Indian regulations

in
Electrical Safety

P.Lahiri
BARC
1
 Indian regulations.
• Indian Electricity Act-1910.
Repealed
• Indian Electricity (Supply) under section
Act- 1948. 185 of
• Indian Electricity Regulatory Electricity act
-2003
Commission Act-1998.
• The Electricity Act –2003.
• Indian Electricity Rules- 1956.
2
 Objectives of regulations
• Make generation, transmission, distribution
and utilization of electricity as safe as
possible.
• Identification of different categories of
agencies.
• Remove ambiguities from existing
qualitative guidelines and pronounce precise
quantitative technical requirement with
respect to safety.
3
 Categories of agencies

• Supplier of electricity.
• Consumer of electricity.
• Electrical inspector.
• Electrical contractor and supervisors.
• Authorized persons.

4
 Hazards of electricity
• Electric shock:- Current flows through body or part of body
when two surfaces having electrical potential difference is
touched resulting in burn, disability or even death.
• Flashover:-Sudden collapse of electric field by having a
conducting path between two electrical potential different
surfaces resulting in burn, fire.
• Blast:-Failure of dielectric medium between two electrical
potential different surfaces resulting in projectile, mechanical
force, fire or burn.
• Heat:-Caused by loose connection in the circuit, overheating of
insulation/ conductor due to overload or prolonged short circuit
current etc. resulting in fire, burn.
5
 Quantitative effect of electric current
(up to 3sec.) on human (source Daziel)
Effect mA
d.c a.c
60Hz 10kHz
M F M F M F
Perception threshold 5.2 3.5 1.1 0.7 12 8
Shock but not painful 9 6 1.8 1.2 17 11
Muscular control lost, 90 60 23 15 94 63
breathing difficulty.
Ventricular fibrillation 500 500 100 100
6
 Flash and flame burn
Thermal burns, Current flows typically
external, Damage to skin

7
Electric shock and flash burn
8
Occurrence of blast

EXPLOSION

9
Classification of rated voltage as per IE rule
Above 33kV Extra High Voltage (EHV)

33kV
High Voltage (HV)

650V Medium Voltage (MV)

250V
Low Voltage (LV)
10
 Authorization
• Authorization.
• Electrical isolation.
• Avoid chaos
• Identification & display. • Fixing up of
• Restriction of access.
• Inspection, testing etc.
responsibility
• Preparedness for adversity. • Ensures expertise
• Other hazard precaution.
• Protection & interlocks.
• Clearances.
• Earthing.
• Reporting accidents.

11
 Authorization rule
Requirement Applicable for Rule
Work to be executed by All new, addition, 45-
licensed electrical alteration jobs having (1),
contractor. electrical scope except (3)
minor jobs.
Safety officer to be Electrical installation 3, 4,
authorized by owner with with more than 250kW 5, 6
approval of electrical connected load
inspector.
Prior approval from Any electrical work on 36
electrical inspector to work live apparatus/ line (2)
12
 Authorization cntd.
Qualifications rule

Agency Minimum Rule

qualification
Authorized O & M person Second class diploma 3
for generating station of in mechanical or (2A)
capacity above 100MW electrical engineering
and sub-stations of 132kV & training from CEA
and above. approved institute.
Assistants to above ITI & training from 3
CEA approved institute (2A)
13
 Electrical isolation.
• Authorization.
• Electrical isolation. • Quick de-energization
• Identification & display.
• Ensure de-energization
• Restriction of access.
• Inspection, testing etc. while on work
• Preparedness for
adversity.
• Other hazard precaution.
• Protection & interlocks.
• Clearances.
• Earthing.
• Reporting accidents.

