5 ohm is obtained, or where the
earth‐continuity conductor is composed entirely of copper, copper‐alloy or aluminium, a value of
resistance not exceeding 1 ohm.

(d) D.C. test of D.C. installation:

Where a test of an earth‐continuity conductor in a d.c. installation is required, this shall

preferably be made by means of a current (which may be obtained from a secondary battery and
rheostat) of magnitude approaching 1.5 times the rating of the sub‐circuit under test, subject to a
maximum of 25 amperes. If it is preferred not to apply a test at full current, a hand‐tester may be used.
In other respects the procedure set out in (a) above applies and, subject to the requirements for total
earth loop impedance, it is satisfactory if the resistance obtained in the test does not exceed 1 ohm.
(2) Earth‐loop impedance test:

These tests should be made with the cross bonds required by these Regulations in place. The
earth‐fault‐loop path (line‐earth loop) comprises the following parts, starting and ending at the point of
fault (see also Figure 1) ‐ the earth‐continuity conductor, the consumer's earthing terminal and the
earthing lead, the metallic return path where available, which may consist of the metallic cable sheath
or the continuous earth wire of an overhead line or, in the case of protective multiple earthing (P.M. E.),
the neutral conductor or, where no metallic return path is available, the earth return path, and the path
through the earthed neutral point of the transformer and the transformer winding, and the live
conductor.

The method used may show the loop impedance in ohms, alternatively it may give a direct
indication of the maximum permissible fuse rating or setting of a circuit‐breaker, or an indication where
a fuse or circuit‐breaker of a given rating will operate satisfactorily under fault conditions.

(a) Tests in line‐earth loop:

These tests may be achieved by an instrument which determines the current flowing
when a known resistance is connected between the live conductor and consumer's earthing terminal. In
using such an instrument, care should be taken that no in effects can arise if the earthing circuit is
defective.

(b) Tests in neutral‐earth loop:

Except when the system is earthed by protective multiple earthing (P.M. E.), it is
permissible to test the neutral‐earth loop instead of the line‐earth loop. This may be achieved by a
method which injects current into the neutral‐earth loop, preferably by means of a transformer fed from
the mains, or alternatively from the a.d.c. source the polarity of which is rapidly and continually
reversed. The instrument employed must be so designed, or used, that its indications are not affected
by neutral currents flowing in the system. In using such an instrument, care should be taken to ensure
that no in effects can arise if the circuit tested is defective. Measurements on systems fed from small
transformers may require compensation, to include an allowance for the impedance of the windings of
transformers, balancers, etc. If a test with rapidly‐reversed d.c. is made on an a.c. installation, it should
be ensured, by inspection, that no inductor is incorporated in the earth‐continuity conductor.

When a measurement on an a.c. system is made with less than 10 amperes a.c., or with rapidly‐
reversed d.c., and the earth‐continuity conductor is wholly or mainly of steel conduit or pipe, the
effective value shall be taken as twice the measured value less the value measured at the consumer's
earthing terminal. In all other cases the effective value shall be the measured value, subject to any
necessary adjustment for impedance of supply transformers, balances, etc., as mentioned above.
(3) Test of earth leakage circuit‐breakers:

For the purpose of this test a voltage not exceeding 45 volts, obtained from a double‐wound
transformer connected to the mains supply, shall be applied across the neutral and earth terminals (or
neutral and frame terminals of a voltage‐operated earth leakage circuit‐breaker) and the circuit‐breaker
shall trip instantaneously. The transformer shall preferably have a short‐time rating of not less than 750
VA. (See Figures 2 and 3).

When, in accordance with the requirements of these Regulations, across‐bonding to other

services is carried out in an installation where a voltage‐operated earth leakage circuit‐breaker is
provided, this may result in a direct earth connection of low impedance being introduced in parallel with
the path through the earth‐leakage circuit‐breaker. Thus an increased value of earth‐leakage current
would need to flow before the circuit‐breaker came into operation, and in some instances the cross‐
bonding may well remedy the deficiency which originally gave rise to the need for the earth‐leakage
circuit‐breaker. These effects are not harmful ‐ it is common practice to use the best solid earth
available (e.g. suitably spaced earth electrodes) in parallel with an earth‐leakage circuit‐breaker. The
circuit‐breaker would still be effective in preventing the exposed metal work of the installation from
rising to a dangerous voltage.

(4) Measurement of consumer's earth‐electrode resistance:

The following procedure shall be adopted where it is desired to measure the resistance of the
earth electrode, e.g. where the installation fails to satisfy the earth‐loop impedance test or where it is
desired to check the continuity effected through an earth electrode (see Figure 4).

An alternating current of a steady value shall be passed between the earth electrode X and an
auxiliary earth electrode Y placed at such a distance from X that the resistance areas of the two
electrodes do not overlap. A second auxiliary earth electrode Z, which may be a metal spike driven into
the ground, shall then be inserted half‐way between X and Y and the voltage drop between X and Z shall
be measured. The resistance of the earth electrodes is then the voltage between X and Z divided by the
current flowing between X and Y, provided that there is no overlap of the resistance areas. To check that
the resistance of the earth electrodes is a true value, two further readings shall be taken with the
second auxiliary electrode Z moved 6m further from and 6m nearer to X respectively. If the three results
are substantially in agreement, the mean of the three readings shall be taken as the resistance of the
earth electrode X. If there is no such agreement the tests shall be repeated with the distance between X
and Y increased.

The test shall be made either with current at power frequency, in which case the resistance of
the voltmeter used must be high (of the order of 200 ohms per volt), or with alternating current from an
earth tester comprising a hand‐driven generator, a rectifier (where necessary), and a direct‐reading
ohmmeter.

If the tests are made at power frequency the source of the current used for the test shall be
isolated from the power mains (e.g. by a double‐wounded transformer), and in any event the earth
electrode X under test shall be disconnected from all sources of supply other than that used for testing.

Preface to the tables of current rating and voltage drop

1. Basis of current rating and values of voltage drop

The current ratings and values of voltage drop for cables and bare conductors set out in Tables
15 to 33 with the associated rating factors and notes.

The current ratings and values of voltage drop for cables are applicable only to cables of voltage
rating not exceeding 600/1000V (or of voltage rating 600V or 1000V, for mineral‐ insulated cables).

The voltage drop for any particular cable run must be such that the total voltage drop in the
circuit of which the cable forms a part does not exceed the limit prescribed in these Regulations, i.e. the
total voltage drop between the consumer's terminals and the other end of the circuit must not exceed
2.5% of the declared or nominal voltage (for example, 5.75 volts for a phase voltage of 230 volts) when
the circuit is carrying the designed full load current. The tabulated current ratings may be used only
where the associated values of voltage drop, adjusted in proportion to the actual length of run, do not
cause that limit to be exceeded.

Values of voltage drop are tabulated for a current of one ampere for a 1m run, i.e. for a distance
of 1m along the route taken by the cables, and represent the result of the voltage drop in all the circuit
conductors. For balanced three‐phase a.c. circuits the values relate to the line voltage.

For any given run the values need to be multiplied by the length of the run in meters and by the
current the cables are to carry. Where the actual current to be carried differs greatly from the current
rating tabulated, the results obtained by multiplying the tabulated voltage drop values in this way are
approximate only; for a more accurate assessment allowance should be made for the change in
conductor resistance with operating temperature.

The values of voltage drop tabulated (except those in Tables 24 ‐ 25 and 32 ‐ 33) relate to the
worst conditions, viz where the phase angle of the cable circuit is equal to that of the load. For cables up
to and including 120mm2 they apply with sufficient accuracy where the power factor of the load lies
between 0.6 lagging and 1.0 and for larger cables where the power factor of the load does not exceed
0.8 lagging. In all other cases the value may be unduly conservative and more exact calculation is
necessary.
 As explained below, the ratings are to be modified where applicable by rating factors in respect
of‐

Ambient temperature;

Class of excess current protection;

Grouping;

Disposition;

Type of sheath.

If the conditions of installation of cables depart in more than one respect from those provided
for in the appropriate table, it is necessary to apply a separate factor for each special circumstance. In
every instance the appropriate factors are to be applied to the current ratings as multipliers.

2. Application of rating factors

(a) For ambient temperature

The current rating given in the Tables for cables and bare conductors are based on an ambient
air temperature of 30°C. Where the ambient air temperature exceeds this figure, the appropriate rating
factor referred to below the Table must be applied: on the other hand, if it can be established that the
ambient temperature will not exceed 25 °C, use may be made of the rating factor appropriate to this
temperature.

The ambient air temperature may be determined by thermometers placed in free air as close as
praticable to the position at which the cables are installed or are to be installed, subject to the provision
that the measurements must not be influenced by the heat arising from the cables; thus if the
measurements are made while the cables are loaded, the thermometers must be placed about 0.5m
from the cables, depending on their size, in the horizontal plane, or 150 mm below the lowest of the
cables.

(b) Class of excess‐current protection

Cables insulated with some thermoplastic materials (e.g. p.v.c.) may sustain serious damage
when subjected even for relatively short periods to temperatures which are appreciable higher than
those permissible for continuous operation. Also at such excess temperatures, if sustained, the elastic
properties of the smaller sizes of cables having synthetic rubber insulation may show a tendency to
deteriorate. Therefore the current ratings of cable insulated with p.v.c. or synthetic rubbers are
determined not only by the maximum conductor temperature for continuous running, but also by the
temperature likely to be attained under conditions of excess current.
 In the tables relating to those types of cable, therefore, the tabulated ratings are related to the
class of excess‐current protection afforded for the cables. For the purposes of these Regulations the
following classes of excess‐current protection are defined‐

Close excess‐current protection

Excess‐current protection which will operate within four hours at 1.5 times the designed load
current of the circuit which it protects. Devices affording close excess‐current protection include‐

(i) fuses fitted with fuse‐links of fusing factor not exceeding 1.5;

(ii) miniature and moulded‐case circuit‐breakers;

(iii) circuit‐breakers set to operate at an overload not exceeding 1.5 times the designed load
current of the circuit.

Coarse excess‐current protection

Excess‐current protection which will not operate within four hours at 1.5 times the designed
load current of the circuit which it protects. Devices affording coarse excess‐current protection include‐

(i) fuses fitted with fuse‐links of fusing factor exceeding 1.5 but not exceeding 2.5;

(ii) semi‐enclosed (rewirable) fuses.

The heading to each table concerned states whether the tabulated ratings relate to close or
coarse excess‐current protection. Where the class of excess‐current protection to be used differs from
that stated in the heading to the table, the appropriate rating factor given below the table must be
applied. Examples are given below.

Example 1

A twin p.v.c. insulated cable having copper conductors is required for a single‐phase a.c. circuit
having a continuous load current of 60 amperes installed clipped direct to a surface and unenclosed.
From Table 15 a 16 mm2 cable is suitable if it is intended that coarse excess‐current protection should
be provided. If close excess‐current protection is to be afforded, a 10 mm2 cable (48A x 1.33 = 64A) is
suitable. In either case the normal current rating of the excess‐current protection device should be 60
amperes.

Example 2

A three‐core p.v.c.‐insulated cable having copper conductors is required for a three‐phase

balanced a.c. circuit having a continuous load current of 300 amperes, installed singly in defined
conditions in air. From Table 19 a 150 mm2 cable is suitable if close excess‐current protection is to be
afforded. If coarse excess‐current protection is to be used, a 240 mm2 cable (420 x 0.75 = 315A) is
necessary. In either case the normal current rating of the fuse or circuit‐breaker should be 300 amperes.
(c) For groups
 The ratings given in the tables are for single circuits only. For groups, the appropriate rating
factor referred to below the tables must be applied.

(d) For other dispositions

The ratings given in the tables are valid only for the dispositions of cables referred to in the tables and
the notes thereto. Rating factors for other dispositions of cables in enclosed trenches are given in Tables
34 and 35.

(e) For type of sheath or finish

In the absence of any indication to the contrary it may be assumed that each table is applicable to every
type of cable falling within the group described by the heading to the table. Where rating factors for
type of sheath and/or armoured and/or finish are stated below a table, they must be applied to the
appropriate columns of the table as indicated.

3. Cables run under defined conditions

The current ratings in the columns of the tables headed "Defined conditions" apply to cables run
under the conditions defined below.

(a) Single‐core cables

(1) Two or three single‐core cables are installed one above the other, fixed to the vertical surface of a
wall or open cable trench as follows, the distance between the wall and the surface cable being at least
20 mm in each instance. Cables in which the conductor cross‐sectional area exceeds 185 mm2 are
installed at a distance between centres of about 90 mm.

The ratings for two cables may be applied with safety in instances where such cables are installed in
horizontal formation on brackets fixed to a wall, either spaced as indicated above, or touching
throughout.

(2) Three single‐core cables are installed in trefoil formation, fixed to the vertical surface of a wall or
open cable trench, the cables touching throughout and the distance between the wall and the surface of
the nearest cable being at least 20 mm; or, alternatively, three single‐core cables are installed in trefoil
formation and laid on a non‐metallic floor, the cables touching each other and the floor throughout.

The ratings given apply provided that the sheaths of single‐core metal‐sheathed cables are
electrically bonded at each end of the run. The cables are assumed to be remote from iron, steel, or
ferro‐concrete, other than the cable supports.

(b) Multi‐core cables

Cables of all types other than single‐core cables are installed singly, fixed to the vertical surface
of a wall, open cable trench, the distance between the surface of the cable and the wall being at least 20
mm in every instance.
 For cables spaced by distances less than those described above, the current ratings in the
columns headed "Clipped direct to a surface ..... " should be applied.

[EDITORIAL NOTE: Full text of this paragraph is not available at the time of printing this publication. This
text will be inserted and issued to subscribers in subsequent updates.]

4. Types of cable and conditions of installation not provided for in the tables

To reduce the number of tables of current rating that would otherwise need to be included in the
Regulations, ratings are not tabulated for types of cable and/or conditions of installation in less common
use. Thus ratings for the following types and conditions have been omitted‐

(i) rubber‐insulated non‐flexible multi‐core cables;

 Conductor Bunched and enclosed in conduit Clipped direct to a surface or on a
trunking** tray, bunched and unenclosed
Nomina No. and 2 cables, single- 3 or 4 cables 2 cables, single- 3 or 4 cables,
cross- dia phase a. c. or d. phase a.c. phase a. c. or d. phasea.c.
sectiona or( wires
)
l
area (nom i- Current Volt Current Volt Current Volt Current Volt drop

nal) rating drop * rating dropper rating dropper rating per am-

per am- ampere ampere pere per

pere per per per metre
metre * metre metre
I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
mrrr' A mV A mV A mV A mV
1.5 1/1.38 13 27 11 23 - 27 - 23
- 7/0.50 - 30 - 26 16 30 15 26
2.5 1/1.78 - - - - - - - -
- 7/0.67 18 16 16 14 23 16 20 14
4 7/0.85 24 10 22 8.8 30 10 27 8.8
6 7/1.04 31 6.8 28 5.9 38 6.8 34 5.9
10 7/1.35 42 4.0 39 3.5 51 4.0 46 3.5
16 7/1.70 56 2.6 50 2.2 63 2.6 61 2.2
25 7/2.14 73 1.6 66 1.4 89 1.6 80 1.4
35 19/1.53 90 1.2 80 1.0 109 1.2 98 1.0
*Total volt drop between the consumer's terminals and any other point in the installation must not
exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage.

**The range ratings in columns 3 and 5 relate to cables in metal or non‐metal conduit and trunking. For
cables in underground pipes and ducts see Item 4 (vi) of the preface to the Tables.

Rating factors

For class of excess‐current protection

The ratings tabulated may be multiplied by 1.11 where close excess‐current protection can be assured.

For ambient temperature

Ambient temperature 25°C 35°C 40°C 45°C 50°C 55°C 60°C 65°C

Rating factor for cables having coarse

excess-current protection . ........ 1.02 0.97 0.94 0.91 0.88 0.77 0.63 0.44
Rating factor for cables having close
 excess-current protection. ........... ......... 1.06 0.94 0.87 0.79 0.71 0.61 0.5 0.35

For groups
For groups of circuits unenclosed, the single-current ratings apply provided that-
(1) The horizontal clearance between circuits is-
(a) not less than six times the overall diameter of an individual cable; and
(b) not less than the overall width of an individual circuit-except that the horizontal clearance need
not in any case exceed 150 mm; and
(2) the vertical clearance between circuits is not less than 150 mm; and
(3) if the number of circuits exceeds four, they are installed in a horizontal plane.
In all other cases, unless a more precise evaluation of current rating has been made based
on experimental work or calculated data, the following factors are applicable-
No. of circuits (pairs of cables single-phase a.c. or. d.c.)
3 cables per circuit or 4 2 3 4 5 6 7 10 12 14 16* 18*· 20··
where
one is the neutral, 3- *
Rating factor. 0.80 0.69 0.62 0.59 0.55 0.51 0.48 0.43 0.4 0.39 0.33 0.36
1
**Not applicable to 3-phase 00

_________________________

TABLE 16
P.V.C. non-armoured single core (50 rnrrr2 to 630 mrrr2) (Copper)
Single-circuit current rating and associated volt drop for single core p. v.c.-insulated cables non-armoured with or
without sheath
(Copper conductor) (50 mm2 to 630 mm2)
The ratings tabulated apply only where the cable has close excess-current protection
(see item 2 (b) of the preface)
For coarse excess-current protection, the rating factor given below must be applied

Bunched and enclosed in Clipped direct to a surface or on a Defined

d i f
trunking'": bl and
bunched conditions
Nomin 2 cables single- 301'4 cable 2 cables single- I cable three- (2 cables single- p. v.c. Trefoil (3
section a.c.hor d.c three-phase h or h
d.c. 3 three
cables 4 bl
three-phase) Condu
area of Volt Volt Volt drop per Volt tor
conduc Cur- Volt drop Cur- dropp Volt drop dropp Cur- met Cur- dropp
Curre Curre
per er per er re" er
tor rent ampere rent amper t ampere per t amper rent rent amper
ratin metre" ratin per rating metre" rating per ratin Singl d.c. Three- ratin per
metre" metre" phase phase metre"
I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 II 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
2
Mm A mV mV A mV A mV mV A mV A mV mV mV A mV Mm2
50 145 0.97 0.91 100 0.82 175 0.9 0.91 10 0.82 195 0.95 0.91 0.85 170 0.10 50
70 185 0.71 0.63 160 0.62 220 0.6 0.63 200 0.59 240 0.68 0.63 0.62 210 0.59 70
 95 230 0.56 OA5 195 OA8 270 OA OA5 240 0.45 300 0.52 OA5 OA9 260 OA2 95
120 260 OA8 0.36 220 OA2 310 OA 0.36 280 0.38 350 OA4 0.36 OA3 300 0.34 120
150 - - - - - 335 0.3 0.29 320 0.34 410 0.39 0.29 0.39 350 0.29 150
185 - - - - - 405 0.2 0.24 365 0.30 470 0.35 0.24 0.36 400 0.25 185
240 - - - - - 450 0.2 0.18 430 0.27 560 0.36 0.18 0.38 480 0.22 240
300 - - - - - 500 0.2 0.14 500 0.25 660 0.33 0.14 0.35 570 0.19 300
400 - - - - - 680 0.2 0.12 610 0.24 800 0.30 0.12 0.33 660 0.17 400
500 - - - - - 800 0.1 0.86 710 0.23 910 0.24 0.08 0.31 770 0.16 500
630 - - - - - 910 0.1 0.068 820 0.22 1040 0.26 0.06 0.30 880 0.15 630
8

*Total volt drop between the consumer's terminals and any other point in the installation must not
exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage.

**The range ratings in columns 2 and 5 relate to cables in metal or non‐metal conduit
and trunking. For cables in underground pipes and ducts see Item 4 (vi) of the preface to the
Tables.

Rating factors
For class of excess-current protection
Where coarser excess-current protection is afforded the tabulated ratings must be multi-
plied by 0.75
For ambient temperature

Ambient temperature 25°C 35°C 40°C 45°C 50°C 55°C 60°C 65°C

Rating factor for cables having close

ex-
cess-current protection 1.06 0.94 0.87 0.79 0.71 0.61 0.5 0.35
Rating factor for cables having
coarse ex-
cess-current protection 1.02 0.97 0.94 0.91 0.88 0.77 0.63 OA4
For groups

For groups of circuits unenclosed, the single-current ratings apply provided that-
(I) The horizontal clearance between circuits is-
(a) not less than six times the overall diameter of an individual cable; and
(b) not less than the overall width of an individual circuit except that the horizontal
clearance need not in any case exceed 150 mm; and
(2) the vertical clearance between circuits is not less than ISO mm; and
(3) if the number of circuits exceeds four they are installed in a horizontal plane.
In all other cases, unless a more precise evaluation of current rating has been made on
experimental work or calculated data, the following factors are applicable-
No. of circuits (pairs of cables single-phase a.c. or. dc.)

3 cables per circuit or 4

2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 16** 18** 20**
where
one is the neutral, 3-phase
a.c.

