THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR ELECTRICITY RULES, 1978 [SRO 396]

PREAMBLE

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 36 of the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Act, Svt. 1997 the Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:-

CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY

Rule - 1. Short title and commencement.

(i)       These rules may be called the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Rules, 1978.

(ii)      These shall come into force at once.

Rule - 2. Definitions.

(1)     In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a)      "Act" means the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Act, Svt. 1997;

(b)      "accessible" means within physical reach without the use of appliance or special efforts;

(c)      "ampere" mean a unit of electric current and is the unvarying electric current which when passed through a solution of nitrate of silver in water, in accordance with the specification set out in Annexure I, deposits silver at the rate of 0.001118 of a gramme per second. The aforesaid unit is equivalent to the current which, in passing through the suspended coil of wire forming part of the instrument marked, "Government of India Ampere Standard Verified" when the suspended coil is in its sighted position, exerts a force which is exactly balanced by the force exerted by gravity in Calcutta on the counter balancing iridio-platinum Weight of the said instrument;

(d)      "Annexure" means an Annexure to these rules;

(e)      "apparatus" means electrical apparatus find include all machine fittings, accessories and appliances in which conductors are used;

(f)       "Bear" means not covered with insulating material;

(g)      "Cable" means a length of insulated single conductor (Solid or Standard) or of two or more such conductors, each provided with its own insulation, which are laid up together. Such insulated conductor or conductors may or may not be provided with an overall mechanical protective covering;

(h)     "Flexible Cable" means a cable consisting of one or more core each formed of a group of wires, the diameter and the physical properties of the wires and the insulating material being such as to afford flexibility;

(i)       "Circuit" means an arrangement of a conductor or conductors for the purpose of conveying energy and forming a system or a branch of a system;

(j)       "Circuit breaker" means a device, capable of making and breaking the circuit under all conditions, and unless otherwise specified, so designed as to break the current automatically under abnormal conditions;

(k)      "Concentric Cable" means a composite cable comprising an inner conductor which is insulated and one or more outer conductors which are insulated from one another and are disposed over the insulation of, and more or less around the inner conductor;

(l)       "Conductor" means any wire, cable, bar, tube, rail or plates used for conducting energy and so arranged as to be electrically to a system; (m) "Conduit" means rigid or flexible metallic tubing or mechanically strong and fire resisting non-metallic tubing into which a cable or cables may be drawn for the purpose of affording; it or then mechanical protection;

(m)    "Covered with insulating material" means adequately covered with insulating material of such quality and thickness to prevent danger;

(n)     "Cut-out" means any appliance for automatically interrupting the transmission of energy through any conductor when the current rises above a predetermined amount, and shall also include fusible cut-out;

(o)      "Danger" means danger to health or danger to life or any part of body from shock, burn, or other injury to persons or property, or from fire or explosion, attendant upon the generation, transmission, transformation, conversion, distribution or use of energy;

(p)      "Dead" means at or about earth potential and disconnected from any live system;

(q)      Provided that apparatus separated from a live conductor by a spark gap shall not be deemed to be "dead";

Note. The term "dead" is used only with reference to current carrying parts when these parts are not live.

(r)      "Earthed" or "Connected with earth" means connected with the general mass of earth in such manner as to ensure at all times an immediate discharge of energy without danger;

(s)      "earthing system" means an electrical system in which all the conductors are earthed;

(t)       "enclosed Sub-Station" means any premises or enclosure or part thereof being large enough to admit the entrance of a person after the apparatus therein is in position, containing apparatus for transforming or converting the energy to or from a voltage at or above medium voltage (other than transforming or converting solely for operation of switch-gear or instrument) with or without any other apparatus for switching, controlling or otherwise regulating the energy and includes the apparatus therein;

(u)     "enclosed switch station" means any premises or enclosure or part thereof, being large enough to admit the entrance of a person after the apparatus therein is in position, containing apparatus for switching, controlling or otherwise regulating energy at or above medium voltage but not for transforming or converting energy (other than for transforming or converting solely for operation of switch gear or instruments), and includes the apparatus therein;

(v)      "guarded" means covered, shielded, fenced or otherwise protected by means of suitable casings, barrier and rails or metal screens to remove the possibility of dangerous contact or approach by persons or objects to a point of danger;

(w)     "Government" means Government of Jammu and Kashmir;

(x)      "Hand-held portable apparatus" means an apparatus which is so designed as to be capable of being held in the hands and moved while connected to supply of electricity;

(y)      "Inspector" means an Electrical Inspector appointed under section 35 of the Act;

(z)      "Insulation" means any composite electrical unit used for the purpose of generating, transforming, transmitting, converting, distributing or utilizing energy;

(aa) "intrinsically Safe" as applied to apparatus or associated circuits shall denote that any sparking; that may occur in normal working is incapable of causing explosion of inflammable gas or vapour;

(ab) "Lightning arrestor" means a device which has the property of diverting to earth any electrical surges of excessively high amplitude applied to its terminals and is capable of interrupting follow current if present and restoring itself thereafter to its original operating conditions;

(am) "Linked switch" means a switch with all the poles mechanically linked so as to operate simultaneously;

(an) "Live" means electrically charged;

(ao) "Metallic covering" means mechanically strong metal covering surrounding one or more conductors;

(ap) "Neutral conductor" means that conductor of a multiwire system, the voltage of which is normally midway between the voltages of the other conductors of the system;

(aq) "Non-licensee" means a person generating, supplying, transmitting or using energy to whom any of the provisions of part III of the Act apply;

(ah) "Occupier" means the owner or person in occupation of the premises where energy is used or proposed to be used;

(ai) "Ohm" means a unit of electric resistance and is the resistance offered to any unvarying electric current by a column of mercury at the temperature of melting ice 14.4521 grammes in mass of a uniform cross-sectional area and of a length of 106.3 centimeters the aforesaid unit is represented by the resistance between the terminals of the instrument marked "Government of India Ohm Standard Verified" to the passage of an electric current when the coil of wire, forming part of the aforesaid instrument and connected to the aforesaid terminals is in all parts at a temperature of 300°C;

(aj) "Open sparking" means sparking which owing to the lack of adequate provision for preventing the ignition of inflammable gas external to the apparatus would ignite such inflammable gas;

(ak) "Overhead line" means any electric supply line which is placed above ground and in the open space but excluding live rails of a traction system;

(al) "Inspector of mines", "Owner", "Agent" and "manager of a Mine" shall have the same meanings as are assigned to them in the Mines Act, 1952;

(am) "Portable apparatus" means an apparatus which is so designed as to be capable of being moved while in operation;

(an) "Portable hand lamp" means a portable light fitting provided with suitable hands, guard and flexible cord connected to a plug;

(ao) "Section" means a section of the Act';

(ap) "Span" means the horizontal distance between the two adjacent supporting points of an over-head conductor;

(aq) "Street box" means a totally enclosed structure, either above or below ground containing apparatus for transforming switching controlling or otherwise regulating energy;

(ar) "Supplier" means a licensee, a non-licensee or any other supplier of energy;

(as) "Switch" means a manually operated device for opening and closing or for changing the connection of a circuit;

(at) "Switch gear" shall denote switches, circuit breakers, cut-outs ant other apparatus used for the operation, regulation and control of circuits;

(au) "System" means an electrical system in which all the conductors and apparatus are electrically connected to a common source of electric supply;

(av) "Transportable apparatus" means an apparatus which is operated in a fixed position but which is so designed as to be capable of being moved readily from one place to another;

(aw) "Volt" means a unit of electro-motive force and is the electric pressure which, when steadily apply to a conductor, the resistance of which is one ohm, will produce a current of one ampere;

(ax) "Voltage" means the difference of electric potential measured in volts between any two conductors or between any part of either conductor and the earth as measured by a suitable voltmeter and is said to be:

(i)       "low" where the voltage does not exceed 250 volts under normal conditions subject, however, to the percentage variation allowed by these rules;

(ii)      "Medium" where the voltage does not exceed 650 volts under normal conditions subject, however, to the percentage variation allowed by these rules;

(iii)     "High" where the voltage does not exceed 33,000 volts under normal conditions subject, however, to the percentage variation allowed by these: rules;

(iv)    "Extra high" where the voltage exceeds 33,000 volts under normal conditions subject, however, to the per­centage variation allowed by these rules;

(ay) "use of energy" means the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical and chemical energy, heat or light, for the purposes of providing mechanical energy, electrolysis heat or light;

(az) "Load" includes use of energy by lighting, fans and

(aaa) "Licensed contractor" means a person or a firm licensed under these rules to carry out wiring work in consumers, premises.

(2)     All other words and expressions used herein and not defined shall have the same meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.

Rule - 3. Authorisation

(1)     A supplier or a consumer, or the owner, agent or manager of a mine or the agent of any company operating in an oil-field or the owner of a drilled well in an oil-field or a contractor for the time being under contract with a supplier or a consumer to carry out duties incidental to the generation, transformation, transmission, conversion, distribution, or use of energy may authorise any person for the purpose of any or all of the following namely: -

NP/Sub-rule (2) of rule 36, clause (a) of sub-rule (1) of rule 51, clause (a) of sub-rule (1) and clause (e) of sub-rule (2) of rule 64, sub-rule (2) of rule 110, sub-rule (1) and (4) of rule 121, sub-rule (4) of rule 123, rule 124 and sub-rule (8) of rule 125.

(2)     No person shall be authorised under sub-rule (1) unless he is competent to perform the duties specified in the rules for the purpose of which he is authorised.

(3)     No person shall be deemed to be authorised under sub-rule (1) unless his name has been entered in a list maintained at the office or premises of the person authorising him, and giving the purpose for whom such person is authorized and entry has been attested by the authorised person and the person authorising him.

(4)     Every list maintained under sub-rule (3) shall be produced before the Inspector when required.

CHAPTER II INSPECTORS

Rule - 4.Qualification of Inspectors.

No person shall be appointed to be an Inspector unless-

(a)      He possesses degree or diploma in Electrical Engineering from a recognised University or college, or qualifications equivalent to such degree or diploma; and

(b)      He has been regularly engaged for a period of at least seven years in the practice of Electrical Engineering of which not less than two years have been spent in an Electrical or Mechanical Engineering workshop or generation, transmission or distribution of Electricity or in the administration of the Act and the rules made thereunder.

Rule - 5.Functions of Inspectors.

(1)     Subject to the provisions of the Act the Inspectors shall discharge the following functions, namely:-

(i)       enforcement of Electricity rules;

(ii)      adjudication of disputes between the supplier and the consumer;

(iii)     investigation into Electrical Accidents;

(iv)    inspections of all new Electrical Installations before energisation;

(v)      periodical inspection of existing Electrical Installations;

(vi)    registration of wiring contractors;

(vii)   grant of competency certificates to Electrical Supervisors.

(2)     Any Inspector may

(i)       enter, inspect and examine any place, carriage or vessel in which he has reason to believe that there is any appliance or apparatus used in the generation, transmission, transformation, conversion, distribution or use of energy and may carryout tests therein.

(ii)      Every supplier, consumer, owner and occupier shall afford at all times all reasonable facilities to any such Inspector to make such examination and tests as may be necessary to satisfy himself as to the due observance of the provisions of the Act, the terms of the licence (if any) and these rules.

(iii)     Every supplier and every owner of a generating station or of a high or extra-high voltage installation shall, if require so to do by an Inspector, provide reasonable means for canning out all tests prescribed by or under the Act, of the appliance or apparatus used for the supply or use of energy by him as the case may be.

(iv)    An Inspector may serve an order in the form set out in Annexure IX, upon any supplier, consumer, owner or occupier calling upon him to comply with any specified rule and the person so served shall thereupon comply with the order within the period named therein, and shall report in writing to the Inspector when the order is complied with:

Provided that, if within the period specified in the aforesaid order an appeal is filed against the order the appellate authority may suspend its operation pending the decision of the appeal.

Rule - 6.Appeals.

(1)     An appeal against an order served under clause (iv) sub-rule(4) of rule 5, shall lie-

(a)      if the order is served by an Assistant Electrical Inspector to the Electrical Inspector;

(b)      if the order is served by an Inspector, to the Chief Electrical Inspector.

(2)     In the case of an order of an Inspector on an appeal preferred to him under clause (a) of sub-rule (1) a further appeal shall lie to the Chief Electrical Inspector.

(3)     In the case of an order of the Chief Electrical Inspector, an appeal shall lie to the Government.

(4)     Every appeal shall be in writing, shall be accompanied by a copy of the order appealed against, and shall be presented within three months from the date of which such order has been served or delivered.

[1]Note. [For purpose of sub-rule (1) (Assistant Electrical Inspec­tor), (Electrical Inspector) and (Chief Electrical Inspector) shall mean (Asstt. Executive Engineer/Assistant Engineer (Electric) of Inspection Wing of Power Development Department], (Executive Engineer) of Inspection Wing and (Superintending Engineer, Inspections) respectively.]

Rule - 7.Amount of fees.

(1)     The fees set out in Annexure II shall be payable in respect of the services therein mentioned where the tests are carried out by comparison with the Government of India standards referred to in sub-rule (1) of rule 2.

(2)     The Government may levy such fees for testing and inspection and generally for the services of Inspectors, as it may from time to time by general or special order, direct, and may, if thinks fit, remit any fee or any portion thereof.

Rule - 8.Incidence of fees recoverable in the cases of dispute.

When an Inspector is called in to decide any difference or dispute and where a fee for such services is recoverable, the Inspector shall decide by whom such fee shall be payable.

Rule - 9.Submission of records.

An Inspector may require a supplier or an owner to submit to him for examination any records of tests made in connection with his works and he shall comply with such requisition. Similarly, a supplier or an owner may require the Inspector to submit to him for examina­tion any records of tests made by the Inspector in connection with his works and the Inspector shall comply with such requisition.

Rule - 10.Lists of consumers.

An Inspector may require a supplier to submit to him a list of all persons supplied with energy by him, of the addresses at which such energy is supplied, the month of connecting services, the voltage of supply, the connected load, the purpose of supply and the name of contractor carrying out the Installation work and the supplier shall comply with such requisition.

CHAPTER III LICENCE

Rule - 11.Application for licence.

(1)     Every application for a licence shall be signed by or on behalf of the applicant and addressed to such officer as the Government may designate in this behalf and it shall be accompanied by:—

(a)      six copies, in print, of the draft licence as proposed by the applicant, with the name and address of the applicant and of his agent (if any), printed on the outside of the draft;

(b)      three copies each singed by the applicant, of maps of the proposed area of the supply and of the streets or roads in which the supply of energy is to be compulsory, which shall be so marked or coloured as to define any portion of such area and streets or roads which are under the administrative control of any local authority and shall be on a scale-

(i)       of not less than six inches to a mile; or

(ii)      if no such maps are available, of not less than that of the largest scale ordnance map available; or

(iii)     on such other scales as may be approved by the Government;

(c)      a list of any local authorities invested with the administration of any portion of the area of supply;

(d)      an approximate statement describing the land which the applicant proposes to acquire for the purpose of the licence under the provisions of the State Land Acquisition Act, 1990;

(e)      an approximate statement of the Capital proposed to be expended in connection with the undertaking and such other particulars as the Government may require;

(f)       if the applicant is a company which is registered under any of the enactments relating to companies for the time being in force in the State or is a corporation by an Act of the legislature, a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association; and

(g)      a treasury receipt for such fee not exceeding fifteen thousand rupees, as the Government may require, paid into a Government treasury, unless such fee is remitted, wholly or in part, by a general or special order of Government.

(2)     If the application for a licence is rejected or if a licence is revoked under sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Act as to the whole or any part of the area of supply, the Government may at its discretion refund, wholly or in a part, the fee referred to in clause (g) of sub-rule

Rule - 12.Copies of maps and draft licence for public inspection.

The applicant shall deposit at his own office and of his agent, if any, and at the office of every local authority invested with the administration of any portion of the proposed area of supply—

(a)      copies of the maps referred to in clause (b) of sub-rule (1) of rule 11 for public inspection; and

(b)      a sufficient number of copies of the draft licence to be furnished to all persons applying for them at a price not exceeding rupees five per copy.

Rule - 13.Contents of draft licence.

The draft licence shall contain the following particulars:—

(a)      a short title descriptive of the proposed undertaking together with the address and description of the applicant or in the case of a firm, the names of all directors or partners of the firm;

(b)      a statement of the boundaries of the proposed area of supply;

(c)      if the generating station is situated or is to be situated outside the area of supply or if any intervening area not included in the area of supply is to be crossed, a list of the streets not included in the area of supply along or across which electric supply lines are to be laid down, or placed;

(d)      the proposed limits within which and the conditions under which the supply of energy is to be compulsory or permissive, the nature and amount of the supply (if limited) and the like;

(e)      a list of the streets (if any) which are repairable neither by the Central or the State Government, nor by a local authority and of the railways and tramways (if any) the sod or the pavement of which the applicant seeks powers to open or break up, and the names of the person or designations of authorities by whom such streets are repairable or who are for the time being entitled to work such railways or tramways;

(f)       the proposed periods after which the right to purchase is to take effect;

(g)      a statement of any special term or purchase or orders proposed to be made under section 9 of the Act; and

(h)     any proposed modification of the schedule to the Act to be made under clause (e) of sub-section (2) of section 3.

Rule - 14.Form of draft licence.

The form of draft licence contained in Annexure III may, with such variation as the circumstances of each case require, be used for the purposes of rules 11 and 13 and if used, shall be sufficient.

Rule - 15.Advertisement of application and contents thereof.

(1)     The applicant shall within fourteen days from the submission of the application under rule 11, publish notice of his application by public advertisement, and such advertisement shall publish such particulars as the Government may specify.

(2)     The advertisement shall be headed by short title correspond­ing to that given at the head of the draft licence and shall give the addresses of the offices at which, under rule 12, copies of maps therein referred to may be inspected and the copies of draft licence perused or purchased and shall state that every local authority, company or person, desirous of making any representation with reference to the application to the Government, may do so by letter addressed to such officer as the Government may designate in this behalf, within three months of the date of issue of the first advertisement.

(3)     The advertisement shall be inserted by the applicant in at least two successive issues of such newspaper as the Government having regard to its circulation among persons likely to be interested, may direct, and in the absence of any such direction in at least two successive issues of any newspaper published within the proposed area of supply or if there is no such newspaper, in any newspaper published within the State.

(4)     The applicant shall send a copy of each of the two successive issues of the newspaper containing the advertisement to such officer as the Government may designate in this behalf as soon as the second issue has appeared and the Government shall publish the advertisement at least once in the Government Gazette within six weeks from the date of the first advertisement published under sub-rule (3):

Provided that any failure or delay on the part of the Government in publishing the advertisement shall not of itself preclude the grant of a licence.

Rule - 16.Amendment of draft licence.

Any person who desire to have any amendment made in the draft licence shall deliver a statement of the amendment to the applicant and to such officer as the State Government may designate in this behalf within the time allowed under sub-rule (2) of rule 15 for the submission of representations referring to the application.

Rule - 17.Local Inquries.

If any person locally interested objects to the grant of a licence applied for under the Act, the Government shall, if either the applicant or the objector so desires, cause a local inquiry to be held of which the notice in writing shall be given to both the applicant and the objector:

Provided that the Government may refuse such an inquiry if in its opinion the objection is of a trifling or vexatious nature.

Rule - 18.Approval of draft licence.

When the Government has approved a draft licence, either in its original form or in a modified form, such officer as the Government may designate in this behalf shall inform the applicant of such approval and of the form in which is proposed to grant the licence.

Rule - 19.Notification of grant of licence.

On receiving an intimation in writing from the applicant that he is willing to accept a licence in the form approved by the Government, the Government shall publish the licence within two months by notification in the Government Gazette together with a statement that it has been granted.

Rule - 20.Date of commencement of licence.

The date of notification under rule 19 shall be deemed to be the date of commencement of licence .

Rule - 21.Deposit of maps.

When a licence has been granted, three sets of maps showing as regards such licence, the particulars specified in clause (b) of sub-rule (1) of rule 11 shall be signed and dated to correspond with the date of the notification of the grant of the licence by such officer as the Government may designate in this behalf. One set of such maps shall be retained as the deposited maps by the said Officer and of the remaining two sets, one shall be furnished to the Jammu and Kashmir State Electricity Board and the other to the licensee.

