Compliance Requirement Under the Regulations:

1. Precautions against Excess Leakage for Metal-Sheathed Electric Supply Lines above 650V (Regulation 49)

For non-overhead supply lines above 650V, cables (except thermoplastic or XLPE without metallic screen/armour) shall have continuous metal sheathing connected to earth and protected against corrosion. Earth resistance shall be kept low enough to ensure protective devices operate during insulation failure.

2. Annual Testing of Earthing Resistance (Dry Conditions) and Maintenance of Records (Regulation 50(8))

Every earthing system belonging to either the supplier or the consumer shall be tested for its resistance to earth on a dry day during the dry season not less than once a year. Records of such tests shall be maintained and produced before the Electrical Inspector when required.

3. Connection with Earth for Apparatus Exceeding 650V (Regulation 50)

Switchyard/substation equipment, buildings, and all non-current carrying metal parts shall be effectively earthed to limit touch and step potential and earth potential rise to safe values, and ensure low earth resistance for proper operation of protective devices as per relevant standards. Generator and transformer neutrals shall be earthed through at least two separate connections; earthing systems shall be tested at least annually with records maintained for Electrical Inspector review.

4. Hand Rail and Earthing Requirements for Pole-Type Substations (Regulation 52)

Where a platform type construction is used for a pole-type substation providing sufficient space for a person to stand, a proper hand rail shall be built around the platform. If the hand rail is of metal, it shall be connected with earth (except in the case of wooden supports and wooden platforms, where metal hand rails shall not be earthed).

5. Automatic/Manual Discharge Arrangement for Static Condensers (Regulation 53)

Suitable arrangement shall be made for the immediate and automatic or manual discharge of every static condenser upon disconnection of supply.

6. Safety Requirements for Luminous Tube Sign Installations Exceeding 650V but not Exceeding 33kV (Regulation 54(1))

Use of electricity for luminous tube sign installation or transformation of electricity above 650V up to 33 kV shall ensure screened and inaccessible live parts, no improper metallic connections with supply conductors or transformer primary winding, and weather-protected outdoor installations designed to minimise fire risk. Transformer secondary circuits and cores shall be effectively earthed; primary circuits shall be earthed with earth leakage protection. Static condensers shall be installed on the load side of fuses and provided with automatic or manual discharge arrangements.

7. Prior 14-Day Notice to Electrical Inspector for Commissioning Luminous Tube Sign Installations (Regulation 54(2))

The owner or user of any luminous tube sign or similar installation of voltage exceeding 650V but not exceeding 33 kV shall not bring the same into use without giving the Electrical Inspector not less than fourteen days’ notice in writing of their intention to do so.

8. Safety and Control Requirements for Electrode Boiler Installations (Regulation 55(1))

For electrode boilers supplied above 650V with earthed systems, metal parts shall be connected to supply cable sheathing or armouring. Supply shall be controlled by a circuit breaker set to trip on phase current imbalance of 10% (up to 15% if required) of rated current. The supplier or owner shall serve notice in writing on the telegraph authority at least seven days prior to the date on which such supply is to be afforded, specifying the location of every earth connection point of the electrode boiler.

9. Prior 14-Day Notice to Electrical Inspector for Commissioning Electrode Boiler Installations (Regulation 55(2))

The owner or user of any electrode boiler of voltage exceeding 650V shall not bring the same into use without giving the Electrical Inspector not less than fourteen days’ notice in writing of their intention to do so.

10. Safety Requirements for X-Ray and High-Frequency Installations (Regulation 56(1))

X-ray and high-frequency installations above 650V (except portable units) shall have barriers preventing access to high voltage parts, which must be shielded and earthed. Generators of 300 kV and above shall be in separate rooms with protected transformers. Supply switches shall operate only when rooms are locked. Non-current carrying metal parts shall be earthed, with insulating floors or mats for operators.

11. Prior 14-Day Notice to Electrical Inspector for Commissioning X-Ray/High-Frequency Equipment (Regulation 56(4))

Before bringing any X-ray installation or high-frequency apparatus into use, the owner or user shall give the Electrical Inspector a minimum of 14 days’ written notice. Exception: shock-proof portable X-ray or high-frequency equipment that has been inspected before use and periodically thereafter does not require this notice.

12. Material and Strength of Conductors Used in Overhead Lines (Regulation 57)

All conductors of overhead lines shall have a breaking strength of not less than 350 kgf. Where voltage does not exceed 250V and the span is less than fifteen metres and is drawn through the owner’s or consumer’s premises, a conductor with an actual breaking strength of not less than 150 kgf may be used.

13. Joints Between Conductors or Earthwires (Regulation 58)

No conductor or earthwire of an overhead line shall have more than one joint in a span. There shall be no joints in the conductor or earthwire in a span crossing over highways, expressways, or railway lines. Joints shall be mechanically and electrically secured under conditions of operation, with strength and conductivity as per relevant standards.