Rating factor ... 0.80 0.69 0.62 0.59 0.55 0.51 OA8 OA3 OAI 0.39 0.33 0.36

**Not applicable to 3-phase

TABLE 18
P.V.C. armoured (1.5 mm2 to 35 mm2) (Copper)
Single‐circuit rating associated volt drops for twin and multicore p. v. c. ‐insulated cables
(copper conductors)
(1.5 mm2 to 35 mm2)
The ratings tabulated apply where the cable is provided with coarse excess‐current
protection
(see item 2 (b) of the preface)
For close excess‐current protection, see rating factor below
Nomin Clipped direct /0 a surface or on a Defined Conducto
al cable conditions r
cross‐ tray bunched and
section
area of One twin cable, One three or four‐ One twin cable, One three or four‐
conduc single‐phase a. c. core cable, three‐ single‐phase a. c. core cable, /hree‐
tor or d. c. phase or d. c. phase
Current ro« Current Volt Current Volt Current Volt
rating dropper rating dropper rating dropper rating dropper
ampere ampere ampere ampere
per per per per
me/ere metere me/ere me/ere
I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
mm' A mY A mY A mY A mY mm/
1.5 14 28 13 24 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 1.5
2.5 20 17 17 15 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 2.5
4 26 11 22 9.1 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 4
6 32 7.0 28 6.0 38 7.0 32 6.0 6
10 45 4.1 38 3.6 52 4.1 44 3.6 10
16 58 2.6 50 2.2 68 2.6 58 2.2 16
25 76 17 66 1.5 91 1.7 77 1.5 25
35 91 1.2 80 1.0 112 1.2 94 1.0 35
*Total volt drop between the consumer's terminals and any other point in the installation
must not exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage.
For class of excess‐current protection
The ratings tabulated may be multiplied by 1.33 where close excess‐current protection
can be assured.
For ambient temperature
Ambient 25°C 35°C 40°C 45°C 50°C 55°C 60°C 65°C
Rating factor for cables
excess‐current .... .. ........ 1.02 0.97 0.94 0.91 0.88 0.77 0.63 0.44
Rating factor for cables
excess‐current .. ....... 1.66 0.91 0.89 0.79 0.71 0.61 0.5 0.35

For groups
For groups of cables unenclosed, the single‐circuit ratings apply provided that‐
(l) The horizontal clearance between cables is not less than six times the overall diame‐
ter of an individual cable except that the horizontal clearance need not in any case exceed 150
mm; and
(2) The vertical clearance between cables is not less than 150 mm; and
(3) If the number of cables exceeds four they are installed in a horizontal plane.
In all other cases, unless a more precise evaluation of current rating has been made based
on experimental work or calculated data, the following factors are applicable‐

No. of cables 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Rating factor........ 0.80 0.70 0.65 0.62 0.57 0.52 0.48 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.38

TABLE 19
P.V.C. armoured (50 mm2to 400 mm2) (Copper)
Single‐circuit current ratings and associated volt drops for twin and multicore armoured
p. v. c. ‐insulated cables
(copper conductors)
(50 mm2 to 400 mm2)
The ratings tabulated apply where the cable is provided with close excess‐current
protection
(see item 2 (b) of the preface)
For coarse excess‐current protection, the ratingfactor below must be applied
Nominal Clipped direct to a surface or on a Defined conditions Conduc‐
cross‐ tray bunched and or trunking tor
sectional
area of One twin cable, single‐ One three‐ or One twin cable, One three‐ or
conduc‐ phase a. c. or d. c. four‐core phase a. c. or d. c. four‐core
tor cable, three‐ cable, three‐
phase phase
Current Volt drop per Cur‐ Volt Cur‐ Volt drop per Cur‐ Volt
rating ampere per rent drop rent ampere per rent drop
metre" rating per rating metre" rating per
am‐ am‐
pere pere
per per
me‐ me‐
 tre" tre"
a.c. d.c. a.c. d.c.
I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
mm2 A mV mV A mV A mV mV A mV mm2
50 150 0.92 0.92 123 0.81 180 0.92 0.92 155 0.81 50
70 180 0.65 0.64 155 0.57 220 0.65 0.64 190 0.57 70
95 225 0.46 0.46 190 0.42 270 0.48 0.46 230 0.42 95

TABLE 19‐‐continued
Nominal Clipped direct to a surface or on a cable, Defined conditions Conduc‐
cross‐ tray bunched and or trunking tor
sectional
area of One twin cable, single‐ One three‐ or One twin cable, single‐ One three‐ or
conduc‐ phase a. c. or d. c. four‐core phase a. c. or d. c. four‐core
tor cable, three‐ cable, three‐
phase phase
Current Volt drop per Cur‐ Volt Cur‐ Volt drop per Cur‐ Volt
rating ampere per rent drop rent ampere per rent drop
metre * rating per rating metre * rating per
am‐ am‐
pere pere
per per
me‐ me‐
tre* tre"
a.c. d.c. a.c. d.c.
I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2
mm A mV mV A mV A mV mV A mV mm2
120 260 0.40 0.36 220 0.34 310 0.40 0.36 270 0.34 120
150 290 0.32 0.25 250 0329 355 0.32 0.25 310 0.29 150
185 340 0.29 0.23 290 0.24 410 0.29 0.23 350 0.24 185
240 400 0.25 0.18 350 0.20 485 0.25 0.18 420 0.20 240
300 460 0.23 0.14 400 0.18 550 0.23 0.14 475 0.18 300
400 520 0.22 0.11 460 0.17 620 0.22 0.11 550 0.17 400
*Total volt drop between the consumer's terminals and any other point in the installation
must not exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage.
Rating factor
For class of excess‐current protection
Where coarse excess‐current protection is afforded the tabulated ratings must be multi‐
plied by 0.75
For ambient temperature
Ambient temperature 25°C 35°C 40°C 45°C 50°C 55°C 60°C 65°C
Rating factor for cables having close
excess‐current ................ 1.06 0.94 0.87 0.79 0.71 0.61 0.5 0.35
Rating factor for cables having coarse
excess‐current ................ 1.02 0.97 0.94 0.91 0.88 0.77 0.63 0.44
For groups
For groups of cables unenclosed, the single‐circuit ratings apply provided that‐
(I) The horizontal clearance between cables is not less than six times the overall diame‐
ter of an individual cable except that the horizontal clearance need not in any case exceed 150
mm; and

(2) The vertical clearance between cables is not less than 150 mm; and

(3) If the number of cables exceeds four they are installed in a horizontal plane. In all
other cases, unless a more precise evaluation of current rating has been made based on ex‐
perimental work or calculated data the following factors are applicable‐
No. of
2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
cables
Rating ..................... _
0.80 0.70 0.65 0.60 0.57 0.52 0.48 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.38
factor . ....

________________________
5. Voltage supply.

6. Locations of power and communications overhead lines.

7. Conditions of supply.

Part II

Regulations governing licensee who is a supply authority

8. Application before commencing work.

9. Minister's approval.

10. Notice of completion.

11. Obligation to supply.

12. Continuity of supply.

13. Records to be kept.

14. Extensions and alterations.

15. Maintenance.

16. Safety precautions.

17. Subsequent inspections.

18. Standards of materials, designs and constructions.

19. Fees.

20. Assignment.

21. Decision of Minister.

PART III

Regulations prescribing the issue of a private licence and governing a licensee

22. Application.

23. Application for a licence.

24. Minister may require additional information.

25. Terms of licence.

26. Amendment of licences.

27. Assignment.

28. Use of plant to cease under certain conditions.

29. Sale of electricity prohibited.

30. Service of notices.

31. Consent deemed given.

32. Plans.

33. Suspension or revocation.

34. Penalties.

35. Continuing offence.

Part IV

Regulations appertaining to electrical apparatus

36. Minister's approval.

37. Standards of design.

38. Safety.

39. Maintenance.

40. Report of accidents, interruptions and breakages.

41. Licence fees.

Part V

Safety Regulations for supplies and uses of electrical energy and equipment as affecting new installations
42. Conditions of direct‐current supply with earth return.

43. System earthing.

44. Star‐connected systems with earthed neutral.

45. Delta‐connected systems or star‐connected systems with isolated neutrals.

Part VI

Regulations appertaining to overhead lines and restriction to placing electric lines above ground

46. Overhead lines.

47. Support.

48. Loads on supports.

49. Foundations.

50. Materials of electric lines.

51. Minimum size of electric lines.

52. Insulation of electric lines.

53. Factors of safety.

54. Temperature and pressure.

55. Wind pressure.

56. Spacing of electric lines.

57. Dual voltage construction.

58. Paralled spacing of circuits on separate supports.

59. Mid‐span crossing of electric lines.

60. Clearance of electric lines to buildings.

61. Alternate provision.

62. Electric line clearance to ground.

63. Electric lines crossing waterways.

64. Minister's decision is final.

65. Proximity to railway lines.

66. Proximity to Posts and Telegraphs lines.

67. Proximity to airfield.

68. Proximity to radio or television aerial.

69. Approval in specific instances.

70. Location of electric lines.

71. Stay wires.

72. Cradle guards and earth bars.

73. Connections to earth.

74. Automatic protection and isolation of circuit.

75. Licensee to provide safety appliances.

76. Safety precautions to be taken, etc.

77. Railway crossings by overhead lines.

78. Road crossings by overhead lines.

79. Service lines.

80. Numbering and danger notices.

81. Anti‐climbing devices.

82. Protection from mechanical damage.

83. Earthing of metal work.

84. Earthing at pole‐mounted substations.

85. Placing electric cable below ground with respect to telegraph lines.

86. Exchange of plans.

87. Breaking up streets.

88. Licensee liable for reinstatement of streets broken up.

89. Location of cables, boxes, etc., to be agreed.

90. Protection of a water authority.

91. Works affecting Posts and Telegraphs Department.

92. Lines of other licensees.

93. Lines crossing or erected on railway or navigable waterway.

94. Bringing into use of new works.

95. Cables.

96. Trenching and protection from damage.

97. Cables entering the ground.

98. Railway crossings by underground cables.

99. Road crossings by underground cables.

100. Proximity to water and petrol pipes.

101. Street boxes.

PART VII

Regulations appertaining to substations and switching stations

102. Provisions.

103. Substations situated inside building.

104. Protection.

PART VIII

Transformation and control of energy at high voltage

105. Substations.
106. Automatic protection and isolation of circuit.

107. General conditions as to transformation and control.

108. Further constructional details in certain cases.

109. Precautions against risk of fire.

110. Provision for faults between transformer windings.

PART IX

Regulations appertaining to power station and substation switchboards

111. Switchboards.

112. Connection with earth.

113. Power station.

114. Clearances to bare conductors in open spaces.

115. Horizontal clearance in passage ways.

116. Clearance to bare metal in screened spaces.

117. Power houses and substations enclosures.

118. Notice on electric shock treatment.

119. Electric lines and apparatus for high voltage completion and control.

120. Insulation resistance test.

121. Electric lines to be metal‐sheathed: precautions against excess leakage.

122. Connection with earth of high voltage systems.

PART X

Electric lines and apparatus generally other than consumer installations

123. Standard of construction of electric lines.

124. Precaution against excess energy.

125. Precautions against shock and fire.

126. Protection from lightening.

127. Precautions against metal works becoming electrically charged.

128. Overhead lines.

129. Bituminous, etc., insulation or protection.

130. Receptacles for electric lines and apparatus.

131. Underground shaft, etc.

132. Precautions against failure of supply.

133. Provisions for telegraph lines.

134. Where telegraph lines exist.

135. Placing of electric cables below ground.

136. Exchange of plans.

PART XI

Supply to premises of consumers' installations

137. Service lines into consumer's premises.

138. Identification of conductors of service lines.

139. Protection of consumer's installation against excess energy.

140. Licensee's lines, etc., on consumer's premises.

141. Inspection and test of consumer's installation prior to connection: Licensee to appoint installation
inspectors.

142. General conditions as to supply to consumers.

143. Supply at low voltage from more than one pair of conductors of system at medium voltage.

144. Supply at medium voltage.

145. Supply at high voltage.

146. Supply for luminous tube sign on outside of premises.

147. Disconnection of supply in certain circumstances.

148. Notices by licensee to consumers where connection is declined or it is intended to disconnect

supply.

PART XII

Meters

149. Meters to be tested for accuracy.

150. Testing stations to be established.

151. Appointment of competent person to have charge of meter testing station.

152. Records to be kept by competent person.

153. Meters to be subject to periodical testing.

154. Meters to be marked with date of testing.

155. Inaccurate meters.

156. Precautions in transporting meters.

PART XIII

Prescribed tests and accuracy of meters

157. Prescribed tests and accuracy of meters.

158. High voltage tests.

PART XIV

Conditions of supply to consumers where distribution mains of adequate capacity exist

159. Persons entitled to demand a supply.

160. Where no distribution mains exist.

 PART XV

General

161. Saving in respect of amenity undertaking.

162. Declared type of current, frequency and voltage at supply terminals.

163. Licensee to provide constant supply.

PART XVI

Penalties for breaches of licences and regulations

164. Penalties.

165. Revocation.

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1

Application for Electricity Private Licence under Electricity Act Cap. E7, Part III

SCHEDULE 2

Application for Electricity Licence

________________________

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY REGULATIONS

[S.I. 6 of 1996.]

under sections 3 and 4

[2nd January, 1996]

[Commencement.]
 Preliminary, interpretation and application

1. Citation

These Regulations may be cited as the Electricity Supply Regulations, 1994 under sections 3 and
4 of the Electricity Act.

[Cap. E7.]

2. Interpretation

In these Regulations except where the context otherwise requires‐

"Act" means the Electricity Act;

[Cap. E7.]

"Administrative Authority" means the body for the time being responsible for the provision,
operation or maintenance of a service, e.g. rail, road, water, telephone, etc.;

"aerial line" means a line continuously held above ground, and suspended at intervals by
suitable supports;

"alive" or "live" means a term applied to a conductor or circuit when a potential difference
exists between it and earth;

"amenity undertaking" means an undertaking so designated by the Minister and duly notified
by notice in the Official Gazette. In particular, community or township which cannot be operated
economically and in respect of which a government, Federal or State, grants a subsidy to off‐set partially
or wholly operation losses sustained by the licensee exclusively in connection with the said undertaking;

"apparatus" means machines, equipment and fittings associated with generation, transmission,
distribution and utilisation of electrical energy;

"approved" means acceptable to the Minister and or the Director of the Electrical Inspectorate
Services or approved pursuant to any regulation made under the Act or any code adopted pursuant to
the Act;

"area engineer", so applied to an officer of the Posts and Telegraph department means the
registered engineer in charge of the area in which the works of the licensee are placed or to be placed;

"area of supply" means the area within which the licensee is for the time being authorised to
supply and or distribute and utilise electrical energy;

"armouring", as applied to cables and electric lines, means a metal covering usually the form of
a tape or wire applied to protect it from mechanical damage;
 "authorised inspector" means a person employed and duly authorised in writing by the licensee
to carry out the duties imposed upon the licensee by virtue of these Regulations;

"authorised person" means‐

(a) a competent person over 18 years of age;

(b) he must possess technical knowledge and appointed in writing by the licensee to carry
out specific work on his system or apparatus;

(c) the certificate of appointment shall state the class of work the person is authorised to
carry out and the section of the system to which it apples;

"automatic" means something which is self‐acting or operates by its own mechanism without
personal intervention;

"bonding" or "bonded" means the electrical interconnection of metallic parts in order to

maintain them at the same potential and to achieve a desired distribution of currents within an earthing
system;

"bulk supply of electricity" means a supply of electricity to any authority, company, body,
person or persons licensed to distribute and utilise electricity;

"cable" means a length of single insulated conductor (solid or stranded) or two or more of such
conductors each provided with its own insulation which are laid up together. The insulated conductor or
conductors mayor may not be provided with an overall mechanical protective covering;

"circuit" means a number of conductors connected together for the purpose of carrying current;

"circuit‐breaker" means a device designed to open under abnormal conditions a current

carrying circuit and the term as used in these Regulations applies only to the automatic type designed to
trip on a predetermined overload of current;

"clearance" means the distance between two objects at points where one or both objects are
free to move;

"competent person" means a literate person with sufficient technical knowledge and
experience to avoid danger;

"conductor" means an electric line or other means used for the purpose of carrying electric
power;

"conduit" means any approved pipe or tube of standard dimensions and material for electrical
use;
 "consumer" means any person supplied with electrical energy by the licensee;

"consumer installation" means the consumer's wiring together with any apparatus upon the
premises connected to or intended to be connected thereto and situate upon the consumer's side of the
licensee's supply terminals;

"cross‐arm" means a horizontal member usually of wood, steel or concrete attached to a

supporting structure (pole and lattice tower) and equipped with means for supporting the conductors;

"current‐carrying capacity of a bare conductor used in the overhead construction" means the
current that will result in a total bare conductor temperature of 100 °C with a wind velocity of 2
krn/hour and full sunshine or in the case of an insulated conductor, it is the current that will result in a
conductor temperature limit, consistent with the insulation class;

"dead" or "de‐energised" means free from any electric connection to a source of potential
difference and from electric charge, or not having a potential different from that of the earth;

"Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services" means the registered engineer for the time being
holding that office under the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;

"distribution system" means a distribution system in which the neutral conductor is connected
to earth at more than one point;

"distributor" means an electric line from which electrical energy can be supplied to consumers;

"double insulated" means that the appliance having accessible metal parts is provided with
protective insulation in addition to the normal functional insulation, in order to protect against electric
shock in the case of a breakdown of the functional insulation;

"earth" means a conducting connection to the general mass of earth in such a manner as to
ensure at all times an immediate discharge of electric power without danger;

"effectively earthed" means connected to earth through an earthing connection of sufficiently

low impedance and having sufficient current carrying capacity to prevent the building up of voltage
which may result in undue hazard to connected equipment or to any person;

"electric line" means a wire or wires or conductor used for purposes of conveying, transmitting
or distributing electrical energy;

"enclosed" means surrounded by a protective barrier to prevent accidental contact with live
parts;

"feeder" means a line which supplies a point of a distributing network being tapped at any
intermediate point;
 "generating station" means an assemblage of equipment, including the necessary housing,
where electric power is produced from some other forms of energy;

"horizontal clearance" means the horizontal distance between two vertical planes passing
through the adjacent surfaces of two items of plants such as conductors, cables or pipelines;

"isolated" means that an object is not readily accessible to persons unless special means for
access are used;

"inspecting engineer" means a registered engineer holding that office under government
including his deputy and his assistants;

"insulated" means separated from other conducting surfaces by a dielectric substance or air
space offering a high resistance to the passage of current and to disruptive discharge through the
substance or air space;

"joint‐use" means the simultaneous use by two or more administrative authorities;

"leakage current" means that current flowing in the earth connection of a system or circuit and
resulting from the passage of current from the conductor to earth through the insulation resistance and
capacitance under normal operating voltage conditions, with or without the consumer's load connected
to the supply;

"licensee" means any local authority, company, body, person or persons authorised by the issue
of a licence by the Minister, to use, work or operate in accordance with these Regulations, any plant,
apparatus or works designed for the supply or use of electrical energy or to supply such energy to or for
the use of any other local authority, company, body, person or persons from any such plant, apparatus
or works;

"live" ‐ see "alive";

"mains" means a conductor or assemblage of conductors used for the transmission and or
distribution of electrical energy;

"the Minister" means a Minister charged with responsibility for matters relating to electricity;

"neutral conductor" means a conductor which forms a continuous return path for a supply line
and which is usually earthed;

"The Nigerian Standards Specification" means a specification issued by the Nigerian Standards
Organisation;

"over‐current protection" means the electrical protection afforded by devices applied to a

current and arranged to disconnect the protected circuit or equipment when the current exceeds a
predetermined value for a predetermined time;
 "overhead line" means an electric line situate above ground usually with the conductors
supported on separate insulators;

"pole" means a single vertical support of suitable material installed and used exclusively for the
support of power and communication circuits and equipment;

"Regulations for Electrical Installations" means regulations made under the provisions of the
principal Act or any Act in substitution thereof in force from time to time regulating the standards of
electric wiring on consumers' premises;

"right‐of‐way" means a strip of land reserved for the use of power or communication lines;

"riser" or "upriser" means the vertical runs of conductors or cables mounted on a pole
connecting the underground system to the overhead system;

"safe" is a term applied for a conductor, circuit or apparatus which is dead and solidly earthed;

"sag" means the vertical distance from a particular point in a conductor to a straight line
between its own point of support, with no wind loading;

"separation (clearance spacing)" means the distance between two objects at points where both
of them are fixed;

"service line" means a line connecting a consumer's installation to a distributor;

"stranded" means two or more wires twisted together;

"street box" means an underground substation and an underground switching station;

"structures" means poles or towers;

"substation" means an assemblage of equipment at one place, including any necessary housing,
for the conversion, transforming or control of electric power;

"Supply Authority" means a company, corporation or body licensed under the provision of a
special Act to use, work and operate apparatus designed to generate, transmit, transform, distribute
and to sell electrical energy to the public either in bulk or to individual consumers;

"supply terminals" means the ends of the service lines situated upon any consumer's premises
at which the supply is delivered;

"switchboard" means an assemblage of switchgear with or without instruments;

"switchgear" means switches, circuit‐breakers, cut‐out and other apparatus used for the
operation, regulation and control of electrical circuits;

"switching stations" means a substation for controlling the distribution of electrical energy by
means of switchgear without transforming or conversion;
 "system of distribution" means a mode of distribution of electrical energy characterised by the
kind of current, the number of conductors, and in the case of alternating current, the number of phases;

"transformer substation" means a substation containing static transformers for the purpose of
transforming alternating electric power in one circuit into alternating power in another circuit;

"underground structure" means any buried construction or structure including the

underground portion of poles, piers, building foundations and similar equipment;

"voltage" means a difference of electrical potential expressed in volts. Functionally the range of
the more commonly utilised voltage is classified as follows‐

(i) extra‐low voltage ‐ means all voltages below 100 volts;

(ii) low voltage ‐ means all voltages exceeding 100 volts but not exceeding 250
volts;

(iii) medium voltage ‐ means all voltages exceeding 250 volts but not Exceeding
1000

(iv) high voltage ‐ means all voltages exceeding 1000 volts;

(v) extra‐high voltage ‐ means all voltage exceeding 132,000 volts;

"works" means and includes electric lines, building machinery, engines, and also matters and
things of whatever description required to supply electricity and to carry out the objects set out in the
licence granted under these Regulations.

PART I

Regulations describing the conditions on which licences may be issued and the fees payable thereon

3. Systems of supply

The following system standards shall apply‐

(1) frequency ‐ The frequency of alternating current systems shall be 50 hertz.