14
 Electrical isolation(Rule)
Rating of service connection Isolation Rule
device
CB SFU *

LV, MV service connection   50-

(b)
upto 1000kVA at 11kV  
(i)
Above 1000kVA at 11kV   (ii)
upto 2500kVA at 33kV  
Above 2500kVA at 33kV  
Any rating beyond 33kV  
15
LV,MV

16
11k,33k

or

17
>33k

18
 Electrical isolation device for
transformers (Rule)
Rating of transformer Isolation device Rul
Pri: Sec: e
CB SFU CB SFU
* *

Upto 630kVA and primary side     50-

less than HV (b)
upto 630kVA and primary side     (i)
HV and above. (ii)
630kVA to 1000kVA    
irrespective of primary voltage
Above 1000kVA irrespective     19
Above 1000kVA

20
Primary HV

21
630kVA

22
 Identification & display
• Authorization.
• Electrical isolation. • Electricity is invisible:-
• Identification & – Various current carrying portions
display. – Different circuits/ phases/ a.c/ d.c. etc.
• Restriction of access. – Different voltages LV,HV,MV etc
• Inspection, testing etc. – Power flow directions.
• Preparedness for adversity. – ON/OFF positions and direction of
operation of SFUs/CBs/Isolators.
• Other hazard precaution.
– Source locations of PCCs/ MCCs and
• Protection & interlocks. load locations of each feeders of MCCs
• Clearances. – Danger notices.
• Earthing.
• Reporting accidents.

23
 Identification & display (Rule)
Requirement Applicable for Rule
Display of danger Electrical installation 35
notice. rated MV and above.
Visual identification All conductors 32(1)
by distinct colour. connected to earthing
system
Visual distinction of All electrical installation 41
circuits, voltages,
feeders etc.
24
 Restriction of access
• Authorization.
• Electrical isolation.
• Identification & display. • Thwart accidental or
• Restriction of unauthorized access:-
access.
• Inspection, testing etc.
• Preparedness for
adversity.
• Other hazard precaution.
• Protection & interlocks.
• Clearances.
• Earthing.
• Reporting accidents.
25
 Restriction of access (Rule)

Requirement Applicable for Rule

Metallic covering All live conductors for 51(1)
which is electrically indoor installations. (a)
and mechanically
continuous
Metallic fencing of Out door sub-station. 68(b)
height not less than
1.8M.

26
 Inspection testing & maintenance
• Authorization.
• Electrical isolation.
• Identification & display.
• Ensure adequacy of safety
• Restriction of access. related parameter:
• Inspection, testing • Maintaining safety related
etc. parameter within limit.
• Preparedness for adversity.
• Other hazard precaution.
• Protection & interlocks.
• Clearances.
• Earthing.
• Reporting accidents.

27
 Commissioning inspection (Rule)
Type of Type of test (Rule do not Inspecting
Installation specify) interpreted. authority
Any Visual inspection. Supplier.
installation Insulation resistance.
upto MV (not High voltage.
generating
plant) Earth resistance.
Any functional requirement.
Generating Same as above Owner
plant of
capacity less
than 10kW
28
 Commissioning inspection (Rule)
cntd.

Type of Type of test (Rule do not Inspecting

Installation specify) interpreted. authority
Generating Depending upon voltage Electrical
plant of level as desired by Electrical Inspector.
capacity more Inspector
than 10kW
HV or EHV Visual inspection, insulation Electrical
installation resistance, high voltage, Inspector.
earth resistance, functional
tests and test as desired by 29
Electrical Inspector.
 Periodic inspection (Rule)
Type of test Maximum Record keeping
time interval. duration
Test by inspector 5 years Not specified
Earth resistance for 2 years 2 years.
LV and MV
installation
Earth resistance for 1 year 2 year
HV and EHV
installation
Fire extinguishers 1 year Not specified
30
 Preparedness.
• Authorization.
• Electrical isolation.
• Identification & display.
•Mitigate the effect of fast
• Restriction of access. acting electrical disaster
• Inspection, testing etc.
• Ensure correct course of
• Preparedness for
adversity. action
• Other hazard precaution.
• Protection & interlocks.
• Clearances.
• Earthing.
• Reporting accidents.