Rule - 22.Deposit of printed copies.

(1)     Every person who is granted a licence, shall within thirty days of the grant thereof:

(a)      have adequate number of copies of the licence printed;

(b)      have adequate number of maps prepared showing the area of supply and the compulsory areas specified in the licence;

(c)      arrange to exhibit a copy of such licence and maps for public inspection at all reasonable times at his head office, his local offices (if any), and at the office of every local authority within the area of supply.

(2)     Every such licensee shall, within the aforesaid period of thirty days supply free of charge one copy of the licence and the relevant maps to every local authority within the area of supply and shall also make necessary arrangement for the sale of printed copies of the licence to all persons applying for the same, at a price not exceeding rupees five per copy.

Rule - 23.Application for written consent of Government in certain cases.

If a licensee desires the written consent of the Government under sub-section (5) of section 11 to enable him to open or break up the soil or pavement of any street (which is repairable neither by the Central or the State Government nor by a local authority) or any railway or tramway, he shall apply for such consent in writing to such officer as the Government may designate in this behalf and shall describe accurately the street, railways or tramway, which he seeks power to open or break up and the names of the person or designations of the authorities by whom such street is repairable or who are for the time being entitled to work such railway or tramway, and the extent to which he proposes to open or break up the same.

Rule - 24.Amendment of licence.

(1)     If a licensee desires that any alterations or amendments should be made in the terms and conditions of his licence under clause (b) of sub-section (3) of section 4 of the Act, he shall submit a written application to the officer designated by the Government under rule 11 and shall within 14 days from the submission of the application publish notice of his application by public advertisement; and the provisions of sub-rules (2), (3) and (4) of rule 15 shall apply to such publication.

(2)     The Government shall within six months of the date of submission of the application, either approve of the alterations or amendments in the form proposed by the licensee or in any other modified form which he accepts, or rejects them when the Government has approved of the alterations or amendments either in the form proposed by the licensee or in any other modified form which he accepts, it shall notify the alteration or amendments so approved, in the Government Gazette.

Rule - 25.Sale of Plans.

Copies of plans or sections such as are referred to in clause XV of the schedule to the Act shall be supplied by the licensee to every applicant at a price not exceeding one rupee per 929,03 square centimeters.

Rule - 26.Preparation and submission of accounts.

(1)     Every licensee, unless exempted under section 10 of the Act shall cause the accounts of his undertaking to be made up to the thirty-first day of March each year.

(2)     Such licensee shall prepare and render an annual statement of his accounts in accordance with the provisions of section 10 of the Act within a period of six months from the aforesaid date or such extended period as the Government may authorise after it is satisfied that the time allowed is insufficient owing to any cause beyond the control of the licensee; and the statement shall be rendered in quadruplicate if the Government so desires.

(3)     The accounts shall be made up in the prescribed form set out in Annexures1 IV and V and shall be rendered in Indian currency. "All the forms shall be signed by the licensee or his accredited agent or manager".

(4)     The Government may by special or general order direct that in addition to the submission of the annual statements of accounts in the forms prescribed in sub-rule (3), a licensee, shall submit to the Government or such other authority as it may appoint in this behalf such additional information as it may require for the purpose.

Rule - 27.Model condition of supply.

(1)     Without prejudice to the power conferred by section 21 on the Government in this behalf, the model conditions of supply contained in Annexure VI may, with such variations as the circumstance of each case require, be adopted by the licensee for the purpose of sub-section (2) of that section with the previous sanction of the Government. The licensee shall always keep in his Office an adequate number of printed copies of the sanctioned conditions of supply and shall, on demand, sell such copies to any applicant at a price not exceeding per copy.

Rule - 28.Form of requisition.

Requisition under sub-clause (4) of clause V or sub-clause (5) of clause VI, as the case may be, of the schedule to the Act, shall be made in the form set out in the Annexure VII or Annexure VIII.

CHAPTER IV GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Rule - 29.Construction, Installation, Protection, operation and maintenance of electric supply lines and apparatus.

All electric supply lines and apparatus shall be sufficient in power and size and of sufficient mechanical strength for the work they may be required to do, and, so far as it is practicable, shall be constructed, installed, protected, worked and maintained in accordance with the standards of the Indian Standards Institution so as to prevent danger.

Rule - 30.Service lines and apparatus on consumer's premises.

(1)     The supplier shall ensure that all electric supply lines, wires, fittings, and apparatus belonging to him or under his control, which are on a consumer's premises, are in a safe condition and in all respects fit for supplying energy, and the supplier shall take due precautions to avoid danger arising on such premises from such supply lines, wires, fittings and apparatus.

(2)     Service-lines placed by the supplier on the premises of consumer which are underground or which are accessible shall be so insulated and protected by the supplier as to be secured under all ordinary conditions against electrical, mechanical, chemical or other injury to the insulation.

(3)     The consumer shall, as far as circumstances permit, take precautions for the safe custody of the equipment on his premises belonging to the supplier.

(4)     The consumer shall also ensure that the installation under his control is maintained in a safe condition.

Rule - 31.Cut-out on consumer's premises.

(1)     The supplier shall provide a suitable cut-out in each conductor of every service line other than an earthed or earthed neutral conduc­tor or the earthed external conductor of a concentric cable within a consumers's premises, in an accessible position. Such cut-out shall be contained within an adequately enclosed fire-proof receptacle.

Where more than one consumer is supplied through a common service-line, each such consumer shall be provided with an independent cut-out at the point of junction to the common service

The owner of every electric supply line, other than the earthed or earthed neutral conductor or any system of the earthed external conductor of a concentric cable shall protect by a substitute cut-out.

Rule - 32.Identification of earthed and earthed neutral conductor and position of switches and cut-outs therein.

Where the conductors include an earthed conductor of a two-wire system or an earthed neutral conductor of a multiwire system or a conductor which is to be connected thereto the following conditions shall be complied with:—

(1)     An indication of a permanent nature shall be provided by the owner of the earthed or earthed neutral conductor, or the conductor which is to be connected thereto, to enable such conductor to be distinguished from any live conductor. Such indication shall be provided:-

(a)      Where the earthed or earthed neutral conductor is the property of the supplier, at or near the point of commencement of supply;

(b)      Where a conductor forming part of a consumer's system is to be connected to the supplier's earthed or earthed neutral conductor at the point where connection is to be made;

(c)      In all other cases a point corresponding to the point of commencement of supply or at such other point as may be approved by an Inspector.

(2)     No cut-out, line or switch other than a switch arranged to operate simultaneously on the earthed or earthed neutral conductor and live conductors shall be inserted or remain in any earthed or earthed neutral conductor of a two-wire system or in any earthed or earthed neutral conductor of a multi-wire system or in any conductor connected thereto with the following exceptions:-

(a)      A link for testing purposes, or

(b)      A switch for use in controlling a generator or transformer.

Rule - 33.Earthed terminal on consumer's premises.

(1)     The supplier shall provide and maintain on the consumer's premises for the consumer's use a suitable earthed terminal in an accessible position at or near the point of commencement of supply as defined under rule 58:

Provided that in the case of medium, high or extra high voltage, installation, the consumer shall, in addition to the afore-mentioned earthing arrangement, provide his own earthing system with an independent electrode and maintain the same:

Provided further that the supplier may not provide any terminal in the case of installations already connected to his system on or before the date to be specified by the Government in this behalf if he is satisfied that the consumer's earthing arrangement is efficient.

(2)     The consumer shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent mechanical damage to the earthed terminal and its load belonging to the supplier.

(3)     The supplier may recover from the consumer the cast of installation of such earthed terminal on the basis laid down in sub-rule (2) of rule 82.

Rule - 34.Accessibility of bare conductors.

Where bare conductors are used in a building, the owner of such conductors shall :-

(a)      ensure that they are inaccessible;

(b)      provide in readily accessible position switches for rendering them dead whenever necessary; and

(c)      take such other safety measures as are considered necessary by the Inspector.

Rule - 35.Caution notices.

The owner of every medium, high and extra high voltage installation shall affix permanently in a conspicuous position a Danger notice in Hindi/Urdu and the local language of the district, and of a type approved by the Inspector on:-

(a)      every motor, generator, transformer and other electrical plant equipment together with apparatus used for controlling or regulating the same;

(b)      all supports of high and extra-high voltage overhead lines;

(c)      luminous tube sign requiring high voltage supply, X-ray and similar high-frequency installations:

Provided that, where it is not possible to affix such notice on any generator, motor, transformer or other apparatus, they shall be affixed as near as possible thereto or the word danger and the voltage of ^he apparatus concerned shall be permanently painted on it:

Provided further that where the generator, motor, transformer or other apparatus is within an enclosure, one notice affixed to the said enclosure shall be sufficient for the purposes of this rule.

Rule - 36.Handling of electric supply lines and apparatus.

(1)     Before any conductor or apparatus is handled adequate precautions shall be taken, by earthing or other suitable means to discharge electricity such conductors or apparatus, and any adjacent conductor or apparatus if there is danger therefrom and to prevent any conductor or apparatus from being accidentally or inadvertantly electrically charged when persons are working thereon:

Provided that this sub-rule shall not apply to the cleaning of commutators and slip-rings working at low or medium voltage.

(2)     No person shall work on any live electric supply line or apparatus and no person shall assist such person on such work, unless he is authorised in that behalf, and takes the safety measures approved by the Inspector.

(3)     Every telecommunication line on supports carrying a high or extra high voltage line shall, for the purpose of working thereon, be deemed to be a high voltage line.

Rule - 37.Supply to Vehicles, Cranes, etc.

Every person owning a vehicle, travelling crane or the like to which energy is supplied from an external source shall ensure that it is efficiently controlled by a suitable switch enabling all voltage to be cut off in one operation and, where such vehicle, travelling crane or the like runs on metal rails, the owner shall ensure that the rails are electrically continuous and earthed.

Rule - 38.Cable for portable or transportable apparatus.

(1)     Flexible cables shall not be used for portable or transportable motors, generators, transformers, rectifiers, electric drills, electric sprayers, welding sets or any other portable or transportable appa­ratus unless they are heavily insulated and adequately protected from mechanical injury.

(2)     Where the protection is by means of metallic covering, the covering shall be in metallic connection with the frame of any such apparatus and earth.

Rule - 39.Cables protected by bituminous materials.

(a)      Where the supplier or the owner has brought into use an electric supply line (other than an overhead line) which is not completely enclosed in a continuous metallic covering connected with earth, and is insulated or protected in situ by composition or material of a bituminous character-

(i)       any-pipe, conduit or the like into which such electric supply line may have been drawn or placed shall, unless other arrangements are approved by the Inspector in any particular case, be effectively scaled at its point of entry into any street box so as to prevent any flow of gas to or from the street box, and

(ii)      such electric supply line shall be periodically inspected and tested where accessible and the result of each such inspection and test shall be duly recorded by the supplier or the owner.

(b)      It shall not be permissible for the supplier or the owner after coming into force of these rules, to bring into use any further electric supply line as aforesaid which is insulated or protected in situ by any composition or material known to be liable to produce noxious or explosive gases on excessive heating.

Rule - 40.Street boxes.

(1)     Street boxes shall not contain gas pipes, and precautions shall be taken to prevent, as far as reasonably possible, any influx of water or gas.

(2)     Where electric supply lines forming part of different system pass through the same street box, they shall be readily distinguish­able from one another and all electric supply lines at high or extra-high voltage in street boxes shall be adequately supported and protected so as to prevent risk of damage to or danger from adjacent electric supply lines.

(3)     All street boxes shall be regularly inspected for the purpose of detecting the presence of gas and if any influx or accumulation is discovered, the owner shall give immediate notice to any authority or company who have gas mains in the neighbourhood of the street box and in cases where a street is large enough to admit the entrance, of a person after the electric supply lines or apparatus therein have been placed in position, ample provision shall be made:-

(a)      to ensure that any gas which by accident have obtained access to the box shall escape before a person is allowed to enter; and

(b)      for the prevention of danger from sparking.

(4)     The owner of all street boxes or pillars containing circuits or apparatus shall ensure that their covers and doors are so provided that they can be opened only by means of a key or a special appliance.

Rule - 41.Distinction of circuits of different voltages.

The owner of every generating station sub-station, junction-box or pillar in which there are any circuits or apparatus, intended for operation at different voltages, shall ensure by means of indication of a permanent nature that the respective circuits are readily distin­guishable from one another.

Rule - 42.Accident charge.

The owner of all circuits and apparatus shall so arrange them that there shall be no danger of any part thereof becoming accidentally charged to any voltage beyond the limits of voltage for which they are intended.

Where A.C. and D.C. circuits are installed on the same support they shall be so arranged and protected that they shall not come into contact with each other when live.

Rule - 43.Provision applicable to protective equipments.

(1)     Fire buckets filled with clean dry sand and ready for immediate use for extinguishing fires, in addition to fire extinguishers suitable for dealing with electric fires, shall be conspicuously marked and kept in all generating stations, enclosed sub-stations and en­closed switch stations in convenient situation.

(2)     First-aid boxes or cupboards, conspicuously marked and equipped with such contents as the Government may specify, shall be provided and maintained in every generating station enclosed sub-stations and enclosed switch stations so as to be readily accessible during all working hours. All such boxes and cupboards shall except in case of unattended sub-stations and switch stations, be kept incharge of responsible persons who are trained in first-aid treatment and one of such persons shall be available during the working hour.

Rule - 44.Instructions for restoration of persons suffering from electric shocks.

(1)     Instructions in English, Hindi, Urdu and the local languages of the district, for the restoration of persons suffering from electric shocks, shall be affixed by the owner in a conspicuous place in ever generating station, enclosed sub-station, enclosed switch-station and in every factory as defined in clause (m) of section 2 of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948) of the Government of India in which electricity is used and in such other premises where electricity is used as the Inspector may, by notice in writing served on the owner, direct.

(2)     Copies of the instructions shall be supplied on demand by an officer or officers appointed by the Government in this behalf at a price to be fixed by the Government.

(3)     The owner of every generating station, enclosed sub-station, enclosed switch-station, and every factory or other premises to which this rule applies, shall ensure that all authorised persons employed by him are acquainted with and are competent to apply the instructions referred to in sub-rule (1).

Rule - 44A.Intimation of accidents.

A notice of the occurrence of any accident in connection with generation, transformation, transmission, conversion, distribution, supply or use of energy, shall be forwarded to the Inspector and other authorities referred to in section 33 in the form set out in Annexure-XIII and in accordance with the following procedure, namely: -

(1)     In the case of an accident which results in the death of a person, either the person responsible for the generation, transforma­tion, transmission, conversion, distribution, supply or use of energy or any other person authorised by the State Electricity Board in this behalf, shall-

(a)      within twenty-four hours of the knowledge of the occurrence of the accident, send a telegraphic report of the occurrence of such accident to the Inspector and later send a written statement in the prescribed form within twenty-four hours of sending the telegraphic report;

(b)      send a copy of the written statement in the prescribed form to the Secretary to the Government in the department concerned; and

(c)      within three hours of the coming to his knowledge of the accident, send a report of the occurrence of the accident to the District Magistrate having jurisdiction over the area in which the accident has occurred and to the officer incharge of the nearest Police Station.

(2)     In the case of an accident which results in the death of an animal or disablement of a person, either the persons responsible for the generation, transformation, transmission, conversion, distribu­tion, supply or use of energy or any other person authorised by the State Electricity Board in this behalf shall within twenty-four hours of the knowledge of occurrence of such accident send a telegraphic report of the occurrence of such accident to the inspector and later send a written statement in the prescribed form within twenty-four hours of sending the telegraphic report.

Rule - 45.Precautions to be adopted by consumers, owner, electrical contractors, electric workmen and suppliers.

(1)     No electrical installation work, including additions, alter­ations, repairs and adjustments to existing installations except such replacement of lamps, fans, fuses, switches, low voltage, domestic appliances and fittings as in no way alters its capacity or character, shall be carried upon the premises of or on behalf of any consumer or owner, for purpose of supply to such consumer or owner, except by an electrical contractor licenced in this behalf by the Inspector and under the direct supervision of a person holding a certificate of competency issued or recognised by the Government:

Provided that in the case of works, executed for or on behalf of the Central Government and in the case of installations in mines, oil fields and railways, the Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, exempt, on such conditions as it may impose, any such works described therein either generally or in the case of any specified class of consumers or owners, from so much of this sub-rule as requires such work to be carried by any electrical contractor licenced by the Inspector in this behalf.

(2)     No electrical installation work which has been carried out in contravention of sub-rule (1) shall be connected with the works of any supplier.

Rule - 46.Periodical inspection and testing of consumer's installations.

(1)     (a) Where an installation is already connected to the supply system of the supplier, every such installation shall be periodically inspected and tested at intervals not exceeding five years either by the Inspector or by the supplier as may be directed by the Government in this behalf or in the case of installations in mines, oil-fields and railways, by the Central Government.

(b) Where the supplier is directed by the Government to inspect and test the installation he shall report on the condition of the installation to the consumer concerned in a form approved by the Inspector and shall submit a copy of such report to the Inspector,

(2)     (a) The fees for such inspection and test shall be determined by the Government in the case of each class of consumers and shall be payable by the consumer in advance.

(b) In the event of the failure of any consumer to pay the fees on or before the date specified in the fee-notice, supply to the installation of such consumer shall be liable to be disconnected under the direction of the Inspector. Such disconnection, however, shall not be made by the supplier without giving to the consumer seven clear days notice in writing of his intention so to do.

(3)     Notwithstanding the provisions of this rule, the consumer shall at all times be solely responsible for the maintenance of his installation in such condition as to be free from danger. 

CHAPTER V GENERAL CONDITIONS RELATING TO SUPPLY AND USE OF ENERGY

Rule - 47.Testing of consumers installation.

(1)     Upon receipt of an application for a new or additional supply of energy and before connecting the supply or reconnecting the same after a period of six months the supplier shall inspect and test the applicant's installation.

The supplier shall maintain a record of test results obtained at each supply points to a consumer, in a form to be approved by the Inspector.

(2)     If as a result of such inspection and test, the supplier is satisfied that the installation is likely to constitute danger, he shall serve on the applicant a notice in writing requiring him to make such modifications as are necessary to render the installation safe. The supplier may refuse to connect or reconnect the supply until the required modifications have been completed and he has been notified by the applicant.

Rule - 48.Precaution against leakage before connection.

(1)     The supplier shall not connect with his works the installation or apparatus on the premises of any applicant for supply unless he is reasonably satisfied that the connection will not, at the time of making the connection, cause a leakage from that installation or apparatus exceeding one five-thousandth part of the maximum current supplied to the applicant's premises.

(2)     If the supplier declines to make a connection under the provisions of sub-rule (1) he shall serve upon the applicant a notice in writing stating his reason for so declining.

Rule - 49.Leakage on consumer's premises.

(1)     If the Inspector or the supplier has reason to believe that there is in the system of a consumer leakage which is likely to affect injuriously the use of energy by the supplier or by other persons, or which is likely to cause danger, he may give the consumer reasonable notice in writing that he desires to inspect and test the consumer's installation.

(2)     If, no such notice being given-

(a)      the consumer does not give all reasonable facilities for inspection and testing of his installation; or

(b)      a leakage exceeding one five-thousandth part of the maximum current supplied to the consumer's installation is shown to exist, the supplier may, and if directed so to do by the Inspector shall discontinue the supply of energy to the installation but only after giving to the consumer forty-eight hours notice in writing of disconnection of supply and shall not recommence the supply until he or the Inspector is satisfied that the cause of the leakage has been removed.

Rule - 50.Supply and use of energy.