(2) Standard A.C. voltages ‐ shall be 230 volts between phase conductor and neutral
conductor and 400; 3,300; 6,600; 11,000; 33,000, 66,000; 132,000 and 333,000, 750,000 volts
between any two‐phase conductors of three‐phase system.
4. Standard types of supply

(1) Two‐wire system (whether direct current or single‐phase alternating current) at a normal
voltage not exceeding 230 volts at the consumer's main switchboard subject to regulation 4 (6).

(2) Three‐wire direct current system at a nominal voltage exceeding 460 volts between each
outer conductor and intermediate conductor measured at the consumer's main switchboard.

(3) Two‐wire direct current system at a voltage not exceeding 650 volts with the negative pole
earthed.

(4) Three‐phase four‐wire alternating current system at a normal voltage not exceeding 400
volts between phases and 230 volts between each phase and neutral conductor measured at the
consumer's main switchboard subject to regulation 4 (6) and 4 (7).

(5) Three‐phase three‐wire alternating current system at a normal standard voltage in excess of
400 volts and as prescribed in regulation 3 (2).

(6) The voltage shall be maintained within six per cent above or below the normal voltage at the
consumer's main switchboard and on complaint by any consumer that the variation in voltage exceeds
the limits specified, or on the instructions of the inspecting engineer, the licensee shall connect a
portable recording voltmeter to be provided and maintained by the licensee, to record the voltage
between the service line. If the variations thus recorded are caused within and by the licensee's system
and exceed the above limits, the licensee shall take immediate steps to comply with this regulation.

(7) The frequency shall be maintained within one and a half per cent above or below the
standard of 50 hertz.

(8) This regulation shall not apply to plants which do not supply electrical energy to consumers
other than the licensee.

(9) The Standard System shall not be departed from without the specific authorisation of the
Ministry.

5. Voltage supply

(1) For the purposes of supply (otherwise than from direct current with the negative pole
earthed) the nominal voltage shall not (except in the case of motors) exceed 230 volts at the consumer's
main switchboard, and for supply to services exceeding 10 kilowatts connected load the nominal voltage
shall not exceed 400 volts at such switchboard.

(2) Supply of power for industrial purposes may be given at high voltages not exceeding 33,000
volts either for transformation or for direct supply to motors or any other agreed voltage between the
Supply Authority and the consumer, subject to the standard voltage in these Regulations:
Provided that the transforming apparatus and control gear are so enclosed as to be inacessible except to
authorised persons.

6. Location of power and communications overhead lines

(1) So far as may be reasonably practicable the licensee shall leave one side of each street free
for telegraph lines, and where the street is continuous the licensee's lines shall be kept to the side of the
street for the whole distance.

(2) Where electric distribution lines are on one side of the street and telegraph lines on the
other and service is required to be given from either to the other side, the licensee and the Director of
Telecommunications shall give each other reasonable facilities as far as possible to effect supply.

(3) Where possible, electric service lines shall pass over telegraph lines and telegraph service
lines shall pass under electric lines.

7. Conditions of supply

Every person within the area covered by the licensee to whose premises electrical energy can be
supplied from the licensee's distribution lines shall be entitled to a supply under the following terms and
conditions‐

(a) where the length of service lines inside a consumer's boundary does not exceed fifty
metes in the case of overhead lines or twenty metres in the case of underground lines
(the distance in each case being measured along the route of the service lines) such
service lines shall be provided free by the licensee;

(b) except where special arrangements in that respect are made between a licensee and a
consumer, the licensee shall erect an overhead or underground service line according to
whether his distribution lines passing the consumer's premises are overhead or
underground;

(c) if the service lines are required for a greater distance than fifty metres or twenty metres
as aforesaid, as the case may be, inside the consumer's boundary, the consumer may, at
the discretion of the licensee, be required to bear the cost of such additional length.
Service lines paid for by the consumer shall remain his property;

(d) if an additional pole is required owing to the point of attachment to the consumer's
installation being too low to give the overhead clearance prescribed in those
regulations over a street without the use of such a pole, the cost of such pole shall be
borne by the licensee;
 (e) where an additional pole or poles are required on a consumer's premises to give the
necessary overhead clearance on the consumer's premises the cost of such extension
pole or additional pole or poles shall, if the licensee so demands, be paid by the
consumer. All such poles paid for by the consumer shall remain his property.

PART II

Regulations governing licensee who is a supply authority

8. Application before commencing work

(1) Before commencing any works‐

(a) application shall be made in writing to the Minister;

(b) application shall be accompanied by plans showing the location of the lines to a
scale not less than 1.250,000. All locality plans shall have the north point
marked thereon.

(2) In showing the voltage of the electric lines the following colours shall be used on all plans‐

(a) blue to indicate 330,000 volts;

(b) black to indicate 132,000 volts;

(c) green to indicate 33,000 volts;

(d) red to indicate 11,000 volts;

(e) yellow to indicate 415 volts.

9. Minister's approval

(1) Approval must be given in writing by the Minister prior to the commencement of any new
works, other than service lines.

(2) If the Minister's decision is not advised to the applicant within thirty days he may appeal
direct to the Minister.

(3) This approval will in no way relieve the applicant of this responsibilities to any local authority
or other authority affected.

10. Notice of completion

 (1) The licensee shall give at least fifty days' notice to the Director, Electrical Inspectorate
Services, of the intention of commencing supply within a new area of supply or of the bringing into use
any new works and to request for an inspection of same.

(2) The licensee shall not use the initial installation or any portion thereof until he receives from
the Director, Electrical Inspectorate Services notice in writing that the inspecting engineer has certified
to such works as having been satisfactorily carried out.

(3) Application for inspection shall be accompanied by the plan drawings of the lines including
all records and relevant information to enable the inspecting engineer to carry out all the necessary
inspections.

11. Obligation to supply

Licensees shall, upon being required to do so by the owner or occupier of any premises not
previously supplied with electrical energy, and situate with the licensee's area of supply, give and
continue to give a supply of electricity to such consumer's installation subject to the requirements and
conditions of these Regulations.

12. Continuity of supply

(1) Where‐

(a) the licensee commences to supply energy in pursuance of his licence, he shall
maintain continuously, and within the permissible variations stated in regulation
4 (6) and (7) and during the period of the day for which he has agreed to supply
any consumer, sufficient energy for the use of all such consumers, for the time
being entitled to be supplied;

(b) for the purposes of testing or for any other purposes whatsoever connected
with the proper working of the area of supply, or in the case of emergency
affecting or liable to affect the proper working of any other area of supply to
which the licensee directly or indirectly provides a supply of electricity, the
supply of energy may be discontinued by the licensee for such period as may be
necessary subject (except in the case of emergency) to not less than 24 hours'
notice being given by the licensee to all consumers liable to be affected by such
a discontinuance.

(2) Any interruption of supply in excess of twelve consecutive hours shall be reported to the
inspecting engineer, in writing, within thirty days.
 (3) If the licensee's works are of insufficient capacity to enable a satisfactory supply of electrical
energy to be maintained, the licensee shall forthwith proceed to extend with additional works of greater
capacity as required, to give a satisfactory supply of electrical energy.

13. Records to be kept

(1) From the date of commencement of supply the licensee shall keep such records as necessary
to supply the Minister such information as he may require from time to time.

(2) The licensee shall keep a record of each installation connected to the system showing‐

(a) by whom the installation was made;

(b) the name of the inspecting engineer who inspected the installation;

(c) detailed records of all tests proving compliance with the Regulations;

(d) an acceptable large scale plan showing all works other than service lines;

(e) records of all periods of interruption of supply.

14. Extensions and alterations

(1) Unless otherwise authorised by the Minister in writing the licensee shall, before commencing
any extension to the works not included in the approval given by the Minister, give at least thirty days'
prior notice to the Director, Electrical Inspectorate Service and also the Nigerian Postal Services Senior
Telecommunications Engineer in charge of the area, of his intention to carry out the extension:

Provided that service lines may be erected without such notice.

(2) Before commencing any alteration to the works already licensed, the licensee shall give at
least thirty days' prior notice in writing to the Minister and the Nigerian Postal Services of his intention
to carry out such alteration.

(3) Subject to no objection from the Minister being received within thirty days of the date of the
notification, the licensee may proceed with the construction of the extension and or alteration to the
licensed works.
15. Maintenance

The licensee shall make regular inspection of the whole of his works authorised by his licence,
and shall maintain the same in good order and condition so as to ensure at all times compliance with
these Regulations.

16. Safety precautions

(1) The licensee shall ensure that adequate precautions are taken to safeguard all personnel.

(2) The licensee shall provide and issue regulations governing the precautions to be taken for
the safety of persons engaged in the construction, operation and maintenance of all works in his area of
supply in conformity with the National Electricity Supply Code.

(3) The licensee shall provide and maintain in good condition sufficient equipment to ensure the
safety of persons engaged in the pursuance of his licence.

(4) This regulation shall in no way relieve the licensee of his responsibilities in respect of any
other obligations.

17. Subsequent inspections

(1) A licensee shall afford access for inspection, by an inspecting engineer, at all reasonable
hours to all parts of the works appertaining to his licence and amendments thereto and make available
evidence of compliance with these Regulations.

(2) If any defect is found to exist, it shall be remedied forthwith and if in the opinion of the
inspecting engineer such defect is serious, he may direct the licensee forthwith to cease using defective
works until such defect is repaired or remedied to the satisfaction of the inspecting engineer.

(3) If during the inspection of the works, the whole or any part thereof, is found to be unsafe,
the inspecting engineer shall instruct that licensee in writing to discontinue the use of such works. Such
works shall not be brought back into use without the written consent of the inspecting engineer.

(4) Fees for subsequent inspections will only be payable if the works are found to be not in
compliance with these Regulations.

18. Standards of materials, designs and construction

The licensee's works shall comply with the Nigerian National Standards or other standards as
approved by the Minister in respect of equipment, materials, design and construction.
19. Fees

Fees payable in connection with initial inspection of works and extensions and or alterations
thereto, and subsequent inspections shall be at the rates prescribed by the Minister on the advice of the
Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services.

20. Assignment

(1) A licence and the benefits and obligations hereunder, shall not be assigned or delegated by
the licensee without the express consent in writing of the Minister.

(2) The Minister may give such consent subject to such terms and conditions as he thinks fit to
impose.

21. Decision of Minister

The Minister shall on the advice of the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services be the sole
judge of the fact whether the requirements of these Regulations have been from time to time, complied
with, and he may cause enquiry to be made into any matter connected therewith, in such manner as he
thinks fit, and his decision shall be final.

PART III

Regulations prescribing the issue of a private licence and governing a licensee

22. Application

(1) These Regulations shall apply throughout the Federation of Nigeria and shall govern the
grant or assignment or extension or suspension or revocation of a licence issued under the provisions of
subsection (a) of section 4 of the Electricity Act or any Act in substitution thereof.

[Cap. E7.]

(2) The provisions of these Regulations shall also apply to any works or installations owned and
used by the Federal Government or a State Government for the generation, supply or use of electrical
energy.

23. Application for a licence

 (1) Every application for a licence, whether for sole source of supply or emergency supply, shall
be in writing and in the form set out in the First Schedule hereto, and shall be accompanied by the fee
prescribed by section 41 (1) of this Electricity Supply Regulations as amended from time to time and
together with a prepared plan.

[First Schedule.]

(2) In the Second Schedule, the supply authority in the area concerned shall be consulted to say
whether they can undertake the functions of the said application either at all or within a reasonable
time in the case of sole source of supply or whether they have any objection in the case of generating
plant installed for emergency purposes only.

[Second Schedule.]

(3) Where the application involves the placing of works or electric lines on or across, under or
over, any public place, the applicant shall furnish evidence at the time of his application that‐

(a) notice in writing shall be served on the following;

(b) the local authority concerned; and

(c) the local water supply authority;

(d) the Director of Telecommunications; and

(e) the owner of any other electrical line interested in the proposed works;

(f) that the proposed works are not objective to or are approved subject to certain
conditions being observed.

For the purposes of regulation 23 (3), it shall be sufficient evidence if certified copies of any notice
served and of any counter notice received by the applicant are attached to the application.

24. Minister may require additional information

(1) Before considering any application for a licence the Minister or any officer duly authorised by
him in that behalf may by notice in writing require the applicant to furnish such additional information
as he may require.

(2) Where an applicant fails to furnish such additional information within sixty days of service of
any written notice, the application shall be deemed to have lapsed and any fee paid shall be forfeited.

25. Terms of licence

 Licences shall be in the form prescribed in the First Schedule hereto and may be granted for a
term not exceeding 25 years or such shorter term as the Minister may decide.

26. Amendment of licences

(1) Licences when once issued may be amended or extended on written application to the
Minster. Any such application must be accompanied by the licence to which the application relates
together with the fee prescribed by regulations as amended from time to time. The Minister, in his
absolute discretion, may refuse to grant any such application or may order that the licence be amended
or extended in conformity with the application subject to any conditions he may see fit to impose.

(2) Where a licence is ordered to be amended, the terms of such amendment or extension shall
be enforced thereon.

27. Assignment

(1) A licence and the benefits and obligations thereunder shall not be assigned or delegated by
the licensee without the expressed consent in writing of the Minister.

(2) The Minister may give such consent subject to such terms or conditions as he thinks fit to
impose.

28. Use of plant to cease under certain conditions

(1) If during the term of a licence authorising the use of a private generating plant a public
supply of electricity can be made available by the supply authority with or without the need for a capital
contribution, providing in the latter case, the contribution required is reasonable when related to the
magnitude of the supply, the supply authority may serve ninety days' notice in writing on the licensee
informing him that they are able to supply him with electrical energy and require him to cease operating
the generating plant forming part of the licensed installation at the expiration of the said notice,
otherwise than for stand‐by use in the event of emergency. Every such notice shall specify the rate or
rates of charges and other conditions upon which the supply of electricity will be made available and the
date of availability.

(2) The licensee may within thirty days of the receipt of any notice under the provisions of the
preceding paragraph refer the matter to arbitration provided for under the Supply Authority Act.

(3) The licensee shall, subject to a public supply being available to his premises, cease to use the
generating plant at the expiration of the notice referred to in regulation 28 (1) otherwise than for use in
the event of an emergency.
 (4) In the event of the public supply not being connected to the premises by the date specified
in the notice served in conformity with regulation 27 (1) it shall be lawful for the licensee to continue
the use of his generating plant for a period of thirty days following the date on which the public supply is
actually available.

29. Sale of electricity prohibited

Unless with the expressed permission of the Minister, and under the conditions stipulated by
him, nothing in these Regulations shall authorised any licensee to supply, sell, exchange or barter a
supply of electrical energy however derived with any other person provided that a supply for domestic
purposes supplied free to any residential quarters within the area of supply specified in the Second
Schedule to the licence shall not be deemed to be a contravention of this regulation.

[Second Schedule.]

30. Service of notices

Every application under the provisions of regulation 22 (1) and regulations 26 and 27 shall be in
writing and addressed to the Minister.

31. Consent deemed given

Where an applicant for a licence has served notice in conformity with regulation 23 (2) such
notices shall be deemed to have been approved if at the expiration of thirty days following the date of
service thereof the recipient has failed to take notices thereof.

32. Plans

(1) Plans showing the area of supply to be covered by the licence shall be by black lines on a
white background on durable material and be prepared to a reasonable scale with the area to be
licensed coloured by a wash or cross hatching.

(2) Plans shall be furnished in quadruplicate and shall be supported by a survey description of
the area to be licensed. For the purpose of this regulation the consent of the landlord where the
applicant is a tenant should be obtained.

33. Suspension or revocation

 (1) A licence when once issued may be suspended or revoked if the Minister is satisfied that the
installation has not been carried out, operated or maintained in strict conformity with any regulations
made under the provisions of the Electricity Act.

[Cap. E7.]

(2) The licensee may at any time during the currency of a licence surrender it for cancellations,
whereupon all rights and privileges conferred upon the licensee shall cease to have effect.

34. Penalties

Any person who operates or manages an unlicensed electrical installation or who, being
licensed, supplies electricity to some other person outside the licensed area of supply authorised by the
licence shall upon proof of the offence in a court of summary jurisdiction be liable to a fine not
exceeding two hundred naira or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or both fine and
imprisonment.

35. Continuing offence

(1) Any person who continues to contravene these Regulations subsequent to conviction under
the provisions of regulation 34 of these Regulations shall on proof of the continuing offence in a court of
summary jurisdiction be liable to a fine of five naira for each day or part of a day on which the offence
continues and in addition to a fine not exceeding four hundred naira or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding twelve months or to both fine and imprisonment.

(2) Any penalties imposed under the provisions of this regulation shall be in addition to penalties
imposed under the provision of regulation 34 hereof.

(3) These Regulations are supplementary to and in no way supersede or replace any other
regulation made under section 4 of the Principal Act.

PART IV

Regulations appertaining to electrical apparatus

36. Minister's approval

Before commencing any works the approval of the Minister shall first be obtained in accordance
with regulation 9.
37. Standards of design

(a) factors of safety shall not be less than those quoted in these Regulations;

(b) materials shall be suitable for the purpose and conditions for which they are to be used;

(c) elected clearances shall be such as to eliminate all hazards and shall not be less

than those quoted in these Regulations.

38. Safety

(1) All apparatus shall be protected electrically and mechanically so as to eliminate danger to life
and property.

(2) Apparatus shall be situated and protected in such a manner as not to constitute a hazard.

(3) Precautions shall be taken to ensure that apparatus is protected against over voltage, over
current and earth leakage conditions.

(4) Metal work enclosing, supporting, or otherwise associated with apparatus unless designed as
a conductor, shall be maintained in an electrically and mechanically safe condition.

(5) Apparatus shall be designed, constructed and situated so as to avoid interference and
nuisance and shall be suitable for the purpose of which it is being used.

(6) Apparatus shall be adequately rated to meet all conditions of service operation.

(7) Apparatus shall be constructed, used and maintained in accordance with regulations
governing the precautions to be taken for the safety of persons engaged.

39. Maintenance

The licensee shall make inspections of the works authorised by his licence at such interval, and
make such records, as required by these Regulations.

40. Report of accidents, interruptions and breakages

(1) The licensee shall give notice to the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services of‐

(a) any accident caused by electric lines, electrical apparatus, or electrical

equipment connected with the licensee's plant;
 (b) any other accident in connection with the licensee's plant which has caused or
which might have caused loss of life or personal injury;

(c) any accident to the licensee's plant caused by explosion or fire;

(d) any fire on a consumer's premises due to electrical causes;

(e) any interruption exceeding twelve hours' duration to any part of any electric
line or work other than service lines, and duration of such interruption;

(f) broken supports and wires.

(2) The licensee shall retain for a period of not more than seven days after notice has been given
to the Director, Electrical Inspectorate Services aforesaid, all broken supports and damaged ends of
broken wires, and all insulators damaged or broken by the accident or happening to which the notice
relates, or which caused such accident or happening by reason of their being defective, so that they may
be inspected by an inspecting engineer or an officer of the Nigerian Postal Services or the Railway
Administration.

(3) The notice required to be given to the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services under
regulation 40 (1) hereof in respect of the matters mentioned in subparagraphs thereof shall be given
forthwith after the accident or other happening.

(4) All notices shall specify the steps taken to prevent a recurrence of the accident or other
happening.

41. Licence fees

(1) The rate of fees to be paid on the issue of licences covering the respective installations shall
be determined by the Ministry subject to amendments from time to time.

(2) On the commencement of these Regulations, the fees as stipulated by the Ministry shall be
payable at the issue or renewal of the licences.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation the installed capacity of an installation shall be deemed to
be‐

(a) the aggregate rated output of all generating or transforming plant, whichever is the
greater; or

(b) where generators or transformers do not form part of the installation, the aggregate
rated capacity of all current consuming devices comprising the installation; and
 (c) where the rated output of generating or transforming plant or input to current
consuming devices is expressed as kilo‐volt‐amperes, one kilo‐volt‐ampere shall be
deemed one kilowatt.

PART V

Safety regulations for supplies and uses of electrical energy and equipment as affecting new installations

42. Conditions of direct‐current supply with earth return

(1) In this case the negative conductor at the generating stations will be connected to an
effective earth.

(2) A single‐pole fuse or automatic circuit‐breaker shall be inserted in the positive conductor,
and arranged to operate within five seconds with an over‐load not exceeding 200 percent of the rated
full‐load current. The overload within these limits shall be at the discretion of the licensee. Such fuse or
circuit‐breaker shall be placed in a suitably locked or sealed receptacle of fireproof construction fixed at
a convenient height at the point of supply.

(3) At the distributing point of a lighting circuit there shall be inserted in the positive conductor a
single‐pole switch, together with a fuse arranged to operate within five seconds with an overload of 200
per cent of the rated full‐load current of such circuit.

(4) In a motor circuit there shall be provided in the immediate vicinity of each motor connected
thereto a single pole switch and fuse or circuit‐breaker arranged to operate within three seconds with
an overload not exceeding 200 percent of the rated full‐load current of the motor so controlled. The
overload within these limits shall be at the discretion of the licensee.

(5) Each motor shall also be provided with an automatic no‐voltage release and a series
resistance for starting.

(6) The negative conductor shall be continuous throughout its length without a switch, fuse or
circuit‐breaker.

43. System earthing

(1) In medium and low voltage alternating current systems the connection of circuits with earth
shall be made in accordance with the Nigerian Standard Code of Practice on Earthing (NCP 9) and the
following requirements‐
 (a) the intermediate conductor of a medium or, low voltage three‐wire single phase system,
and the neutral conductor of a medium three‐phase four‐wire system, shall be earthed
in multiple, that is, at the point of supply (the generating station, substation or
transformer) every fifth pole and the terminal poles of the distribution line. The
consumer's earth must not be connected to the neutral conductor;

(b) the neutral point of a medium voltage three‐phase intermediate or neutral conductor
and earth shall not exceed 2 ohms;

(c) the neutral point of a medium voltage three‐phase three‐wire system shall be
effectively earthed at the point of supply.