14. Maximum Stresses and Factors of Safety for Overhead Lines (Regulation 59)

Loads and permissible stresses on structural members, conductors, and earth wires of self-supporting steel lattice towers or steel monopole towers for overhead transmission lines shall be as per relevant standards. Minimum factors of safety for overhead lines not covered by such standards shall comply with the table in Regulation 59(2). Stay, guard, and bearer wires shall have a minimum factor of safety of 2.5 based on ultimate tensile strength.

15. Clearance and Routing Requirements for Overhead Electrical Lines (Regulation 60(1) to (5))

Minimum ground, road, railway corridor, and river clearances for the lowest conductor of AC overhead lines, including service lines, shall comply with Schedule VIII A. Minimum clearances for HVDC lines shall comply with Schedule VIII B. In protected areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves), only underground cables shall be used for lines of 33 kV and below. No tower footing shall be closer than 25 metres from the edge of right of way of a Petroleum or Natural Gas pipeline. Crossings with pipelines shall be at right angles or not less than 75 degrees.

16. Maintain Required Clearances for Overhead Lines Crossing Trolley Wires (Regulation 61(1) & (2))

Overhead lines crossing tramway or trolley wires shall maintain minimum clearances above the trolley wire: ≤650V — 1.2 m (0.6 m if insulated conductor on bearer wire); >650V–11 kV — 1.8 m; >11 kV–33 kV — 2.5 m; >33 kV — 3.0 m. Whoever lays their overhead line later shall provide the required clearance; if the later entrant is the lower line owner and cannot provide adequate clearance, they shall bear the cost of modifying the upper line.

17. Clearance from Buildings of Lines Not Exceeding 650V and Service Lines (Regulation 62(1) to (5))

Overhead lines shall not cross buildings and no building shall be constructed under them. For lines ≤650V near or over buildings, minimum clearances based on maximum sag are: flat roof, balcony, or verandah — 2.5 m vertical above and 1.2 m horizontal adjacent; pitched roof — 2.5 m vertical under the line and 1.2 m horizontal adjacent. Conductors with clearance less than specified shall be replaced with Aerial Bunched Cable attached at suitable intervals to a bare earthed bearer wire of at least 350 kgf breaking strength.

18. Clearances from Buildings of Lines Exceeding 650V (Regulation 63)

Overhead lines above 650V shall not cross buildings and no building shall be constructed under existing overhead lines. Minimum vertical clearance above highest point of building: 3.7 m for 650V–33 kV; 3.7 m plus 0.30 m per additional 33 kV for lines above 33 kV. Minimum horizontal clearance: >650V–11 kV — 1.2 m; >11 kV–33 kV — 2.0 m; above 33 kV — 2.0 m plus 0.30 m per additional 33 kV. HVDC clearances are as specified in Regulation 63.

19. Ensure Safety of Conductors of Different Voltages on Common Supports (Regulation 64 read with Regulation 71)

Where conductors of different voltages are installed on the same supports, adequate safeguards and prescribed clearances shall be maintained to prevent danger to linemen and others from the lower voltage system being charged above its nominal voltage by leakage from or contact with the higher voltage system.

20. Prior Written Intimation with Drawings Before Construction Near Electrical Lines (Regulation 65(1))

Before constructing or altering any building, structure, road, or flood bank near an existing overhead line or underground cable, the person and their contractor shall notify the supplier or owner and the Electrical Inspector in writing, and shall furnish a scale drawing showing the proposed work and scaffolding.

21. Owner/Supplier to Examine Proposal for Line Alteration (Regulation 65(2))

After erection of an overhead line or underground cable, the person proposing nearby work shall inform the supplier, owner, and Electrical Inspector with a scale drawing. The supplier or owner shall examine compliance, feasibility, right of way, and liability. If costs are payable, the supplier shall issue notice within 30 days with a cost estimate and require deposit within 30 days.

22. Electrical Inspector Certification Before Construction Near Electrical Lines (Regulation 65(6))

No work upon any building, structure, flood bank, road, or addition or alteration thereto shall commence or continue until the Electrical Inspector certifies that Regulations 60, 62, 63, 66, and 79 have not been contravened either during or after the construction.

23. Timely Alteration of Electrical Lines for Regulatory Compliance (Regulation 65(7))

Upon receipt of the required deposit, the supplier or owner shall alter the overhead line or underground cable within two months — or within an extended period permitted by the Electrical Inspector — to ensure compliance with Regulations 60, 62, 63, and 79 during and after construction.