(1)     The energy shall not be supplied, transformed, converted, or used or continued to be supplied, transformed, converted or used unless the following provisions are observed:

(a)      a suitable linked switch or a circuit-breaker of requisite capacity to carry and break the current is placed as near as possible to, but after the point of commencement of supply as denned under rule 58. So as to be readily accessible and capable of being easily operated to completely isolate the supply to the installation, such equipment being in addition to any equipment installed for controlling individual circuits or apparatus:

Provided that where the point of commencement of supply and consumer's apparatus are near each other, one linked switch or circuit-breaker near the point of commencement of supply shall be considered sufficient for the purpose of this rule;

(b)      a suitable linked switch or a circuit-breaker of requisite capacity to carry and break the full load current is inserted on the secondary side of a transformer, in the case of high or extra high voltage installation;

Provided, however, that the linked switch on the primary side of the transformer may be of such capacity as to carry the full load current and to break only the magnetising current of the transformer:

Provided further that the provision of this clause shall not apply to transformers installed in sub-stations up to and including 100 KVA belonging to the suppliers;

(c)      every distinct circuit is protected against excess energy by means of a suitable cut-out or a circuit breaker of adequate breaking capacity suitably located and so constructed as to prevent danger from over-heating, arcing or scattering of hot metal when it comes into operation and to permit of ready renewal of the fusible metal of the cut-out without danger;

(d)      the supply of energy to each motor or other apparatus is controlled by a suitable linked switch or a circuit-breaker of requisite capacity placed in such a position as to be adjacent to the motor or other apparatus readily accessible to and easily operated by the persons incharge and so connected in circuit that by its means all supply of energy can be cut off from the motor or apparatus, and from any regulating switch, resistance or other device associated therewith;

(e)      all insulating material is chosen with special regard to the circumstances of its proposed use, the mechanical strength being sufficient for its purpose and so far as is practicable, is of such a character or so protected as to maintain adequately its insulating properties under all working conditions in respect of temperature and moisture; and

(f)       adequate precautions are taken to ensure that no live parts are so exposed as to cause danger.

(2)     (a) Where energy is being supplied, transformed, converted, or used the consumer or the owner of the concerned installation shall be responsible for the continuous observance of the provisions of sub-rule (1) in respect of his installation.

(b) Every consumer shall use all reasonable means to ensure that where energy is being supplied by a supplier, no person other than the supplier shall interfere with the service lines and apparatus placed by the supplier on the premises of the consumer.

Rule - 51.Provisions applicable to medium, high or extra-high voltage installation.

The following provisions shall be observed where energy at me­dium, high or extra-high voltage is supplied, converted, transformed, or used:-

(1)     (a) All conductors (other than those of overhead line) shall be completely enclosed in mechanically strong metal casing or metallic covering which is electrically and mechanically continuous and adequately protected against mechanical damage unless the said conductors are accessible only to an authorised person or are installed and protected to the satisfaction of an Inspector so a to prevent danger.

(b) All metal work enclosing, supporting or associated with the installation, other than that designed to serve as a conductor shall, if considered necessary by the Inspector be connected with earth.

(c) Every main switch board shall comply with the following provisions namely:-

(i)       a clear space of not less than (0.914 meter) 3 feet in width shall be provided in front of the switch board;

(ii)      if there are any attachments or bare connections at the back of the switch board the space (if any) behind the switch board shall be either less than (0.229 metre) 9 inches, or more than (0.762 metre) 30 inches in width, measured from the furthest outstanding part of any attachment or conductor;

(iii)     if the space behind the switch board exceeds (0.762 metre) 30 inches in width, there shall be a passage way from either end of the switch board clear to a height of (1.829 metre) 6 feet.

(2)     Where an application has been made to a supplier for supply of energy to any installation, he shall not commence, or where the supply has been discontinued, recommence the supply unless he is satisfied that the consumer has complied in all respects with the conditions of supply, set out in sub-rule (1) of this rule, rules 53 and 64.

(3)     Where a supplier proposes to supply or use energy at medium voltage or to recommence supply after it has been discontinued for a period of six months, he shall, before connecting or reconnecting the supply, give notice in writing of such intension to the Inspector.

(4)     If at any time after connecting the supply the supplier is satisfied that any provision of sub-rule (1) of this rule, or rules 50 and 64 is not being observed, he shall give notice of the same in writing  to the consumer and the Inspector specifying how the provision has not been observed, and may discontinue the supply if the Inspector so direct.

Rule - 52.Appeal to Inspector in regard to defect.

(1)     If any applicant for a supply or a consumer is dissatisfied with the action of the supplier in declining to commence, to continue or to recommence the supply of energy to his premises on the grounds that the installation is defective or is likely to constitute danger, he may appeal to the Inspector to test the installation and the supply shall not, if the Inspector or under his orders, any other officer appointed to assist the Inspector, is satisfied that the installation is free from the defect or danger complaining of, be entitled to refuse supply to the consumer on the grounds aforesaid, and shall, within twenty-four hours after the receipt of such intimation from the Inspector, commence, continue or recommence the supply of energy.

(2)     Any test for which application has been made under the provision of sub-rule (1) shall be carried out within seven days after receipt of such application.

(3)     This rule shall be enclosed on every notice given under the provision of rule 47, 48 and 49.

Rule - 53.Cost of inspection and test of consumer's installation.

(1)     The cost of the first inspection and test of a consumer's installation carried out in pursuance of the provisions of rules 47 shall be borne by the supplier and the cost of every subsequent inspection and test shall be borne by the consumer, unless in the appeal under rule 52, the Inspector directs otherwise.

(2)     The cost of any inspection and test made by the Inspector at request of the consumer or other interested party, shall be borne by the consumer or other interested party, unless the Inspector directs otherwise.

(3)     The cost of each and every such inspection and test by whom so borne shall be calculated in accordance with the scale specified by the Government in this behalf.

Rule - 54.Declared voltage of supply to consumer.

Except with the written consent of the consumer or with the previous sanction of the Government a supplier shall not permit the voltage at the point of commencement of supply as defined under rule 58 to vary from the declared voltage by more than 5 per cent in the case of low or medium voltage or by more than twelve and a half per cent in the case of high or extra high voltage.

Rule - 55.Declared frequency of supply to consumer.

Except with the written consent of the consumer or with the previous sanction of the Government a supplier shall not permit the frequency of an alternating current supply to vary from the declared frequency by more than 3 per cent.

Rule - 56.Sealing of meters and cut-outs.

(1)     A supplier may affix one or more seals to any cut-out and to any meter, maximum demand indicator, or other apparatus placed upon a consumer's premises in accordance with section 26, and no person other than the supplier shall break any such seal.

(2)     The consumer shall use all reasonable means in his power to ensure that no such seal is broken otherwise than by the supplier.

(3)     The word "supplier" shall for the purpose of this rule include the Government when any meter, maximum demand indicator or other apparatus is placed upon a consumer's premises by the Government.

Rule - 57.Meters maximum, demand indicators and other apparatus on consumer's premises.

(1)     Any meter or maximum demand indicator or other apparatus placed upon a consumer's premises in accordance with section 26 shall be of appropriate capacity and shall be deemed to be correct if its limits of error do not exceed 3 per cent above or below absolute accuracy at all loads in excess of one-tenth of full load and up to full load.

(2)     No meter shall register at no load.

(3)     Every supplier shall provide and maintain in proper condition such suitable apparatus as may be prescribed or approved by the Inspector for the examination, testing and regulation of meters used or intended to be used in connection with the supply of energy:

Provided that the supply may with the approval of the. Inspector and shall, if required by Inspector, enter into a joint arrangement with any other supplier for the purpose aforesaid.

(4)     Every supplier shall examine, test and regulate all meters, maximum demand indicators and other apparatus for ascertaining the amount of energy supplied before their first installation at the consumer's premises and at such other intervals as may be directed by the Government in this behalf.

(5)     Every supplier shall maintain a register of meters showing the date of the last test, the error recorded at the time of the test, the limit of accuracy after adjustment and final, test, the date of installation, withdrawal, reinstallation, etc., for the examination of the Inspector or his authorised representative.

Rule - 58.Point of commencement of supply.

The point of commencement of supply of energy to a consumer shall be deemed to be the point at the out-going terminals of the cut-outs inserted by the supplier in each conductor of every service line other than an earthed or earthed neutral conductor or the earthed external conductor of a concentric cable at the consumer's cable.

Rule - 59.Precautions against failure of supply-notice of failure.

(1)     The lay-out of the electric supply lines of the supplier for the supply of energy throughout his area of supply shall under normal working conditions be sectionalised and so arranged, and provided with cut-outs or circuit breaker, so located as to restrict within reasonable limits the extent of the portion of the system affected by any failure of supply.

(2)     The supplier shall take all reasonable precaution 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 during and in connection with the installation, extension, replacement, repair and maintenance of any works.

(3)     The supplier shall send to the Inspector notice of failure of supply of such kind as the Inspector may from time to time require to be notified to him, and such notice shall be sent by the earliest practicable post after the failure occurs or after the failure becomes known to the supplier and shall be in such form and contain such particulars as Inspector may from time to time specify.

(4)     For the purposes of testing or for any other purposes connected with the efficient working of the undertaking, the supply of energy may be discontinued by the supplier for such period as may be necessary subject (except in case of emergency) to not less than twenty-four hour's notice being given by the supplier to all classes of consumers specified by the Inspector likely to be affected by such discontinuance and in the event of any consumer or consumers from such classes of consumer objecting, the supply of energy shall not be discontinued (except in cases of emergency), without the consent of the Inspector and subject to such conditions as he may impose.

CHAPTER VI ELECTRIC SUPPLY LINES, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR LOW AND MEDIUM VOLTAGE

Rule - 60.Test for resistance of insulation

(1)     Where any electric supply line for use at low or medium voltage has been disconnected from a system for the purpose of addition or alteration or repair, such electric supply lines shall not be reconnected to the system until the supplier or the owner has applied the test prescribed under rule 48.

(2)     The provisions of sub-rule (1) shall not apply to overhead lines except overhead insulated cables unless the Inspector otherwise directs in any particular case.

Rule - 61.Connection with earth

(1)     The following provisions shall apply to the connection with earth of system at low voltage in cases where the voltage (between phases or outers) normally exceeds 125 volts and of systems at medium voltage:-

(a)      The neutral conductor of a three-phase four-wire system and the middle conductor of a two-phase three-phase wire system shall be earthed by not less than two separate and distinct connections with earth both at the generating station and at the sub-station. It may also be earthed at one or more points along the distribution system or service line in addition to any connection with earth which may be at the consumer's premises.

(b)      In the case of a system comprising electric supply lines having concentric cables, the external conductor of such cable shall be earthed by two separate and distinct connections with earth.

(c)      The connection with earth may (include a link by means of which the connection may be temporarily interrupted for the purpose of testing or for locating a fault.

(d)      (i) In a direct current three-wire system the middle conductor shall be earthed at the generating station only, and the current from the middle conductor to earth be continuously recorded by means of a recording meter, and if at any time current exceeds one-thousandth part of the maximum supply-current, immediate steps shall be taken to improve the insulation of the system.

(ii) Where the middle conductor is earthed by means of a circuit-breaker with a resistance connected in paralleled the resistance shall not exceed 1,0 ohms and on the opening of the circuit breaker, immediate steps shall be taken to improve the insulation of the system, and the circuit-breaker shall be reclosed as soon as possible.

(iii) The resistance shall be used only as a protection for the ammeter in case of earths on the system and until such earths are removed. Immediate steps shall be taken to locate and remove the earth.

(e)      In the case of an alternating current system, there shall not be inserted in the connection with earth any impedance (other than that required solely for the operation of switch-gear or instruments), cut-out or circuit-breaker and the result of any test made to ascertain whether the current (if any) passing through the connection with earth is normal, shall be duly recorded by the supplier.

(f)       No person shall make connection with earth by the aid of nor shall he keep it in contact with, any water main not belonging to him except with the consent of the owner thereof and of the Inspector.

(g)      Alternating current systems which are connected with earth as aforesaid may be electrically interconnected:

Provided that each connection with earth is bonded to the metal sheathing and metallic armouring (if any), of the electric supply lines concerned.

(2)     The frame of every generator, stationary motor, and so far as is practicable, portable motor, and the metallic parts (not intended as conductors) of all transformers and any other apparatus used for regulating or controlling energy and all medium voltage energy consuming apparatus shall be earthed by the owner by two separate and distinct connections with earth.

(3)     All metal casings or metallic coverings containing or protecting any electric supply-line or apparatus shall be connected with earth and shall be so joined and connected with boxes and other openings as to make good mechanical and electrical connection throughout their whole length:

Provided that where the supply is at low voltage, this sub-rule shall not apply to isolate wall tubes or to brackets, electroliers, switches, ceiling fans, regulator covers or other fittings (other than portable hand lamps and portable and transportable apparatus) unless provided with earth terminal. Provided further that where the supply is at low voltage and when the installations are either new or renovated all plug sockets shall be three pin type, and the third pin shall be permanently and efficiently earthed.

This sub-rule shall come into force immediately in the case of new installations and in the case of existing installations the provisions of this sub-rule shall be complied with before the expiry of a period of two years from the commencement of these rules.

(4)     All earthing systems shall, before electric supply lines or apparatus are energised, be tested for electrical resistance to ensure efficient earthing.

(5)     All earthing systems belonging to the supplier, shall, in addition, be tested for resistance on dry day during the dry season not less than once every two years.

(6)     A record of every earth test made and the result thereof shall be kept by the supplier for a period of not less than two years after the day of testing and shall be available to the Inspector when required.

Rule - 62.Systems at medium voltage

Where a medium voltage supply system is employed, the voltage between earth and any conductor forming part of the said system shall not, under normal conditions, exceed low voltage.

CHAPTER VII ELECTRIC SUPPLY LINES, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH AND EXTRA-HIGH VOLTAGE

Rule - 63.Approval by inspection.

(1)     Before making an application to the Inspector for permission to commence supply of energy at high or extra-high voltage to any person, the supplier shall ensure that the high or extra-high voltage electric supply lines or apparatus belonging to him are placed in position, properly joined and duly completed and examined. The supply of energy shall not be commenced by the supplier unless and until the Inspector is satisfied that the provisions of rules 65 to 69both inclusive have been complied with the approval in writing of the Inspector has been obtained by him:

Provided that the supplier may energise the aforesaid electric supply lines or apparatus for the purpose of tests specified in rule 65.

(2)     The owner of any high or extra-high voltage installation shall, before making application to the Inspector for approval of his installation or additions thereto test, every high or extra-high voltage circuit or additions thereto other than an over-head line, and satisfy himself that they withstand the application of the testing voltage setout in sub-rule (1) of rule 65 and shall duly record the results of such tests and forward them to the inspector:

Provided that, an Inspector may direct such owner to carry out such tests as he deems necessary or if he thinks fit, accept the manufacturer's satisfied tests in respect of any particular apparatus in place of the tests required by this rule.

(3)     The owner of any high or extra-high voltage installation who makes any additions or alterations or his installations shall not connect to the supply his apparatus or electric supply lines, compris­ing the said alterations or additions unless and until such alterations or additions have been approved in writing by the Inspector.

Rule - 64.Use of energy at high and extra-high voltage.

(1)     The Inspector shall not authorise a supplier to connect a supply of energy at high or extra-high voltage to any consumer, unless—

(a)      all conductors and apparatus intended for use at high or extra-high voltage and situated on the premises of the consumer are inaccessible except to an authorised person and all operations in connection with the said conductors and apparatus are carried out by an authorised person;

(b)      the consumer has provided and agreed to maintain a separate building locked, weather-proof and fire-proof enclosure of agreed design and location, to which the supplier shall at all times have access for the purpose of housing his high or extra-high voltage apparatus and metering equipment, or where the provisions of a separate building or enclosure is impracticable, the consumer has segregated the aforesaid apparatus of the supplier from any other part of his own apparatus:

Provided that such segregation shall be by the provision fire-proof walls, if the Inspector considers it to be necessary:

Provided further that in the case of an outdoor installation the consumer shall suitably segregate the aforesaid apparatus belonging to the supplier from his own to the satisfaction of the Inspector;

(c)      all pole type sub-stations are constructed and maintained in accordance with rule 69.

(2)     The following provisions shall be observed where energy at high of extra-high voltage is supplied, converted, transformed or used:-

(a)      All conductors of live part of any apparatus shall ordinarly be inaccessible.

(b)      All windings, at high or extra-high voltage or motors or other apparatus within reach from any position in which a person may require to be, shall be suitably protected so as to prevent danger.

(c)      Where transformer or transformers are used, suitable provision shall be 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 leakages from or contact with circuit at the high voltage,

(d)      (i) Where a sub-station or a switch-station is situated in any building and where fire in the sub-station or a switch-station might involve risk to the said building and the said sub-station or switch-station contains oil immersed transformers, switches or static condensers involving the use of more than 2272.8 liters (500 gallons) of oil in one chamber, provision shall be made for suitable oils soak pits and where use of more than 9091.9 litres (2000 gallons) of oil in any one oil tank, receptacle or chamber is involved, provisions shall be made for the draining away or removal of any oil which may leave 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 extinguishing any fire which may occur. Spare oil shall not be stored in any such sub-station or switch station.

(ii) Cable trenches inside sub-stations and switch-stations containing the cables shall be filled with sand, pebbles or similar non-inflammable materials or completely covered with non-inflammable slabs.

(e)      Unless the conditions are such that all the conductors and the apparatus for use of high or extra-high voltage may be made dead at the same time for the purpose of cleaning or for other work thereof, the said conductor and apparatus shall be so arranged that they may be made dead in sections, and that work on any section made dead may be carried on by an authorised person without danger.

(f)       Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent unauthorised access to any part of the installation designed to be electrically charged at high or extra-high voltage.

Rule - 65.Voltage tests.

(1)     High and extra-high voltage electric supply lines (other than overhead lines) and apparatus of the supplier shall not be connected to a system for the purposes of supply or use of energy unless the insulations of the said electric supply lines and apparatus has with­stood, either- I

(i)       The 'tests prescribed in that behalf in the appropriate specification of the Indian Standards Institution or in its absence the British Standards Institution then current; or

(ii)      In cases where no such tests have been prescribed, the continuous application, between conductors and also between conductors and earth during the period of one minute of the testing voltage given in sub-rule (2).

(2)     for the purposes of clause (ii) of sub-rule (1)—

(a)      if the normal working voltage does not exceed 1,000 volts, the testing voltage shall be 2,000 volts;

(b)      if the normal working voltage exceeds 1,000 volts, but does not exceed 11,000 volts, the testing voltage shall be double the normal working voltage;

(c)      if the normal working voltage exceeds 11,000 volts, the testing voltage shall be normal working voltage plus 10,000 volts:

Provided that an apparatus which is not new shall be tested in such manner as the Inspector may specify.

(3)     If the test prescribed in sub-rule (1) is made prior to the said electric supply lines and apparatus being placed in position for the purposes of supply of energy, the said electric supply lines and the apparatus after having being 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 tests prescribed in sub-rule (1) whenever reasonably practicable, or by the application of a testing voltage of not less than 1,000 volts either alternating current or direct current between conductors and also between con­ductors and earth during a period of not less than one minute.

(4)     Where any electric supply line (other than an overhead line) or apparatus for use at high or extra-high voltage has been disconnected from a system for alteration or repair, such electric supply line or apparatus shall not be reconnected to the system until the supplier has applied the test prescribed in sub-rule (3) and satisfied himself that the insulation of the electric supply line or apparatus is in sound condition.

(5)     The supplier shall duly record the result of every test made under this rule.

(6)     Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-rule (1) to (4) (both inclusive) the Inspector may, where he thinks fit, accept the manufacturer's certified tests in place of the tests prescribed in this rule.

Rule - 66.Metal sheathed electric supply lines, precautions against excess leakage.

(1)     The following provisions shall apply to electric supply lines (other than overhead lines) of a supplier for use at high or extra-high voltage:-

(a)      The conductors shall be enclosed in metal sheathing which shall be electrically continuous and connected with earth, and the conductivity of the metal sheathing shall be maintained 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 supply line as aforesaid, the impedance of the relevant circuit shall be such that, with the full voltage maintained at the source of supply, the current resulting from such failure shall not be less than twice the value of the current for which a suitable cut-out of adequate rupturing capacity or other suitable overload protective device has been set to operate or the current required to operate a suitable discriminative fault current relay:

Provided that the operation of the aforesaid overhead protective device or of the discriminative fault current relay shall cause the automatic operation of a circuit breaker of adequate rupturing capacity. The relevant circuit here before 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 supply lines 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 or circuit of which the electric supply line as aforesaid forms part.