(2) In high voltage three‐phase alternating current systems, the connections of the circuit with
earth shall be made in accordance with regulations 44 and 45.

44. Star‐connected systems with earthed neutral

(1) The neutral point shall be earthed at the point of supply ‐ that is, the generator neutral point
or the neutral point of the transformer secondary where change of voltage occurs ‐ and it may be
earthed at any other point, provided that no interference of any description is caused by such earthing.

(2) In the event of an appreciable harmonic current flowing in the neutral connection such as to
cause interference with communication circuits the generator or transformer neutral shall not be
earthed, but a suitable earthing transformer shall be used.

(3) In unattended generating stations or substations supplying overhead lines earth leakage
relays shall be provided, so that in the event of a leak to earth occurring either the faulty line will be cut
out or the whole of the system supplied from this station or substation rendered dead.

(4) These leakage relays if connected to individual feeders or lines shall be set to operate with a
time lag not exceeding five seconds with a current not exceeding ten percent of the full load rating of
the feeder or line, or, if connected between the neutral point of the generator or transformer and earth,
at a current not exceeding one ampere.

(5) Where under any conditions the use of earth leakage relays may be impracticable such relays
may, with the written consent of the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services be omitted; (it is
suggested that additional devices be considered).

(6) In continuously attended generating stations or substations a visual and audible indication
may be used to supplement the automatic disconnection of supply. In such case immediate steps shall
be taken to remove the fault or disconnect the faulty feeder or line.
45. Delta‐connected systems or star‐connected systems with isolated neutrals

(1) In the case of delta‐connected systems or star‐connected systems with isolated neutral
earthing transformers or other means approved by the Director Electrical Inspectorate Services shall be
provided to give an artificial neutral point which shall be earthed. Earthing equipment shall be of
sufficient capacity to ensure the effective operation of the protective apparatus: similar leakage
protection or indication shall be provided for these systems to that specified in regulations 44 (3) and 44
(6) for systems with earthed neutrals.

(2) High voltage single‐phase systems derived from delta or star‐connected systems shall be
earthed in a manner approved by the Director Electrical Inspectorate Services.

(3) Where any part of supply system other than on a consumer's premises, is normally
connected with earth, no switch, fuse, or circuit‐breaker shall be inserted in the earthed conductor or in
any conductor connected thereto, and the connection with earth shall be efficiently maintained except
when it is interrupted for the purpose of periodical tests.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the last preceding regulation, systems including more
than one generator operating in parallel may have the neutral conductor of a three‐phase star‐
connected generator disconnected when necessary to prevent the circulation of local currents provided
that where all the generators are located in one power‐house, at least one generator in operation shall
have its neutral point connected to earth: provided further that where the generators are contained in
more than one power‐house, and the power‐houses are inter‐connected, a neutral point shall be
provided at each power house and earthed and all such neutral points shall be so arranged that no
earthed‐circulating current will flow between the power‐stations.

(5) When the return current of any individual distribution transformer does not exceed two
amperes, and the transformer supplying the lines and any distribution transformer supplied by such
lines are not less than 10 kilometres from any telephone exchange, the earth may, with the previous
consent in writing of the Director of Telecommunications, be used to carry the return current of the
distribution transformers.

(6) If the insulation of any circuit of any system is faulty, immediate steps shall be taken to make
good the insulation before the current is again placed in service.

PART VI

Regulations appertaining to overhead lines and restriction to placing electric lines above ground

46. Overhead lines

 (1) Except under and in accordance with the terms of a written authority granted by the
Minister, no electric lines (other than service lines) shall be placed above ground and no support
carrying electric lines shall be erected unless such line or support complies with the provisions of these
Regulations.

(2) Any electric line or support so placed or erected shall be so contained that it complies with
the provisions of these Regulations.

47. Support

(1) Every support carrying electric lines shall be made of wood, steel or reinforced concrete or
any combination of any of such materials or any other approved materials and in the case in which
wood or steel is used in the construction of the support, such wood or steel or any other approved
materials shall be, so far as is reasonably practicable, protected against decay, corrosion or other
deterioration.

(2) Every support shall be so constructed and placed as to withstand the transverse, horizontal
and vertical loads calculated in accordance with regulation 48 without exceeding the material's strength
limits as set out in regulation 53.

(3) In no case shall the strength of a support in a direction parallel to the overload line be less
than one quarter of the strength in a direction transverse to the said line.

(4) All overhead electric lines shall be attached to suitable insulators carried on cross‐arms or
brackets of suitable materials and cross‐section, and they shall be so attached to the insulators, or
guarded, that they cannot fall away from the supports in case they become detached from the insulator,
but will fall on the cross‐arm or insulator support.

(5) All lines at angles shall be attached to the insulator so that the insulator, and not the binding
wire, takes the strain.

(6) The minimum diameter of wooden supports shall be in accordance with the relevant
Nigerian Standards.

48. Loads on supports

The transverse load on any support carrying an electric line shall be calculated in accordance
with the requirements of regulation 47 (2) and the appropriate wind pressure on any electric line shall
be calculated in accordance with its average height above ground throughout its span, and the wind
pressure on the leeside side of lattice steel or other compound structures shall be deemed to be one
half of the pressure on the leeward side. The vertical loads on supports shall comprise the weight of the
supports themselves and any insulators and fittings attached thereto, together with the loads imposed
by the electric lines and their fittings.

49. Foundations

The foundations shall be so constructed and placed, taking into account the reaction of the soil
at all times of the year in which they are embedded to the load that they are to carry, as to withstand
the transverse, horizontal and vertical loads calculated in accordance with regulation 48 without
exceeding the material strength limits set out in regulation 53.

50. Materials of electric lines

Every electric line shall be made of copper, aluminium or steel or any alloy or combination of
any of such materials, subject to the approval of the Minister.

51. Minimum size of electric lines

Every electric line shall have a copper equivalent cross‐section area of not less than 16 square
millimetres and an ultimate tensile strength of not less than 4 kilo Newtons.

52. Insulation of electric lines

(1) Every electric line, other than an earth wire permanently connected with earth, shall be
insulated by glass or porcelain insulators to support, suspend or terminate the electric lines and
designed and constructed for the voltage at which it is to operate;

(2) effectively insulated with respect to any part thereof, which is ordinarily accessible from the
ground or from a building or structure;

(3) otherwise effectively insulated by a means approved by the Minister.

53. Factors of safety

Overhead electric line supports, in conjunction with stays and struts if provided, shall withstand
the longitudinal, transverse and vertical loads due to fittings, conductors and wind loadings under the
most adverse temperature conditions and with the factors of safety hereinunder specified‐
(a) live and earth conductors, based on the ultimate tensile strength 2.5
of the material.....................................................................................

(b) mid‐span joints and termination based on the ultimate tensile strength of the conductor
(comparative safety factor between the ultimate tensile strength of the mid‐span joint
and the ultimate tensile strength of the conductor) ............................ 0.95

(c) complete insulator units based upon the electro‐mechanical strength of the material
(comparative safety factor between the ultimate tensile strength of the insulator string
and the ultimate tensile strength of the conductor) ............................. 0.5

(d) stay wires and auxiliary materials based on ultimate tensile strength…… 2.0

(e) insulator metal fitting based upon elastic limit ………… 2.5

(f) lattice steel supports (or other compound structures) based on the crimping

load of members in compression, the elastic limit of members in tension and

the shear or bearing deformation at joints …………………………………… 2.0

(g) steel tubular poles based on the ultimate breaking strength in handling

of the material …...………. 2.0

(h) impregnated wood poles in accordance with Nigerian Standard No. 43

based on 90% of the strength corresponding to the ultimate extreme

fibres stress or for poles supported with stays 90% of the crippling

strength ….……………. 3.5

(i) impregnated wood poles in accordance with Nigerian Standard

No.43 and supported with stays based on 90% of crippling strength……………… 3.5

(j) all untreated poles based on 90% of the strength corresponding

to the extreme fibre stress …………………………………………………….. 7.0

(k) all untreated poles supported with stays based on 90% of crippling

Strength………………………………………………………………… 7.0

(l) all types of concrete poles based on the strength corresponding

to failure ……………………………………………………………….. 2.5

 (m) foundation for supports against overturning lateral shearing, toe

compression and uprooting under maximum simultaneous

working loads based on soil bearing strength ……………………… 2.5

(n) under a single broken electric line or earth wire condition the factors

of safety for supports and foundations shall not be less than‐

(i) support: 50% of the factors of safety given in regulations 53 (I) to 53 (1);

(ii) foundations: 50% of the factors of safety given in paragraph (m) of this regulation.

54. Temperature and pressure

(1) For design purposes the average minimum and maximum ambient temperatures shall be 5
°C and 45°C respectively.

(2) Unless otherwise authorised by the Minister in writing the following working conditions shall
be assumed for design purposes‐

(a) Minimum ambient temperature of overhead line conductors …………….5°C.

(b) Maximum temperature of overhead line conductors …………………….100°C

(c) Average ambient temperature of overhead line conductors …………….35°C.

(d) For all design purposes the reference temperature shall be the minimum
temperature …………………………………………………………………..5°C

55. Wind pressure

(1) Wind pressure per square metre of whole projected and of tubular and circular supports‐

Up to 15m in height …………... 83kN

From 15m to 30m …………………………………………………………..166kN.

From 45m to 90m …………………………………………………………..242kN.

From 90m to 155m ……………………………………………………332kN.

Above 135m ……………………………………………………..415kN.

 (2) Wind pressure per square metre on full projected area of rolled steel members of the
windward face, plus 50% of the full projected are rolled steel members on the leeward side, of all other
supports using figures in regulation 55 (1)‐

Up to 15m in height …………………………………………….124.5kN

From 15m to 45m …………………………………………….249.0kN

From 45m to 90m …………………………………………….373.5kN

From 90m to 155m ..…..……………………………………..498.0kN

Above 155m ……………………………………………..622.0kN

(3) Wind pressure per square metre on full projected area of electric lines and aerial earth wires‐

Up to 15m in height …………………………………………………..83kN

From 15m to 30m …………………………………………………166kN

From 45m to 135m ………………………………………………..242kN

From 90m to 135m …………………………………………………332kN

Above 135m …………………………………………………415kN

56. Spacing of electric lines

The minimum design clearance between conductors of circuits shall be those tabu‐
lated below‐ (TABLE E7‐217)
(a) where double circuit construction is employed all clearance shall refer to the circuit of
the high voltage; everyone kY phase to earth above 190 kY to earth (330 kY between
phases),
12.55 mm to vertical and earth/structure clearances and 3 metres to horizontal
clearance;
(b) shall apply to a normal equivalent span of 450 metres;
(c) values obtained under regulation 56
(d) up to an increase of 50% of the normal equivalent span length the clearance
shall be increased by 300 mm for every 30 metres increase in span or portion
thereof. Phase clearance in respect of equivalent spans in excess of this shall
be subject to the approval of the Minister.
57. Dual voltage construction
Where one circuit exceeding 400 volts and another circuit not exceeding 33,000 volts,
between phases, are erected on the same supports the following conditions shall apply‐
 (a) lines in excess of 400 volts shall be erected at the higher level and lines at 400
volts or less shall be erected at the lower level;
(b) the maximum distance between line supports shall not exceed fifty metres and
there shall be no intermediate supports carrying electric lines at 400 volts or less;
(c) the minimum horizontal and vertical clearances between electric lines of the
same circuit voltage shall not be less than those tabulated in regulation 56;
(d) the vertical separation between the 400 volts or less circuit and the higher volt‐
age circuit shall not be less than‐
400 volts up to 11,000 volts .................................................. 1 metre
400 volts to 33,000 volts ..................................................... 1.3 metre
(e) where the circuit of the higher voltage is fully insulated the clearance in (d)
above may be reduced by 50%.
58. Parallel spacing of circuits on separate supports
The minimum distance between the nearest conductors of circuits erected on separate
supports such that they run along parallel routes shall be not less than that required to
enable the sale maintenance of either circuit to be carried out without de‐energising the
circuit that is not being maintained, and the horizontal separation shall be greater than the
height of the highest support.

59. Mid‐span crossing of electric lines

Where electric circuits cross at mid‐span apply‐
(a) positions the following conditions shall
(b) the circuit of the higher voltage shall always cross over the circuit of the lower voltage;
(c) no circuit shall cross at an angle of less than 30 degrees; and

Lower Circuit (Vat/age between phases) Upper Circuit (Vat/age between

Earth 132,00 330,00
400 3,300 6,600 11,000 33,000 66,000
wire 0 0
Earth 30 20 cm 30 cm 30 cm 30 cm 120 cm 60cm 120cm 240 cm
400Y 20cm 120 cm 120cm 120 120cm 120cm 150 cm 180 cm 270 cm
3,300Y 30 ‐ ‐ 120cm 120cm 120 cm 150 cm 180 cm 270 cm
6,600Y 30 ‐ ‐ 120cm 120cm 120 cm 150 cm 180 cm 270 cm
II,OOOY 30 ‐ ‐ ‐ 120cm ‐ 150cm 180cm 270 cm
33,000Y 30 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 150cm 180cm 270 cm
66,000Y 60 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 150 cm 210cm 300 cm
I 120c ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 240 cm 360 cm

Lower Circuit (Voltage between phases) Upper Circuit (Voltage between phases)
 Earth 132,00 330,00
400 3,300 6,600 11,000 33,000 66,000
wire 0 0
330,000 240 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 480 cm
750,000 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐
(d) where the circuit of the higher voltage is fully insulated the minimum clear‐
ance calculated in accordance with 59 (c) above may be reduced by 50%.

60. Clearance of electric lines to buildings

A line may be erected over or adjacent to a building provided that‐
(a) the radial distance in metres from the point of attachment of the suspension
insulator (or conductor if attached to a fixed insulator) of the lower conductor,
to any part of the building is not less than‐
conductor sag at maximum design temperature plus length of suspension insulator string
plus A, where A is a constant dependent on the voltage between
phases of the conductors of the line‐

400 volts to 11,000 volts ........................................ 2.4 metres

33,000 volts ............................................................ 3.0. metres
132,000 volts ......................................................... 4.0 metres
330,000 volts ......................................................... 6.0 metres
Over 330,000 volts ................................................. 8.0 metres

(b) where the conductors of the circuit are fully insulated the constant "A" may be
reduced by 50%.

61. Alternative provision

(1) Where the condition of regulation 60 (a) cannot be met, the line shall be erected so that the
minimum horizontal distance in metre of the nearest conductor in still air is not less than‐

(Conductor sag at maximum design temperature plus length of suspension insulator sting) plus B, where
"B" is a constant dependent on the voltage between phases of the conductors of the line‐

400 volts ‐ 11,000 volts . 2.4 metres

33,000 volts ……………………...………………… 3.0 metres

132,000 volts ………………………………………4.0 metres

330,000 volts …………………………………...……6.0 metres

over 330,000 volts ………………………………...9.0 metres

 (2) Where the conductors of the circuit are fully insulated the constant "B" may be reduced by
50%.

(3) In the case of specially designed fully insulated serial cables clearance to buildings may be
reduced at the discretion of the Minister.

(4) No building or other structure shall be erected under or adjacent to an electric line without
adhering to the provisions of these Regulations.

62. Electric line clearance to ground

(1) The height above ground of any electric line under the most adverse operating conditions
shall not, except with the written authority of the Minister, be less than the height appropriate to the
system voltage and situations tabulated below‐

Ground clearance in meters

Ground clearance in meters

Over streets and roads Along streets and In positions inaccessible
System voltage and public open spaces roads and other places to vehicular traffic not
between phases and other places of
accessible to traffic streets or roads
vehicular traffic
400 volts 5.8 metres 5.2 metres 5.2 metres
3,300 volts 5.8 metres 5.5 metres 5.5 metres
6,600 volts 5.8 metres 5.5 metres 5.5 metres
11,000 volts 5.8 metres 5.5 metres 5.5 metres
33,000 volts 6.0 metres 6.0 metres 5.5 metres
66,000 volts 7.0 metres 7.0 metres 5.8 metres
132,000 volts 7.0 metres 7.0 metres 5.8 metres
330,000 volts 7.0 metres 7.0 metres 5.8 metres
750,000 volts

(2) Fully insulated service lines operating at a voltage not exceeding 400 volts may be
terminated on buildings at a height of not less than 2.7 metres from ground level provided that the
street clearance at any point of its span is not less than 5.8 metres.

63. Electric lines crossing waterways

 (1) The height of an electric line under the most adverse conditions, above the highest recorded
water level, over harbours, rivers and waterways, shall not be less than that required by the appropriate
authorities for physical safety clearance plus a minimum electrical safety clearance of 3 metres of 1
metre per 78 kV or phase to neutral voltage of the electric line, whichever the greater.

(2) The licensee shall at least thirty days and not more than ninety days prior to the placing of
such work serve written notice on the appropriate authorities specifying the intended use of the works,
the voltage of operation and such other information that the authorities may require him to supply.

(3) Every notice served in conformity with regulation 63 (2) shall be accompanied by a plan of
suitable scale indicating the site of the crossing, the location of all supports, stays, struts, switches,
transformers and other apparatus intended to be used.

(4) The authorities may within 21 days of the receipt of such a notice of intention served under
regulation 63 (2) serve a counter notice on the licensee‐

(a) objecting to the siting of the works specifying the reason in the counter notice; and

(b) requiring protective features to be fitted, such features to be specified in the counter
notice.

64. Minister's decision is final

Where mutual agreement is not reached the matter shall be referred to the Minister whose
decision shall be final.

65. Proximity to railway lines

The provision of regulations 63 (2) to 64 shall apply where the licensee intends to place an
electric line, other than a service line, in the proximity of, over or under a railway line.

66. Proximity to post and telegraphs lines

(1) The provision of regulation 63 (2) to 64 shall apply where the licensee intends to place an
electric line, other than a service line, in the proximity of, over or under Posts and Telegraphs line.

(2) Other than in the case of a fully insulated services line all electric lines, except with the
written authority of the Minister, shall cross over Post and Telegraphs lines with a minimum clearance,
under the most adverse operating conditions at the point of crossing of‐
System Voltage between phases Clearance
Not exceeding 400 volts ‐ insulated .......................................... 0.6 metres
Not exceeding 400 volts ‐ un‐insulated .................................... 0.2 metres
Over 400 volts but not exceeding 33,000 volts ........................ 1.8 metres
Over 33,000 volts but not exceeding 132,000 volts ................. 2.4 metres
Over 132,000 volts but not exceeding 330,000 volts ............... 4.0 metres
Over 330,000 volts but not exceeding 750,000 volts ............... 7.0 metres
(3) So far as may be practicable the licensee shall leave one side of each street free for telegraph
line and where the street is continuous the licensee's line shall be kept to the same side of the street for
the whole distance.

(4) Except with the permission of the Posts and Telegraphs Authorities all overhead lines shall be
placed on the opposite side of the street to that on which any telegraph lines are erected, and where
the erection or operation of the electric lines necessitates an alteration of an existing telegraph line, and
such alteration is approved by the Posts and Telegraphs Authorities, the expense of the alteration shall
be borne by the licensee; provided that where existing telegraph lines of the Posts and Telegraphs
Authorities occupy both sides of the street that Authority shall bear the cost of putting all telegraph
lines on the one side of the street or if agreeable to the licensee, consent to an arrangement for the
joint use of poles on both sides of the street.

(5) Where electric lines are on one side of the street and telegraph lines on the other, and
service is required to be given from either side to the other, the licensee and the Posts and Telegraphs
Authorities shall give to each other reasonable facilities as far as possible to effect supply. Where
possible electric service lines, unless fully insulated, shall pass over telegraph lines and telegraph service
lines shall pass under electric lines.

67. Proximity to airfield

The provision of regulations 63 (2) to 64 shall apply where the licensee intends to place an
electric line in the proximity of an airfield.

68. Proximity to radio or television aerial

The provision of regulations 63 (2) to 64 shall apply where the licensee intends to place an
electric line, other than a service line, in the proximity of a radio or television aerial.

69. Approval in specific instances

 Notwithstanding the foregoing, where the regulation clearance are so attainable the Minister
may, in specific instances, authorise the use of reduced clearances subject to such additional safety
precautions in the form of warning notices, warning lights or crash bars, as he may deem necessary.

70. Location of electric lines

(1) The provisions of regulation 63 (2) shall apply where the licensee proposes to erect any
electric line above or below ground and he shall serve written notice on the Town Planning Authorities,
town councils and any other Government Department, company, body or persons concerned.

(2) The provisions of regulations 63 (2) to 64 shall apply in respect of location of electric lines in
relation to waterways.

(3) The provisions of regulations 63 (2) to 64 and 77 shall apply in respect of the location of
electric lines in relation to railway lines.

(4) The provisions of regulation 67 shall apply in respect of the location of electric lines in
relation to Posts and Telegraphs lines.

(5) The provisions of regulation 67 shall apply in respect of the location of electric lines in
relation to airfields.

(6) The provisions of regulation 68 shall apply in respect of the location of electric lines in
relation to radio or television aerials.

(7) Prior to the placing in position in any street, the location of each cable or other work to be
placed below ground and every support for overhead lines including struts and stays, and of any street
boxes or works to be placed above ground, shall be approved by an authorised officer of the local
authority or where the local authority does not maintain or repair the street, the Road Authority.

71. Stay wires

(1) Stay wires connected to wooden supports carrying electric lines of all voltages, and also stay
wires connected to concrete supports carrying electric lines at 400 volts or less, shall be insulated to
prevent danger from leakage. For this purpose, an insulator of the same or greater rating as the
insulator supporting the electric lines, shall be inserted in the stay wire not less than three metres
vertically above ground and below the level of the electric line.

(2) Stay wires connected to steel supports or any other supports made of an electrically
conducting material shall be insulated.

(3) Where a stay wire crosses over a road or street a minimum distance of 5.8 metres to ground
level shall be maintained.
 (4) All stay wires shall be of galvanised steel and stranded.