31
 Preparedness (Rule)
Essential Applicable for Rule
First-aid Every generating station, 43(2),
box, enclosed sub-station and 44(1),
Restoration enclosed switch station 43(1)
chart, Fire
buckets
Two or 1.Generating station with 43(3)
more gas capacity of 5MW and above
masks 2.Enclosed sub-station with
transformation capacity of 5
MVA and above 32
 Preparedness (Rule)
cntd.
Essential Applicable for Rule

Artificial Every manned high voltage or 44(4)

respirator extra-high voltage generating
station, sub-station or switch
station
Trained All attended generating 44(3)
personnel for station and sub-station.
providing
artificial
respiration.
33
Possibility of success of artificial
respiration
source Edition Electric Institute resuscitation manual

34
 Other hazard precaution.
• Authorization.
• Electrical isolation.
• Identification & display. • Reduce potential
• Restriction of access.
• Inspection, testing etc. initiating events of
• Preparedness for adversity. accident
• Other hazard
precaution.
• Protection & interlocks.
• Clearances.
• Earthing.
• Reporting accidents.

35
 Other hazard precaution.(Rule)
Situation Safety measure Rule
Electrical Explosion proof/ dust tight 51(d)
installation in depending upon the
explosive hazardous zone as per
atmosphere IS5571
Multistoried 1. Power cable ducts shall 50A-
not be used for other
building with services (4)
height more than 2. Power cable ducts shall
15M. have fire barrier at each
floor crossing
36
 Other hazard precaution.(Rule)
cntd..

Situation Safety measure Rule

Electrical 1.Baffle wall of 4hr fire rating 64(2)
installation with between single phase banks -(e)
more than and on consumer premise.
2000litres of oil 2.Oil soak pit for full quantity
of oil

Electrical 1.Measures mentioned above. 64-

installation with 2.Fire extinguisher. (2)(e)
more than 3.Oil draining arrangement.
9000litres of oil 37
 Other hazard precaution.(Rule)
cntd..

Situation Safety measure Rule

Substation 1.Entrance shall have 2hr fire rating 64-
and switch fire resistance door (2)
station in 2.A curb at entrance to trap oil flow. (f)-
the (ii)
3.Direct access to transformer from
basement outside
4.Transformer protection by
automatic HVWSp/ CO2/ BCF/
BTM/ N2 injection and drain.

38
 Other hazard precaution.(Rule) cntd..

Location based on oil inventory

Total oil Location Rule
quantity in Indoor Out-
litre (includes
Indl: building Res:/ com: door
transformer and
other apparatus) 1
st
Gr. Other bldg. Any
Bs. Fl. floors floor of

No oil.      64
2000 or less      (2)
2000 to 9000      39
 Protection & interlocks.
• Authorization.
• Electrical isolation.
• Identification & display. • Avoid human errors
• Restriction of access.
• Inspection, testing etc.
• Preparedness for adversity.
• Other hazard precaution.
• Protection &
interlocks.
• Clearances.
• Earthing.
• Reporting accidents.

40
 Transformer protection
Rating Mandatory relay Remark
protection
Less than 630kVA No relay based Not specified
and primary side protection is
less than HV mandatory
Less than 630kVA Over current/ short Not specified
and primary side circuit relay etc for but implied
more than HV secondary CB. by R50(b)(ii)
630kVA to Over current/ short Not specified
1000kVA circuit relay etc for but implied
secondary CB. by R50(b)(ii)
41
 Transformer protection
cntd..

Rating Mandatory relay Remark

protection
1000kVA to 1. Bucholz R64(2)
10MVA 2. Winding temp:
3. Oil temp:
More than 10MVA 1. Bucholz R64(2)
2. Winding temp:
3. Oil temp:
4. Differential

42
 HV & EHV installations interlocks
Situation Preventive interlock Rule
Isolator and CB in Isolator operation not
series allowed when CB is closed.
Earthing switch and Earthing switch can not be
isolator closed when isolator is 64
closed (A)
Two or more incomer Only one feeder can be (1)
feeders to a bus bar but switched on at a time
not intended for
parallel operation
43
 HV & EHV installations interlocks
cntd..