(c)      Where an electric supply line as aforesaid lids concentric cables and the external conductor is insulated from an outer metal sheathing and connected with earth, the external conductor may be regarded as the metal sheathing for the purposes of this rule provided that, the foregoing provisions as to conductivity are complied with.

(2)     Nothing in the provisions of sub-rule (1) shall preclude the employment in generating stations, sub-stations and switch-stations (including outdoor sub-stations and outdoor switch-stations) of conductors for use at high or extra-high voltage which are not enclosed in metal sheathing or preclude the use of electric supply lines laid before the prescribed date to which the provisions of these rules apply.

Rule - 67.Connection with earth.

(1)     The following provisions shall apply to the connection with earth of three-phase system for use at high or extra-high voltages:-

(a)      The neutral point shall be earthed by not less than two separate and distinct connections with earth each having its own electrode at the generating station and at the sub-stations and may be earthed at any other point provided that no interference of any description is caused by such earthing;

(b)      In the event of an appreciable harmonic current following in the neutral connection so as to cause interference with communication circuits, the generator or transformer neutral shall be earthed through a suitable impedence.

(2)     Single phase high or extra-high voltage system shall be earthed in a manner approved by the Inspector.

(3)     In the case of a system comprising electric supply lines having concentric cables, the external conductor shall be the one to be connected with earth.

(4)     Where, a supplier proposes to connect with earth an existing system for use at high or extra-high voltage which has not hitherto been so connected with earth, he shall give not less than fourteen days notice in writing together with particulars to the telegraph authority of the proposed connection with earth.

(5)     Where the earthing load and earth connection are used only in connection with earthing guards erected under high or extra-high voltage overhead lines where they cross a telecommunications line, or a railway line, and where such lines are equipped with earth leakage relays of a type and setting approved by the Inspector, the resistance shall not exceed 25 ohms.

(6)     In so far as the provisions of rule 61 are consistent with the provisions of this rule all connections with earth shall also comply with the provision of that rule.

Rule - 68.General conditions as to transformation and control of energy.

(1)     Where energy at high or extra-high voltage is transformed, converted, regulated or otherwise controlled in sub-stations or switch-stations (including outdoor sub-stations and outdoor switch-stations) or in street boxes constructed under ground, the following provisions shall have effect:—

(a)      Sub-stations and switch-stations shall preferably be erected above ground but where necessarily constructed underground due provision for ventilation and drainage shall be made;

(b)      Outdoor sub-stations except pole type sub-stations, and outdoor switch stations shall (unless the apparatus is completely enclosed in a metal covering connected with earth, the said apparatus also being connected with the system by armoured cables) be efficiently protected by fencing not less than (2.439 meters) eight feet in height or other means so as to prevent access to the electric supply lines and apparatus therein by an authorised person;

(c)      Underground street boxes (other than sub-stations) which contain transformers shall not contain switches or other apparatus, and switches, cut-outs or other purposes shall be fixed in separate receptacles above ground wherever practicable;

(2)     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 system becoming accidentally charged above its normal voltage from a contact with the system at the higher voltage.

Rule - 69.Pole type sub-stations.

Where platform type construction is used for a pole type sub-station and sufficient space for a person to stand on the platform is provided, a substantial hand rail shall be built around the said platform and if the hand rail is of metal, it shall be built around the said platform and if the hand rail is of metal, it shall be connected with earth; provided that in the case of pole type sub-station on wooden support and wooden platform the metal hand rail shall not be connected with earth.

Rule - 70.Condenser.

Suitable provision shall be made for immediate and automatic discharge of every static condenser on disconnection of supply.

Rule - 71.Additional provisions for supply to high voltage luminous tube sign installation.

(1)     Any person who proposed to use or who is using energy for the purpose of operating a luminous tube sign installation, or who proposes to transform or who is transforming energy to a high voltage for any such purpose shall comply with the following conditions:-

(a)      All live parts of the installation (including all apparatus and live conductors in the secondary circuit, but excluding the tubes except in the neighbourhood of their terminals) shall be inaccessible to authorised persons and such parts shall be effectively screened.

(b)      Irrespective of the method of obtained the voltage of the circuit which feeds the luminous discharge tube sign, no part of any conductor of such circuit shall be in metallic connection (except in respect or its connections with earth) with any conductor of the supply system or with the primary winding of the transformer.

(c)      All live parts of an exterior installation shall be so disposed as to protect them against the effects of the weather, and such installation shall be so arranged and separated from its surroundings as to limit, as far as possible, the spreading of fire.

(d)      The secondary circuit shall be permanently earthed at the transformer and the core of every transformer shall be earthed.

(e)      Where the conductors of the primary circuit are not in metallic connection with the supply conductors (e. g. where a motor-generator or a double wound convertor is used) the phase of such primary circuit shall be permanently earthed at the motor generator or convertor, or at the transformer.

(f)       A final sub-circuit which forms the primary circuit of a fixed luminous discharge tube sign installation shall be reserved solely for such purpose.

(g)      An interior installation shall be provided with suitable adjacent means for disconnecting all phases of the supply except the "neutral" in three-phase four-wire circuit.

(h)     A separate primary final sub-circuit shall be provided for each transformer or each group of transformers having an aggregate input not exceeding 1,000 volt amperes, of a fixed luminous discharge tube sign installation.

(i)       For installations on the exterior of a building a suitable emergency fireproof linked switch to operate on all phases except the neutral in a three phase four wire circuit shall be provided and fixed in a conspicuous position at not more than 2.743 meters (9ft.) above the ground.

(j)       A special "Caution" notice shall be affixed in conspicuous place on the door of every high voltage enclosure to the effect that the low voltage supply must be cut off before the enclosure is opened.

(k)      Where static condensers are used they shall be installed on the load side of the fuses and the primary (low voltage) side of the transformer.

(l)       Where static condensers are used on the primary side, means shall be provided for automatically discharging the condensers when the supply is cut off; provided that static condensers or any circuit interrupting devices on the high or extra-high voltage side shall not be used without the approval in writing of the Inspector.

(2)     The owner or user of any luminous tube sign or similar high voltage installation shall not bring the same into use without giving to the Inspector not less than 14 day's notice in writing of his intention so to do.

Rule - 72.Additional provision for supply to high voltage electrode boilers.

(1)     Where a system having a point connected with earth is used for supply of energy at high or extra-high voltage to an electrode boiler which is also connected with earth, the following conditions shall apply:—

(a)      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 supply-line whereby energy is supplied to the electrode boiler.

(b)      The supply of energy at high or extra-high voltage to the electrode boiler shall be controlled by a suitable circuit breaker so set as to operate in the event of the phase currents becoming unbalanced to the extent of 10% of the rated current consumption of the electrode boiler under normal conditions of operation:

Provided that if in any case a higher setting is essential to ensure stability of operation of the electrode boiler, the setting may be increased so as not to exceed 15 per cent of the rated current consumption of the electrode boiler under normal conditions of operation.

(c)      An inverse time element device may be used in conjunction with the aforesaid circuit breaker to prevent the operation thereof unnecessarily on the occurrence of unbalanced currents of momentary or short duration.

(d)      The supplier shall serve a notice in writing on the telegraph authority at least seven days prior to the date on which such supply of energy is to be afforded specifying the location of every point (including the earth connection of the electrode boiler) at which the system is connected with earth.

(2)     The owner or user of any high or extra-high voltage electrode boiler shall not bring the same into use without giving the Inspector not less then 14 days notice in writing of his intention so to do.

Rule - 73.Supply to X-ray and high frequency installation.

(1)     Any person who proposes to employ or who is employing energy for the purpose of operating an X-ray or similar high-frequency installation shall comply with the following conditions:-

(a)      Mechanical barriers shall be provided to prevent too close an approach to any high-voltage parts of the X-ray apparatus, except the X-ray tube and its lead, unless such high-voltage parts have been rendered shock-proof by being shielded by earthed metal or adequate insulating material.

(b)      Where extra-high voltage generators operating at 300 peak KV or more are used, such generators shall be installed in rooms separate from those containing the other equipment and any step up transformer employed shall be so installed and protected as to prevent danger.

(c)      A suitable switch shall be provided to control the circuit supplying a generator, and shall be so arranged so to be open except while the door of the room housing the generator is locked from the outside.

(d)      X-ray tubs used in therapy shall be mounted in an earthed metal enclosure.

(e)      Every X-ray machine shall be provided with a millimeter or other suitable measuring instrument, readily visible from the control position and connected, if practicable in the earthed lead but guarded if connected in the high voltage lead.

(f)       This sub-rule shall not apply to shock-proof portable units or shockproof self-contained and stationary units.

Note. The expression "Shock-proof", as applied to X-ray and high frequency equipment, shall mean that such equipment is guarded with earthed metal so that no person may come into contact with any live part.

(2)     (a) In the case of non-shock-proof equipment, overhead high-voltage conductors, unless suitably guarded against personal contact, shall be adequately spaced and high-voltage leads on tilting tables and fluroscope shall be adequately insulated or so surrounded by barriers as to prevent inadvertent contact.

(b) The low voltage circuit of the step up transformer shall contain a manually operated control device having overload protection in addition to the over-current device for circuit protection, and these devices shall have no exposed live parts and for diagnostic work there shall be an additional switch in the said circuit, which shall be of one of the following types:-

(i)       a switch with a spring or other mechanism which will open automatically except while held closed by the operator; or

(ii)      a time-switch which will open automatically after a definite period of time for which it has been set.

(c) If more than one piece of apparatus be operated from the same high or extra high voltage, sources, each shall be provided with a high or extra high voltage switch to give independent control.

(d) Low frequency current carrying parts of machine of the quenched gap or open gap type shall be so insulated or guarded that they cannot be touched during operation, the high frequency circuit proper which delivers high frequency current normally for the thereapeutic proposed, being exempted.

(e) All X-ray generators having capacitors shall have suitable means for discharging the capacitors manually.

(f) Except in the case of self-contained units, all 200 peak KV or higher X-ray generators shall have a sphere gap installed in the high voltage system adjusted so that it will breakdown on over voltage urges.

(3)     (a) All non-current carrying metal parts of tube stands, fluroscopes and other apparatus shall be properly earthed and insulating floors, mats or platforms shall be provided for operators in proximity to high or extra-high voltage parts unless such parts have been rendered shock-proof. (b) Where short-wave thereapy machines are used, the treatment tables and examining charts shall be wholly non-metallic.

(4)     The owner of any X-ray installation or similar high frequency apparatus shall not bring the same into use without giving to the Inspector not less than 14 days notice in writing of his intention so to do:

Provided that the aforesaid notice shall not be necessary in the case of shock-proof Portable X-ray and high frequency equipment which have been inspected before the commencement of the rules and periodically thereafter

CHAPTER VIII OVERHEAD LINES

Rule - 74.Material and strength.

(1)     All conductors of overhead lines other than those specified in sub-rule (1) of rule 86 shall have a breaking strength of not less than 317.51 Kg. (700 lbs.)

(2)     Where the voltage is low and the span is of less than 15.24 meters (50 feet) and is on the owner's or consumer's premises, a conductor having an actual breaking strength of not less than 136.08 Kg. (300 lbs.) may be used.

Rule - 75.Joints.

Joints between conductors of overhead lines shall be mechani­cally and electrically secure under the conditions of operation. The ultimate strength of the joint shall not be less than 95% of that of the conductor, and the electrical conductivity not less than that of the conductor.

Rule - 76.Maximum stresses, factors of safety.

(1)     (a) The owner of every overhead lines shall ensure that it has the following minimum factors of safety. The minimum factors of safety of supports based on crippling load shall be as follows:-

The said owner shall also ensure that the strength of the supports in the direction of the line is not less than one-fourth of the strength required in the direction transverse to the line:

Provided that in the case of latticed steel or other compound structures, the factors of safety shall not be less than 1.5 under such broken wire conditions as may be specified by the Government in this behalf.

(b) The minimum factors of safety for stay-wires, guard wires or bearer wires shall be 2.5 based on the ultimate tensile strength of the wire.

(c) The minimum factor of safety for conductors shall be based on their ultimate tensile strength. In addition, the conductor tension at 32.20C (9000 without external load, shall not exceed the following percentage of the ultimate tensile strength of the conductor:-

Provided that in the case of conductors having a cross-section of a generally triangular shape, such as conductors composed of 3 wires, the final unloaded tension at 32.20C (900f) shall not exceed 30 per cent of the ultimate tensile strength of each conductor.

(2)     For the purpose of calculating the factors of safety prescribed in sub rule (1)-

(a)      the maximum wind pressure shall be such as the Government may specify in each case;

(b)      for cylindrical bodies the effective area shall be taken as two-thirds of the projected area exposed to wind pressure;

(c)      for lattice steel or other compound structures the wind pressure on the leaside members shall be taken as one-half of the wind pressure on the windward side members and the factors of safety shall be calculated on the crippling load of struts and upon the elastic limit of tension members;

(d)      the maximum and minimum temperatures shall be such as the Government may specify in each case.

(3)     Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1) and (2) in localities where overhead lines are liable to accumulation of ice or snow the Government may, by order in writing, specify the loading conditions for the purpose of calculating the factor of safety.

Rule - 77.Clearance above ground of the lowest conductor.

(1)     No conductor of an overhead line, including service lines, erected across a street shall at any part thereof be at a height less than:-

(2)     For extra-high voltage lines the clearance above ground shall not be less than 5.182 Mtrs. (17 feet); plus 0.305 Mtrs. (1 feet) for every 33,000 volts or part thereof by which the voltage of the line exceeds _:33,000 volts:

Provided that the minimum clearance along or across any street shall not be less than (20 Feet) 6.965 meters.

Rule - 78.Clearance between conductors and trolley wires.

No conductor of an overhead line crossing a tramway or trolley­bus route using trolley wires shall have less than the following clearance above any trolley wire:-

Provided that where an insulated conductor suspended from a bearer wire crosses over a trolley wire the minimum clearance for such insulated conductor shall be (2 feet) 0.6 10 meters.

Rule - 79.Clearance from buildings of low and medium voltage lines and service lines.

(1)     Where a low or medium voltage overhead line passes above or adjacent to or terminates on any building, the following minimum clearance from any accessible point, on the basis of maximum sag shall be observed:-

(a)      for any flat roof, open balcony, verandah roof, pitched roof and lean-to-roof-

(i)       when the line passes above the building a vertical clearance of 2.439 meters (8 ft.) from the highest point or immediately under the line, and

(ii)      when the line passes adjacent to the building a horizon­tal clearance of 1.219 meters (4 feet) from the nearest point.

(2)     Any conductor so situated as to have a clearance less than that specified in sub-rule (1) shall be adequately insulated and shall be attached by means of metal clips at suitable intervals to a bare earthed bearer wire having a breaking strength of not less than (700lbs.) 317.51 Kg. .

(3)     The horizontal clearance shall be measured when the line is at a maximum deflection from the vertical due to wind pressure.

Rule - 80.Clearance from building of high and extra-high voltage line.

(1)     Where a high or extra-high voltage overhead line passes above or adjacent to any building or part of a building it shall have on the basis of maximum sag a vertical clearance above the highest part of the building immediately under such line, of not less than:

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

Rule - 81.Conductors at different voltages on same supports.

Where conductors forming parts of system at different voltages are erected on the same supports the owner shall make adequate provision to guard against danger to lines on and others from the lower voltage system being charged above its normal working voltage by leakage from or contact with the higher voltage system, and the methods of construction and the clearance between the conductors of the two system shall be subject to the prior approval of the Inspector.

Rule - 82.Erection of or alteration to building.

(1)     If at any time subsequent to the erection of an overhead line (whether covered with insulating material or bare), any person proposes to erect a new building or structure, whether permanent or temporary, or to make in or upon any building or structure any permanent or temporary addition or alteration he and the contractor be employ to carry out the erection, addition or alteration shall if such building, structure, addition or alteration would during or after construction result in contravention of the provisions of rule 79 or 80 give notice in writing of his intention to the supplier, and to an Inspector and shall furnish therewith a scale drawing showing the proposed building structure, addition or alteration and scaffolding required during its construction.

(2)     On receipt of such notice the supplier shall, without undue delay, so alter the overhead line as to ensure that it will not be accessible in such a manner as to contravene the provisions of rule 79 or 80 either during or after construction. In the absence of an agreement to the contrary between the parties concerned, the supplier shall be entitled to recover from the person from whom the notice was received or from the person from whom he is entitled to receive such notice the cost of, such alteration which shall be deemed to include the following items, namely:-

(a)      the cost of additional material used on the alteration;

(b)      the wages of labour employed in effecting the alteration;

(c)      supervision charges to the extent of 15 per cent of item (b); and

(d)      any charges incurred by the supplier in complying with the provisions of section 15 in respect of such alteration:

Provided that the supplier may, before so altering the overhead line, require the person from whom the notice was received to deposit the estimated cost of such alteration, which shall in case of dispute be determined by the Inspector.

(3)     No work upon such building, structure, addition or alteration, shall be commenced until the Inspector has satisfied that neither during nor after construction, the provisions of rule 79 or 80 will be contravened:

Provided that an Inspector may, if he is satisfied that the over­head line has been so guarded as to secure the protection of persons and the property from injury, or risk of injury, permit to work to be executed prior to the alteration of overhead line or, in the case of temporary addition or alteration, without the alteration of the over­head line.

Rule - 83.Clearances general.

For the purpose of computing the vertical clearance of an over­head line, the maximum sag of any conductor shall be calculated on the basis of maximum sag in still air and the maximum temperature as specified by the Government under rule 76 (2) (d). Similarly for the purpose of computing any horizontal clearance of an overhead line the maximum deflection of any conductor shall be calculated on the basis of the wind pressure specified by the Government under rule 76 (2) (a).

Rule - 84.Routes: proximity to aerodromes.

Overhead lines shall not be erected in the vicinity of aerodromes until the aerodrome authorities have approved in writing the route of the proposed lines.

Rule - 85.Maximum intervals between supports.

All conductors shall be attached to supports at intervals not exceeding the safe limits based on the ultimate tensile strength of the conductor and the factor of safety prescribed in rule 76:

Provided that in the case of overhead lines carrying low or medium voltage conductors when erected in, over, along or across any street the intervals shall not without the consent in writing of the Inspector exceed 67.056 meters (220 feet).

Rule - 86.Conditions to apply where telecommunication lines and power lines are carried on same supports.

(1)     Every overhead telecommunication line erected on supports carrying a power line shall consist of conductors each having a breaking strength of not less than 272.16 Kg. (600 lbs).

(2)     Every telephone used on a telecommunication line erected on support carrying a Power line shall be suitably guarded against lighting and shall be protected by cut-outs.

(3)     Where a telecommunication line is erected on supports carry­ing a high or extra-high voltage power line arrangement shall be made to safeguard any person using the telephone against injury resulting from contact leakage or induction between such power and telecommunication lines.

Rule - 87.Lines crossing or approaching each other.

(1)     Where an overhead line crosses or is in proximity to any telecommunication line the owner of the overhead line shall protect it in a manner laid down in the code of practice of the power and telecommunication co-ordination committee.

(2)     When it is intended to erect a telecommunication line which will cross or be in proximity to an overhead line the person proposing to erect such telecommunication line shall give notice in writing of his intention to the owner of the over head line and the owner of the overhead line shall within twenty-one days of receiving such notice, provide the protection referred to in sub-rule (1).

(3)     Where an overhead line crosses or is in proximity to an overhead line belonging to another person, the owner of the line which was last erected shall so protect it as to guard against the possibility of its coming into contact with the other overhead line.

(4)     A person erecting or proposing to erect an overhead line may require the owner of the other overhead line to provide the protection' referred to in sub-rule (3) within twenty-one days of the receipt of the notice in that behalf.

(5)     In all cases referred to in the preceding sub-rules, the expenses of making the guarding arrangement shall be borne by the persons whose line was last erected.

(6)     Where two lines cross, the crossing shall be made as nearly at right angle as the nature of the case admits.

(7)     The guarding arrangement shall ordinarily be carried out by the owner of the supports on which it is made and he shall be responsible for its efficient maintenance.

