Background
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Regulations, 2023, were formulated under the Electricity Act, 2003 to enhance electrical safety and ensure proper operation of electrical installations across India. These regulations address both high- and low-voltage installations, specifying standards for design, installation, operation, maintenance, testing, and protection measures. They aim to prevent electrical accidents, reduce risk of fire and shock hazards, and ensure reliability in power supply systems. Key elements include mandatory earthing, use of residual current devices, periodic inspections, training of personnel, transformer and high-voltage installation safety, and automatic protection mechanisms in abnormal conditions.
Applicability:
These regulations apply to:
Compliance requirements under the Regulations in accordance with the Act
All earthing systems belonging to the supplier shall in addition, be tested for resistance on dry day during the dry season at least once in a year;
2. Appointment of Electrical Officer (Regulation 5)
For every electrical installation including factory registered under the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1952) with more than 250 kW connected load and mines and oil-field as defined in the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952), with more than 2000 kW connected load, the owner of the installation or the management of the factory or mines, as the case may be, shall designate Electrical Safety Officer under sub-regulation (1) and having qualification and experience specified in sub-regulation (2), for ensuring the compliance of the safety provisions laid under the Act and the regulations made thereunder:
The Electrical Safety Officer must conduct periodic tests as per relevant standards and inspect installations at least once a year. Records must be maintained in Form I, II, III, or IV of Schedule II, along with test reports and a register of safety recommendations acknowledged by the owner and details of subsequent compliance. These records must be made available to the Electrical Inspector upon request.
3. Training of personnel engaged in operation or maintenance of electrical installation (Regulation 7)
The owner of every generating station shall arrange for training of personnel engaged or appointed to operate and undertake maintenance of the generating station from its own institute or any other institute recognised by the Authority or State Government as per the guidelines
Every generating station owner must ensure training of operation and maintenance personnel through its own institute or one recognized by the Authority or State Government, as per prescribed guidelines.
4. Installation work must be carried out by electrical conductor (Regulation 31)
No electrical installation work, including additions, alterations, repairs and adjustments to existing installations, except such replacement of lamps, fans, fuses, switches, domestic appliances of voltage not exceeding 250 V and fittings as in no way alters its capacity or character, shall be carried out upon the premises of or on behalf of any consumer, supplier, owner or occupier for the purpose of supply to such consumer, supplier, owner or occupier except by an electrical contractor licenced in this behalf by the State Government and on its behalf under the direct supervision of a person holding a certificate of competency and by a person holding a permit issued or recognised by the State Government
Electrical work, except minor replacements under 250V that don’t change the system’s capacity, must be done by a State-licensed contractor under the supervision of a certified person with a valid permit from the State Government.
5. Testing and Inspection of Installation (Regulation 32)
The periodic inspection and testing of installation of voltage above the notified voltage belonging to the owner or supplier or consumer, as the case may be, shall be carried out by the Electrical Inspector: The periodicity of electrical inspection by the Electrical Inspector or the self-certification by the supplier, owner or consumer shall be as directed by the Appropriate Government. Provided that the periodicity of electrical inspection and self-certification shall not exceed five years:
For installations of voltage equal to or below the notified limit, the owner, supplier, or consumer must conduct periodic inspection and testing and submit a self-certification report in the prescribed Form (I to IV of Schedule II) to the Electrical Inspector. The self-certified installation will be considered inspected and tested only after the Electrical Inspector’s office receives the report. If no acknowledgment is issued within three working days, the report will be deemed received. This process ensures compliance with the safety measures specified in the regulations.
6. Protection Requirements for Transformer Installations (Regulation 37)
In case of every transformer the following shall be provided, namely: –
(i) on primary side of transformer, a linked switch with fuse or gang operated air break switch with fuse or circuit breaker of adequate capacity:
(ii) on the secondary side of all transformers a circuit breaker of adequate rating shall be installed.
Electrical work, except minor replacements under 250V that don’t change the system’s capacity, must be done by a State-licensed contractor under the supervision of a certified person with a valid permit from the State Government.
Penalty & Punishment
Section 146 of Electricity Act, 2003 –
Whoever fails to comply with any order or direction under this Act, or contravenes (or attempts/abets the contravention of) its provisions, rules, or regulations, faces punishment for each offense, which may include imprisonment for up to three months, a fine of up to one lakh rupees, or both. Additionally, for a failure that continues after an initial conviction, an extra fine of up to five thousand rupees will be levied for every day the non-compliance persists.
Conclusion
Compliance with the CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023, is mandatory to safeguard human life, prevent property damage, and ensure reliability of the electrical supply.
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