Situation Preventive interlock Rule

Two or more Secondary CB trips if
transformers in parallel primary of that
transformer trips.
Doors or gates give Doors can not be
64
access to live parts opened when any part is
(A)
live.
(1)
Neutral switching device GCB can not be closed
between neutral and when neutral breaker is
earthing is used for open.
44
generator
 HV & EHV installations protection
Protection Type of relay Mandatory for Rule
against.
Over current. Over current/ short Any Equip., cable
circuit relay. supply line etc.

Rising touch Earth leakage/ Generator rated over

potential. earth fault. 100kVA 64A
(2)
Internal fault. Differential relay Generator rated over
1MVA Bus bars rated
over 200kV

Switching over Lightning arrestor Overhead line 92(1)

voltage/ terminations
lightning
45
 Other protections
Protection Type of relay Mandatory for Rule
for.
Human ELCB/ RCCB/ Any installation 61A
safety. etc. having connected
load more than
5kW at MV or
above
DC earthing. Over current DC three wire 61
relay between system (1)
earthed middle (d)
conductor and (i)
earth.
46
 Time/ Current for a.c 50Hz

mSec

50H a.c current (rms mA)

Zone 1- Usually no reaction, Zone 2 – Reaction may occur but
usually no patho- psychological dangerous effect, Zone 3- No risk of
fibrillation, Zone 4- Fibrillation possible (50% probability), Zone 5-
Unsafe or fibrillation
47
 Clearances (physical spacing)
• Authorization.
• Electrical isolation.
• Identification & display. • Minimum air insulation
• Restriction of access. clearance.
• Inspection, testing etc.
• Preparedness for adversity. • Minimum space to work.
• Other hazard precaution. • Minimum space for
• Protection & interlocks.
• Clearances. escape.
• Earthing.
• Reporting accidents.

48
Clearances for bare conductor other than
overhead lines(Rule)
Voltage Section Ground Rule
clearance clearance
(outdoor) in (outdoor) in
m.m. m.m
Upto 11kV 2600 2750
33kV 2800 3700
66kV 3000 4000 64
220kV 4300 5500
400kV 6500 8000 49
Clearance above ground of overhead lines
across/ along a street (Rule)
Condition System voltage Clearance in Rule
mm
LV, MV 5800
Across
HV 6100
LV, MV 5500
Along
HV 5800
LV, MV, HV 4600
Any where (upto11kV) 77
else
HV(above 11kV) 5200
5200 + 300 for
every 33kV but
Every where EHV
not less than
6100
50
 Clearance of overhead lines from
building(Rule)
Condition System voltage Minimum clearance in mm
LV, MV 2500
Vertical
HV 3700
(IE R 79)
EHV 3700 + 300 for every 33kV
LV, MV 1200
HV upto 11kV 1200
Horizontal
(IE R 80) HV above 2000
11kV
EHV 2000 + 300 for every 33kV
51
Section clearance
SC

SC

SECTION CLEARANCE

52
Ground clearance

Height of tall
man’s raised
finger tip with
raised hand-
2.5m
GC

GROUND LEVEL

GROUND CLEARANCE

53
 Earthing system.
• Authorization.
• Electrical isolation. • Limit touch potential
• Identification & display.
• Restriction of access.
• Limit step potential
• Inspection, testing etc. • Safe predefined passage for
• Preparedness for adversity.
• Other hazard precaution.
fault current
• Protection & interlocks. • Facilitate detection of
• Clearances. incipient fault
• Earthing.
• Reporting accidents.
• Reduce neutral shifting

54
 Step & Touch potential

Et

F E/X CURVE

Es
E

Earth Mat

1M 0.5M
X
 Earthing (Rule)
Requirement Applicable for Rule
Earthing terminal by LV consumer 33
Supplier.
Separate earthing terminal MV and above 33
by supplier and consumer.
Minimum two independent Earthing network for
and redundant path with equipment, system. R61(2),
two earth electrode. R61(3),
All metallic part not All electrical R51(1)(b),
intended to serve as apparatus R67(1)
conductor shall be earthed.
Grounding of neutral. a.c electrical power 61(1)(a),
supply system more 64(3)
56
than 125V
 Reporting of accidents
• Authorization.
• Electrical isolation.
• Identification & display.
• Reporting for analysis.
• Restriction of access. • Fast reporting prevents
• Inspection, testing etc.
• Preparedness for adversity.
suppression of facts.
• Other hazard precaution.
• Protection & interlocks.
• Clearances.
• Earthing.
• Reporting accidents.

