Background:
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 Requirement Under the Regulations
No trolley wire shall have a cross-sectional area less than 0.5 sq. cm or an actual breaking load of less than 2,000 kg.
A trolley wire or traction feeder on the same supports as a trolley wire shall at no place be at a height from the surface of the street of less than 5.2 metres, except where it passes under a bridge, fixed structure, tunnel, or mine shaft, in which case it shall be suspended to the satisfaction of an Electrical Inspector.
Every guard wire shall be connected with earth at each point at which its electrical continuity is broken and shall also be connected with the rails at intervals of not more than five spans.
Traction works shall not be carried out in the vicinity of geomagnetic observatories and laboratories without the concurrence of the Central Government or authorised officer.
The owner shall keep daily records of: (i) maximum working current at source; (ii) maximum working voltage at source; (iii) potential difference as per Regulation 86; and (iv) leakage current, if any, as per Regulations 87 and 88. Occasional records of every test made, every stoppage of leakage with time occupied, and particulars of any abnormal occurrence shall also be maintained.
Responsible persons in mines and oil-fields must ensure compliance with electrical safety regulations and enforce adherence by employees. In the case of power stations, transformer substations, and related installations supplying electricity solely for the working of mines and not within the precincts of a mine, an Engineer holding a degree in Electrical Engineering with adequate experience may be appointed as manager.
On or before 1st February each year, for every mine or oil-field, persons specified in Regulation 97 shall submit to the Electrical Inspector of Mines returns in Schedule IX and Schedule X forms, detailing the size and type of apparatus and particulars of its use.
Persons specified in Regulation 97 shall give the Electrical Inspector of Mines at least 7 days’ prior written notice before using any new installation in a mine or oil-field, with details of apparatus and location, except for telecommunication or signalling apparatus. For additions or alterations to existing installations ≤650V, immediate written notice shall be given to the Electrical Inspector of Mines before use. In emergencies risking life, machinery, or mine safety, intimation shall be given within 24 hours with a status report and self-certification of the additions or alterations undertaken.
A plan (at the same scale as the Mines Act plan) and Single Line Diagram shall be kept at the mine office from the commencement of supply, showing all fixed apparatus and conductors. Plans shall be examined and corrected as often as necessary to remain up-to-date, with dates of examination entered by the manager or owner, and shall be available to the Inspector or Inspector of Mines at any time.
Adequate electric illumination as per relevant standards shall be provided in mines. Efficient means of communication shall be provided between switchgear locations and shaft bottoms. Fire extinguishing appliances of adequate capacity shall be installed and properly maintained in every place containing apparatus. For mines where dumpers or trackless vehicles are operated, the minimum clearance above ground of the lowest conductor of overhead lines shall not be less than twelve metres at road crossings.
Transformers and switchgear shall be in a separate room, compartment, or box, or protected from damage and fire spread. If fire risk exists, no inflammable material shall be used in construction or fittings; such spaces shall be substantially built, kept dry, illuminated, and efficiently ventilated. All apparatus that has to be worked or attended to shall be placed at a spacious working place accessible, clear of obstruction, and free from danger.
Where earthing is required in a mine, it shall be connected to the surface substation earthing. Metallic sheaths, coverings, handles, joint boxes, switchgear frames, instrument covers, switch or fuse covers, lamp holders, frames, and bedplates of generators, transformers, and motors (including portable) shall be earthed. All conductors of an earthing system shall have conductivity at least equal to fifty percent of that of the largest conductor used solely to supply the apparatus being earthed.
Entities must ensure earth fault limits are maintained, protective relay settings are appropriate, operations of switchgear and relays are recorded daily, and the effectiveness of the protective system is checked by calibrating and testing at least once a year, with results recorded. Numerical relays shall be tested as per OEM guidelines or relevant standards at least annually.