(8)     All work required to be done by or under this rule shall be carried out to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

-->

THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR ELECTRICITY RULES, 1978 [SRO 396]

PREAMBLE

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 36 of the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Act, Svt. 1997 the Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:-

CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY

Rule - 1. Short title and commencement.

(i)       These rules may be called the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Rules, 1978.

(ii)      These shall come into force at once.

Rule - 2. Definitions.

(1)     In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a)      "Act" means the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Act, Svt. 1997;

(b)      "accessible" means within physical reach without the use of appliance or special efforts;

(c)      "ampere" mean a unit of electric current and is the unvarying electric current which when passed through a solution of nitrate of silver in water, in accordance with the specification set out in Annexure I, deposits silver at the rate of 0.001118 of a gramme per second. The aforesaid unit is equivalent to the current which, in passing through the suspended coil of wire forming part of the instrument marked, "Government of India Ampere Standard Verified" when the suspended coil is in its sighted position, exerts a force which is exactly balanced by the force exerted by gravity in Calcutta on the counter balancing iridio-platinum Weight of the said instrument;

(d)      "Annexure" means an Annexure to these rules;

(e)      "apparatus" means electrical apparatus find include all machine fittings, accessories and appliances in which conductors are used;

(f)       "Bear" means not covered with insulating material;

(g)      "Cable" means a length of insulated single conductor (Solid or Standard) or of two or more such conductors, each provided with its own insulation, which are laid up together. Such insulated conductor or conductors may or may not be provided with an overall mechanical protective covering;

(h)     "Flexible Cable" means a cable consisting of one or more core each formed of a group of wires, the diameter and the physical properties of the wires and the insulating material being such as to afford flexibility;

(i)       "Circuit" means an arrangement of a conductor or conductors for the purpose of conveying energy and forming a system or a branch of a system;

(j)       "Circuit breaker" means a device, capable of making and breaking the circuit under all conditions, and unless otherwise specified, so designed as to break the current automatically under abnormal conditions;

(k)      "Concentric Cable" means a composite cable comprising an inner conductor which is insulated and one or more outer conductors which are insulated from one another and are disposed over the insulation of, and more or less around the inner conductor;

(l)       "Conductor" means any wire, cable, bar, tube, rail or plates used for conducting energy and so arranged as to be electrically to a system; (m) "Conduit" means rigid or flexible metallic tubing or mechanically strong and fire resisting non-metallic tubing into which a cable or cables may be drawn for the purpose of affording; it or then mechanical protection;

(m)    "Covered with insulating material" means adequately covered with insulating material of such quality and thickness to prevent danger;

(n)     "Cut-out" means any appliance for automatically interrupting the transmission of energy through any conductor when the current rises above a predetermined amount, and shall also include fusible cut-out;

(o)      "Danger" means danger to health or danger to life or any part of body from shock, burn, or other injury to persons or property, or from fire or explosion, attendant upon the generation, transmission, transformation, conversion, distribution or use of energy;

(p)      "Dead" means at or about earth potential and disconnected from any live system;

(q)      Provided that apparatus separated from a live conductor by a spark gap shall not be deemed to be "dead";

Note. The term "dead" is used only with reference to current carrying parts when these parts are not live.

(r)      "Earthed" or "Connected with earth" means connected with the general mass of earth in such manner as to ensure at all times an immediate discharge of energy without danger;

(s)      "earthing system" means an electrical system in which all the conductors are earthed;

(t)       "enclosed Sub-Station" means any premises or enclosure or part thereof being large enough to admit the entrance of a person after the apparatus therein is in position, containing apparatus for transforming or converting the energy to or from a voltage at or above medium voltage (other than transforming or converting solely for operation of switch-gear or instrument) with or without any other apparatus for switching, controlling or otherwise regulating the energy and includes the apparatus therein;

(u)     "enclosed switch station" means any premises or enclosure or part thereof, being large enough to admit the entrance of a person after the apparatus therein is in position, containing apparatus for switching, controlling or otherwise regulating energy at or above medium voltage but not for transforming or converting energy (other than for transforming or converting solely for operation of switch gear or instruments), and includes the apparatus therein;

(v)      "guarded" means covered, shielded, fenced or otherwise protected by means of suitable casings, barrier and rails or metal screens to remove the possibility of dangerous contact or approach by persons or objects to a point of danger;

(w)     "Government" means Government of Jammu and Kashmir;

(x)      "Hand-held portable apparatus" means an apparatus which is so designed as to be capable of being held in the hands and moved while connected to supply of electricity;

(y)      "Inspector" means an Electrical Inspector appointed under section 35 of the Act;

(z)      "Insulation" means any composite electrical unit used for the purpose of generating, transforming, transmitting, converting, distributing or utilizing energy;

(aa) "intrinsically Safe" as applied to apparatus or associated circuits shall denote that any sparking; that may occur in normal working is incapable of causing explosion of inflammable gas or vapour;

(ab) "Lightning arrestor" means a device which has the property of diverting to earth any electrical surges of excessively high amplitude applied to its terminals and is capable of interrupting follow current if present and restoring itself thereafter to its original operating conditions;

(am) "Linked switch" means a switch with all the poles mechanically linked so as to operate simultaneously;

(an) "Live" means electrically charged;

(ao) "Metallic covering" means mechanically strong metal covering surrounding one or more conductors;

(ap) "Neutral conductor" means that conductor of a multiwire system, the voltage of which is normally midway between the voltages of the other conductors of the system;

(aq) "Non-licensee" means a person generating, supplying, transmitting or using energy to whom any of the provisions of part III of the Act apply;

(ah) "Occupier" means the owner or person in occupation of the premises where energy is used or proposed to be used;

(ai) "Ohm" means a unit of electric resistance and is the resistance offered to any unvarying electric current by a column of mercury at the temperature of melting ice 14.4521 grammes in mass of a uniform cross-sectional area and of a length of 106.3 centimeters the aforesaid unit is represented by the resistance between the terminals of the instrument marked "Government of India Ohm Standard Verified" to the passage of an electric current when the coil of wire, forming part of the aforesaid instrument and connected to the aforesaid terminals is in all parts at a temperature of 300°C;

(aj) "Open sparking" means sparking which owing to the lack of adequate provision for preventing the ignition of inflammable gas external to the apparatus would ignite such inflammable gas;

(ak) "Overhead line" means any electric supply line which is placed above ground and in the open space but excluding live rails of a traction system;

(al) "Inspector of mines", "Owner", "Agent" and "manager of a Mine" shall have the same meanings as are assigned to them in the Mines Act, 1952;

(am) "Portable apparatus" means an apparatus which is so designed as to be capable of being moved while in operation;

(an) "Portable hand lamp" means a portable light fitting provided with suitable hands, guard and flexible cord connected to a plug;

(ao) "Section" means a section of the Act';

(ap) "Span" means the horizontal distance between the two adjacent supporting points of an over-head conductor;

(aq) "Street box" means a totally enclosed structure, either above or below ground containing apparatus for transforming switching controlling or otherwise regulating energy;

(ar) "Supplier" means a licensee, a non-licensee or any other supplier of energy;

(as) "Switch" means a manually operated device for opening and closing or for changing the connection of a circuit;

(at) "Switch gear" shall denote switches, circuit breakers, cut-outs ant other apparatus used for the operation, regulation and control of circuits;

(au) "System" means an electrical system in which all the conductors and apparatus are electrically connected to a common source of electric supply;

(av) "Transportable apparatus" means an apparatus which is operated in a fixed position but which is so designed as to be capable of being moved readily from one place to another;

(aw) "Volt" means a unit of electro-motive force and is the electric pressure which, when steadily apply to a conductor, the resistance of which is one ohm, will produce a current of one ampere;

(ax) "Voltage" means the difference of electric potential measured in volts between any two conductors or between any part of either conductor and the earth as measured by a suitable voltmeter and is said to be:

(i)       "low" where the voltage does not exceed 250 volts under normal conditions subject, however, to the percentage variation allowed by these rules;

(ii)      "Medium" where the voltage does not exceed 650 volts under normal conditions subject, however, to the percentage variation allowed by these rules;

(iii)     "High" where the voltage does not exceed 33,000 volts under normal conditions subject, however, to the percentage variation allowed by these: rules;

(iv)    "Extra high" where the voltage exceeds 33,000 volts under normal conditions subject, however, to the per­centage variation allowed by these rules;

(ay) "use of energy" means the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical and chemical energy, heat or light, for the purposes of providing mechanical energy, electrolysis heat or light;

(az) "Load" includes use of energy by lighting, fans and

(aaa) "Licensed contractor" means a person or a firm licensed under these rules to carry out wiring work in consumers, premises.

(2)     All other words and expressions used herein and not defined shall have the same meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.

Rule - 3. Authorisation

(1)     A supplier or a consumer, or the owner, agent or manager of a mine or the agent of any company operating in an oil-field or the owner of a drilled well in an oil-field or a contractor for the time being under contract with a supplier or a consumer to carry out duties incidental to the generation, transformation, transmission, conversion, distribution, or use of energy may authorise any person for the purpose of any or all of the following namely: -

NP/Sub-rule (2) of rule 36, clause (a) of sub-rule (1) of rule 51, clause (a) of sub-rule (1) and clause (e) of sub-rule (2) of rule 64, sub-rule (2) of rule 110, sub-rule (1) and (4) of rule 121, sub-rule (4) of rule 123, rule 124 and sub-rule (8) of rule 125.

(2)     No person shall be authorised under sub-rule (1) unless he is competent to perform the duties specified in the rules for the purpose of which he is authorised.

(3)     No person shall be deemed to be authorised under sub-rule (1) unless his name has been entered in a list maintained at the office or premises of the person authorising him, and giving the purpose for whom such person is authorized and entry has been attested by the authorised person and the person authorising him.

(4)     Every list maintained under sub-rule (3) shall be produced before the Inspector when required.

CHAPTER II INSPECTORS

Rule - 4.Qualification of Inspectors.

No person shall be appointed to be an Inspector unless-

(a)      He possesses degree or diploma in Electrical Engineering from a recognised University or college, or qualifications equivalent to such degree or diploma; and

(b)      He has been regularly engaged for a period of at least seven years in the practice of Electrical Engineering of which not less than two years have been spent in an Electrical or Mechanical Engineering workshop or generation, transmission or distribution of Electricity or in the administration of the Act and the rules made thereunder.

Rule - 5.Functions of Inspectors.

(1)     Subject to the provisions of the Act the Inspectors shall discharge the following functions, namely:-

(i)       enforcement of Electricity rules;

(ii)      adjudication of disputes between the supplier and the consumer;

(iii)     investigation into Electrical Accidents;

(iv)    inspections of all new Electrical Installations before energisation;

(v)      periodical inspection of existing Electrical Installations;

(vi)    registration of wiring contractors;

(vii)   grant of competency certificates to Electrical Supervisors.

(2)     Any Inspector may

(i)       enter, inspect and examine any place, carriage or vessel in which he has reason to believe that there is any appliance or apparatus used in the generation, transmission, transformation, conversion, distribution or use of energy and may carryout tests therein.

(ii)      Every supplier, consumer, owner and occupier shall afford at all times all reasonable facilities to any such Inspector to make such examination and tests as may be necessary to satisfy himself as to the due observance of the provisions of the Act, the terms of the licence (if any) and these rules.

(iii)     Every supplier and every owner of a generating station or of a high or extra-high voltage installation shall, if require so to do by an Inspector, provide reasonable means for canning out all tests prescribed by or under the Act, of the appliance or apparatus used for the supply or use of energy by him as the case may be.

(iv)    An Inspector may serve an order in the form set out in Annexure IX, upon any supplier, consumer, owner or occupier calling upon him to comply with any specified rule and the person so served shall thereupon comply with the order within the period named therein, and shall report in writing to the Inspector when the order is complied with:

Provided that, if within the period specified in the aforesaid order an appeal is filed against the order the appellate authority may suspend its operation pending the decision of the appeal.

Rule - 6.Appeals.

(1)     An appeal against an order served under clause (iv) sub-rule(4) of rule 5, shall lie-

(a)      if the order is served by an Assistant Electrical Inspector to the Electrical Inspector;

(b)      if the order is served by an Inspector, to the Chief Electrical Inspector.

(2)     In the case of an order of an Inspector on an appeal preferred to him under clause (a) of sub-rule (1) a further appeal shall lie to the Chief Electrical Inspector.

(3)     In the case of an order of the Chief Electrical Inspector, an appeal shall lie to the Government.

(4)     Every appeal shall be in writing, shall be accompanied by a copy of the order appealed against, and shall be presented within three months from the date of which such order has been served or delivered.

[1]Note. [For purpose of sub-rule (1) (Assistant Electrical Inspec­tor), (Electrical Inspector) and (Chief Electrical Inspector) shall mean (Asstt. Executive Engineer/Assistant Engineer (Electric) of Inspection Wing of Power Development Department], (Executive Engineer) of Inspection Wing and (Superintending Engineer, Inspections) respectively.]

Rule - 7.Amount of fees.

(1)     The fees set out in Annexure II shall be payable in respect of the services therein mentioned where the tests are carried out by comparison with the Government of India standards referred to in sub-rule (1) of rule 2.

(2)     The Government may levy such fees for testing and inspection and generally for the services of Inspectors, as it may from time to time by general or special order, direct, and may, if thinks fit, remit any fee or any portion thereof.

Rule - 8.Incidence of fees recoverable in the cases of dispute.

When an Inspector is called in to decide any difference or dispute and where a fee for such services is recoverable, the Inspector shall decide by whom such fee shall be payable.

Rule - 9.Submission of records.

An Inspector may require a supplier or an owner to submit to him for examination any records of tests made in connection with his works and he shall comply with such requisition. Similarly, a supplier or an owner may require the Inspector to submit to him for examina­tion any records of tests made by the Inspector in connection with his works and the Inspector shall comply with such requisition.

Rule - 10.Lists of consumers.

An Inspector may require a supplier to submit to him a list of all persons supplied with energy by him, of the addresses at which such energy is supplied, the month of connecting services, the voltage of supply, the connected load, the purpose of supply and the name of contractor carrying out the Installation work and the supplier shall comply with such requisition.

CHAPTER III LICENCE

Rule - 11.Application for licence.

(1)     Every application for a licence shall be signed by or on behalf of the applicant and addressed to such officer as the Government may designate in this behalf and it shall be accompanied by:—

(a)      six copies, in print, of the draft licence as proposed by the applicant, with the name and address of the applicant and of his agent (if any), printed on the outside of the draft;

(b)      three copies each singed by the applicant, of maps of the proposed area of the supply and of the streets or roads in which the supply of energy is to be compulsory, which shall be so marked or coloured as to define any portion of such area and streets or roads which are under the administrative control of any local authority and shall be on a scale-

(i)       of not less than six inches to a mile; or

(ii)      if no such maps are available, of not less than that of the largest scale ordnance map available; or

(iii)     on such other scales as may be approved by the Government;

(c)      a list of any local authorities invested with the administration of any portion of the area of supply;

(d)      an approximate statement describing the land which the applicant proposes to acquire for the purpose of the licence under the provisions of the State Land Acquisition Act, 1990;

(e)      an approximate statement of the Capital proposed to be expended in connection with the undertaking and such other particulars as the Government may require;

(f)       if the applicant is a company which is registered under any of the enactments relating to companies for the time being in force in the State or is a corporation by an Act of the legislature, a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association; and

(g)      a treasury receipt for such fee not exceeding fifteen thousand rupees, as the Government may require, paid into a Government treasury, unless such fee is remitted, wholly or in part, by a general or special order of Government.

(2)     If the application for a licence is rejected or if a licence is revoked under sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Act as to the whole or any part of the area of supply, the Government may at its discretion refund, wholly or in a part, the fee referred to in clause (g) of sub-rule

Rule - 12.Copies of maps and draft licence for public inspection.

The applicant shall deposit at his own office and of his agent, if any, and at the office of every local authority invested with the administration of any portion of the proposed area of supply—

(a)      copies of the maps referred to in clause (b) of sub-rule (1) of rule 11 for public inspection; and

(b)      a sufficient number of copies of the draft licence to be furnished to all persons applying for them at a price not exceeding rupees five per copy.

Rule - 13.Contents of draft licence.

The draft licence shall contain the following particulars:—

(a)      a short title descriptive of the proposed undertaking together with the address and description of the applicant or in the case of a firm, the names of all directors or partners of the firm;

(b)      a statement of the boundaries of the proposed area of supply;

(c)      if the generating station is situated or is to be situated outside the area of supply or if any intervening area not included in the area of supply is to be crossed, a list of the streets not included in the area of supply along or across which electric supply lines are to be laid down, or placed;

(d)      the proposed limits within which and the conditions under which the supply of energy is to be compulsory or permissive, the nature and amount of the supply (if limited) and the like;

(e)      a list of the streets (if any) which are repairable neither by the Central or the State Government, nor by a local authority and of the railways and tramways (if any) the sod or the pavement of which the applicant seeks powers to open or break up, and the names of the person or designations of authorities by whom such streets are repairable or who are for the time being entitled to work such railways or tramways;

(f)       the proposed periods after which the right to purchase is to take effect;

(g)      a statement of any special term or purchase or orders proposed to be made under section 9 of the Act; and

(h)     any proposed modification of the schedule to the Act to be made under clause (e) of sub-section (2) of section 3.

Rule - 14.Form of draft licence.

The form of draft licence contained in Annexure III may, with such variation as the circumstances of each case require, be used for the purposes of rules 11 and 13 and if used, shall be sufficient.

Rule - 15.Advertisement of application and contents thereof.

(1)     The applicant shall within fourteen days from the submission of the application under rule 11, publish notice of his application by public advertisement, and such advertisement shall publish such particulars as the Government may specify.

(2)     The advertisement shall be headed by short title correspond­ing to that given at the head of the draft licence and shall give the addresses of the offices at which, under rule 12, copies of maps therein referred to may be inspected and the copies of draft licence perused or purchased and shall state that every local authority, company or person, desirous of making any representation with reference to the application to the Government, may do so by letter addressed to such officer as the Government may designate in this behalf, within three months of the date of issue of the first advertisement.

(3)     The advertisement shall be inserted by the applicant in at least two successive issues of such newspaper as the Government having regard to its circulation among persons likely to be interested, may direct, and in the absence of any such direction in at least two successive issues of any newspaper published within the proposed area of supply or if there is no such newspaper, in any newspaper published within the State.

(4)     The applicant shall send a copy of each of the two successive issues of the newspaper containing the advertisement to such officer as the Government may designate in this behalf as soon as the second issue has appeared and the Government shall publish the advertisement at least once in the Government Gazette within six weeks from the date of the first advertisement published under sub-rule (3):

Provided that any failure or delay on the part of the Government in publishing the advertisement shall not of itself preclude the grant of a licence.

Rule - 16.Amendment of draft licence.

Any person who desire to have any amendment made in the draft licence shall deliver a statement of the amendment to the applicant and to such officer as the State Government may designate in this behalf within the time allowed under sub-rule (2) of rule 15 for the submission of representations referring to the application.

Rule - 17.Local Inquries.

If any person locally interested objects to the grant of a licence applied for under the Act, the Government shall, if either the applicant or the objector so desires, cause a local inquiry to be held of which the notice in writing shall be given to both the applicant and the objector:

Provided that the Government may refuse such an inquiry if in its opinion the objection is of a trifling or vexatious nature.

Rule - 18.Approval of draft licence.

When the Government has approved a draft licence, either in its original form or in a modified form, such officer as the Government may designate in this behalf shall inform the applicant of such approval and of the form in which is proposed to grant the licence.

Rule - 19.Notification of grant of licence.

On receiving an intimation in writing from the applicant that he is willing to accept a licence in the form approved by the Government, the Government shall publish the licence within two months by notification in the Government Gazette together with a statement that it has been granted.

Rule - 20.Date of commencement of licence.

The date of notification under rule 19 shall be deemed to be the date of commencement of licence .

Rule - 21.Deposit of maps.

When a licence has been granted, three sets of maps showing as regards such licence, the particulars specified in clause (b) of sub-rule (1) of rule 11 shall be signed and dated to correspond with the date of the notification of the grant of the licence by such officer as the Government may designate in this behalf. One set of such maps shall be retained as the deposited maps by the said Officer and of the remaining two sets, one shall be furnished to the Jammu and Kashmir State Electricity Board and the other to the licensee.