24. Safe Handling and Transport of Materials Near Overhead Lines/Underground Cables (Regulation 66(1) to (5))

No rods, pipes, or similar materials shall be taken below or near bare overhead conductors or lines in contravention of Regulations 62 and 63 without direct supervision of a designated or authorised person, and shall not come within flashover distance of bare live conductors. No material, earth work, or agricultural produce shall be dumped or stored, and no trees shall be grown below or in the vicinity of bare overhead conductors or lines in contravention of Regulations 62 and 63. No flammable material shall be stored under electric lines and no fire shall be allowed below overhead lines or above demarcated underground cables.

25. Compliances for Clearance Near Overhead Lines (Regulation 67(2), (3) & (4))

No blasting shall be carried out within 300 metres of a substation, electrical supply line above 650V, or tower structure without written permission from the owner (and from the Electrical Inspector of Mines in mining lease areas). No cutting of soil within 10 metres from the tower structure of 110 kV and above shall be permitted without written permission from the owner. No brick kiln or other polluting units shall be constructed near 220 kV and above installations or transmission lines within a distance of 500 metres.

26. Prior Approval Before Installing Overhead Lines in the Vicinity of Airports or Aerodromes (Regulation 68)

Overhead lines shall not be laid in the vicinity of airports or aerodromes unless the Airport Authorities or concerned defence authorities have approved in writing the route of the proposed overhead lines as per relevant standards.

27. Maintain Maximum Span Limits Between Overhead Line Supports (Regulation 69)

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 specified under Regulation 59. For overhead lines carrying conductors of voltage not exceeding 650V over, along, or across any street, the interval shall not exceed sixty-five metres without the consent in writing of the Electrical Inspector.

28. Conditions Where Telecommunication Lines and Power Lines are Carried on Same Supports (Regulation 70(1) to (3))

Every overhead telecommunication line laid on supports of an electric line shall consist of conductors each having a breaking strength of not less than 270 kgf. Such lines shall be protected against lightning as per relevant standards. Where a telecommunication line is laid on supports of an electric line exceeding 650V, a suitable arrangement shall be made to safeguard any person against injury from contact, leakage, or induction between such electric and telecommunication lines.

29. Provision of 1-Month Notice Before Laying Overhead Line Crossing Another Overhead/Telecom Line (Regulation 71(i))

When it is intended to lay a telecommunication line or overhead line that will cross or be in proximity to an existing overhead line or telecommunication line, the person proposing to lay such line shall give one month’s notice of their intention to do so, along with relevant details of protection and drawings, to the owner of the existing line.

30. Provision of Protective Devices or Guarding Arrangement for Overhead Line Crossings (Regulation 71)

Where overhead lines cross or run near telecom lines, the later installer shall give 1 month’s notice with drawings and provide protective or guarding arrangements as per guidelines. Guarding is required for crossings up to 33 kV. Minimum clearances for all crossings shall be maintained as per the table in Regulation 71(iv). The later installer shall provide or arrange all required guarding and protection and bear all related costs.

31. Guarding Wire Safety and Construction Requirements for Overhead Line Crossings (Regulation 72)

Where guarding is required: each guard wire shall be earthed at every break in continuity; breaking strength shall be ≥635 kgf and, if iron or steel, shall be galvanised; the guard wire or cross-connected system shall carry sufficient current to render the line dead without fusing until contact is removed.

32. No Service Line or Tapping to be Taken Off an Overhead Line Except at a Point of Support (Regulation 73)

No service line or tapping shall be taken off an overhead line except at a point of support. The number of tappings per conductor shall not be more than six in the case of connections at voltage not exceeding 650V.

33. Earthing of Overhead Line Supports and Structures (Regulation 74(1)(a) to (f) & (2))

For overhead lines ≤33 kV, all metal, RCC, and PSC supports and attached metallic fittings shall be permanently and effectively earthed via a continuous earth wire fastened to each pole and earthed at each support. Metal cross arms and insulator pins for PCC or PSC poles shall be bonded and earthed at every pole. For 66 kV and above, earthing and earth wire requirements shall be as per Authority regulations.

34. Owner to Provide Anti-Climbing Devices on Overhead Lines above 650V (Regulation 75)

The owner of every overhead line of voltage exceeding 650V shall make adequate arrangements as per relevant standards to prevent unauthorised persons from climbing any support that can be easily climbed without a ladder or special appliances. Barbed wires or clamps with protruding spikes shall be provided at a height of 3.5 to 4 metres from ground level on each pole or tower of 11 kV and above.

35. Installation of Protective Devices and Bird Guards on Overhead Lines (Regulation 76(1) & (3))

Overhead lines not on dead bearer wire, not insulated, and not trolley wires, laid over streets, public places, factories, mines, or consumer premises shall have earth guarding to render them electrically harmless if the conductor breaks. Suitable bird guards as per relevant standards shall be provided on cross arms of suspension tower or suspension pole structures, over the suspension insulator strings.