For belowground mines, transmission voltage shall not exceed 11 kV and use voltage shall not exceed 6.6 kV. Hand-held portable apparatus shall not exceed 125V. For portable hand-lamps in belowground mines and hazardous areas of oil fields, voltage shall not exceed 30V. For remote control or electric interlocking circuits, voltage shall not exceed 30V for belowground mines or hazardous areas of oil fields.
In mines or oil-fields, transformers used for providing voltages to control circuits, remote control, interlocking, or hand-held apparatus shall have suitable provision to guard against danger by reason of the lower voltage apparatus becoming accidentally charged above its normal voltage by leakage from or contact with the higher voltage apparatus.
Switchgear and electrical connections shall be enclosed, mechanically strong, properly insulated, and protected against contact, fire, explosion, and faults. All live parts shall be protected or enclosed to prevent accidental contact and to prevent danger from arcs, short-circuits, fire, water, gas, or oil. Where there is risk of igniting gas, coal dust, oil, or other inflammable material, all parts shall be so protected as to prevent open sparking.
Properly constructed switchgear with protective mechanisms shall be provided to safely disconnect supply from systems, motors, and feeders, with operator availability ensured and automatic disconnection during faults, including interlocking with ventilators and fans. Every motor shall be controlled by switchgear capable of disconnecting supply to the motor and connected apparatus. Suitable switchgear shall automatically disconnect supply under over-current, earth fault or leakage, under-voltage, and single phasing conditions.
All electrical apparatus shall be maintained free from dust, moisture, and obstruction; storage of inflammable material nearby shall be prevented; faulty circuits shall be isolated; only authorised persons shall operate apparatus; safety notices in Hindi and local language shall be displayed; and interlocks shall be provided to prevent handling of live connections. Supply shall be disconnected while changing lamps. All apparatus shall be operated only by designated persons.
When shot-firing is in progress, adequate precautions shall be taken to protect electrical apparatus and conductors from injury. Current from lighting or power circuits shall not be used for firing shots. Shot-firing cables shall conform to relevant standards and shall not come into contact with other cables or electrical apparatus.
Where electrical signalling is used, adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent signal and telephone wires from coming into contact with other cables and apparatus. The voltage in any one circuit shall not exceed 30V. Contact-makers shall be so constructed as to prevent accidental closing of the circuit. Bare conductors, where used, shall be installed on suitable insulators.
Haulage by electric locomotives on the overhead trolley-wire system at voltage not exceeding 650V and haulage by storage battery locomotives may be used in mines only with the prior permission in writing of the Electrical Inspector of Mines and subject to such conditions as may be imposed in the interest of safety.
For all AC systems above 30V in mines or oil-fields, the neutral or mid-point shall be earthed as per Regulation 102. Blasting and signalling systems are exempt. In the case of unearthed neutral systems, suitable ground protection approved by the Electrical Inspector of Mines shall be provided to isolate faulty sections.
The owner, agent, or manager of a mine or oil-field wells shall appoint electrical supervisors in writing as per DGMS guidelines and inform the Authority or as directed by the Electrical Inspector of Mines. The supervisor shall hold a valid Electrical Supervisor’s Certificate of Competency for mining installations. Adequate electricians as per DGMS guidelines shall also be appointed in writing; electricians shall hold a licence under Regulation 31(1).
Whenever an electrical supervisor is absent, a substitute shall be appointed in writing before the absence commences. The supervisor or substitute must maintain a log-book in the Schedule XI format, including daily logs and test records, at all times.
Persons engaged in the operation and maintenance of electrical installations in mines shall undergo training specific to Coal, Oil, or Metal mining installations as per DGMS-prescribed syllabus, with intimation in writing to the Authority. The owner, manager, or agent shall arrange training through their own institute or any institute recognised by the Central or State Government.
Refresher training shall be given at intervals not exceeding two years. The owner, manager, or agent shall maintain a register or electronic record of trained persons, due dates, and related details, and produce it before the Electrical Inspector of Mines when required.