Rule - 22.Deposit of printed copies.

(1)     Every person who is granted a licence, shall within thirty days of the grant thereof:

(a)      have adequate number of copies of the licence printed;

(b)      have adequate number of maps prepared showing the area of supply and the compulsory areas specified in the licence;

(c)      arrange to exhibit a copy of such licence and maps for public inspection at all reasonable times at his head office, his local offices (if any), and at the office of every local authority within the area of supply.

(2)     Every such licensee shall, within the aforesaid period of thirty days supply free of charge one copy of the licence and the relevant maps to every local authority within the area of supply and shall also make necessary arrangement for the sale of printed copies of the licence to all persons applying for the same, at a price not exceeding rupees five per copy.

Rule - 23.Application for written consent of Government in certain cases.

If a licensee desires the written consent of the Government under sub-section (5) of section 11 to enable him to open or break up the soil or pavement of any street (which is repairable neither by the Central or the State Government nor by a local authority) or any railway or tramway, he shall apply for such consent in writing to such officer as the Government may designate in this behalf and shall describe accurately the street, railways or tramway, which he seeks power to open or break up and the names of the person or designations of the authorities by whom such street is repairable or who are for the time being entitled to work such railway or tramway, and the extent to which he proposes to open or break up the same.

Rule - 24.Amendment of licence.

(1)     If a licensee desires that any alterations or amendments should be made in the terms and conditions of his licence under clause (b) of sub-section (3) of section 4 of the Act, he shall submit a written application to the officer designated by the Government under rule 11 and shall within 14 days from the submission of the application publish notice of his application by public advertisement; and the provisions of sub-rules (2), (3) and (4) of rule 15 shall apply to such publication.

(2)     The Government shall within six months of the date of submission of the application, either approve of the alterations or amendments in the form proposed by the licensee or in any other modified form which he accepts, or rejects them when the Government has approved of the alterations or amendments either in the form proposed by the licensee or in any other modified form which he accepts, it shall notify the alteration or amendments so approved, in the Government Gazette.

Rule - 25.Sale of Plans.

Copies of plans or sections such as are referred to in clause XV of the schedule to the Act shall be supplied by the licensee to every applicant at a price not exceeding one rupee per 929,03 square centimeters.

Rule - 26.Preparation and submission of accounts.

(1)     Every licensee, unless exempted under section 10 of the Act shall cause the accounts of his undertaking to be made up to the thirty-first day of March each year.

(2)     Such licensee shall prepare and render an annual statement of his accounts in accordance with the provisions of section 10 of the Act within a period of six months from the aforesaid date or such extended period as the Government may authorise after it is satisfied that the time allowed is insufficient owing to any cause beyond the control of the licensee; and the statement shall be rendered in quadruplicate if the Government so desires.

(3)     The accounts shall be made up in the prescribed form set out in Annexures1 IV and V and shall be rendered in Indian currency. "All the forms shall be signed by the licensee or his accredited agent or manager".

(4)     The Government may by special or general order direct that in addition to the submission of the annual statements of accounts in the forms prescribed in sub-rule (3), a licensee, shall submit to the Government or such other authority as it may appoint in this behalf such additional information as it may require for the purpose.

Rule - 27.Model condition of supply.

(1)     Without prejudice to the power conferred by section 21 on the Government in this behalf, the model conditions of supply contained in Annexure VI may, with such variations as the circumstance of each case require, be adopted by the licensee for the purpose of sub-section (2) of that section with the previous sanction of the Government. The licensee shall always keep in his Office an adequate number of printed copies of the sanctioned conditions of supply and shall, on demand, sell such copies to any applicant at a price not exceeding per copy.

Rule - 28.Form of requisition.

Requisition under sub-clause (4) of clause V or sub-clause (5) of clause VI, as the case may be, of the schedule to the Act, shall be made in the form set out in the Annexure VII or Annexure VIII.

CHAPTER IV GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Rule - 29.Construction, Installation, Protection, operation and maintenance of electric supply lines and apparatus.

All electric supply lines and apparatus shall be sufficient in power and size and of sufficient mechanical strength for the work they may be required to do, and, so far as it is practicable, shall be constructed, installed, protected, worked and maintained in accordance with the standards of the Indian Standards Institution so as to prevent danger.

Rule - 30.Service lines and apparatus on consumer's premises.

(1)     The supplier shall ensure that all electric supply lines, wires, fittings, and apparatus belonging to him or under his control, which are on a consumer's premises, are in a safe condition and in all respects fit for supplying energy, and the supplier shall take due precautions to avoid danger arising on such premises from such supply lines, wires, fittings and apparatus.

(2)     Service-lines placed by the supplier on the premises of consumer which are underground or which are accessible shall be so insulated and protected by the supplier as to be secured under all ordinary conditions against electrical, mechanical, chemical or other injury to the insulation.

(3)     The consumer shall, as far as circumstances permit, take precautions for the safe custody of the equipment on his premises belonging to the supplier.

(4)     The consumer shall also ensure that the installation under his control is maintained in a safe condition.

Rule - 31.Cut-out on consumer's premises.

(1)     The supplier shall provide a suitable cut-out in each conductor of every service line other than an earthed or earthed neutral conduc­tor or the earthed external conductor of a concentric cable within a consumers's premises, in an accessible position. Such cut-out shall be contained within an adequately enclosed fire-proof receptacle.

Where more than one consumer is supplied through a common service-line, each such consumer shall be provided with an independent cut-out at the point of junction to the common service

The owner of every electric supply line, other than the earthed or earthed neutral conductor or any system of the earthed external conductor of a concentric cable shall protect by a substitute cut-out.

Rule - 32.Identification of earthed and earthed neutral conductor and position of switches and cut-outs therein.

Where the conductors include an earthed conductor of a two-wire system or an earthed neutral conductor of a multiwire system or a conductor which is to be connected thereto the following conditions shall be complied with:—

(1)     An indication of a permanent nature shall be provided by the owner of the earthed or earthed neutral conductor, or the conductor which is to be connected thereto, to enable such conductor to be distinguished from any live conductor. Such indication shall be provided:-

(a)      Where the earthed or earthed neutral conductor is the property of the supplier, at or near the point of commencement of supply;

(b)      Where a conductor forming part of a consumer's system is to be connected to the supplier's earthed or earthed neutral conductor at the point where connection is to be made;

(c)      In all other cases a point corresponding to the point of commencement of supply or at such other point as may be approved by an Inspector.

(2)     No cut-out, line or switch other than a switch arranged to operate simultaneously on the earthed or earthed neutral conductor and live conductors shall be inserted or remain in any earthed or earthed neutral conductor of a two-wire system or in any earthed or earthed neutral conductor of a multi-wire system or in any conductor connected thereto with the following exceptions:-

(a)      A link for testing purposes, or

(b)      A switch for use in controlling a generator or transformer.

Rule - 33.Earthed terminal on consumer's premises.

(1)     The supplier shall provide and maintain on the consumer's premises for the consumer's use a suitable earthed terminal in an accessible position at or near the point of commencement of supply as defined under rule 58:

Provided that in the case of medium, high or extra high voltage, installation, the consumer shall, in addition to the afore-mentioned earthing arrangement, provide his own earthing system with an independent electrode and maintain the same:

Provided further that the supplier may not provide any terminal in the case of installations already connected to his system on or before the date to be specified by the Government in this behalf if he is satisfied that the consumer's earthing arrangement is efficient.

(2)     The consumer shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent mechanical damage to the earthed terminal and its load belonging to the supplier.

(3)     The supplier may recover from the consumer the cast of installation of such earthed terminal on the basis laid down in sub-rule (2) of rule 82.

Rule - 34.Accessibility of bare conductors.

Where bare conductors are used in a building, the owner of such conductors shall :-

(a)      ensure that they are inaccessible;

(b)      provide in readily accessible position switches for rendering them dead whenever necessary; and

(c)      take such other safety measures as are considered necessary by the Inspector.

Rule - 35.Caution notices.

The owner of every medium, high and extra high voltage installation shall affix permanently in a conspicuous position a Danger notice in Hindi/Urdu and the local language of the district, and of a type approved by the Inspector on:-

(a)      every motor, generator, transformer and other electrical plant equipment together with apparatus used for controlling or regulating the same;

(b)      all supports of high and extra-high voltage overhead lines;

(c)      luminous tube sign requiring high voltage supply, X-ray and similar high-frequency installations:

Provided that, where it is not possible to affix such notice on any generator, motor, transformer or other apparatus, they shall be affixed as near as possible thereto or the word danger and the voltage of ^he apparatus concerned shall be permanently painted on it:

Provided further that where the generator, motor, transformer or other apparatus is within an enclosure, one notice affixed to the said enclosure shall be sufficient for the purposes of this rule.

Rule - 36.Handling of electric supply lines and apparatus.

(1)     Before any conductor or apparatus is handled adequate precautions shall be taken, by earthing or other suitable means to discharge electricity such conductors or apparatus, and any adjacent conductor or apparatus if there is danger therefrom and to prevent any conductor or apparatus from being accidentally or inadvertantly electrically charged when persons are working thereon:

Provided that this sub-rule shall not apply to the cleaning of commutators and slip-rings working at low or medium voltage.

(2)     No person shall work on any live electric supply line or apparatus and no person shall assist such person on such work, unless he is authorised in that behalf, and takes the safety measures approved by the Inspector.

(3)     Every telecommunication line on supports carrying a high or extra high voltage line shall, for the purpose of working thereon, be deemed to be a high voltage line.

Rule - 37.Supply to Vehicles, Cranes, etc.

Every person owning a vehicle, travelling crane or the like to which energy is supplied from an external source shall ensure that it is efficiently controlled by a suitable switch enabling all voltage to be cut off in one operation and, where such vehicle, travelling crane or the like runs on metal rails, the owner shall ensure that the rails are electrically continuous and earthed.

Rule - 38.Cable for portable or transportable apparatus.

(1)     Flexible cables shall not be used for portable or transportable motors, generators, transformers, rectifiers, electric drills, electric sprayers, welding sets or any other portable or transportable appa­ratus unless they are heavily insulated and adequately protected from mechanical injury.

(2)     Where the protection is by means of metallic covering, the covering shall be in metallic connection with the frame of any such apparatus and earth.

Rule - 39.Cables protected by bituminous materials.

(a)      Where the supplier or the owner has brought into use an electric supply line (other than an overhead line) which is not completely enclosed in a continuous metallic covering connected with earth, and is insulated or protected in situ by composition or material of a bituminous character-

(i)       any-pipe, conduit or the like into which such electric supply line may have been drawn or placed shall, unless other arrangements are approved by the Inspector in any particular case, be effectively scaled at its point of entry into any street box so as to prevent any flow of gas to or from the street box, and

(ii)      such electric supply line shall be periodically inspected and tested where accessible and the result of each such inspection and test shall be duly recorded by the supplier or the owner.

(b)      It shall not be permissible for the supplier or the owner after coming into force of these rules, to bring into use any further electric supply line as aforesaid which is insulated or protected in situ by any composition or material known to be liable to produce noxious or explosive gases on excessive heating.

Rule - 40.Street boxes.

(1)     Street boxes shall not contain gas pipes, and precautions shall be taken to prevent, as far as reasonably possible, any influx of water or gas.

(2)     Where electric supply lines forming part of different system pass through the same street box, they shall be readily distinguish­able from one another and all electric supply lines at high or extra-high voltage in street boxes shall be adequately supported and protected so as to prevent risk of damage to or danger from adjacent electric supply lines.

(3)     All street boxes shall be regularly inspected for the purpose of detecting the presence of gas and if any influx or accumulation is discovered, the owner shall give immediate notice to any authority or company who have gas mains in the neighbourhood of the street box and in cases where a street is large enough to admit the entrance, of a person after the electric supply lines or apparatus therein have been placed in position, ample provision shall be made:-

(a)      to ensure that any gas which by accident have obtained access to the box shall escape before a person is allowed to enter; and

(b)      for the prevention of danger from sparking.

(4)     The owner of all street boxes or pillars containing circuits or apparatus shall ensure that their covers and doors are so provided that they can be opened only by means of a key or a special appliance.

Rule - 41.Distinction of circuits of different voltages.

The owner of every generating station sub-station, junction-box or pillar in which there are any circuits or apparatus, intended for operation at different voltages, shall ensure by means of indication of a permanent nature that the respective circuits are readily distin­guishable from one another.

Rule - 42.Accident charge.

The owner of all circuits and apparatus shall so arrange them that there shall be no danger of any part thereof becoming accidentally charged to any voltage beyond the limits of voltage for which they are intended.

Where A.C. and D.C. circuits are installed on the same support they shall be so arranged and protected that they shall not come into contact with each other when live.

Rule - 43.Provision applicable to protective equipments.

(1)     Fire buckets filled with clean dry sand and ready for immediate use for extinguishing fires, in addition to fire extinguishers suitable for dealing with electric fires, shall be conspicuously marked and kept in all generating stations, enclosed sub-stations and en­closed switch stations in convenient situation.

(2)     First-aid boxes or cupboards, conspicuously marked and equipped with such contents as the Government may specify, shall be provided and maintained in every generating station enclosed sub-stations and enclosed switch stations so as to be readily accessible during all working hours. All such boxes and cupboards shall except in case of unattended sub-stations and switch stations, be kept incharge of responsible persons who are trained in first-aid treatment and one of such persons shall be available during the working hour.

Rule - 44.Instructions for restoration of persons suffering from electric shocks.

(1)     Instructions in English, Hindi, Urdu and the local languages of the district, for the restoration of persons suffering from electric shocks, shall be affixed by the owner in a conspicuous place in ever generating station, enclosed sub-station, enclosed switch-station and in every factory as defined in clause (m) of section 2 of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948) of the Government of India in which electricity is used and in such other premises where electricity is used as the Inspector may, by notice in writing served on the owner, direct.

(2)     Copies of the instructions shall be supplied on demand by an officer or officers appointed by the Government in this behalf at a price to be fixed by the Government.

(3)     The owner of every generating station, enclosed sub-station, enclosed switch-station, and every factory or other premises to which this rule applies, shall ensure that all authorised persons employed by him are acquainted with and are competent to apply the instructions referred to in sub-rule (1).

Rule - 44A.Intimation of accidents.

A notice of the occurrence of any accident in connection with generation, transformation, transmission, conversion, distribution, supply or use of energy, shall be forwarded to the Inspector and other authorities referred to in section 33 in the form set out in Annexure-XIII and in accordance with the following procedure, namely: -

(1)     In the case of an accident which results in the death of a person, either the person responsible for the generation, transforma­tion, transmission, conversion, distribution, supply or use of energy or any other person authorised by the State Electricity Board in this behalf, shall-

(a)      within twenty-four hours of the knowledge of the occurrence of the accident, send a telegraphic report of the occurrence of such accident to the Inspector and later send a written statement in the prescribed form within twenty-four hours of sending the telegraphic report;

(b)      send a copy of the written statement in the prescribed form to the Secretary to the Government in the department concerned; and

(c)      within three hours of the coming to his knowledge of the accident, send a report of the occurrence of the accident to the District Magistrate having jurisdiction over the area in which the accident has occurred and to the officer incharge of the nearest Police Station.

(2)     In the case of an accident which results in the death of an animal or disablement of a person, either the persons responsible for the generation, transformation, transmission, conversion, distribu­tion, supply or use of energy or any other person authorised by the State Electricity Board in this behalf shall within twenty-four hours of the knowledge of occurrence of such accident send a telegraphic report of the occurrence of such accident to the inspector and later send a written statement in the prescribed form within twenty-four hours of sending the telegraphic report.

Rule - 45.Precautions to be adopted by consumers, owner, electrical contractors, electric workmen and suppliers.

(1)     No electrical installation work, including additions, alter­ations, repairs and adjustments to existing installations except such replacement of lamps, fans, fuses, switches, low voltage, domestic appliances and fittings as in no way alters its capacity or character, shall be carried upon the premises of or on behalf of any consumer or owner, for purpose of supply to such consumer or owner, except by an electrical contractor licenced in this behalf by the Inspector and under the direct supervision of a person holding a certificate of competency issued or recognised by the Government:

Provided that in the case of works, executed for or on behalf of the Central Government and in the case of installations in mines, oil fields and railways, the Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, exempt, on such conditions as it may impose, any such works described therein either generally or in the case of any specified class of consumers or owners, from so much of this sub-rule as requires such work to be carried by any electrical contractor licenced by the Inspector in this behalf.

(2)     No electrical installation work which has been carried out in contravention of sub-rule (1) shall be connected with the works of any supplier.

Rule - 46.Periodical inspection and testing of consumer's installations.

(1)     (a) Where an installation is already connected to the supply system of the supplier, every such installation shall be periodically inspected and tested at intervals not exceeding five years either by the Inspector or by the supplier as may be directed by the Government in this behalf or in the case of installations in mines, oil-fields and railways, by the Central Government.

(b) Where the supplier is directed by the Government to inspect and test the installation he shall report on the condition of the installation to the consumer concerned in a form approved by the Inspector and shall submit a copy of such report to the Inspector,

(2)     (a) The fees for such inspection and test shall be determined by the Government in the case of each class of consumers and shall be payable by the consumer in advance.

(b) In the event of the failure of any consumer to pay the fees on or before the date specified in the fee-notice, supply to the installation of such consumer shall be liable to be disconnected under the direction of the Inspector. Such disconnection, however, shall not be made by the supplier without giving to the consumer seven clear days notice in writing of his intention so to do.

(3)     Notwithstanding the provisions of this rule, the consumer shall at all times be solely responsible for the maintenance of his installation in such condition as to be free from danger. 

CHAPTER V GENERAL CONDITIONS RELATING TO SUPPLY AND USE OF ENERGY

Rule - 47.Testing of consumers installation.

(1)     Upon receipt of an application for a new or additional supply of energy and before connecting the supply or reconnecting the same after a period of six months the supplier shall inspect and test the applicant's installation.

The supplier shall maintain a record of test results obtained at each supply points to a consumer, in a form to be approved by the Inspector.

(2)     If as a result of such inspection and test, the supplier is satisfied that the installation is likely to constitute danger, he shall serve on the applicant a notice in writing requiring him to make such modifications as are necessary to render the installation safe. The supplier may refuse to connect or reconnect the supply until the required modifications have been completed and he has been notified by the applicant.

Rule - 48.Precaution against leakage before connection.

(1)     The supplier shall not connect with his works the installation or apparatus on the premises of any applicant for supply unless he is reasonably satisfied that the connection will not, at the time of making the connection, cause a leakage from that installation or apparatus exceeding one five-thousandth part of the maximum current supplied to the applicant's premises.

(2)     If the supplier declines to make a connection under the provisions of sub-rule (1) he shall serve upon the applicant a notice in writing stating his reason for so declining.

Rule - 49.Leakage on consumer's premises.

(1)     If the Inspector or the supplier has reason to believe that there is in the system of a consumer leakage which is likely to affect injuriously the use of energy by the supplier or by other persons, or which is likely to cause danger, he may give the consumer reasonable notice in writing that he desires to inspect and test the consumer's installation.

(2)     If, no such notice being given-

(a)      the consumer does not give all reasonable facilities for inspection and testing of his installation; or

(b)      a leakage exceeding one five-thousandth part of the maximum current supplied to the consumer's installation is shown to exist, the supplier may, and if directed so to do by the Inspector shall discontinue the supply of energy to the installation but only after giving to the consumer forty-eight hours notice in writing of disconnection of supply and shall not recommence the supply until he or the Inspector is satisfied that the cause of the leakage has been removed.

Rule - 50.Supply and use of energy.