(5) Stay insulators shall have a mechanical strength equal to or greater than that of the stay in
which it is installed.

(6) Where a stay wire is installed in a public place or in any other location in which it may
constitute a hazard, it shall be‐

(a) effectively protected against mechanical damage by the installation of a concrete

surround; or

(b) covered with a protective guarding consisting of double wooden or metal battens at 50
mm wide, or a metal pipe at least 50 mm in diameter, security fastened around the stay
wire and extending from ground level a point not less than two metres vertically above
ground level;

(c) the concrete surrounds and the protective guarding shall be painted white.

72. Cradle guards and earth bars

Cradle guards and earth bars are not necessary but where they are to be installed under the
provisions of regulations 63 to 68 the cost of such installation shall be borne by the supply authorities
concerned.

73. Connections to earth

(1) Earthing connections and earth electrodes shall be of copper or galvanised steel.

(2) Stranded or circular earthing leads shall have a minimum copper equivalent cross‐sectional
area of not less than 16 mm squared.

(3) Flat earthing leads shall have a minimum copper equivalent cross‐sectional area of not less
than 50 mm squared and a minimum thickness of 3 mm.

(4) Earth electrodes shall be in the form of plates or rods of the following minimum sizes‐

(a) Copper plates: 300 mm x 300 mm x 3 mm thick;

(b) Galvanised steel plates: 300 mm x 300 mm x 3 mm thick;

(c) Copper rods: 16 mm diameter;

(d) Galvanised steel rods: 25 mm diameter.

 (5) Earthing leads shall be capable of carrying for a period of five seconds the full fault current of
the system to which they would be subjected.

(6) The earthing requirements in regulation 73 shall be read in conjunction with the Nigerian
Code of Practice on Earthing No. NCP 9.

74. Automatic protection and isolation of circuit

(1) Means shall be provided at the origination of every main circuit to automatically cut off the
supply of energy in the event of‐

(a) a passage of current of such magnitude and duration as would be liable to damage the
line or its associated joints and fittings;

(b) leakage of current to earth in excess of the amount permitted by for example regulation
43.

(2) Equipment which shall ensure improved reliable power supply under transient conditions
shall be fitted to transmission lines.

(3) Every automatic device shall be provided with means so that it can be locked in the "OFF"
position to prevent unauthorised interference. During the time that the device is locked to the "OFF"
position, the relevant keys for the lock shall be kept in safe custody in the manner prescribed in
regulation 76 (3).

75. Licensee to provide safety appliances

(1) Licensees shall provide rubber gloves, protective covers for live conductors, insulated
stands, safety belts and other appliance to ensure safety of their employees in the execution of their
duties. All such appliances shall be contained in good order and safe condition for use. Unserviceable
appliances shall be withdrawn from use and destroyed. Rubber gloves, rubber mats and safety belts and
harness shall comply with appropriate Nigerian Standard Specifications.

(2) It shall be the responsibility of the person appointed by the licensee to be in charge of work
upon lines or apparatus to ensure that the appropriate safety appliance are‐

(a) available for the use of workers at the place of work;

(b) used by workers as may be necessary to prevent danger;

(c) in good order and when used for their intended purposes there is no risk of danger to
the user.
 (3) Where due to non‐compliance with this regulation, an accident involving death or injury to
any person or persons occurs and it is proved that although provided by the licensee, the safety
appliances were not available for use, or being available for use were not used, the person appointed to
be in charge by virtue of regulation 74 (2) hereof shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction shall be
liable to a fine of N300 or six months imprisonment.

76. Safety precautions to be taken, etc.

(1) All works shall be carried out after a permit to work has been issued.

(2) Apparatus, lines or other works forming part of the licensee's system shall not be altered,
repaired or otherwise worked upon until they shall have been made dead and earthed in the manner
hereinafter provided for or where the work is to be done on parts of the apparatus lines of works not
ordinarily alive, part of which might be inadvertently touched, is screened or otherwise protected to
prevent danger and the part to be worked upon, if of metals, is effectively connected to an efficient
earth.

(3) The engineer in charge of undertaking or other responsible person appointed by him shall
cut off all energy from the apparatus or cables to be worked upon by withdrawal of the appropriate fuse
or opening of switchgear or isolators provided for the purpose. Switchgear or isolators shall be secured
in the open position by locking and the key of the lock retained by the engineer or an authorised person
until he is satisfied that all workmen have been withdrawn and that it is safe to re‐energise the works.
The engineer or an authorised person shall personally unlock the gear and close the appropriate switch
or isolator. Where fuses are withdrawn to isolate the supply, they shall be retained in safe custody by
the engineer or an authorised person until he is satisfied that the fuses may be replaced to re‐energise
the works.

(4) Workers shall not be permitted to handle any apparatus, lines or works designed to be
electrically charged until all conductors have been bonded together and earthed to an efficient earth
which earthing connection shall remain in place until work has been completed and all workers
withdrawn. The engineer or an authorised person shall be responsible for establishing the earth
connection and the removal thereof.

(5) The provision of this regulation shall not apply to work on distribution mains operated at low
or medium voltage for the purpose of connecting or disconnecting consumers' service lines, subject to
these being in compliance with regulation 75 (1) and the person actually working on live lines being
accompanied by a competent person qualified to render assistance (including artificial respiration) in the
event of emergency.

77. Railway crossings by overhead lines

 (1) An overhead conductor may not cross a railway track at a more acute angle than 60° unless
special permission is obtained from the General Manager of the Railways.

(2) Minimum clearances shall be as follows‐

(a) 132 kV circuits: over rail top 7.3 metres;

(b) 330 kV circuits: over rail top 8.4 metres;

(c) minimum height above rail level of the lowest wire or any portion of a guard or
cradle guard under conditions of maximum sag: 6 metres.

(3) No supporting structure shall be situated nearer to the centre line of the track than the total
height of the supporting structure plus 2.5 meters.

(4) When the railway line is in a cutting, the supporting structure must be at a distance from the
edge of the cutting not less than its total height.

78. Road crossings by overhead lines

An overhead conductor may not cross a road at a more acute angle than 45°, unless special
permission is obtained from the Director of the Electrical Inspectorate Services.

79. Service lines

(1) Aerial lines forming part of a service line shall be connected to line conductors at a point of
support only and shall originate from insulators (other than insulators to which the line conductors are
attached) and at the termination or consumers' premises shall be made off on to insulators secured to
the structure of the premises by brackets or other suitable metal works.

(2) Where it is not possible to attach service lines to the structure of the building the service line
shall be terminated at a pole adjacent to the consumer's building and the lead‐in taken from the pole.

(3) Every part of aerial services lines (other than the conductor connected building with earth)
including parts which although not normally accessible from a building are accessible with the use of a
ladder, scaffolding or other special appliance attached to the building, shall be covered with durable
insulating material or protected by other means approved by the Director, Electrical Inspectorate
Services to ensure that live metal cannot be inadvertently touched.

(4) Every part of a service line other than aerial lines shall be covered with insulating material
which is durable and adequate for the intended voltage of operation.
80. Numbering and danger notices

(1) All supports shall be numbered with addition of symbol or alphabetical letter to identify the
line.

(2) In the reticulation of a township the supports shall be numbered in accordance with the grid
of the master plan.

(3) All supports carrying high voltage conductors shall have danger notices attached. These
danger notices shall be of metal enamelled or painted white and/or conventional with lettering and/or
conventional signs in scarlet as approved by the Director, Electrical Inspectorate Services.

(4) Where the lines are erected on the side of a road the notice shall be so fixed that it is plainly
visible from the road.

81. Anti‐climbing devices

For the purposes of preventing climbing of lattice structure by unauthorised persons, anti‐
climbing devices shall be attached to all supports and to all stay wires, where the stay wires are so
arranged as to facilitate unauthorised climbing.

82. Protection from mechanical damage

Where lightning conductors, earthing leads, or other uninsulated conductors are run down poles
they shall be protected by a wooden casing or other insulating material for a distance of three meters
from the ground.

83. Earthing of metal work

(1) Where lines are operated at high voltages all metal work, other than conductors (and metal
cross‐arms on wooden poles), shall be permanently and efficiently connected with earth. For this
purpose a continuous earth wire shall be provided and connected with earth at three points in every
kilometre, the spacing between the points being as nearly equidistant as possible or alternatively the
metal work shall be connected to an effective earth at each individual support.

(2) Where any special equipment on a pole includes metal work accessible from ground level
which normally has to be handled by an operator when the line is alive (i.e. a switch‐operating handle),
such metal‐work shall be connected to an earth mat, so situated as to include within its area the whole
of the ground on which the operator would normally stand.
84. Earthing at pole ‐ mounted substations

On transformer poles, the electrode used for earthing the steelwork shall be situated outside
the resistance area of the earthed electrode connected to the low voltage neutral. This may necessitate
earthing the low voltage neutral being earthed at the first low voltage pole.

85. Placing electric cable below ground with respect to telegraph lines

Where telegraph lines are placed below ground in any street and the licensee desires to place
his works below ground in the same street they shall be placed on the opposite side of the street to the
telegraph line unless the Director of Telecommunications expressly authorises in writing a relaxation of
this requirement. Any such relaxation shall be subject to such conditions as to the provision of minimum
separating distance and protective features which in his discretion he deems it desirable and necessary
to impose for the protection of the telegraph cable.

86. Exchange of plans

Where it appears that works of the licensee or telegraph lines have been placed below ground,
the licensee or the Director of Telecommunications may on written application require the licensee or
the Director of Telecommunications, as the case may be, to furnish a plan of a suitable scale indicating
the nature, course and depth of any existing works placed below ground. Any request made under the
provision of this regulation, shall be compiled with within thirty days of the original application. Plans
shall be black or coloured lines on a white background having the true and magnet north legibly marked.

87. Brea king up streets

(1) A licensee shall not break up streets for the purpose of placing new works, including works in
replacement of existing works, unless they shall have served notice of their intention on the responsible
administrative authority for the repair of any street to be broken in addition to the local authority.

(2) Every notice required to be served under the provision of this regulation shall be served at
least thirty days but not more than nine days prior to the date on which it is intended to break up any
street or streets, and shall be accompanied by a plan of a suitable scale indicating the course, nature,
width and depth of all intended excavations and the purpose thereof.

(3) The local authority or the road authority responsible for normal maintenance of the street or
both may within 21 days of receipt of a notice served under the provisions of regulation 87 (1) serve a
counter notice on the licensees requiring them to amend the scheme the reason thereof being stated in
the counter notice.

(4) Where no counter notice is served on the licensee as provided for the works shall be deemed
to be approved and it shall be lawful for the licensee to proceed with the works on the expiration of the
term specified in the notice served under regulation 87 (1).

(5) Streets shall only be broken up in strict conformity with the original theme or any
amendment thereof required by counter notice served under regulation 87 (3).

(6) Where the licensees are of the opinion that the requirements of a counter notice served
under regulation 87 (3) are unreasonable and they are unable to reach an amicable settlement with the
local authority or the road authority or both, the matter shall be referred to the Minister whose decision
shall be final and binding on both parties.

88. Licensee liable for reinstatement of streets broken up

The road authority will reinstate any street broken up by the licensee and charge them the cost
of so doing.

89. Location of cable, boxes etc., to be agreed

Prior to placing in position in any street, the location of such cables or other works to be placed
below ground, and of any street boxes or works to be placed above ground, shall be approved by the
local authority or where the local authority does not maintain or repair the street, the road authority.

90. Protection of a water authority

Where a piped water supply is provided in any area in which the licensee proposes to place any
new works, the water authority not being a local authority, shall be deemed, for the purposes of this
Part to be a local authority and the provisions of regulations 87 and 89 together with the following
special conditions, shall apply‐

(a) on receipt of the notices required to be served under the provisions of regulation 87 the
water authority shall within 21 days, furnish a plan of a suitable scale indicating the
course, depth and any other relevant information relative to water mains likely to be
affected by the proposal. Where no plan is furnished by the water authority within the
said 21 days it shall deemed that no mains exist;

(b) on receipt of the plan referred to in regulation 90 (a) hereof the licensee shall take such
steps as may be necessary to ensure that, in placing their works, the separating distance
 between the respective works is either not less than one metre or where this separating
distance is impracticable such lesser distance as may be mutually agreed to in writing by
the respective parties;

(c) in the event of any difference or dispute arising between the parties the matter Shall be
settled in the manner provided for in regulation 87 (6).

91. Works affecting Posts and Telegraphs Department

(1) Where the licensee intends to place any new high voltage works within 150 metres of any
telegraphic or telephone line operated by the Posts and Telegraphs Department the licensee shall at
least thirty days and not more than ninety days prior to the placing of such works serve written notice
on the Director of Telecommunications specifying the intended use of the works, the maximum power it
is intended to handle, its voltage of operation and such other information the Director of
Telecommunications may require the licensee to furnish.

(2) Every notice served in conformity with regulation 91 (1) shall be accompanied by a plan of a
suitable scale indicating the course, nature and depth of all intended excavations, switches,
transformers, and other apparatus intended to be used.

(3) The Director of Telecommunications may within 21 days of the receipt of a notice of
intention served under regulation 91 (1) hereof serve a counter notice on the licensee requiring them
to‐

(a) re‐route their works;

(b) provide protective features to be specified in the counter notice between his works
and the intended works;

(c) provide guarding between his works and those of the licensee which guarding he may
himself provide at the expense of the licensee if he so advises the licensee in the
counter notice.

92. Lines of other licensees

The provisions of regulation 91 shall apply where the licensee intends to erect works in the
proximity of other licensee's lines or works and for the purpose of this regulation the Director of
Telecommunications shall be deemed to mean owners of the other undertaking.

93. Lines crossing or erected on railway or navigable waterway

Where it is intended to erect any works along or across whether under or over any railways or a
navigable waterway, notices similar to the provisions of regulation 91 shall apply. For the purpose of this
regulation, the Engineer‐in‐Chief shall be deemed to mean the General Manager of the Railway or the
management of the navigable waterway, as the case may be.

94. Bringing into use of new works

(1) A licensee shall not bring new works into use until the works have been inspected and if
necessary tested by an inspecting engineer to determine compliance with this Regulation, in particular
the earth test results shall comply with regulation 43.

(2) At least fourteen days prior to the date on which it is desired to bring into use any works
aforesaid the licensee shall serve notice on the Director, Electrical Inspectorate Services sending a copy
to the area inspecting engineer, specifying the date on which the works or any part thereof will be
completed and ready for inspection. Every such notice shall be accompanied by‐

(a) a plan and description of the works as erected;

(b) copies of my notices and plans served under the provisions of regulations 87, 90,

91,92 and 93;

(c) copies of any counter notices received.

(3) On receipt of a notice under the provisions of regulation 94 (2) of the inspecting engineer
shall inspect the relevant works and if he is satisfied that there is compliance with the regulations to
certify in writing sending the original certificate to the licensee and a copy to the Director, Electrical
Inspectorate Services: Provided that any certificate issued under the provisions of this regulation shall
not be deemed to relieve the licensee of any of their obligations under the provisions of the Principal
Act or of these Regulations.

(4) On the representations of the licensee that the bringing into use of the new works is
imperative and urgent and cannot be delayed, the Director, Electrical Inspectorate Services if he is
satisfied that there is urgency may in his absolute discretion by writing under his hand authorise the
licensee to bring the works into use prior to inspection‐

(a) provided always that any works so brought into use as herein provided for shall be
subjected to inspection and tests not later than three months following the date they
were brought into use;

(b) provided further that where the inspection and tests disclose that the works do not
comply with the requirements of these Regulations, any defects so disclosed shall be
made good within 21 days of the date of the inspection failing which the works shall be
taken out of use and remain unused until the defects are remedied to the satisfaction of
the inspecting engineer.
95. Cables

All cables, whether for A.C. or D.C. and for all voltages, shall be insulated as required and
manufactured in accordance with appropriate Nigerian Standard Specifications. Where steel armouring
is employed, it shall be effectively earthed and bonded at all joint boxes so as to be electrically
continuous.

96. Trenching and protection from damage

(1) The cables shall be laid at a depth of not less than 1 metre below surface level and in cases
where two or more power cables are laid in the same trench a minimum distance of 300 mm should be
maintained between the cables.

(2) To prevent the cables being damaged by stones the cables shall be laid in a bed of sifted soil
or sand and to prevent mechanical damage the cables shall be protected by inter‐locked tiles sufficiently
wide to give a minimum of 50 mm on each side of the cable and laid approximately 150 mm above the
cables.

(3) The cable route shall be indicated at surface level with cable markers at suitable intervals,
particularly at positions where the cable changes direction.

97. Cables entering the ground

Where cables enter or leave the ground they shall be protected from a point at least half a
metre below the ground level to a height above ground as may be considered necessary.

98. Railway crossings by underground cables

All proposals in respect of railway crossings shall be submitted to the General Manager in
accordance with regulation 65. All cables shall be drawn into non‐metallic pipes, such as earthenware,
fibre, asbestos, etc., which must be laid at a minimum depth of 1.3 metre below rail level measured to
the top of the highest pipe, and shall be surrounded by not less than 250 mm of concrete. The pipes
should extend at least 300 mm beyond the sleeper ends and be bushed to prevent chafing and ingress
of stones.

99. Road crossings by underground cables

 Where cables have to cross under roads, they must be drawn into non‐metallic pipes such as
fibre of asbestos. These pipes must be laid at a minimum depth of 1 metre below surface of the road
measured to the top of the highest pipe and cable tiles shall be laid as in regulation 96 (2). The end of
the pipes should be packed with a suitable bushing to avoid chafing and the ingress of stones.

100. Proximity to water and petrol pipes

Cables shall not be laid at a distance of less than 1 metre from pipes carrying water or petrol.

101. Street boxes

(1) The covers of street boxes shall be so secured that they cannot be opened except by means
of a special appliance, and such boxes shall be inspected by the licensee, from time to time, for the
presence of gas and suitable action shall be taken to check the intlux and accumulation of gas.

(2) High voltage lines shall not pass through the same street box as other electric lines unless
they are enclosed in a strong metal casing effectively earthed.

(3) Street boxes containing high voltage lines shall not contain water, gas or other service pipes,
or electric lines belonging to another licensee.

PART VII

Regulations appertaining to substations and switching stations

102. Provisions

(1) Where energy at high voltage is transformed, converted, regulated or otherwise controlled in
substations or switch stations, the following provisions shall have effect‐

(a) outdoor substations and outdoor switch stations (unless the apparatus is completely
enclosed in a metal casing connected with earth, the said apparatus also being
connected with the system by suitable electric cables) shall be efficiently protected by
fencing not less than 2.5 metres in height or other means so as to prevent access to the
electric lines and apparatus therein by any unauthorised person. The said fencing, if of
metal shall be earthed separately from the substation earth. All metallic gates shall be
effectively bonded to the fencing;

(b) the works of the licensee shall be labelled with an appropriate danger notice, with the
name of the licensee and with the address, and telephone number, of their local office
at which an officer or servant of the licensee will be in attendance;
 (c) any metal work accessible from the ground level which normally has to be handled
when the line is alive, (i.e. a switch operating handle), shall be connected to an earth
mat, so situated as to include within its area the whole of the ground on which the
operator would normally stand;

(d) suitable provision shall be made, either by connecting with earth a point of the system
at the lower voltage or otherwise, to guard against danger by reason of the said system
becoming accidentally charged above its normal voltage by leakage from or contact with
the system at the higher voltage.

103. Substations situated inside building

(2) (a) Where a substation or switch station is situated in any building so that a fire in the substation or
switch station might involve risk to the said building and the said substation or switch station contains
oil‐immersed transformers or switches involving the use of oil in a tank receptacle or chamber, provision
shall be made for the draining away or removal of any oil which may leak or escape from the tanks,
receptacles or chambers containing the same; special precautions shall be taken to prevent the spread
of any fire resulting from the ignition of the oil from any cause; and adequate provision shall be made
for the extinguishing of any fire which may occur.

(b) Spare oil shall not be stored in any such substation or switch station.

104. Protection

All transformers shall be protected by primary fuses or overload circuit‐breakers fitted adjacent
to the transformers.

PART VIII

Transformation and control of energy at high voltage

105. Substations

Substations to be supplied at high voltage shall be established in suitable places and shall be in
the sole occupation and control of the licensee. In the case of any substation established on the
premises of a consumer, arrangements shall be made in conformity with the proviso to regulation 107
for that particular consumer to manage the substation. In the case, it shall be in the sole occupation of
the consumer aforesaid but jointly controlled by the licensee and the consumer.
106. Automatic protection and isolation of circuit

(1) Means shall be provided at the origination of every main circuit to automatically cut off the
supply of energy in the event of‐

(a) the passage of a current of such magnitude and duration as would be liable to damage
the line or its associated joints and fittings;

(b) leakage of current to earth in excess of the amount permitted by these Regulations.

(2) The means provided in compliance with paragraph (1) of this regulation shall be circuit‐
breakers constructed and installed in conformity with the relevant Nigerian Standard and they shall be
capable of interrupting, without damage to the equipment or danger to the operator, system short‐
circuit currents likely to be handled under conditions of use to which they are subjected; and further
shall similarly withstand, without damage to the equipment or danger to the operator, the currents
flowing if closure is made on to a line or circuit which is short circuited.

(3) Every automatic device shall be provided with means so that it can be locked in the "OFF"
position to prevent unauthorised interference. During the time that the device is locked in the "OFF"
position the relevant keys for the lock shall be kept in safe custody in the manner prescribed by
regulation 76 (3).