The regulations under Chapter X of the CEA Safety Regulations, 2023 shall be applicable to renewable generating stations in addition to the regulations provided from Chapters I to VII.
All biomass plants and waste-to-energy plants — including Municipal Solid Waste or Refuse Derived Fuel plants — shall comply with the safety standards mentioned in Regulations notified by the Authority under clause (e) of sub-section (2) of Section 177 of the Electricity Act, 2003.
Solar installations shall: provide clear pathways of at least 75 cm wide with handrails for roof access and emergency exit in rooftop systems; maintain clear walkways between panel rows and columns for cleaning and maintenance; lay cables in trenches for ground-based PV installations; and protect ground-mounted installations with fencing of at least 1.8 m height. Disconnection switches or circuit breakers in combiner boxes shall be at readily accessible locations. Inverter units shall be installed at the building periphery near panels with DC cables UV-protected or routed through UV-protected pipes.
Solar installations shall comply with relevant earthing standards. Inverter cabinet frames shall be connected to the earthing bus bar through earthing terminals using flexible braided copper wire. All metal casing, shielding, array structures, equipment, inverters, and control systems shall be earthed through proper earthing. The earthing system shall connect all non-current carrying metal receptacles and structures in one long run with earth strips interconnected by proper welding and not bolted.
Solar installations shall have lightning and overvoltage protection with required lightning arresters. Every combiner box shall be equipped with suitable surge protective devices having arc extinguishing capability to prevent fire risk. Input circuits of combiner boxes shall have over-current protection; output circuits shall have isolation protection; earth fault protection and insulation monitoring for photovoltaic arrays and inverters shall be provided.
A fire detection system and automatic fire suppression system shall be provided for solar installations and shall comply with the relevant standards.
PV modules and associated structures of floating solar power plants shall comply with relevant standards for tests such as salt mist, ammonia corrosion, environmental stress cracking of High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE), stress cracking resistance of HDPE, and standard test method for tensile properties of plastics.
All wind energy generation systems — including wind turbines, wind power plants onshore and offshore connected with the grid — shall comply with relevant standards. Transformers for wind turbine applications shall be as per the relevant standards. Portable fire extinguishers shall be kept at various locations in plants for immediate action in case of fire. Any wind turbine worker exposed to a potential fall shall be supported by a certified fall arrest system such as a full body safety harness.
EV charging stations shall have separate overload protection for input and output as per standards. Socket outlets shall be at least 800 mm above finished ground level. No cord extension set or second supply lead shall be used for connecting an EV to the charging point. No adaptor shall be used to connect a vehicle connector to a vehicle inlet; charging distance shall not exceed 5 m. After disconnection, voltage shall be ≤42.4V peak (30 Vrms) or 60V DC and energy <20 J. Lightning protection shall be provided as per standards.
Each EV charging point shall have a dedicated protected sub-circuit, coordinated protection devices, earth continuity monitoring, and proper earthing conductors. An earth continuity monitoring system that disconnects supply in the event of ineffective earthing to the vehicle shall be provided. The charging lead shall be fitted with an earth-connected metal shielding; a protective earth conductor shall establish an equipotential connection between the supply earth terminal and the conductive parts of the vehicle.
The enclosure of electric vehicle supply equipment shall be made of fire retardant material with self-extinguishing property and free from halogen. A fire detection, alarm, and control system shall be provided as per relevant standards.
The owner of the charging station shall ensure that tests as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions for residual current devices and the charging station have been carried out. Records of such testing shall be maintained.
The owner of the charging station shall keep records of design, construction, and labelling to ensure compatibility with a 50 Hz standard voltage supply. Records of relevant test certificates, results of every inspection, testing, and periodic assessment, and details of any issues observed shall be maintained. All records shall be retained in hard or electronic form for at least seven years and shall be provided to officials during inspection.