(1)     The energy shall not be supplied, transformed, converted, or used or continued to be supplied, transformed, converted or used unless the following provisions are observed:

(a)      a suitable linked switch or a circuit-breaker of requisite capacity to carry and break the current is placed as near as possible to, but after the point of commencement of supply as denned under rule 58. So as to be readily accessible and capable of being easily operated to completely isolate the supply to the installation, such equipment being in addition to any equipment installed for controlling individual circuits or apparatus:

Provided that where the point of commencement of supply and consumer's apparatus are near each other, one linked switch or circuit-breaker near the point of commencement of supply shall be considered sufficient for the purpose of this rule;

(b)      a suitable linked switch or a circuit-breaker of requisite capacity to carry and break the full load current is inserted on the secondary side of a transformer, in the case of high or extra high voltage installation;

Provided, however, that the linked switch on the primary side of the transformer may be of such capacity as to carry the full load current and to break only the magnetising current of the transformer:

Provided further that the provision of this clause shall not apply to transformers installed in sub-stations up to and including 100 KVA belonging to the suppliers;

(c)      every distinct circuit is protected against excess energy by means of a suitable cut-out or a circuit breaker of adequate breaking capacity suitably located and so constructed as to prevent danger from over-heating, arcing or scattering of hot metal when it comes into operation and to permit of ready renewal of the fusible metal of the cut-out without danger;

(d)      the supply of energy to each motor or other apparatus is controlled by a suitable linked switch or a circuit-breaker of requisite capacity placed in such a position as to be adjacent to the motor or other apparatus readily accessible to and easily operated by the persons incharge and so connected in circuit that by its means all supply of energy can be cut off from the motor or apparatus, and from any regulating switch, resistance or other device associated therewith;

(e)      all insulating material is chosen with special regard to the circumstances of its proposed use, the mechanical strength being sufficient for its purpose and so far as is practicable, is of such a character or so protected as to maintain adequately its insulating properties under all working conditions in respect of temperature and moisture; and

(f)       adequate precautions are taken to ensure that no live parts are so exposed as to cause danger.

(2)     (a) Where energy is being supplied, transformed, converted, or used the consumer or the owner of the concerned installation shall be responsible for the continuous observance of the provisions of sub-rule (1) in respect of his installation.

(b) Every consumer shall use all reasonable means to ensure that where energy is being supplied by a supplier, no person other than the supplier shall interfere with the service lines and apparatus placed by the supplier on the premises of the consumer.

Rule - 51.Provisions applicable to medium, high or extra-high voltage installation.

The following provisions shall be observed where energy at me­dium, high or extra-high voltage is supplied, converted, transformed, or used:-

(1)     (a) All conductors (other than those of overhead line) shall be completely enclosed in mechanically strong metal casing or metallic covering which is electrically and mechanically continuous and adequately protected against mechanical damage unless the said conductors are accessible only to an authorised person or are installed and protected to the satisfaction of an Inspector so a to prevent danger.

(b) All metal work enclosing, supporting or associated with the installation, other than that designed to serve as a conductor shall, if considered necessary by the Inspector be connected with earth.

(c) Every main switch board shall comply with the following provisions namely:-

(i)       a clear space of not less than (0.914 meter) 3 feet in width shall be provided in front of the switch board;

(ii)      if there are any attachments or bare connections at the back of the switch board the space (if any) behind the switch board shall be either less than (0.229 metre) 9 inches, or more than (0.762 metre) 30 inches in width, measured from the furthest outstanding part of any attachment or conductor;

(iii)     if the space behind the switch board exceeds (0.762 metre) 30 inches in width, there shall be a passage way from either end of the switch board clear to a height of (1.829 metre) 6 feet.

(2)     Where an application has been made to a supplier for supply of energy to any installation, he shall not commence, or where the supply has been discontinued, recommence the supply unless he is satisfied that the consumer has complied in all respects with the conditions of supply, set out in sub-rule (1) of this rule, rules 53 and 64.

(3)     Where a supplier proposes to supply or use energy at medium voltage or to recommence supply after it has been discontinued for a period of six months, he shall, before connecting or reconnecting the supply, give notice in writing of such intension to the Inspector.

(4)     If at any time after connecting the supply the supplier is satisfied that any provision of sub-rule (1) of this rule, or rules 50 and 64 is not being observed, he shall give notice of the same in writing  to the consumer and the Inspector specifying how the provision has not been observed, and may discontinue the supply if the Inspector so direct.

Rule - 52.Appeal to Inspector in regard to defect.

(1)     If any applicant for a supply or a consumer is dissatisfied with the action of the supplier in declining to commence, to continue or to recommence the supply of energy to his premises on the grounds that the installation is defective or is likely to constitute danger, he may appeal to the Inspector to test the installation and the supply shall not, if the Inspector or under his orders, any other officer appointed to assist the Inspector, is satisfied that the installation is free from the defect or danger complaining of, be entitled to refuse supply to the consumer on the grounds aforesaid, and shall, within twenty-four hours after the receipt of such intimation from the Inspector, commence, continue or recommence the supply of energy.

(2)     Any test for which application has been made under the provision of sub-rule (1) shall be carried out within seven days after receipt of such application.

(3)     This rule shall be enclosed on every notice given under the provision of rule 47, 48 and 49.

Rule - 53.Cost of inspection and test of consumer's installation.

(1)     The cost of the first inspection and test of a consumer's installation carried out in pursuance of the provisions of rules 47 shall be borne by the supplier and the cost of every subsequent inspection and test shall be borne by the consumer, unless in the appeal under rule 52, the Inspector directs otherwise.

(2)     The cost of any inspection and test made by the Inspector at request of the consumer or other interested party, shall be borne by the consumer or other interested party, unless the Inspector directs otherwise.

(3)     The cost of each and every such inspection and test by whom so borne shall be calculated in accordance with the scale specified by the Government in this behalf.

Rule - 54.Declared voltage of supply to consumer.

Except with the written consent of the consumer or with the previous sanction of the Government a supplier shall not permit the voltage at the point of commencement of supply as defined under rule 58 to vary from the declared voltage by more than 5 per cent in the case of low or medium voltage or by more than twelve and a half per cent in the case of high or extra high voltage.

Rule - 55.Declared frequency of supply to consumer.

Except with the written consent of the consumer or with the previous sanction of the Government a supplier shall not permit the frequency of an alternating current supply to vary from the declared frequency by more than 3 per cent.

Rule - 56.Sealing of meters and cut-outs.

(1)     A supplier may affix one or more seals to any cut-out and to any meter, maximum demand indicator, or other apparatus placed upon a consumer's premises in accordance with section 26, and no person other than the supplier shall break any such seal.

(2)     The consumer shall use all reasonable means in his power to ensure that no such seal is broken otherwise than by the supplier.

(3)     The word "supplier" shall for the purpose of this rule include the Government when any meter, maximum demand indicator or other apparatus is placed upon a consumer's premises by the Government.

Rule - 57.Meters maximum, demand indicators and other apparatus on consumer's premises.

(1)     Any meter or maximum demand indicator or other apparatus placed upon a consumer's premises in accordance with section 26 shall be of appropriate capacity and shall be deemed to be correct if its limits of error do not exceed 3 per cent above or below absolute accuracy at all loads in excess of one-tenth of full load and up to full load.

(2)     No meter shall register at no load.

(3)     Every supplier shall provide and maintain in proper condition such suitable apparatus as may be prescribed or approved by the Inspector for the examination, testing and regulation of meters used or intended to be used in connection with the supply of energy:

Provided that the supply may with the approval of the. Inspector and shall, if required by Inspector, enter into a joint arrangement with any other supplier for the purpose aforesaid.

(4)     Every supplier shall examine, test and regulate all meters, maximum demand indicators and other apparatus for ascertaining the amount of energy supplied before their first installation at the consumer's premises and at such other intervals as may be directed by the Government in this behalf.

(5)     Every supplier shall maintain a register of meters showing the date of the last test, the error recorded at the time of the test, the limit of accuracy after adjustment and final, test, the date of installation, withdrawal, reinstallation, etc., for the examination of the Inspector or his authorised representative.

Rule - 58.Point of commencement of supply.

The point of commencement of supply of energy to a consumer shall be deemed to be the point at the out-going terminals of the cut-outs inserted by the supplier in each conductor of every service line other than an earthed or earthed neutral conductor or the earthed external conductor of a concentric cable at the consumer's cable.

Rule - 59.Precautions against failure of supply-notice of failure.

(1)     The lay-out of the electric supply lines of the supplier for the supply of energy throughout his area of supply shall under normal working conditions be sectionalised and so arranged, and provided with cut-outs or circuit breaker, so located as to restrict within reasonable limits the extent of the portion of the system affected by any failure of supply.

(2)     The supplier shall take all reasonable precaution 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 during and in connection with the installation, extension, replacement, repair and maintenance of any works.

(3)     The supplier shall send to the Inspector notice of failure of supply of such kind as the Inspector may from time to time require to be notified to him, and such notice shall be sent by the earliest practicable post after the failure occurs or after the failure becomes known to the supplier and shall be in such form and contain such particulars as Inspector may from time to time specify.

(4)     For the purposes of testing or for any other purposes connected with the efficient working of the undertaking, the supply of energy may be discontinued by the supplier for such period as may be necessary subject (except in case of emergency) to not less than twenty-four hour's notice being given by the supplier to all classes of consumers specified by the Inspector likely to be affected by such discontinuance and in the event of any consumer or consumers from such classes of consumer objecting, the supply of energy shall not be discontinued (except in cases of emergency), without the consent of the Inspector and subject to such conditions as he may impose.

CHAPTER VI ELECTRIC SUPPLY LINES, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR LOW AND MEDIUM VOLTAGE

Rule - 60.Test for resistance of insulation

(1)     Where any electric supply line for use at low or medium voltage has been disconnected from a system for the purpose of addition or alteration or repair, such electric supply lines shall not be reconnected to the system until the supplier or the owner has applied the test prescribed under rule 48.

(2)     The provisions of sub-rule (1) shall not apply to overhead lines except overhead insulated cables unless the Inspector otherwise directs in any particular case.

Rule - 61.Connection with earth

(1)     The following provisions shall apply to the connection with earth of system at low voltage in cases where the voltage (between phases or outers) normally exceeds 125 volts and of systems at medium voltage:-

(a)      The neutral conductor of a three-phase four-wire system and the middle conductor of a two-phase three-phase wire system shall be earthed by not less than two separate and distinct connections with earth both at the generating station and at the sub-station. It may also be earthed at one or more points along the distribution system or service line in addition to any connection with earth which may be at the consumer's premises.

(b)      In the case of a system comprising electric supply lines having concentric cables, the external conductor of such cable shall be earthed by two separate and distinct connections with earth.

(c)      The connection with earth may (include a link by means of which the connection may be temporarily interrupted for the purpose of testing or for locating a fault.

(d)      (i) In a direct current three-wire system the middle conductor shall be earthed at the generating station only, and the current from the middle conductor to earth be continuously recorded by means of a recording meter, and if at any time current exceeds one-thousandth part of the maximum supply-current, immediate steps shall be taken to improve the insulation of the system.

(ii) Where the middle conductor is earthed by means of a circuit-breaker with a resistance connected in paralleled the resistance shall not exceed 1,0 ohms and on the opening of the circuit breaker, immediate steps shall be taken to improve the insulation of the system, and the circuit-breaker shall be reclosed as soon as possible.

(iii) The resistance shall be used only as a protection for the ammeter in case of earths on the system and until such earths are removed. Immediate steps shall be taken to locate and remove the earth.

(e)      In the case of an alternating current system, there shall not be inserted in the connection with earth any impedance (other than that required solely for the operation of switch-gear or instruments), cut-out or circuit-breaker and the result of any test made to ascertain whether the current (if any) passing through the connection with earth is normal, shall be duly recorded by the supplier.

(f)       No person shall make connection with earth by the aid of nor shall he keep it in contact with, any water main not belonging to him except with the consent of the owner thereof and of the Inspector.

(g)      Alternating current systems which are connected with earth as aforesaid may be electrically interconnected:

Provided that each connection with earth is bonded to the metal sheathing and metallic armouring (if any), of the electric supply lines concerned.

(2)     The frame of every generator, stationary motor, and so far as is practicable, portable motor, and the metallic parts (not intended as conductors) of all transformers and any other apparatus used for regulating or controlling energy and all medium voltage energy consuming apparatus shall be earthed by the owner by two separate and distinct connections with earth.

(3)     All metal casings or metallic coverings containing or protecting any electric supply-line or apparatus shall be connected with earth and shall be so joined and connected with boxes and other openings as to make good mechanical and electrical connection throughout their whole length:

Provided that where the supply is at low voltage, this sub-rule shall not apply to isolate wall tubes or to brackets, electroliers, switches, ceiling fans, regulator covers or other fittings (other than portable hand lamps and portable and transportable apparatus) unless provided with earth terminal. Provided further that where the supply is at low voltage and when the installations are either new or renovated all plug sockets shall be three pin type, and the third pin shall be permanently and efficiently earthed.

This sub-rule shall come into force immediately in the case of new installations and in the case of existing installations the provisions of this sub-rule shall be complied with before the expiry of a period of two years from the commencement of these rules.

(4)     All earthing systems shall, before electric supply lines or apparatus are energised, be tested for electrical resistance to ensure efficient earthing.

(5)     All earthing systems belonging to the supplier, shall, in addition, be tested for resistance on dry day during the dry season not less than once every two years.

(6)     A record of every earth test made and the result thereof shall be kept by the supplier for a period of not less than two years after the day of testing and shall be available to the Inspector when required.

Rule - 62.Systems at medium voltage

Where a medium voltage supply system is employed, the voltage between earth and any conductor forming part of the said system shall not, under normal conditions, exceed low voltage.

CHAPTER VII ELECTRIC SUPPLY LINES, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH AND EXTRA-HIGH VOLTAGE

Rule - 63.Approval by inspection.

(1)     Before making an application to the Inspector for permission to commence supply of energy at high or extra-high voltage to any person, the supplier shall ensure that the high or extra-high voltage electric supply lines or apparatus belonging to him are placed in position, properly joined and duly completed and examined. The supply of energy shall not be commenced by the supplier unless and until the Inspector is satisfied that the provisions of rules 65 to 69both inclusive have been complied with the approval in writing of the Inspector has been obtained by him:

Provided that the supplier may energise the aforesaid electric supply lines or apparatus for the purpose of tests specified in rule 65.

(2)     The owner of any high or extra-high voltage installation shall, before making application to the Inspector for approval of his installation or additions thereto test, every high or extra-high voltage circuit or additions thereto other than an over-head line, and satisfy himself that they withstand the application of the testing voltage setout in sub-rule (1) of rule 65 and shall duly record the results of such tests and forward them to the inspector:

Provided that, an Inspector may direct such owner to carry out such tests as he deems necessary or if he thinks fit, accept the manufacturer's satisfied tests in respect of any particular apparatus in place of the tests required by this rule.

(3)     The owner of any high or extra-high voltage installation who makes any additions or alterations or his installations shall not connect to the supply his apparatus or electric supply lines, compris­ing the said alterations or additions unless and until such alterations or additions have been approved in writing by the Inspector.

Rule - 64.Use of energy at high and extra-high voltage.

(1)     The Inspector shall not authorise a supplier to connect a supply of energy at high or extra-high voltage to any consumer, unless—

(a)      all conductors and apparatus intended for use at high or extra-high voltage and situated on the premises of the consumer are inaccessible except to an authorised person and all operations in connection with the said conductors and apparatus are carried out by an authorised person;

(b)      the consumer has provided and agreed to maintain a separate building locked, weather-proof and fire-proof enclosure of agreed design and location, to which the supplier shall at all times have access for the purpose of housing his high or extra-high voltage apparatus and metering equipment, or where the provisions of a separate building or enclosure is impracticable, the consumer has segregated the aforesaid apparatus of the supplier from any other part of his own apparatus:

Provided that such segregation shall be by the provision fire-proof walls, if the Inspector considers it to be necessary:

Provided further that in the case of an outdoor installation the consumer shall suitably segregate the aforesaid apparatus belonging to the supplier from his own to the satisfaction of the Inspector;

(c)      all pole type sub-stations are constructed and maintained in accordance with rule 69.

(2)     The following provisions shall be observed where energy at high of extra-high voltage is supplied, converted, transformed or used:-

(a)      All conductors of live part of any apparatus shall ordinarly be inaccessible.

(b)      All windings, at high or extra-high voltage or motors or other apparatus within reach from any position in which a person may require to be, shall be suitably protected so as to prevent danger.

(c)      Where transformer or transformers are used, suitable provision shall be 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 leakages from or contact with circuit at the high voltage,

(d)      (i) Where a sub-station or a switch-station is situated in any building and where fire in the sub-station or a switch-station might involve risk to the said building and the said sub-station or switch-station contains oil immersed transformers, switches or static condensers involving the use of more than 2272.8 liters (500 gallons) of oil in one chamber, provision shall be made for suitable oils soak pits and where use of more than 9091.9 litres (2000 gallons) of oil in any one oil tank, receptacle or chamber is involved, provisions shall be made for the draining away or removal of any oil which may leave 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 extinguishing any fire which may occur. Spare oil shall not be stored in any such sub-station or switch station.

(ii) Cable trenches inside sub-stations and switch-stations containing the cables shall be filled with sand, pebbles or similar non-inflammable materials or completely covered with non-inflammable slabs.

(e)      Unless the conditions are such that all the conductors and the apparatus for use of high or extra-high voltage may be made dead at the same time for the purpose of cleaning or for other work thereof, the said conductor and apparatus shall be so arranged that they may be made dead in sections, and that work on any section made dead may be carried on by an authorised person without danger.

(f)       Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent unauthorised access to any part of the installation designed to be electrically charged at high or extra-high voltage.

Rule - 65.Voltage tests.

(1)     High and extra-high voltage electric supply lines (other than overhead lines) and apparatus of the supplier shall not be connected to a system for the purposes of supply or use of energy unless the insulations of the said electric supply lines and apparatus has with­stood, either- I

(i)       The 'tests prescribed in that behalf in the appropriate specification of the Indian Standards Institution or in its absence the British Standards Institution then current; or

(ii)      In cases where no such tests have been prescribed, the continuous application, between conductors and also between conductors and earth during the period of one minute of the testing voltage given in sub-rule (2).

(2)     for the purposes of clause (ii) of sub-rule (1)—

(a)      if the normal working voltage does not exceed 1,000 volts, the testing voltage shall be 2,000 volts;

(b)      if the normal working voltage exceeds 1,000 volts, but does not exceed 11,000 volts, the testing voltage shall be double the normal working voltage;

(c)      if the normal working voltage exceeds 11,000 volts, the testing voltage shall be normal working voltage plus 10,000 volts:

Provided that an apparatus which is not new shall be tested in such manner as the Inspector may specify.

(3)     If the test prescribed in sub-rule (1) is made prior to the said electric supply lines and apparatus being placed in position for the purposes of supply of energy, the said electric supply lines and the apparatus after having being 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 tests prescribed in sub-rule (1) whenever reasonably practicable, or by the application of a testing voltage of not less than 1,000 volts either alternating current or direct current between conductors and also between con­ductors and earth during a period of not less than one minute.

(4)     Where any electric supply line (other than an overhead line) or apparatus for use at high or extra-high voltage has been disconnected from a system for alteration or repair, such electric supply line or apparatus shall not be reconnected to the system until the supplier has applied the test prescribed in sub-rule (3) and satisfied himself that the insulation of the electric supply line or apparatus is in sound condition.

(5)     The supplier shall duly record the result of every test made under this rule.

(6)     Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-rule (1) to (4) (both inclusive) the Inspector may, where he thinks fit, accept the manufacturer's certified tests in place of the tests prescribed in this rule.

Rule - 66.Metal sheathed electric supply lines, precautions against excess leakage.

(1)     The following provisions shall apply to electric supply lines (other than overhead lines) of a supplier for use at high or extra-high voltage:-

(a)      The conductors shall be enclosed in metal sheathing which shall be electrically continuous and connected with earth, and the conductivity of the metal sheathing shall be maintained 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 supply line as aforesaid, the impedance of the relevant circuit shall be such that, with the full voltage maintained at the source of supply, the current resulting from such failure shall not be less than twice the value of the current for which a suitable cut-out of adequate rupturing capacity or other suitable overload protective device has been set to operate or the current required to operate a suitable discriminative fault current relay:

Provided that the operation of the aforesaid overhead protective device or of the discriminative fault current relay shall cause the automatic operation of a circuit breaker of adequate rupturing capacity. The relevant circuit here before 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 supply lines 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 or circuit of which the electric supply line as aforesaid forms part.