107. General conditions as to transformation and control

(1) Where energy at high voltage is transformed, converted, regulated or otherwise controlled in
substations or switching stations (including outdoor substations and outdoor switching stations) or in
fire‐resisting casings on the premises of a consumer, the following provisions shall have effect‐

(a) substations and switch stations shall preferable be erected above ground, but
where necessarily constructed underground there shall be due provision for ventilation
and drainage;

(b) outdoor substations and outdoor switch stations shall (unless the apparatus is
completely enclosed in a metal casing connected with earth, the said apparatus also
being connected with the system by suitable electric cable) be enclosed within chain link
or woven wire or mild steel unclimbable fencing manufactured in strict conformity with
the appropriate part of the relevant Nigerian Standard not less than 2.5 metres in height
so as to prevent access to the electric lines and apparatus therein by any unauthorised
person;

(c) fire‐resisting casings on the premises of a consumer, preferably of metal connected with
earth, shall completely enclose all electric lines (other than overhead lines) and
apparatus on the premises designed to be electrically charged at high voltage and shall
 be secured so as to prevent access to electrically charged parts by an unauthorised
person;

(d) wherever energy at high voltage is transformed, converted, regulated or otherwise

controlled, the works of the licensee shall be labelled with an appropriate danger notice
which shall state the name of the licensee and the address and telephone number, if
any, of their local office at which an officer or servant of the licensee will be in
attendance at all times.

108. Further constructional details in certain cases

(1) The following provisions as to constructional details shall have effect where energy at high
voltage is transformed, converted, regulated or otherwise controlled.

In street boxes or similar structures or in fire‐resisting casings on the premises of a consumer‐

(a) all doors or covers shall be so secured that they cannot be opened except by means of a
key or special appliance;

(b) the enclosed conductors and apparatus shall be so constructed, protected and arranged
that when the door or cover giving access to an operating handle of a switch panel is
opened, it shall not be possible for the person opening the door or cover to come into
accidental contact with metal electrically charged at high voltage;

(c) unless the conditions of supply are such that the whole of the enclosed conductors and
apparatus may be made dead at the same time for the purpose of cleaning or for other
work thereon, the conductors and apparatus shall be so arranged that they may be
made dead in sections and the sections shall be so separated by divisions or earthed
screens from all adjacent live metal that work on any section made dead may be carried
on by an authorised person without danger;

(d) every fusible cut‐out shall be so constructed and placed that they will be operated or
renewed, as the case may be, by an authorised person without danger.

(2) Where air break isolating switchgear either fused or unfused is employed for the purpose of
isolating or sectionalising circuits the several conductors shall be ganged so as to interrupt all lines of the
circuit simultaneously.

109. Precautions against risk of fire

 (1) In delivering energy to a substation or switching station including an outdoor substation or
outdoor switch station) or to the premises of a consumer, the licensee shall exercise all due precautions
so as to avoid risk of causing fire.

(2) When a substation or switching station is situated in any building so that a fire in the sub‐
station or switching station might involve risk to the said building and the said substation or switching
station contains oil‐immersed transformers or switches involving the use of oil in tanks, receptacles or
chambers, provisions shall be made for the draining away or removal of any oil which may lead or
escape from the tanks, receptacles or chambers containing the same.

(3) Special precautions shall be taken to prevent the spread of any fire resulting from the
ignition of the oil from any causes and adequate provision shall be made for the extinguishing of any fire
which may occur.

(4) Spare oil shall not be stored in any such substation in switching station.

110. Provision for faults between transformer windings

Where energy is transformed, suitable provisions shall be made, either by connecting with earth
a point of the system at the lower voltage or otherwise, to guard against danger by reason of the said
system becoming accidentally charged above its normal voltage by leakage from or contact with the
system at the higher voltage.

PART IX

Regulations appertaining to power stations and sub‐station switchboard

111. Switchboards

(1) All power‐house and substation switchboards, including the frames to which they are
attached, shall be made of fireproof material.

(2) No live conductor shall be exposed on the front of any switchboard and the back of any
switchboard of which bare live metal is mounted shall be made inaccessible (except to authorised
persons) by means of earthed screens or otherwise.

(3) Every door leading to the back of a switchboard shall be provided with a spring or other
approved device which shall ensure that the door remains open upon when not properly shut or locked.

(4) A rubber mat of not less than 6 mm thickness or any other suitable non‐hydro‐scopic
insulating material or insulating stand shall be provided for the protection of operators in front of
switchboards of every power‐house and substation. A similar arrangement shall also be provided in the
screened‐in space at the rear of every power‐house and substation switchboard (not being of the totally
enclosed iron‐clad cubicle type).

(5) All panels shall have marked thereon, near each switch, the name of the feeder controlled by
such switch.

112. Connection with earth

All power‐house and substation switchboards shall be provided with at least two different and
independent earth connections, connected in parallel, to which all metal frames, all metal instrument
cases (unless otherwise protected) and other metal parts thereof shall be connected. Means shall be
provided to test the earth electrode resistance of these earth connections individually.

113. Power station

(1) Isolating links shall be lifted in the leads of each panel of all switchboards so that the panel
can be made dead when necessary.

(2) These provisions in regulation 113 (1) shall not apply‐

(a) where the circuit‐breaker can be withdrawn from all sources of supply (e.g. truck‐type
cubicles);

(b) where the switchboard consists of one panel and it can be made dead by opening a
switch outside and adjacent to the substation;

(c) where there is a single panel supplied from one generator.

114. Clearances to bare conductors in open spaces

Every power‐house or substation switchboard shall be erected in such a position as to provide,

in front and behind the switchboard, the clear unobstructed spaces hereunder mentioned, namely‐

(a) medium and low voltage switchboards ‐ an overhead clearance (except in screened
spaces dealt with in regulation 115) of not less than 2 metres from the floor to any bare
conductor under which it is necessary to pass, and a passage‐way in front of the
switchboard with at least 1 metre horizontal clearance from the face of the switchboard
or any bare live metal affixed thereof;

(b) high and extra‐high voltage switchboards, other than operating desks or panels working
solely at medium, low or extra‐low voltage, an overhead clearance (except in screened
 spaces dealt with in regulation 115) of not less than 2.4 metres from the floor to any
bare conductor under which it is necessary to pass, and a passage‐way in front of the
switchboard with at least one metre horizontal clearance from the face of the
switchboard.

115. Horizontal clearance in passage ways

In screened spaces where only skilled men would be employed when the switchboard is alive
(unless all live metal other than that being worked on is suitably screened)‐

(a) an overhead clearance of not less than 2 metres from the floor to any bare, conductor
under which it is necessary to pass;

(b) a horizontal clearance of not less than 2 metres for high or extra‐high voltage and not
less than 1.2 metres for medium or lower voltages where it is possible to pass between
any live conductors less than 2 metres above the floor;

(c) a horizontal clearance of not less than one metre between any live conductor less than
2 metres above the floor and any wall, screen or other similar object;

(d) for all voltages in excess of 11,000 volts such clearances as are approved by the Director
of Electrical Inspectorate Services.

116. Clearances to bare metal in screened spaces

(1) When a passage‐way is provided behind any switchboard the horizontal clearance shall be
the same as that specified for the front of the board, and shall be measured from any screen erected at
the back of the switchboard.

(2) Every high and extra‐high voltage conductor situated within reach of any working platform or
in any switchboard passage‐way shall be so placed or protected as adequately to prevent danger.

(3) Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent any conductor or apparatus from becoming
accidentally or inadvertently electrically charged when persons are working thereon.

(4) Where necessary to prevent danger insulating stands or screens shall be provided and kept
permanently available and shall be maintained in a sound condition.

(5) Fire‐buckets of suitable capacity, filled with clear, dry sand and ready for immediate use
extinguishing fires, and suitable fire extinguishers filled with non‐conducting fluid, shall be kept in a
convenient situation adjacent to the electrical apparatus and conspicuously marked.
117. Power houses and substations enclosures

(1) All power‐houses and all substations shall be enclosed and due precautions taken to render
them inaccessible to unauthorised persons.

(2) Where barbed wire is used for such purpose the wire shall be attached to supports or
battens spaced not more than 2 metres apart. The distance between barbed wires shall not exceed 200
mm.

(3) Every fence which is used as an enclosure under this regulation (whether or not such fence is
constructed or barbed) shall have three barbed wires spaced not less than 150 mm or more than 200
mm apart, fixed to supports on top of the fence and leaning outward at an angle of approximately 45° or
such other protective arrangement as the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services may approve.

(4) The gates of all enclosures shall be constructed to prevent access by climbing.

(5) All those parts of power‐house or substation premises in which electrical apparatus is placed
shall be adequately lighted to prevent danger.

(6) The entrance doors of unattended power‐houses or substations shall where practicable be
provided with a spring or other approved device, which shall ensure that the door remains wide open
when not properly shut and locked.

(7) Ladders stored in the vicinity of or fixed to pole substations shall be of the shut‐up type and
kept security closed and padlocked when not in use and otherwise made inaccessible to unauthorised
persons.

(8) Every passage‐way and enclosed space shall have a firm and even floor.

(9) Adequate means of access, free from danger, shall be provided for every enclosed space or
passage‐way, and such means of access, enclosed spaces, and passage‐ways shall be adequately lighted
to prevent danger.

(10) Spaces at the back of switchboards shall be kept free of rubbish and shall not be used for
storage purposes.

(11) Wiring in power‐houses or substation buildings shall be carried out in accordance with the
Regulations for Electrical Installations.

(12) Where platform type of construction is used, and space sufficient for any person to stand
on the platform is provided, a substantial handrail shall be built around the platform.

(13) If the handrail is of metal it shall not be connected to earth.

 (14) Earthed metal (e.g. pipes containing cables) shall not be attached metal hand‐rails, and
when attached to handrails other than metal shall be so placed or protected that any person on the
platform cannot accidentally be in contact with live metal and such earthed metal at the same time.

(15) Handrails shall be lifted at a height not less than 1 metre or more than 1.5 metres above the
platform.

(16) Metal screens fitted to handrails shall not be connected with earth.

118. Notice on electric shock treatment

Such instructions as the Director of the Electrical Inspectorate Services may from time to time approve
as to the treatment of persons receiving electric shocks shall be added in a conspicuous place in every
power‐house and substation.

119. Electric line and apparatus for high voltage completion and control

(1) Electric lines of the licensee for use at high voltage shall be placed in positions, properly
jointed and duly completed and examined before they are brought into use for the purposes of the
supply of energy.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in these Regulations, every electric line as aforesaid shall
during its use be in the sole charge of the licensee:

Provided that for any purpose connected with the efficiency and safety of the supply of energy
to a particular consumer, the licensee may make arrangements with the consumer for control by an
authorised person of the electric lines on the premises of the consumer through which energy is
supplied to the premises.

120. Insulation resistance test

(1) Electric lines and apparatus of the licensee for use at high voltage shall not be connected to a
system for the purposes of the supply of energy unless the insulation of the electric lines and apparatus
has withstood either‐

(a) the test prescribed in that behalf in the appropriate Nigerian Standard then current; or

(b) in case where no such tests have been prescribed, the continuous application between
conductors and also between conductors and earth during a period of not less than
fifteen minutes of alternating current either at testing voltage equal to at least one and
one‐quarter times the normal working voltage to which the electric lines of apparatus
will be subject under conditions of supply, or at a testing voltage equal to the aforesaid
working voltage with the addition of 10,000 volts, whichever be the higher.
 (2) Provided that for the purpose of such alternatives tests‐

(a) the testing voltage between the outer conductor and earth in cases where the outer
conductor of an electric line having concentric conductors is to be connected directly
with earth shall be 1,000 volts;

(b) the aforesaid working voltage between any phase of an alternating current system and
earth in cases when the neutral conductor of the said system is not to be connected
with earth shall be deemed to be the voltage between phases;

(c) the duration of the test may be reduced to one minute in the case of apparatus for use
at high voltage subject to the testing volts being increased so as to equal not less than
one and one‐half times the aforesaid working voltage, or aforesaid working voltage with
the addition of 20,000 volts, whichever be the less;

(d) direct current may be used instead of alternating current subject to the testing voltage
being increased so as to exceed by at least fifty per cent the corresponding testing
voltage prescribed for alternating current.

(3) If the testings prescribed in this regulation are made prior to the said electric lines and
apparatus being placed in position for the purposes of the supply of energy, the said electric lines and
apparatus after having been placed in position and before being connected to the system shall have
withstood a further test for resistance of insulation either by the application of the tests prescribed in
this regulation whenever reasonably practicable, or by the application of a testing voltage of not less
that 1,000 volts between conductors and also between conductors and earth during a period of not less
than one minute.

(4) Where any electric line has been disconnected from a system for alteration or repair such
electric line or apparatus shall not be reconnected to the system until the licensees have applied the test
prescribed in paragraph (3) of this regulation and have satisfied themselves that the insulation of the
electric line or apparatus and the phase sequence of the system are in sound condition.

121. Electric line to be metal‐sheathed: precautions against excess leakage

(1) The following provisions shall apply to electric lines of licensee for use at high voltage‐

(a) the conductors shall be enclosed in metal sheathing which shall be electrically and
connected with earth and the conductivity of the metal sheathing shall be
and reasonable precautions taken where necessary to avoid corrosion of the
sheathing;
 (b) in the event of a failure of insulation occurring between one conductor and the metal
sheathing at any point along an electric line as aforesaid the impedance of the relevant
circuit together with the appropriate source impedance shall be such that with the full
voltage input, the current resulting from such failure shall be not less than twice the
value of the current for which a suitable fusible cut‐out of adequate rupturing capacity;
or

(c) other suitable over‐current device has been set to operate;

(d) of the current required to operate a suitable discriminative fault current, relay: provided
that the operation of the aforesaid overload preventive device or of the discriminative
fault current relay shall cause the automatic operation of a circuit‐breaker of adequate
breaking capacity;

(e) the relevant circuit hereinbefore referred to means the complete circuit from the source
of supply to the point of failure of the insulation, including any connection with earth of
the system of which the electric line as aforesaid forms part and any current limiting
device inserted in such connection with earth, and the source of supply means the point
at which energy is given to the system of the circuit of which the electric line as
aforesaid forms part.

(2) Nothing in the provisions of regulation 123 (1) thereof shall preclude the employment in
generating stations, substations and switch stations (including outdoor substations and outdoor switch
stations) or conductors for use at high voltage which are not enclosed in metal sheathing, or preclude
the use of electric lines laid before the prescribed date to which the provisions of regulation 129 apply.

(3) This regulation shall not apply to overhead lines unless the Director, Electrical Inspectorate
Services otherwise prescribes in any particular case.

122. Connection with earth of high voltage systems

(1) The following provisions shall apply to the connection with earth of systems for use at high
voltage‐

(a) unless otherwise allowed by the Director, Electrical Inspectorate Services and
subject as hereinafter provided, a point of every such system shall be connected with
earth;

(b) the connection with earth shall, subject as hereinafter provided, be made at one point
only in each system and the insulation of the system shall be efficiently maintained at all
other parts, and provided that the insulation of the system need not be efficiently
 maintained at all other parts in the case of a system where the connection between the
neutral point and earth incorporates an inductive resistance so designed as to ensure
the immediate suppression of any arc between a conductor and earth and so designed
also to ensure that upon the occurrence of a leakage to earth from a live conductor
there is an immediate reduction of the voltage of the conductor to earth potential or
approximately earth potential;

(c) in the case of a system as aforesaid comprising electric lines having concentric
conductors, external conductor shall be the one to be connected with earth;

(d) where a system having a point connected with earth is used for affording a supply of
energy at high voltage to an electrode boiler which is also connected with earth, the
following conditions shall have effect;

(e) the metal‐work of the electrode boiler shall be efficiently connected to the metal
sheathing and metallic armouring (if any) of the high voltage electric line whereby
energy is supplied to the electrode boiler;

(f) the supply of energy at high voltage to the electrode boiler shall be controlled by a
suitable automatic circuit‐breaker so set as to operate in the event of the phase currents
becoming unbalanced to the extent to 10 percent of the rated current consumption of
the electrode boiler under normal conditions of operation:

Provided that if any case a higher setting is essential to ensure stability of operation of the
electrode boiler, the setting may be increased to but shall in no circumstances exceed 15 per cent of the
rated current consumption of the electrode boiler under normal conditions operation;

(a) an inverse time element device may be used in conjunction with the aforesaid
automatic circuit‐breaker to prevent the operation thereof unnecessarily on the
occurrence of unbalanced phase currents of momentary or short duration;

(b) the licensee shall serve a notice on the Director of Telecommunications and on the area
engineer at least thirty days prior to the date on which such supply of energy is to be
afforded specifically the location of every point (including the earth connection of the
electrode boiler) at which the systems is connected with earth.

(2) It shall not be permissible for the licensee to inter‐connect electrically, systems for use at
high voltage which are each connected with earth at one point, or except as hereinbefore provided, to
connect any such system with earth at more than one point, unless electrical inter‐connection as
aforesaid or connection with earth at more than one point is for the time being approved by the
Director, Electrical Inspectorate Services with concurrence of the Director of Telecommunications and is
made in accordance with the conditions, if any, of that approval.
 (3) Nothing in this regulation or in any approval by the Director, Electrical Inspectorate Services
thereunder shall affect any rights or remedies of the Director of Telecommunications in relation to injury
to or injurious affection of his telegraph lines, or confer any exemption from any liability or penalty in
respect of any such injurious affection.

PART X

Electric lines and apparatus generally other than consumer installations

123. Standard of construction of electric lines

The standard of construction of electric lines of the licensee shall, unless otherwise allowed by
the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services, be at least that prescribed in the appropriate Nigerian
Industrial Standard current at the time of their manufacture.

124. Protection against excess energy

Every circuit of the licensee (other than service lines from distribution mains) shall be protected
against excess energy by a suitable fusible cut‐out or automatic circuit breaker of adequate breaking
capacity, fusible cut‐out or automatic circuit‐breakers shall not be inserted in any conductors
permanently connected with earth.

125. Precautions against shock and fire

In the use of delivery of energy, licensee shall exercise all due precautions so as to avoid the risk
of causing electric shock or fire, and shall be responsible for all electric lines, fittings and apparatus
belonging to them or under their control being maintained in a safe condition.

126. Protection from lightning

Every electric line or any support therefore exposed to liability or injury from lightning shall be
efficiently protected against such liability.

127. Precautions against metal works becoming electrically charged

 (1) Where any electric line of the licensee (including a service line up to the supply terminals) at
the time it is placed in position, crosses or is in dangerous proximity to any pipe, line or other metal,
precautions shall be taken by the licensee to prevent such pipe, line or other metal from becoming
electrically charged.

(2) Any metal work, enclosing, supporting or otherwise associated with electric lines and
apparatus unless designed to serve as a conductor, shall where necessary to prevent danger be
connected with earth.

128. Overhead lines

Overhead lines of the licensee (including overhead service lines up to the supply terminals) shall
be erected and maintained in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations save in so far as the
same are expressly excluded from application thereto.

Nothing in this regulation shall relieve the licensee from the obligation of obtaining any necessary
consent to the placing of an electric line above ground.

129. Bituminous, etc., installation or protection

(1) Where the licensee has prior to the prescribed date brought into use an electric line (other
than an overhead line) which is not completely enclosed in a continuous metallic sheathing connected
with earth, and is insulated or protected in situ by composition or material of a bituminous character‐

(a) any pipe, conduit or the like the into which such electric line may have been drawn or
placed shall unless other arrangements are approved by the Director of Electrical
Inspectorate Services in any particular case, be effectively sealed at its point of entry
into any street box so as to prevent any flow of gas from or into the said pipe, conduit or
the like into or from the said street box; and

(b) such electric line shall be periodically inspected where accessible, and the result of
each such inspection shall be duly recorded by the licensee.

(2) It shall not be permissible for the licensee after the prescribed date to bring into use any
further electric line as aforesaid which is insulated of protected in situ by any composition or material
known to be liable to produce noxious or explosive gases on excessive heating.

130. Receptacles for electric lines and apparatus

 All conduits, pipes, casings, street box, and similar structures used by the licensee as receptacles
for electric lines or apparatus shall be constructed of durable material, and where placed under
carriageways shall be of ample strength to withstand heavy traffic and be placed at least 750 mm below
the finished surface of main roads; and reasonable means shall be taken to prevent the accumulation of
gas in such receptacles.

131. Underground shaft, etc.

Where access to any electric line is obtained through a manhole or underground shaft passage
or the like not subject to regular inspection, no persons shall enter any such manhole, shaft, passage or
the like until the same shall have been tested by the licensee for the presence of noxious or explosive
gases, and until any such gases discovered as the result of such test shall have been dispelled.

132. Precautions against failure of supply

(1) The lay‐out of the electric lines of the licensee for the supply of energy throughout their area
of supply shall under normal working conditions be sectionalised and so arranged, and provided where
necessary with fusible out‐puts or automatic circuit‐breakers so located, as to restrict within reasonable
limits the extent of the portion of the undertaking affected by any failure of supply.

(2) During and in connection with the installation, extension, replacement, repair and
maintenance of any of their works, the licensee shall take all reasonable precautions to avoid any
accidental interruptions of supply, and also to avoid danger to the public or to any employee or
authorised person when engaged on any operation as aforesaid.

(3) The licensee shall send to the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services notice of failure of
supply of such kind as the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services may from time to time required to
be notified to him and which notice shall be sent by the quickest practicable means after the failure
occurs or, as the case may be, after the failure becomes known to the licensee, and shall be in such form
and contain such particular as the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services may from time to time
prescribe.

133. Provisions for telegraph lines

In localities where no telegraph lines, either above or below ground, exist, the licensee shall
place his works (other than consumers' service lines) on one side of any street and where the street is
continuous the works shall be kept to one side of the same street for the whole distance.
134. Where telegraph lines exist

Except by permission in writing of the Director of Telecommunication all overhead electric lines
shall be placed on the opposite side of the street to that on which any telegraph lines are erected; and
where the erection or operation of the overhead electric lines necessitates an alteration of any existing
telegraph lines (including the provisions of guarding, covered wires or protective devices), and such
alteration is approved by the Director of Telecommunications, the expense of the alteration shall be
borne by the licensee:

Provided that where existing telegraph lines occupy both sides of a street at any place, or a route in a
continuous street crosses from one side of a street to the other, the Posts and Telegraph Department
shall bear the cost or consent to an arrangement for the joint use of poles.