57
 Reporting of accidents (Rule)
Type of accident Report Maximum Rule
format period for
reporting
Telegraphic 24hours
Fatal involving loss 44A
and
or injury
Written 48hours
Failure of Written 48hours 65(8)
transformer or
reactor above
20MVA
58
 Conclusion
• Regulations can induce more concern.
• Regulations can not rule out accidents by themselves
• Every concerned individuals should handle electricity in
safe manner
• Do not try to find out loopholes of regulation to limit our
responsibility.
• Try to adopt a proactive approach by understanding the
intentions of the regulation authors.
• In case of doubt ask electrical inspector or Central
Electricity Authority.

59
60
Clearance across the road

61
Clearance along the road

62
Clearance anywhere else

63
Clearance from building

Vertical clearance

Horizontal clearance

64
 Fire barrier in cable duct

Fl-4

Cables
Fl-2
Fire
barrier
Fl-1
Electrical
service
shaft
65
Ground clearance for bare conductor
other than overhead lines(Rule)
Voltage Clearance in mm
Outdoor
Height of tall
man’s raised
Upto 2750 finger tip with
raised hand-
11kV 2.5m
33kV 3700
66kV 4000
220kV 5500
400kV 8000
66
 Phase to Phase(Rule)

Voltage Clearance in mm Outdoor

Ph~Ph Ph~E Sec: Ground

11kV 460
33kV 915
66kV 1220
220kV 3350
400kV 4000
67
 Phase to earth(Rule)
Voltage Clearance in mm
Outdoor
11kV 305
33kV 610
66kV 750
220kV 1675
400kV 3500

68
 Clearances
It denotes the minimum distance in air between two
potentially different points (this includes earthed/
ground surfaces) to avoid flashover during normal and
transient over voltage.
Phase to earth
Phase to earth
Minimum distance
between live
conducting parts and
neighboring earthed
parts.

69
 Clearances
It denotes the minimum distance in air between two potentially
different points (this includes earthed/ ground surfaces) to avoid
flashover during normal and transient over voltage.

Phase to earth Phase to Phase

Phase to phase Minimum distance between
live parts of different phases.

70
 Clearances
It denotes the minimum distance in air between two potentially
different points (this includes earthed/ ground surfaces) to avoid
flashover during normal and transient over voltage.

Phase to earth Isolating clearance

Phase to Phase Minimum distance
Isolating clearance between two sides of
an open isolator

71
 Clearances
It denotes the minimum distance in air between two potentially
different points (this includes earthed/ ground surfaces) to avoid
flashover during normal and transient over voltage.

Phase to earth Section clearance

Minimum distance
Phase to Phase
between maintenance zone
Isolating clearance and nearest live part plus
Section clearance one stretched arm length of
a person

72
 Clearances
It denotes the minimum distance in air between two potentially
different points (this includes earthed/ ground surfaces) to avoid
flashover during normal and transient over voltage.

Phase to earth Ground clearance

Phase to Phase Minimum distance
Isolating clearance between lowest point of
support insulator and
Section clearance ground
Ground clearance

73
Phase to earth & phase to phase
clearance
TOWER

GANTRY

PH-TO PH

PHASE
TO EARTH

CLEARANCES IN OUTDOOR
STRUCTURE

P-E rule P-P rule 74

Isolating clearance
Isolating clearance

75
76
 Safety provisions in IE Rules
• Authorization.
• Electrical isolation.
• Identification &
display.
• Restriction of
access.
• Inspection, testing
etc.
• Preparedness for
adversity.
• Other hazard
precaution.
• Protection &
interlocks.
• Clearances.
• Earthing.
• Reporting
accidents.

77
78