(c)      Where an electric supply line as aforesaid lids concentric cables and the external conductor is insulated from an outer metal sheathing and connected with earth, the external conductor may be regarded as the metal sheathing for the purposes of this rule provided that, the foregoing provisions as to conductivity are complied with.

(2)     Nothing in the provisions of sub-rule (1) shall preclude the employment in generating stations, sub-stations and switch-stations (including outdoor sub-stations and outdoor switch-stations) of conductors for use at high or extra-high voltage which are not enclosed in metal sheathing or preclude the use of electric supply lines laid before the prescribed date to which the provisions of these rules apply.

Rule - 67.Connection with earth.

(1)     The following provisions shall apply to the connection with earth of three-phase system for use at high or extra-high voltages:-

(a)      The neutral point shall be earthed by not less than two separate and distinct connections with earth each having its own electrode at the generating station and at the sub-stations and may be earthed at any other point provided that no interference of any description is caused by such earthing;

(b)      In the event of an appreciable harmonic current following in the neutral connection so as to cause interference with communication circuits, the generator or transformer neutral shall be earthed through a suitable impedence.

(2)     Single phase high or extra-high voltage system shall be earthed in a manner approved by the Inspector.

(3)     In the case of a system comprising electric supply lines having concentric cables, the external conductor shall be the one to be connected with earth.

(4)     Where, a supplier proposes to connect with earth an existing system for use at high or extra-high voltage which has not hitherto been so connected with earth, he shall give not less than fourteen days notice in writing together with particulars to the telegraph authority of the proposed connection with earth.

(5)     Where the earthing load and earth connection are used only in connection with earthing guards erected under high or extra-high voltage overhead lines where they cross a telecommunications line, or a railway line, and where such lines are equipped with earth leakage relays of a type and setting approved by the Inspector, the resistance shall not exceed 25 ohms.

(6)     In so far as the provisions of rule 61 are consistent with the provisions of this rule all connections with earth shall also comply with the provision of that rule.

Rule - 68.General conditions as to transformation and control of energy.

(1)     Where energy at high or extra-high voltage is transformed, converted, regulated or otherwise controlled in sub-stations or switch-stations (including outdoor sub-stations and outdoor switch-stations) or in street boxes constructed under ground, the following provisions shall have effect:—

(a)      Sub-stations and switch-stations shall preferably be erected above ground but where necessarily constructed underground due provision for ventilation and drainage shall be made;

(b)      Outdoor sub-stations except pole type sub-stations, and outdoor switch stations shall (unless the apparatus is completely enclosed in a metal covering connected with earth, the said apparatus also being connected with the system by armoured cables) be efficiently protected by fencing not less than (2.439 meters) eight feet in height or other means so as to prevent access to the electric supply lines and apparatus therein by an authorised person;

(c)      Underground street boxes (other than sub-stations) which contain transformers shall not contain switches or other apparatus, and switches, cut-outs or other purposes shall be fixed in separate receptacles above ground wherever practicable;

(2)     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 system becoming accidentally charged above its normal voltage from a contact with the system at the higher voltage.

Rule - 69.Pole type sub-stations.

Where platform type construction is used for a pole type sub-station and sufficient space for a person to stand on the platform is provided, a substantial hand rail shall be built around the said platform and if the hand rail is of metal, it shall be built around the said platform and if the hand rail is of metal, it shall be connected with earth; provided that in the case of pole type sub-station on wooden support and wooden platform the metal hand rail shall not be connected with earth.

Rule - 70.Condenser.

Suitable provision shall be made for immediate and automatic discharge of every static condenser on disconnection of supply.

Rule - 71.Additional provisions for supply to high voltage luminous tube sign installation.

(1)     Any person who proposed to use or who is using energy for the purpose of operating a luminous tube sign installation, or who proposes to transform or who is transforming energy to a high voltage for any such purpose shall comply with the following conditions:-

(a)      All live parts of the installation (including all apparatus and live conductors in the secondary circuit, but excluding the tubes except in the neighbourhood of their terminals) shall be inaccessible to authorised persons and such parts shall be effectively screened.

(b)      Irrespective of the method of obtained the voltage of the circuit which feeds the luminous discharge tube sign, no part of any conductor of such circuit shall be in metallic connection (except in respect or its connections with earth) with any conductor of the supply system or with the primary winding of the transformer.

(c)      All live parts of an exterior installation shall be so disposed as to protect them against the effects of the weather, and such installation shall be so arranged and separated from its surroundings as to limit, as far as possible, the spreading of fire.

(d)      The secondary circuit shall be permanently earthed at the transformer and the core of every transformer shall be earthed.

(e)      Where the conductors of the primary circuit are not in metallic connection with the supply conductors (e. g. where a motor-generator or a double wound convertor is used) the phase of such primary circuit shall be permanently earthed at the motor generator or convertor, or at the transformer.

(f)       A final sub-circuit which forms the primary circuit of a fixed luminous discharge tube sign installation shall be reserved solely for such purpose.

(g)      An interior installation shall be provided with suitable adjacent means for disconnecting all phases of the supply except the "neutral" in three-phase four-wire circuit.

(h)     A separate primary final sub-circuit shall be provided for each transformer or each group of transformers having an aggregate input not exceeding 1,000 volt amperes, of a fixed luminous discharge tube sign installation.

(i)       For installations on the exterior of a building a suitable emergency fireproof linked switch to operate on all phases except the neutral in a three phase four wire circuit shall be provided and fixed in a conspicuous position at not more than 2.743 meters (9ft.) above the ground.

(j)       A special "Caution" notice shall be affixed in conspicuous place on the door of every high voltage enclosure to the effect that the low voltage supply must be cut off before the enclosure is opened.

(k)      Where static condensers are used they shall be installed on the load side of the fuses and the primary (low voltage) side of the transformer.

(l)       Where static condensers are used on the primary side, means shall be provided for automatically discharging the condensers when the supply is cut off; provided that static condensers or any circuit interrupting devices on the high or extra-high voltage side shall not be used without the approval in writing of the Inspector.

(2)     The owner or user of any luminous tube sign or similar high voltage installation shall not bring the same into use without giving to the Inspector not less than 14 day's notice in writing of his intention so to do.

Rule - 72.Additional provision for supply to high voltage electrode boilers.

(1)     Where a system having a point connected with earth is used for supply of energy at high or extra-high voltage to an electrode boiler which is also connected with earth, the following conditions shall apply:—

(a)      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 supply-line whereby energy is supplied to the electrode boiler.

(b)      The supply of energy at high or extra-high voltage to the electrode boiler shall be controlled by a suitable circuit breaker so set as to operate in the event of the phase currents becoming unbalanced to the extent of 10% of the rated current consumption of the electrode boiler under normal conditions of operation:

Provided that if in any case a higher setting is essential to ensure stability of operation of the electrode boiler, the setting may be increased so as not to exceed 15 per cent of the rated current consumption of the electrode boiler under normal conditions of operation.

(c)      An inverse time element device may be used in conjunction with the aforesaid circuit breaker to prevent the operation thereof unnecessarily on the occurrence of unbalanced currents of momentary or short duration.

(d)      The supplier shall serve a notice in writing on the telegraph authority at least seven days prior to the date on which such supply of energy is to be afforded specifying the location of every point (including the earth connection of the electrode boiler) at which the system is connected with earth.

(2)     The owner or user of any high or extra-high voltage electrode boiler shall not bring the same into use without giving the Inspector not less then 14 days notice in writing of his intention so to do.

Rule - 73.Supply to X-ray and high frequency installation.

(1)     Any person who proposes to employ or who is employing energy for the purpose of operating an X-ray or similar high-frequency installation shall comply with the following conditions:-

(a)      Mechanical barriers shall be provided to prevent too close an approach to any high-voltage parts of the X-ray apparatus, except the X-ray tube and its lead, unless such high-voltage parts have been rendered shock-proof by being shielded by earthed metal or adequate insulating material.

(b)      Where extra-high voltage generators operating at 300 peak KV or more are used, such generators shall be installed in rooms separate from those containing the other equipment and any step up transformer employed shall be so installed and protected as to prevent danger.

(c)      A suitable switch shall be provided to control the circuit supplying a generator, and shall be so arranged so to be open except while the door of the room housing the generator is locked from the outside.

(d)      X-ray tubs used in therapy shall be mounted in an earthed metal enclosure.

(e)      Every X-ray machine shall be provided with a millimeter or other suitable measuring instrument, readily visible from the control position and connected, if practicable in the earthed lead but guarded if connected in the high voltage lead.

(f)       This sub-rule shall not apply to shock-proof portable units or shockproof self-contained and stationary units.

Note. The expression "Shock-proof", as applied to X-ray and high frequency equipment, shall mean that such equipment is guarded with earthed metal so that no person may come into contact with any live part.

(2)     (a) In the case of non-shock-proof equipment, overhead high-voltage conductors, unless suitably guarded against personal contact, shall be adequately spaced and high-voltage leads on tilting tables and fluroscope shall be adequately insulated or so surrounded by barriers as to prevent inadvertent contact.

(b) The low voltage circuit of the step up transformer shall contain a manually operated control device having overload protection in addition to the over-current device for circuit protection, and these devices shall have no exposed live parts and for diagnostic work there shall be an additional switch in the said circuit, which shall be of one of the following types:-

(i)       a switch with a spring or other mechanism which will open automatically except while held closed by the operator; or

(ii)      a time-switch which will open automatically after a definite period of time for which it has been set.

(c) If more than one piece of apparatus be operated from the same high or extra high voltage, sources, each shall be provided with a high or extra high voltage switch to give independent control.

(d) Low frequency current carrying parts of machine of the quenched gap or open gap type shall be so insulated or guarded that they cannot be touched during operation, the high frequency circuit proper which delivers high frequency current normally for the thereapeutic proposed, being exempted.

(e) All X-ray generators having capacitors shall have suitable means for discharging the capacitors manually.

(f) Except in the case of self-contained units, all 200 peak KV or higher X-ray generators shall have a sphere gap installed in the high voltage system adjusted so that it will breakdown on over voltage urges.

(3)     (a) All non-current carrying metal parts of tube stands, fluroscopes and other apparatus shall be properly earthed and insulating floors, mats or platforms shall be provided for operators in proximity to high or extra-high voltage parts unless such parts have been rendered shock-proof. (b) Where short-wave thereapy machines are used, the treatment tables and examining charts shall be wholly non-metallic.

(4)     The owner of any X-ray installation or similar high frequency apparatus shall not bring the same into use without giving to the Inspector not less than 14 days notice in writing of his intention so to do:

Provided that the aforesaid notice shall not be necessary in the case of shock-proof Portable X-ray and high frequency equipment which have been inspected before the commencement of the rules and periodically thereafter

CHAPTER VIII OVERHEAD LINES

Rule - 74.Material and strength.

(1)     All conductors of overhead lines other than those specified in sub-rule (1) of rule 86 shall have a breaking strength of not less than 317.51 Kg. (700 lbs.)

(2)     Where the voltage is low and the span is of less than 15.24 meters (50 feet) and is on the owner's or consumer's premises, a conductor having an actual breaking strength of not less than 136.08 Kg. (300 lbs.) may be used.

Rule - 75.Joints.

Joints between conductors of overhead lines shall be mechani­cally and electrically secure under the conditions of operation. The ultimate strength of the joint shall not be less than 95% of that of the conductor, and the electrical conductivity not less than that of the conductor.

Rule - 76.Maximum stresses, factors of safety.

(1)     (a) The owner of every overhead lines shall ensure that it has the following minimum factors of safety. The minimum factors of safety of supports based on crippling load shall be as follows:-

The said owner shall also ensure that the strength of the supports in the direction of the line is not less than one-fourth of the strength required in the direction transverse to the line:

Provided that in the case of latticed steel or other compound structures, the factors of safety shall not be less than 1.5 under such broken wire conditions as may be specified by the Government in this behalf.

(b) The minimum factors of safety for stay-wires, guard wires or bearer wires shall be 2.5 based on the ultimate tensile strength of the wire.

(c) The minimum factor of safety for conductors shall be based on their ultimate tensile strength. In addition, the conductor tension at 32.20C (9000 without external load, shall not exceed the following percentage of the ultimate tensile strength of the conductor:-

Provided that in the case of conductors having a cross-section of a generally triangular shape, such as conductors composed of 3 wires, the final unloaded tension at 32.20C (900f) shall not exceed 30 per cent of the ultimate tensile strength of each conductor.

(2)     For the purpose of calculating the factors of safety prescribed in sub rule (1)-

(a)      the maximum wind pressure shall be such as the Government may specify in each case;

(b)      for cylindrical bodies the effective area shall be taken as two-thirds of the projected area exposed to wind pressure;

(c)      for lattice steel or other compound structures the wind pressure on the leaside members shall be taken as one-half of the wind pressure on the windward side members and the factors of safety shall be calculated on the crippling load of struts and upon the elastic limit of tension members;

(d)      the maximum and minimum temperatures shall be such as the Government may specify in each case.

(3)     Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1) and (2) in localities where overhead lines are liable to accumulation of ice or snow the Government may, by order in writing, specify the loading conditions for the purpose of calculating the factor of safety.

Rule - 77.Clearance above ground of the lowest conductor.

(1)     No conductor of an overhead line, including service lines, erected across a street shall at any part thereof be at a height less than:-

(2)     For extra-high voltage lines the clearance above ground shall not be less than 5.182 Mtrs. (17 feet); plus 0.305 Mtrs. (1 feet) for every 33,000 volts or part thereof by which the voltage of the line exceeds _:33,000 volts:

Provided that the minimum clearance along or across any street shall not be less than (20 Feet) 6.965 meters.

Rule - 78.Clearance between conductors and trolley wires.

No conductor of an overhead line crossing a tramway or trolley­bus route using trolley wires shall have less than the following clearance above any trolley wire:-

Provided that where an insulated conductor suspended from a bearer wire crosses over a trolley wire the minimum clearance for such insulated conductor shall be (2 feet) 0.6 10 meters.

Rule - 79.Clearance from buildings of low and medium voltage lines and service lines.

(1)     Where a low or medium voltage overhead line passes above or adjacent to or terminates on any building, the following minimum clearance from any accessible point, on the basis of maximum sag shall be observed:-

(a)      for any flat roof, open balcony, verandah roof, pitched roof and lean-to-roof-

(i)       when the line passes above the building a vertical clearance of 2.439 meters (8 ft.) from the highest point or immediately under the line, and

(ii)      when the line passes adjacent to the building a horizon­tal clearance of 1.219 meters (4 feet) from the nearest point.

(2)     Any conductor so situated as to have a clearance less than that specified in sub-rule (1) shall be adequately insulated and shall be attached by means of metal clips at suitable intervals to a bare earthed bearer wire having a breaking strength of not less than (700lbs.) 317.51 Kg. .

(3)     The horizontal clearance shall be measured when the line is at a maximum deflection from the vertical due to wind pressure.

Rule - 80.Clearance from building of high and extra-high voltage line.

(1)     Where a high or extra-high voltage overhead line passes above or adjacent to any building or part of a building it shall have on the basis of maximum sag a vertical clearance above the highest part of the building immediately under such line, of not less than:

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

Rule - 81.Conductors at different voltages on same supports.

Where conductors forming parts of system at different voltages are erected on the same supports the owner shall make adequate provision to guard against danger to lines on and others from the lower voltage system being charged above its normal working voltage by leakage from or contact with the higher voltage system, and the methods of construction and the clearance between the conductors of the two system shall be subject to the prior approval of the Inspector.

Rule - 82.Erection of or alteration to building.

(1)     If at any time subsequent to the erection of an overhead line (whether covered with insulating material or bare), any person proposes to erect a new building or structure, whether permanent or temporary, or to make in or upon any building or structure any permanent or temporary addition or alteration he and the contractor be employ to carry out the erection, addition or alteration shall if such building, structure, addition or alteration would during or after construction result in contravention of the provisions of rule 79 or 80 give notice in writing of his intention to the supplier, and to an Inspector and shall furnish therewith a scale drawing showing the proposed building structure, addition or alteration and scaffolding required during its construction.

(2)     On receipt of such notice the supplier shall, without undue delay, so alter the overhead line as to ensure that it will not be accessible in such a manner as to contravene the provisions of rule 79 or 80 either during or after construction. In the absence of an agreement to the contrary between the parties concerned, the supplier shall be entitled to recover from the person from whom the notice was received or from the person from whom he is entitled to receive such notice the cost of, such alteration which shall be deemed to include the following items, namely:-

(a)      the cost of additional material used on the alteration;

(b)      the wages of labour employed in effecting the alteration;

(c)      supervision charges to the extent of 15 per cent of item (b); and

(d)      any charges incurred by the supplier in complying with the provisions of section 15 in respect of such alteration:

Provided that the supplier may, before so altering the overhead line, require the person from whom the notice was received to deposit the estimated cost of such alteration, which shall in case of dispute be determined by the Inspector.

(3)     No work upon such building, structure, addition or alteration, shall be commenced until the Inspector has satisfied that neither during nor after construction, the provisions of rule 79 or 80 will be contravened:

Provided that an Inspector may, if he is satisfied that the over­head line has been so guarded as to secure the protection of persons and the property from injury, or risk of injury, permit to work to be executed prior to the alteration of overhead line or, in the case of temporary addition or alteration, without the alteration of the over­head line.

Rule - 83.Clearances general.

For the purpose of computing the vertical clearance of an over­head line, the maximum sag of any conductor shall be calculated on the basis of maximum sag in still air and the maximum temperature as specified by the Government under rule 76 (2) (d). Similarly for the purpose of computing any horizontal clearance of an overhead line the maximum deflection of any conductor shall be calculated on the basis of the wind pressure specified by the Government under rule 76 (2) (a).

Rule - 84.Routes: proximity to aerodromes.

Overhead lines shall not be erected in the vicinity of aerodromes until the aerodrome authorities have approved in writing the route of the proposed lines.

Rule - 85.Maximum intervals between supports.

All conductors shall be attached to supports at intervals not exceeding the safe limits based on the ultimate tensile strength of the conductor and the factor of safety prescribed in rule 76:

Provided that in the case of overhead lines carrying low or medium voltage conductors when erected in, over, along or across any street the intervals shall not without the consent in writing of the Inspector exceed 67.056 meters (220 feet).

Rule - 86.Conditions to apply where telecommunication lines and power lines are carried on same supports.

(1)     Every overhead telecommunication line erected on supports carrying a power line shall consist of conductors each having a breaking strength of not less than 272.16 Kg. (600 lbs).

(2)     Every telephone used on a telecommunication line erected on support carrying a Power line shall be suitably guarded against lighting and shall be protected by cut-outs.

(3)     Where a telecommunication line is erected on supports carry­ing a high or extra-high voltage power line arrangement shall be made to safeguard any person using the telephone against injury resulting from contact leakage or induction between such power and telecommunication lines.

Rule - 87.Lines crossing or approaching each other.

(1)     Where an overhead line crosses or is in proximity to any telecommunication line the owner of the overhead line shall protect it in a manner laid down in the code of practice of the power and telecommunication co-ordination committee.

(2)     When it is intended to erect a telecommunication line which will cross or be in proximity to an overhead line the person proposing to erect such telecommunication line shall give notice in writing of his intention to the owner of the over head line and the owner of the overhead line shall within twenty-one days of receiving such notice, provide the protection referred to in sub-rule (1).

(3)     Where an overhead line crosses or is in proximity to an overhead line belonging to another person, the owner of the line which was last erected shall so protect it as to guard against the possibility of its coming into contact with the other overhead line.

(4)     A person erecting or proposing to erect an overhead line may require the owner of the other overhead line to provide the protection' referred to in sub-rule (3) within twenty-one days of the receipt of the notice in that behalf.

(5)     In all cases referred to in the preceding sub-rules, the expenses of making the guarding arrangement shall be borne by the persons whose line was last erected.

(6)     Where two lines cross, the crossing shall be made as nearly at right angle as the nature of the case admits.

(7)     The guarding arrangement shall ordinarily be carried out by the owner of the supports on which it is made and he shall be responsible for its efficient maintenance.

(8)     All work required to be done by or under this rule shall be carried out to the satisfaction of the Inspector.