A wire mesh shall be provided beneath the walkway wherever constructed above the hanging valves in the valve hall. Cables used for sensitive measurements shall be laid in separate and completely screened or covered channels or galvanised steel pipes. A separate emergency source of illumination with automatic initiation shall be provided in every room or compartment of the HVDC station. No oil-immersed apparatus shall be kept within the valve hall. All doors of compartments containing modules with laser diodes and fibre optic cable junction boxes shall be locked and marked with laser warning symbols.
AC and DC filter bank areas shall be efficiently protected by fencing or other means not less than 1.8 m in height to prevent access by unauthorised persons, and the fencing shall be effectively earthed. The gate of the fencing and the earth switch of the filter bank shall be interlocked such that the gate can be opened only after complete disconnection and discharging of the filter bank.
The converter transformer shall have a separate perimeter earthing conductor. The line-side neutral of the transformer bank shall be earthed at one point only. The air-cored reactor support structure circumference shall be earthed without forming closed loops. The Radio Frequency Interference screen of the valve hall and all metallic sheet, prefabricated structure members, and trusses housing HVDC apparatus shall be electrically connected and effectively earthed.
A separate emergency source of illumination with automatic initiation shall be provided in every room or compartment of the GIS. A cable cover protection unit shall be provided between flanges of the GIS and the cable termination unit. GIS installations of 220 kV and above shall be provided with a partial discharge monitoring system. SF6 gas leakage rate from any single compartment shall not exceed the limits stipulated in the relevant standards.
The enclosure of each GIS bay shall be earthed for high frequency transient voltage as per OEM recommendations, in addition to the regular earthing. Travelling wave energy generated inside the GIS due to switching operations shall be diverted to earth by providing effective earthing from bushing shroud to earth. Earthing of GIS installations shall be as per relevant standards.
Owners of electrical installations must report failures of 220 kV and above transformers, reactors, or transmission towers to the Authority within 48 hours. The causes of failure and preventive measures must be submitted within one month using the forms provided in Schedule VII.
Before approval is accorded by the Electrical Inspector under Regulation 45, manufacturer’s type, acceptance, and routine test certificates shall, if required, be produced for all tests as per relevant standards. No new apparatus, cables, or supply lines above 650V shall be commissioned without site testing. Equipment disconnected for six months or more shall be reconnected only after such testing. All equipment shall be maintained in good condition with periodic testing; records of tests, trippings, maintenance, and repairs shall be properly maintained.
Cables (except flexible) shall be insulated and protected from mechanical damage and supported at intervals to prevent damage. Only concentric, single, two-core, or multi-core cables with metallic covering containing conductors shall be used for supply above 125V or where the Electrical Inspector sees risk of igniting gas or dust. Metallic covering shall be continuous, effectively earthed, and corrosion-protected with conductivity at least 50% of the largest conductor.
Flexible cables for portable or transportable apparatus shall be two-core or multi-core (except for welding), properly insulated and protected. Metallic covering shall not alone serve as an earth connection. Proper connectors shall be used (bolted for above 650V–11 kV, with cable anchored); a circuit breaker shall be provided at joints with main cables. Length shall not exceed 100 m (exceptions up to 1,000 m). Cables shall be supported, used only for portable or transportable apparatus, and isolated when not in use.
The operator of an electrically driven coal-cutter or portable or transportable machine shall not leave it while operating. Before leaving the area, the operator shall ensure supply is disconnected from the flexible cable. During operation, the operator shall ensure the flexible cable is not dragged by the machine. All portable and transportable machines in underground mines shall operate on remote control from the concerned switchgear with pilot core protection.
Penalty & Consequences
Section 146 of the Electricity Act, 2003 — General Penalty for Non-Compliance
Whoever fails to comply with any order or direction issued under the Electricity Act, 2003, or contravenes — or attempts or abets the contravention of — any provision of the Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with a fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both, in respect of each offence. In the case of a continuing failure, a further fine which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day during which the failure continues after conviction of the first such offence shall also be imposed. This provision applies uniformly across all compliance obligations under the CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023.
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