135. Placing of electric cables below ground

Where telegraph lines are placed below ground in any street and the licensee desires to place
his works below ground in the same street they shall be placed on the opposite side of the street to the
telegraph line unless the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services expressly authorises in writing a
relaxation of these requirements. Any such relaxation shall be subject to such conditions as to the
provision of minimum separating distances and protective features in his absolute discretion he deems
it desirable and necessary to impose for the protection of the telegraph cable.

136. Exchange of plans

Where it appears that works of a licensee or telegraph lines have been placed below ground, the
licensee or the Director of Telecommunications may on written application require the Director of
Telecommunications or the licensee as the case may be, to furnish a plan to a scale of not less than one
to 2,500 indicating the nature, course and depth of any existing works placed below ground. Any
request made under the provisions of the regulation shall be complied with within thirty days of the
original application. Plans shall be black or coloured lines on a white background and having the true
north and magnetic north legibly marked.

PART XI

Supply to premises of consumers' installations

137. Service lines into consumer's premises

 Any service line of the licensee which is taken into the premises of a consumer at a point below
the level of the ground shall be taken into the premises in such manner as to prevent as far as
reasonably possible any influx of gas at the point of entry.

138. Identification of conductors of service lines

The separate conductors of service lines shall be permanently marked by colouration, or in

accordance with the Regulations for Electrical Installations label as close as practic‐able to the supply
terminals so as to indicate in a distinctive manner the polarity of the conductors or the neutral and live
phase conductors, as the case may be.

139. Protection of consumer's installation against excess energy

For protection against excess energy, a suitable fusible cut‐out or automatic circuit‐breaker of
adequate rupturing capacity completely enclosed in a suitable locked or sealed receptacle of solid fire‐
resisting construction shall be inserted by the licensee in every service line as close as practicable to the
supply terminals and in a position which, in the opinion of the licensee, is suitable for the purpose:

Provided that no such fusible cut‐out or automatic circuit‐breaker shall be inserted in any
conductor which is permanently connected with earth:

Provided also that where a supply of energy is given at high voltages, provrsion shall be made
whereby the consumer is enabled to cut off all voltage from the supply terminals without risk of danger.

140. Licensee's lines, etc., on consumer's premises

(1) The licensee shall be responsible for all electric lines and apparatus placed by them on the
premises of a consumer and either belonging to the licensee or under their control (whether forming
the whole or part of the consumer's installation or not) being installed and maintained in a safe
condition and suitable for their respective purposes and being so fixed and protected as to prevent so
far as is reasonably practicable, leakage to any adjacent metal.

(2) The standard of construction and installation adopted by the licensee in complying with
paragraph (1) of this regulation in so far as it relates to the whole or any part of a consumer's
installations shall not be lower than that which the licensee would be prepared to accept under the
Regulations for Electrical Installations.

(3) The obligation imposed by paragraph (1) of this regulation in regard to the maintenance of
any electric lines and apparatus as aforesaid situated on the consumer's side of the supply terminals and
forming the whole or part of a consumer installation shall be subject to the terms of any agreement
entered into between the licensee and the consumer with respect to the letting on terms or hire‐
purchase of the said whole or part of the consumer's installation.

(4) Nothing in this regulation shall relieve the owner or occupier of any premises, being a
consumer within the meaning of these Regulations, from any obligation imposed on him by the
Regulations for Electrical Installations.

[S.I. 5 of 1996.]

141. Inspection and test of consumer's installation prior to connection; licensee to appoint
installation inspectors

(1) Licensee shall appoint in writing one or more competent persons to inspect consumers'
installations.

(2) The licensee shall not permanently connect a consumer's installation supplied at low or
medium voltage with their electric lines unless and until the said installation has been inspected and
duly tested as aforesaid to determine compliance with the provisions of the Regulations for Electrical
Installation.

[S.I. 5 of 1996.]

(3) The results of every test and inspection made in conformity with paragraph (2) of this
regulation shall be recorded in writing and authenticated by the signature of the person appointed in
conformity with paragraph (1) of this regulation.

(4) The provisions of this regulation shall not apply to consumers' installations coming within the
provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, or the National Film and Video Censors Board Act, or where
the installation to be supplied is another undertaking, instead the licensee shall satisfy themselves that
the installation complied with the appropriate wiring regulations, if any, or that the installation has been
approved by an inspector duly appointed to administer the appropriate wiring regulations applicable to
the particular installation, before commencing to give a supply.

[Cap. M12. Cap. N40.]

142. General conditions as to supply to consumers

(1) The licensee shall not be compelled to commence or, subject to the provisions of regulation
145, to continue to give a supply of energy to any consumer unless they are reasonably satisfied in
respect of the consumer's installation.

(2) That all conductors (including flexible conductors) and apparatus including portable
apparatus) are sufficient in size and capacity for the purposes of which the supply of energy is to be used
and are constructed, installed and protected so as to prevent danger so far as is reasonably practicable;
and that all single‐pole switches are inserted in live conductors only.

(3) That every distinct circuit is protected against excess energy by means of a suitable fusible
cut‐out or automatic circuit‐breaker of adequate rupturing capacity suitably located and of such
construction as to prevent danger from overheating, arcing or the scattering of hot metal when it comes
into operation and such as permit the ready renewal of the fusible metal without danger.

(4) That every electric motor is controlled by an efficient switch or switches for starting and
stopping and that the said switch or switches is or are so placed as to be readily accessible to and easily
operated by the person in charge of the motor.

(5) Provided that installation shall be deemed to fulfil the requirements of this regulation if it
complies with the provisions of the Regulations for Electrical Installation or where applicable,
regulations governing electrical installations made under the provision of‐

(a) the National Film and Video Censors Board Act;

[Cap. N40.]

(b) the Minerals and Mining Act;

[Cap. M12.]

(c) any other Act.

143. Supply at low voltage from more than one pair of conductors of system at medium voltage

(1) The licensee shall not commence a supply of energy at low voltage to any consumer from
more than one pair of conductors of a three‐wire or multi‐phase system at medium voltage unless‐

(a) the total rating in kilowatts of the apparatus (including electric lamps) connected or
intended to be connected to the consumer's wiring exceeds 10 kilowatts; and

(b) the giving of the supply at low voltage from more than one pair of conductors of a
system as aforesaid is necessary to avoid variation in excess of the limits allowed by
regulation 162 (2) in the voltage declared to that consumer or to any other consumer
supplied from the same distributing main.

(2) The licensee shall not in any case be compelled to commence, or, subject to the provisions of
regulation 146, to continue to give a supply of energy at low voltage to any consumer from more than
one pair or conductors of a system as aforesaid unless they are reasonably satisfied in respect of the
consumer's installation‐
 (a) that the supply terminals are arranged in separate parts in such a manner that so far as
is reasonably practicable there shall be no danger of shock at medium voltage;

(b) that the consumer's wiring connected to the separate pairs of supply terminals is kept
separate and distinct, or a complies with the conditions applicable to a supply at
` medium voltage prescribed by regulation 144;

(c) that in the case of any room containing the different pairs of conductors, all socket
outlets are connected to one and the same pair of conductors.

(3) Provided that any consumer's installation which complies with the provisions of the
Regulations for Electrical Installations shall be deemed to fulfil the requirements of regulation 142 (2).

[S.I. 5 of 1996.]

144. Supply at medium voltage

(1) The licensee shall not be compelled to commence or, subject to the provisions of regulation
146, to continue to give a supply of energy at medium voltage to any consumer unless they are
reasonably satisfied in respect of the consumer's installation‐

(a) that all metal work enclosing, supporting or associated with the consumer's installation,
other than that designed to serve as a conductor is where necessary, to prevent danger
connected with earth;

(b) that the consumer's wiring is either completely enclosed in metal which is electrically
continuous and adequately protected against mechanical damage or alternatively, is so
constructed, installed and protected as to prevent danger so far as is reasonably
practicable;

(c) that the supply of energy to each motor or separate piece of apparatus is controlled by
an efficient cut‐out switch placed in such a position as to be readily accessible to and
easily operated by the person in charge of the said motor or apparatus and so
connected in circuit that by its means all voltage can cut‐off from the motor or
apparatus itself and from any regulating switch, resistance or other device associated
therewith.

(2) Provided that an installation shall be deemed to fulfil the requirements of this regulation if it
complies with the provisions of the Regulations for Electrical Installations or where applicable,
regulations governing electrical installation made under the provisions of‐

(a) the National Film and Video Censors Board Act;

 [Cap. N40.]

(b) the Minerals and Mining Act;

[Cap. M12.]

(c) any other Act.

145. Supply at high voltage

(1) The licensee shall not commence a supply of energy at high voltage to any consumer unless‐

(a) all conductors and apparatus intended for use at high voltage and situated on the
premises of the consumer are inaccessible to the consumer, and all operations in
connection with the said conductors and apparatus are carried out by the licensee by
arrangement with the consumer; or

(b) the consumer gives to the licensee a guarantee in writing that every portion of the
consumer's installation which is for use at high voltage will be maintained in an efficient
state and if so required, to the satisfaction of the licensee that in cases where the said
portion of the consumer's installation is not enclosed in a building or other structure to
which access can only be obtained by means of a key or special appliance, an authorised
person will be available to cut off the supply in the event of emergency; and that
instructions as to the treatment of persons suffering from electric shock will be affixed
on or in a premises of the consumer.

(2) The licensee shall not in any case be compelled to commence, or subject to the provisions of
regulation 146, to continue to give a supply of energy at high voltage to any consumer unless they are
reasonably satisfied in respect of the consumer's installation‐

(a) that no metal work designed to be electrically charged at high voltage will normally be
exposed so that it can be touched;

(b) that all conductors for use at high voltage (other than overhead lines) are completely
enclosed in metal which is electrically continuous and adequately protected against
mechanical damage;

(c) that no metal work enclosing, supporting or associated with the consumer's
installation, other than that designed to serve as a conductor, is where necessary, to
prevent danger connected with earth;

(d) that the supply of energy to each motor or separate piece of apparatus is controlled by
an efficient cut‐off switch placed in such a position as to be readily accessible to and
 easily operated by the person in charge of the said motor or apparatus and so
connected in circuit that by its means all voltage can be cut off from the motor or
apparatus itself and from any regulating switch resistance or other device associated
therewith;

(e) that all windings at high voltage of motors or other apparatus within reach from any
position in which a person may require to be, are efficiently protected so as to prevent
danger;

(f) that where transforming apparatus is used, suitable provision is made either by
connecting with earth a point of the circuit at the lower voltage or otherwise, to guard
against danger by reason of the said circuit becoming accidentally charged above its
normal voltage by leakage from or contact with the circuit at the higher voltage;

(g) that unless the conditions are such that the whole of the conductors and apparatus for
use at high voltage may be made dead at the same time for the purpose of cleaning or
for other work thereon, the said conductors and apparatus are so arranged that they
may be dead in sections are so separated by dividers or screens from all adjacent metal
which is live that work on any section made dead may be carried on by an authorised
person without danger;

(h) that an adequate gangway or working space is provided in front of any switchboard
(other than panels for controlling circuits at low voltage) and at parts of the installation
where live conductors can be exposed;

(i) that adequate means are provided for preventing access by the public or any
unauthorised person to any part of the consumer's installation which is designed to
be electrically charged at high voltage.

(3) The licensee shall give to the factory inspector of the district concerned notice of their
intention to commence supply of energy at high voltage to any premises to which the Factories Act
applies.

146. Supply for luminous tube sign on outside of premises

(1) The licensee shall not knowingly commence or, subject to the provisions of these
Regulations, continue to give a supply of energy to any consumer who proposes to transform or is
transforming the energy to a higher voltage for the purposes of luminous tube sign or the like on the
outside of any premises unless either they are satisfied with respect to consumer's installation that‐

(a) efficient cut‐off switches on the lower voltage side of the transforming apparatus are
provided both inside and outside any premises on which the said sign is placed and in
such position as to be readily accessible and easily operated without danger in any
 emergency and so connected in circuit that by their means all high voltage can be cut off
from the sign itself and from any regulating switch resistance or other device
associated therewith;

(b) no metal work designed to be electrically charged at high voltage will normally be
exposed so that it can be touched;

(c) all conductors for use at high voltage (other than overhead lines and service wires)
connecting the parts in a luminous tube sign or the like are completely enclosed in metal
which is electrically continuous and where necessary to prevent danger adequately
protected against mechanical damage, and that the said conductors are so arranged as
to give a clear space of not less than 100mm between the outside of their metallic
covering and the outside covering of any other electric line not forming part of the
consumer's installation or any pipe;

(d) all metal work enclosing, supporting or associated with the consumer's installation,
other than that designed to serve as a conductor, is where necessary to prevent danger
connected with earth;

(e) all windings at high voltage of apparatus within reach from any position in which a
person may require to be efficiently protected so as to prevent danger;

(f) in respect of the transforming apparatus, suitable provision is made to guide against
danger by reason of the circuit at the lower voltage becoming accidentally charged
above its normal voltage by leaking from or contact with the circuit at the higher
voltage;

(g) unless the conditions of supply are such that the whole of the conductors and apparatus
may be made dead at the same time for the purpose of cleaning or for other work
thereon, they are so arranged that they may be dead in sections, and that such sections
are of electrically isolated from all adjacent metal which is live that work in any section
made dead may be carried on by an authorised person without danger;

(h) adequate means are provided for preventing any unauthorised person from coming into
contact with any part of the consumer's installation which is designed to be electrically
charged at high voltage and that an appropriate danger notice is displayed at points of
access thereto; or

(2) Where the consumer guarantees in writing that the installation has been installed and will be
maintained in compliance with the provisions of the Regulations for Electrical Installations the
installation shall be deemed to fulfil the requirements of this regulation save in so far as these
Regulations specify any requirements not contained in the Regulations for Electrical Installation.
 (3) Provided that where it can be shown that in the event of an accident involving death or
injury to any person or persons, the consumer had failed to install or maintain the installation in
compliance with any written guarantee, shall be liable to prosecution under the provisions of these
Regulations.

147. Disconnection of supply in certain circumstances

(1) Where a supply of energy is being afforded to a consumer and the licensee, after making
such examination as the circumstances permit, have reasonable grounds for supposing that a leakage
likely to cause fire hazard or endanger life exists at some part of the installation or that the said
installation or any part thereof fails to fulfil any requirements of regulations 142 to 146 inclusive, the
following provisions shall (subject as provided in paragraph (2) of this regulation) have effect‐

(a) in any case where the licensee are prima facie satisfied that immediate action is justified
as a work of emergency in the interest of the public safety or in order to avoid undue
interference with the efficient supply of energy to other consumers, they may as a work
of urgency forthwith discontinue the supply of energy to the consumer's installation and
shall give immediate notice in writing of the discontinuance to the consumer, specifying
the matter complained of;

(b) in any other case, the licensee may by notice in writing require the consumer within
reasonable time after the service of the notice to permit an inspecting engineer to
inspect and test the said installation at any time between the hours of 7.30 a.m. and
3.30 p.m. If the consumer does not give all due facilities for inspection and testing, or if
as the result of any such inspection and testing, the inspecting engineer makes a report
confirming the existence of a leakage from the consumer's installation or reports that
the said installation or any part thereof fails to fulfil any requirements of regulations
142 to 146 inclusive, the licensee may forthwith by notice in writing specify the matter
complained of, and if the consumer fails to show to the reasonable satisfaction of the
licensee within such reasonable period as may be specified in that behalf in the notice
that the said matter has been remedied, the licensee may, on the expiration of the
said period but subject as hereinafter provided discontinue the supply of energy to the
consumer's installation, giving immediate notice in writing of such discontinuance to the
consumer;

(c) any difference which may arise between a consumer and the licensee in regard to any
matter complained of or as to the period specified for remedying the same in any
notice as aforesaid shall be settled in manner provided for by regulation 148;
 (d) in the exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph (1) (b) of this regulation,
the licensee shall not discontinue the supply of energy pending the settlement of any
difference referred to in paragraph (1) (c) of this regulation, and shall in no case
discontinue the supply of energy to the whole of the consumer's installation,
where it is practicable to disconnect that portion in respect of which any matter is
complained of:

Provided that nothing in this regulation shall prevent the licensee from exercisinq the powers
conferred by paragraph (1) (d) of this regulation in the event of development of a condition of
emergency as therein provided;

(e) where in pursuance of this regulation the licensee have discontinued the supply of
energy to the consumer's installation or any part thereof, the licensee shall not
recommence the supply of energy until they are reasonably satisfied in respect of
the consumer's installation that all requirements of regulations 142 to 146
inclusive have been fulfilled or until it has been determined or decided in the manner
provided for by regulation 148 that licensee is not entitled under regulations 142
to 146 inclusive to decline to recommence the supply, and thereupon the supply
of the energy shall be recommenced by the licensee.

(2) The foregoing provisions of this regulation shall extend so far as applicable and with the
necessary adaptations to any electric lines and apparatus situated on the consumer's side of the supply
terminals and belonging to the licensee or under their control within the meaning of regulation 140 and
where the supply of energy has been discontinued in pursuance of the said provisions the licensee shall,
subject to the respect to the letting on terms of hire or hire‐purchase of any such electric lines and
apparatus, forthwith remedy the defect in the said electric lines and apparatus and recommence the
supply of energy.

148. Notices by licensee to consumers where connection is declined or it is intended to disconnect

supply

(1) In any case where the licensee in pursuance of this part of these Regulations decline to
connect a consumer's installation or any part thereof with their electric lines or to commence or
continue to give a supply of energy thereto or decline to recommence the supply of energy after the
same has been discontinued, they shall serve on the consumer a notice in writing stating their reasons
for so declining.

(2) Any difference which may arise between a consumer and the licensee either with reference
to any notice under paragraph (1) of this regulation or under regulation 147 or with reference to any
consumer's installations to which the provisions of regulations 140 (1) and 141 (2) apply, shall be
determined by an inspector nominated by the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services or the
application of the consumer or his authorised agent or of the licensee, as the case may be. The Director
of Electrical Inspectorate Services shall prescribe the fee to be paid to such inspector and the inspector
shall determine which of the parties shall bear the costs of (including the prescribed fee) or any portion
of such costs.

(3) Provided that in the case of any consumer's installation (or any part thereof) which was
connected with the electric lines of the licensee and supplied with energy prior to the prescribed date it
shall not be competent for an inspector nominated under this regulation to determine that the licensee
were or are entitled under regulations 142 to 146 inclusive to refuse a supply of energy thereto if the
inspector is satisfied that‐

(a) the said installation has continued to function satisfactorily up to the material time;

(b) the installation is to be or is being continued in use only within the limits of the
maximum power for which it was originally intended; and

(c) there are no grounds for supposing that the installation will fail to continue to
function satisfactorily for a further reasonable period without risk of danger.

(4) If the licensee or the consumer or his authorised agent are or is dissatisfied with the
determination of the inspector, they or he may appeal to the Minister and thereupon the Minister shall
enquire into and decide upon the matter of the appeal and his decision shall be final and binding on all
parties.

(5) This regulation and regulation 146 shall be endorsed on every notice given by the licensee to
a consumer under the provisions of either of the regulation, or alternatively the notice shall be
accompanied by a copy each of the said regulation.

PART XII

Meters

149. Meters to be tested for accuracy

(1) Every meter intended to be used by the licensee for the purpose of ascertaining charges for
electrical energy supplied by him to a consumer, shall prior to its installation be tested to determine
compliance with the provisions of regulations 157 and 158.

(2) Any meter failing to comply with the requirements of regulation 156 (2) (iii) hereof shall not
be used until it shall have been adjusted and found by retesting to register within the prescribed limits.

150. Testing stations to be established

(1) For the purpose of determining the accuracy of meters in compliance with regulation 149,
the licensee shall establish either a central or area or both central and area meter testing stations.
 (2) Every testing station established in compliance with this regulation shall be provided with
standardised precaution measuring instruments for the purpose of determining the following
measurements‐

(a) potential as volts;

(b) current as amperes;

(c) power as volts;

(d) frequency of supply in hertz;

(e) time in tenths of a second;

(f) any other measurements which the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services may
deem to be essential.

(3) Precision instruments shall have been standardised by comparison with standard
instruments at either standardising institution in the country of manufacture or by comparison with
some other standard instruments of known accuracy approved by the Director of Electrical Inspectorate
Services. Every standard instrument shall have a dated certificate of calibration covering its entire scale
range and, except a timing device, its accuracy shall be within the limits of error prescribed by the I.E.C.
Where current or potential transformers are used with an instrument they shall be class AL and their
ratio and phase angle errors shall not exceed the values prescribed by the appropriate I.E.C. standard or
other Nigerian standard.

(4) Terminal markings of meters and associated transformers shall be marked to correspond
with actual connections made at the time of calibration and certification. Certificates of calibration shall
be valid for a period of five years from the date of issue. No sub‐standard meter shall be used at a
testing station without a valid certificate of calibration.

(5) Every such testing station shall be approved by the Director, Electrical Inspectorate Services
in writing under his hand. Any approval so given may be revoked at the sole discretion of the Director of
Electrical Inspectorate Services if he has reason to believe that the station is no longer capable of
performing the functions for which it was established.

151. Appointment of competent person to have charge of meter testing station

The licensee shall appoint a competent person having the qualifications prescribed by order of
the Minister on the advice of the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services. Where no such
qualifications have been prescribed, the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services shall be satisfied that
the person so appointed is competent to have charge of the meter testing station.

152. Records to be kept by competent person

 The person appointed in conformity with regulation 151 shall ensure that test records in
accordance with regulations 155 and 156 for all meters tested at the station of which he is in charge are
well kept.

153. Meters to be subject to periodical testing

(1) At least once in every fifteen years every meter installed on consumers' premises for the
purpose of ascertaining charges for electrical energy supplied shall be removed to a meter testing
station and tested for accuracy. In the event of any meter so removed being found to register not within
the prescribed limits, it shall not be reused until it has been adjusted and found to register within the
prescribed limits.