36. Protection Against Lightning (Regulation 77(1) & (2))

The owner of every overhead line, substation, or generating station exposed to lightning shall adopt means as per relevant standards for diverting electrical surges due to lightning to earth. The earthing lead for any lightning arrester shall be as short as possible and shall be taken directly to a separate vertical earth electrode or junction of the earth mat provided for the substation.

37. Removal or Safe Maintenance of Unused Overhead Lines (Regulation 78)

Where an overhead line ceases to be used as an electric supply line, the owner shall maintain it in a safe mechanical condition in accordance with Regulation 59 or remove it. The Electrical Inspector may require the owner by written notice to maintain it safely or remove it within thirty days of receipt of the notice.

38. Safe Installation of Underground Power and Telecom Cables (Regulation 79(1) & (2))

Underground power cables up to 33 kV shall be laid at minimum depth as per relevant standards; cables exceeding 33 kV shall be laid at a minimum depth of 1.2 metres from ground surface to top of cable. No underground telecommunication cable shall be laid without a minimum separation distance of 0.3 m from power cables ≤33 kV and 0.6 m from power cables >33 kV.

39. Protection Against Electromagnetic Interference (Regulation 80 read with Section 160 of Electricity Act)

The owner of every electric supply line of voltage level 11 kV and above shall obtain the clearance of the Power Telecommunication Co-ordination Committee to ensure the safety of personnel and telecommunication lines as per the requirements of Section 160 of the Electricity Act, 2003.

40. Owner to Ensure Approval and Readiness Before Supplying Traction Electricity above 650V (Regulation 81(4), (5), 82)

Before applying for connection or reconnection of supply above 650V after 6 months disconnection, the supplier shall ensure all lines and apparatus are properly installed and completed. Supply shall commence only after compliance with Regulations 46–52 and 82–95 and written approval of the Electrical Inspector. No person shall supply electricity to any trolley wire or other conductor above 650V used in direct electrical and mechanical connection with any vehicle, except with the written approval of the Central or State Government.

41. Proper Insulation of Lines for Traction Supply (Regulation 83)

Every line carrying electricity to a vehicle shall be insulated throughout and may consist of either bare conductors supported on structures through insulators or insulated cable.

42. Proper Insulation of Returns for Traction Supply (Regulation 84)

Rails or conductors within 0.9 m of rails forming part of a return may be uninsulated; all other returns or parts shall be insulated unless having conductivity ensuring compliance with Regulation 85(2) and (3). Where any part of a return is uninsulated, it shall be connected with the negative or neutral of the system.

43. Safety and Potential Control Requirements for Uninsulated Return Near Metallic Pipes and Structures (Regulation 85(1) to (5))

Where an uninsulated return is near a metal pipe, structure, or substance not owned by the return owner, it shall be bonded at the owner’s expense if required. The system shall be designed and maintained to limit potential difference along the return so it does not exceed 4V when positive or 1.33V when negative relative to nearby metal objects. The potential of the uninsulated return with respect to earth at any point shall not exceed 50V under normal conditions.

44. Potential Difference Monitoring and Limit Compliance for Uninsulated Return Systems (Regulation 86)

Where the return is partly or entirely uninsulated, the owner shall keep a continuous record of the difference of potential during system working between every junction of an insulated return with an uninsulated return and the point on the route most distant from that junction. Under normal running conditions, this shall not exceed a mean value of seven volts between the highest momentary peak and the average for the hour of maximum load.

45. Construction and Maintenance of System When Line/Return are Placed within a Conduit (Regulation 87)

Where line and return are in a conduit, rails used as return shall be bonded to the conduit at intervals not exceeding 30 m using copper strips of at least 0.40 sq. cm cross-section or equivalent conductivity. If the return is fully insulated in the conduit, the conduit shall be earthed at the station via an indicator device to detect any contact or leakage. Leakage current shall be ascertained daily; if it exceeds 0.6 A per km of single tramway track, electricity transmission shall be suspended unless leakage is stopped within 24 hours.

46. Daily Leakage Current Inspection Requirement (Regulation 88)

Where both the line and return are not placed within a conduit, leakage current shall be measured daily when the line is fully charged. If at any time it exceeds 0.3 A per km of single tramway track, transmission and use of electricity shall be suspended unless leakage is stopped within 24 hours.

47. Passengers Not to Have Access to Electric Circuit in Traction Vehicles (Regulation 89)

Adequate precautions — to the satisfaction of an Electrical Inspector — shall be taken by the owner of every traction vehicle to prevent the access of passengers to any portion of the electric circuit where there is danger from electric shock, including any metal hand-rail or other metallic substance liable to be handled by passengers becoming charged.

48. Sectionalisation and Isolation of Trolley Wires (Regulation 90)

Every trolley wire shall be constructed in sections not exceeding 1.6 km in length, and means shall be provided for isolating each section.