(2) Provided that the requirements of this regulation shall be deemed to have been complied
with in the case of a meter which at the prescribed date has been in service for a term exceeding fifteen
years, if the meter is, removed from the consumer's premises not later than three years after the
prescribed date.

154. Meters to be marked with date of testing

(1) Every meter installed upon the premises of a consumer for the purpose of ascertaining
charges for energy supplied shall have affixed to it in such a position that it is readily seen but cannot be
defaced a label on which is printed, written or punched legible character or other mark indicating one
year of certification in conformity with regulation 149.

(2) Provided that the provisions of this regulation shall not have effect in the case of‐

(a) meters installed at the prescribed date; until seven years following the prescribed date; and

(b) meters installed subsequent to the prescribed date.

155. Inaccurate meters

(1) If any consumer disputes the accuracy of any meter or meters used for the purpose of
determining the charges of energy supplied to him, he may by written notice served on the licensee
(accompanied by a deposit of N5) require the licensee to cause the meter to be tested and certified as
to its accuracy. On receipt of such notice from a consumer the licensee shall forthwith cause a meter
having known errors to be connected in series with the suspect meter to determine whether the latter's
accuracy is within the prescribed limits and shall supply the consumer with a copy of the test results not
later than 28 days from the date of the termination of the testing period.

(2) In the event of the test disclosing that the registration of the meter is not within the
prescribed limits, the licensee shall immediately refund the deposit paid by the consumer and adjust his
account for the period of charge immediately preceding the date of the notice given by the consumer
under the provisions of paragraph (1) of this regulation and in addition make adjustment in respect of
the registration of the meter between the last meter reading thereof at the date of removal from the
consumer's premises for certification.

(3) Where the registration of the meter or meters is found to be within the prescribed limits,
except as provided for in paragraph (4) of this regulation, the consumer shall have no further claim
against the licensee and the deposit paid to the licensee shall be forfeited.

(4) In the event of a consumer being dissatisfied with the licensee's test of his meter he may by
written notice require the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services to investigate the matter and give
his ruling. The Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services' ruling shall be final and binding on both
parties. The cost of any additional test made by or on the instructions of the Director of Electrical
Inspectorate Services shall be borne by the consumer or licensee or both as may be directed by the
Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services.

(5) Written or printed extracts of this regulation shall be kept at every place of the licensee at
which monies due for electricity supplied are receivable and on complaint by a consumer regarding the
alleged inaccuracy of a meter a copy thereof shall be handed to the complainant. If the complainant
cannot read or understand the remedies to which he is entitled, the officer in charge of the station shall
explain the rights and remedies open to him and if so requested by the complainant prepare the written
notice required by virtue of paragraph (1) of this regulation for him to affix his signature or mark.

156. Precautions in transporting meters

Licensee shall ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken when transporting meters
between the testing station and area offices and between area offices and consumers' premises or vice
versa to ensure that the accuracy thereof is not disturbed by careless handling.

PART XIII

Prescribed tests and accuracy of meters

157. Prescribed tests and accuracy of meters

(1) Every meter shall before installation on a consumer's premises for the purposes of
determining charges, be subjected to the test herein prescribed and shall not be used unless the results
of such tests disclose that there is compliance with the requirements of regulation 158 (3).

(2) Meters shall be subjected to tests in the sequence set out; where intended for operation in
conjunction with current or potential transformers or both current and potential transformers due
allowance shall be made in respect of the ratio and phase angle errors of the relevant transformer‐
 (a) in the case of integrating meters‐

(i) high voltage tests;

(ii) non‐registration with voltage alone;

(iii) accuracy of registration at loads as follows‐

light load, one intermediate load and full load all at unity power;

factor full load at 0.5 power factor lagging;

(iv) dial test;

(v) insulation resistance;

(b) in the case of integrating meters fitted with a maximum demand attached tests as per
subparagraphs (a) (i) to (iii) of this paragraph followed by a test to determine accuracy
of registration of the maximum demand attachment followed by a test as per
subparagraphs (a) (iv) and (v) of this paragraph;

(c) in the case of thermal type maximum demand indications the following tests shall
be carried out‐

(i) high voltage test;

(ii) accuracy of registration;

(iii) insulation resistance.

158. High voltage tests

(1) High voltage test‐meters and, if used, instrument transformers shall be subjected to and
withstand without injury the test voltage prescribed by the relevant I.E.C. conditions.

(2) Non‐registration with voltage alone ‐ with the current circuit disconnected, the potential
coils shall be energised at a potential ten per cent in excess of the name plate voltage it should be
ascertained, that the rotor disc stops rotating before completing one revolution.

(3) Accuracy of registration (integrating meters) ‐ for the purpose of this test, meters may either
be individually or in the case of whole current meters, be tested in batches. Where the latter method is
used the potential and current elements of the meters shall be energised separately and the phase
angle as between the two circuits shall not vary by more than plus or minus 60 minutes from the true
phase displacement equivalent to the power factor of the prescribed test. The accuracy of registration
for the particular type of meter specified in this first column of the subjoined table shall be within the
limits prescribed by the relevant Nigerian Standard and in no case worse than the tables as listed below.

TABLE 1

Limits of percentage error

Single phase 2‐wire whole current Power factor Error limit

Value of current of basic current Per cent

From 10% up to rated maximum 1.0 +‐2.0

current‐
1.0 +‐2.5
2%

From 20% up to rated maximum

current 0.5 lagging +‐2.0

TABLE 2

Limits of percentage error

Single phase 2‐wire prepayment Power factor Error limit

Value of current as percentage of basic current Per cent %

5% 1.0 +‐2.5 ‐ 3.5

10% 1.0 +‐2.0 ‐ 2.5

From 20% up to and including rated maximum 1.0 +‐2

current
0.5 lagging +‐2.0 ‐ 2.5
30%
From 40% up to and including rated maximum 0.5 lagging +‐2
current
 TABLE 3

Limits of Error

Polyphase or 4‐wire 3‐phase

Conditions of test

Current expressed as a fraction of the marked current Power factor Limit of percentage error

1.0 + 2.0
5% to 125%
0.5 lag + 2.0
10%
0.5 lag + 2.0
20% to 125%

TABLE 4

Limits of error for meters fitted within maximum demand indicators

Whole current or transformer operated type

Conditions of test

Current expressed as a fraction of the marked Power Limit of current

factor percentage
error
 5% 1.0 +2.0 ‐ 3.0

10% 1.0 +2.0 ‐ 2.5

20% to 125% 1.0 +2.0 ‐ 2.0

10% 0.5 lag +2.5 ‐ 3.0

20% 0.5 lag +2.0 ‐2.5

40% to 125% 0.5 lag + 2.0

(4) For the purpose of determining that the energy register fitted is of the correct type and
appropriate to the meter to which it is fitted, meters shall be tested by the application of a load, not
exceeding rated full load, for such a period as will cause the register to advance by not less than ten
complete revolutions of the lowest reading dial.

For the purpose of this test, meters of the same type and current rating may be batch‐tested and
comparisons made with a previously calibrated sub‐standard by a percentage equivalent to the
percentage error or registrations as determined by the tests prescribed by regulation 158 (3) hereof,
after due practice has been made for the inaccuracy of the sub‐standard meter.

(5) Insulation resistance ‐ meters and instrument transformer if used, shall have an insulation
resistance not less than the values prescribed by the relevant I.E.C. or Nigerian Standard. The insulation
resistance shall be measured immediately prior to issue of the meter and accessories from the testing
station.

(6) Thermal type maximum demand indicators ‐ registration of meter shall not‐

(a) exceed 85% of the load actually applied prior to the expiry of 50% of the demand
integration period; or

(b) at the expiration of the demand integration period, the recorded demand shall not vary
by more than plus or minus three per cent of the applied load, when tested in the
following manner ‐ a steady current equivalent to one quarter of the name plate rating
shall be applied for a period of time equal to the demand integration period, the
registration being noted after the expiry of half the demand integration period and
again at the end of the said period. Immediately following the expiration of the demand
integration period with a current equivalent to one quarter load, the current passing
shall be increased to the equivalent of one half the name plate rating, readings being
noted on the completion of one half and at the end of the demand integration period.
 Thereafter without pause similar tests shall be made at three quarters and at marked
plate rating of the indicator.

(7) Any terms and expressions in regulations 157 and 158 not specifically defined by regulation 2
of these Regulations shall be deemed to have the same meaning as is assigned to them in the relevant
Nigerian Standards.

PART XIV

Conditions of supply to consumers where distributing mains of adequate capacity exist

159. Persons entitled to demand a supply

(1) Licensee shall, upon being required to do so by the owner or consumer of premises not
previously supplied with electrical energy situate within 90 metres from any distributing mains of the
licensee used for general supply, give and continue to give a supply of electricity to such premises
subject to the following conditions‐

(a) every owner or occupier of premises requiring a supply of electricity shall serve a
written notice on the licensee specifying the premises for which the supply is required,
the nature and the extent of the electrical installation and appliances to be utilised and
the day on which the supply is required, which date shall not be earlier than fourteen
days after the date of the notice and shall enter into a written contract of which a copy
shall be furnished to the owner or occupier, as the case may be, to pay for such supply
of electricity at the appropriate published rate of charge for the time being charged to
ordinary consumers in the area and if required by the licensee to deposit such sum of
money by way of security for payment to them of all meters which may from time to
time become due to them by the consumer in respect of electric lines to be erected
under the provisions of subparagraph (c) or (d) of this paragraph or current to be
supplied.

(b) the electrical installation provided within the premises to be supplied complies with the
requirements of the appropriate regulations then in force covering electrical
installations on consumers' premises, and has been inspected and tested and so
certified by an inspecting engineer duly authorised for this purpose;

(c) the cost of so much of the overhead service line exceeding 50 metres as may be laid on
the private property of such owner or occupier shall, if the licensee so require, be
defrayed by such owner or occupier;
 (d) where the service is by underground cable the cost of so much of the service line
exceeding 20 metres as may be laid on the private property of such owner or occupier
shall, if the licensee so require, be defrayed by such owner or occupier;

(e) where it is necessary to erect a pole on the property of the owner or occupier to secure
clearances over a street or from the works of the Posts and Telegraphs Department or
other authorised licensee the cost of the said poles shall not be included in any charge
payable under the provisions of subparagraph (c) of this paragraph;

(f) the licensee shall be bound to afford a supply of electricity to consumers requiring a
supply under the provisions of this regulation within 28 days of the delivery to them of
the contract by the consumer as required by subparagraph (a) of this paragraph or
where the provisions of subparagraph (c) or (d) of this paragraph are applicable within
28 days of payment of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) of this paragraph.

(2) Where the premises to be supplied have previously received a supply of energy the
provisions of regulations 155 (1) shall apply and in addition the following conditions‐

if required by the licensee, the owner or occupier of the premises to be supplied shall pay the published
tariff connection fee. Where the nature and extent of the installation is substantially the same as when
previously supplied, provided that the service line has not been dismantled the licensee shall be bound
to give a supply within fourteen days of the date of receipt of the application, subject to there being
compliance with all other conditions set out herein;

where the nature and extent of the installation is such as to require the provision of additional service
lines or to increase the capacity thereof, the provisions of subparagraph (c) or (d) of paragraph (1) shall
apply.

160. Where no distribution mains exist

(1) Requisition of supply ‐ where in any street or part of a street, no distribution mains for the
purpose of general supply have been provided by the licensee or where the general supply distribution
system is more than one hundred metres distant, two or more owners or occupiers of premises or the
local authority may serve a requisition in writing on the licensee specifying the premises for which the
supply is required, the nature and extent of supply required, requiring them to provide mains for the
purpose of general supply throughout any street or part of a street.

Every such requisition served on the licensees shall be signed by the persons making it or by the
chairman of the local authority, as the case may be.

(2) The licensee may as soon as possible after the service of such requisition serve a notice on
the person by whom such requisition was submitted stating that they decline to be bound by such
requisition unless such persons or some of them will guarantee‐
 (a) to reimburse the licensee the entire cost of providing the general supply mains and
any other necessary works to give a supply or a proportion thereof, at the sole
discretion of the licensee; or

(b) to reimburse the licensee, by way of an annual service charge in addition to any
charges payable at published tariff rates. The said annual charge to be based on the
entire cost of providing the supply or, such proportion thereof as the licensee may
determine together with interest charges thereon at a rate not exceeding current bank
loan rate and depreciation charges not exceeding five per centum per annum. The said
annual service charge to be payable for a term not exceeding twenty years; or

(c) to reimburse the licensee a proportion or the entire cost of providing the general supply
mains and ancillary works the balance or such proportion thereof as the licensee may
determine in the manner provided for in subparagraph (b) of this paragraph.

(3) Where a notice as provided for in paragraph (1) of this regulation has been served the
requisition served in conformity with paragraph (2) of this regulation shall not be binding on the licensee
unless within 28 days after the service of such notice on all the persons signing the requisition or in the
event of the matter being submitted to arbitration the delivery of the arbitrator's award, there shall be
tendered to the licensee an agreement severally executed by such persons or some of them
guaranteeing to reimburse the licensee in the manner provided for in subparagraph (a) or (b) or (c) of
paragraph (2) of this regulation or determined by arbitration under this section, or unless sufficient
security for payment to the licensee of all monies which may become due to them under such
agreement be offered to the licensee within the period limited for the tender of the agreement as
aforesaid.

(4) If any difference should arise between the licensee and any person signing the requisition as
to the reasonableness of the sum specified by the licensee in their notice or as to the sufficiency or
nature of the security, such difference shall be determined by arbitration.

(5) All mains, the subject of any requisition which has become bending on the licensee, shall be
provided as soon as possible after the delivery to them of the agreement and sufficient security for the
payment to the license of all monies which may become due to them.

(6) Nothing in this regulation shall apply to a consumer requiring a supply by special agreement.

PART XV

General

161. Saving in respect of amenity undertaking

 (1) Where the licensees are operating an undertaking detected by notice in the official Gazette
to be an "amenity undertaking" and where compliance with regulation 159 (1) (I) or regulation 160 (5)
would involve over‐loading of the electric lines or plant to the detriment of other consumers already
supplied with electricity and further make it difficult or impossible to maintain supply within the limits of
voltage and frequency prescribed by regulation 160 (2), the licensee may make representations in
writing to the Minister that they are unable to comply with the requirements of regulations 159, 160
and this regulation unless the mains or the plant or both mains and plant are enlarged.

(2) If the Minister is satisfied that the representations are just and proper he may by notice in
the Official Gazette relieve the licensee of compliance with the said parts of regulation 159 and 160 for
such period as in his absolute discretion he considers just and reasonable.

(3) Provided that any relief given to a licensee under the provisions of this regulation be for a
term not exceeding twelve months from the date of the publication of the notice in the Gazette,
however on written application by the licensee, relief for further terms not exceeding twelve months
may be given to the licensee by the Minister in his absolute discretion by further notice or notices in the
Official Gazette.

162. Declared type of current, frequency and voltage at supply terminals

(1) Before commencing to give a supply of energy to a consumer the licensee shall declare to
that consumer‐

(a) the type of current, whether direct or alternating, which they propose to supply;

(b) in the case of alternating current, the number of phases and also the constant frequency
at which they propose to deliver the energy to the supply terminals; and

(c) the constant voltage at which they propose to deliver the energy to the supply
terminals.

(2) The type of current, the number of phases and the frequency in the case of alternating
current and the voltage declared as aforesaid shall be constantly maintained subject to a permissible
variation as regards voltage not exceeding six percent above or below the declared voltage and as
regards frequency, to a variation not exceeding one and half per cent above or below the declared
frequency provided that the permissible variation in frequency is such that the variation in time
recorded by a standard synchronous electric clock to be maintained in proper working order at each and
every electric generating station at which alternating current is generated, shall not at any time be more
than sixty seconds fast or sixty seconds slow by comparison with time signals admitted by radio
broadcast from Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria system.
 (3) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1) (a) of this regulation, the licensee shall supply electricity
on the alternating current system at a frequency of fifty hertz and at one of the following standard
system voltage 230, 400, 3,300, 6,600, or 11,000 or 33,000 volts unless specifically authorised in writing
by the Director of Electrical Inspectorate Services to supply electricity on some other system or at some
frequency or voltage for which authorisation will only be given in exceptional distances.

163. Licensee to provide constant supply

(1) From the time when the licensee commence to supply energy through any distributing
mains, they shall maintain continuously a supply of energy sufficient for the use of all consumers for the
time being entitled to be supplied from that distributing mains.

(2) Provided that notwithstanding the provision for the continuity of supply of energy above
contained it shall be lawful for the licensee to discontinue such supply for such period as may be
reasonably necessary for any of the following reasons or purposes‐

(a) for the purpose of testing or effecting repairs to the distributing mains or plant;

(b) for the purpose whatsoever connected with the proper working of the undertaking;

(c) for the purpose of making new connections;

(d) on account of a breakdown or damage to plant;

(e) in order to prevent damage to plant and distributing mains and to prevent danger to the
public, which damage or danger is likely to be caused by, force majeure or civil
commotion.

(3) For the purposes of examinations and tests carried out by virtue of regulation 94, and
provided that where discontinuance of supply shall be due to subparagraph (2) (a) to (c) of this
regulation all consumers by whom such discontinuance shall be affected shall be entitled to not less
than 24 hours' notice in writing from the licensee of his intention to discontinue the supply.

PART XVI

Penalties for breaches of licences and regulations

164. Penalties

(1) If any licensee‐

(a) fails to use and maintain the work's constructed pursuance to its licence in such a
manner as to secure to the area of supply the full benefit of the undertaking; or
 (b) fails to observe any of the requirements of these Regulations, he commits an offence
against these Regulations and is liable for each such offence to a fine of one hundred
naira.

(2) Where the Minister is of opinion that any offence by a licensee as aforesaid, is sufficiently serious to
warrant the revocation of the license, he may direct that a notice specifying such offence, and requiring
the licensee to take such steps as may be necessary to prevent a continuance of the offence, be served
on the licensee, and if at the expiration of 90 days after such service the Minister is satisfied that such
steps have not been taken he may revoke the licence.

165. Revocation

The Electricity Supply Regulations are hereby revoked.

[Cap. 106. L.F.N. 1990.]

___________________

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1

Application for Electricity Private Licence under Electricity Act, Cap. E7, Part III

Please tick category A, B, or C as applicable:

Supply transformers

(A) Private electrical generating plant with or without public supply.

(B) Electrical installation deriving supply through bulk transformer from public supply.

(C) Electrical installation upon premises subject to Factories Act Cap. F1, Minerals and

Mining Act Cap. M12 and Petroleum Act Cap. P10.

1. Name of applicant………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

(Block capitals)

2. Full postal address of applicant…………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………

(Block capitals)

3. Description of premises to be licensed…………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

(a) Full address with nearest important place or town and state (Not P.M.B.

number or P.O. Box number) .

(b) For applicants under category (C) state Registration Number .

4. Purpose: commercial, residential or industrial .

5. Please state the number of generating sets to be licensed and give following details of the
generators .......................................................

Description of Generator No. 1 Description of Generator No. 2

(A) Alternating current (AC) or direct (A) Alternating current (AC) or direct

current (DC) current (DC)

(B) Capacity ..................... kVA (B) Capacity ............... kVA

(C) Voltage current ............. V (C) Voltage current ..... V

(D) Phase frequency………Hz (D) Phase frequency ............Hz

(E) Speed ...................... R.P.M (E) Speed.......................... R.P.M

(F) Driven by diesel, petrol, gas or steam (F) Driven by diesel, petrol, gas or steam

engine ..................................... engine................................................

(G) Make of generator………………………. (G) Make of generator………………………………………

(H) Registered number of generator……… (H) Registered number of generator…………

Sole source of electricity supply or ……….......................................................................................

For use in emergency only in the event of supply failure ................................................................

(Delete the one not applicable)

6. State whether the premises to be licensed are to be supplied or have already been supplied
from a public electric supply system as NEPA or NESCO, etc
.......................................................................................

7. If the supply is from a public undertaking please give details concerning supply
transformers……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8. Please give details concerning the installation as follows ‐

Approximate number of lighting points……………………………………… Total Power…………. kW……………..

(a) Number of electric motors Total Power kW or HP

(b) Number of welding machines………….

(c) Electric heating appliances …………….

(d) Number of air conditioners……………………… Total Power kW

(e) Number of refrigerators ………………………… Total Power kW

(f) Number of electric tools ………………………… Total Power kW

(g) Other current consuming devices …………… Total Power kW

Total connected load……………………………………………………………………………………………

Estimated maximum demand ……………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

9. The installation (including electrical protection devices) similar to a single line diagram should be
attached in duplicate herewith.

10. All completed application forms should be forwarded to‐

The Director,

Electrical Inspectorate Division, Federal Ministry of Power & Steel, (Six Story Building)

Federal Secretariat Phase 1,

P. M. B. 12574, ……………………………………………….

Lagos. Signed

Date …………………………………………

SCHEDULE 2

Federal Ministry of Power &

Steel,

Electrical Inspectorate Division,

Private Mail Bag No. 12574,

Lagos.

Date …………………..20
……………………….

Chief executive Officer,

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………….

Dear Sir/Madam,

Regulations for Electricity Supply application for an Electricity Licence

1. I am directed to inform you that an application under section 1 of the Electricity Act (Cap. E7)
has been received from …………………………………………………… in respect of an installation to be
supplied from an electrical generating plant having an output of
………………………………………………………………………kW/kVA

2. In conformity with the provisions of the above‐mentioned regulations you are invited to say
whether or not the Supply Authority is able to undertake the functions in respect of the said
application………………………………………………………………………

3. I am to say that in the event of the Supply Authority being unable to undertake the functions it
is proposed to grant the licence applied for .

I am sir,

Your obedient servant,

Director,

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For: Director‐General

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