title: Central Electricity Authority Regulations
text: # Central Electricity Authority Regulations
  
  CEAR namely Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010 are regulations framed by Central Electricity Authority of India under Indian Electricity Act, 2003, to regulate measures relating to safety and electric supply in India.
  
  ## History
  
  CEAR came into effect 20 September 2010, in place of The Indian Electricity Rules, 1956.
  
  The Electricity Act, 2003, was formulated combining the Indian Electricity Act 1910 and Indian Electricity (supply) Act 1948.
  
  ## Earthing provisions and safety
  
  Under CEAR, rule 41, there is specific provision of earthing neutral wire of a 3-phase, 4-wire system and the additional third wire of a 2- phase, 3-wire system. Earthing is to be done with two separate connections. Grounding system also to have minimum two or more earth pits (electrode) such that proper grounding takes place. As per the rule 42, installation with load above 5 kW exceeding 250 V shall have suitable Earth leakage protective device to isolate the load in case of earth fault or leakage.
  
  Neutral and earth run separately on overhead line/cables. Separate conductor for overhead lines and armouring of cables are used for earth connection. Additional earth electrodes/pits are installed at user ends for proper earth.
  
  All metal casing or metallic coverings of electric supply line or apparatus to be connected with earth and all such earthling points shall be so joined to make good mechanical and electrical connection in complete system.
  
  ### Earthing in mines
  
  Earthing in an underground mine shall be carried out by connection to an earthing system at the surface of the mine as per rule 99.
  
  As per rule 100, protective equipment is to be placed in the mines for automatic disconnection of supply when there is earth fault exceeding 750 milliampere in 250 V to 1000 Volt installations. For open cast mine the limit is 50 ampere in installations of voltage exceeding 1100 V and up to 11 kV. The earth leakage current is to be restricted by placing suitable neutral grounding resistance (NGR) in all the distribution transformers.
  
  ## Salient features
  
  Chapters and regulations there in:-
  
  * Chapter - I Definitions
  
  1 Short title and Commencement
  
  2 Definitions
  
  * Chapter - II
  
  3 Designating person(s) to operate and carry out the work on electrical lines and apparatus
  
  4 Inspection of designated officers and other safety measures
  
  5 Electrical Safety Officer
  
  6 Safety measures for operation and maintenance of electric plants
  
  7 Safety measures for operation and maintenance of transmission, distribution systems
  
  8 Keeping of records and inspection there of
  
  9 Deposit of maps
  
  10 Deposit of printed copies
  
  11 Plan for area of supply to be made and kept open for inspection
  
  * Chapter - III General safety requirements
  
  12 General safety requirements, pertaining to construction, installation, protection, operation and maintenance of electric supply lines apparatus
  
  13 Service lines and apparatus on consumer’s premises
  
  14 Switchgear on consumer’s premises
  
  15 Identification of earthed and earthed neutral conductors and position of switches and switchgear therein
  
  16 Earthed terminal on consumer’s premises
  
  17 Accessibility of bare conductors
  
  18 Danger Notices
  
  19 Handling of electric supply lines and apparatus
  
  20 Supply to vehicles and cranes
  
  21 Cables for portable or transportable apparatus
  
  22 Cables protected by bituminous materials
  
  23 Street boxes
  
  24 Distinction of different circuits
  
  25 Distinction of the installations having more than one feed
  
  26 Accidental charging
  
  27 Provisions applicable to protective equipment
  
  28 Display of instructions for resuscitation of persons suffering from electric shock
  
  29 Precautions to be adopted by consumers, owners, occupiers, electrical contractors, electrical workmen and suppliers
  
  30 Periodical inspection and-testing of Installations
  
  31 Testing of consumer's installation
  
  32 Installation and testing of generating units
  
  Chapter - IV General conditions relating to supply and use of electricity
  
  33 Precautions against leakage before connection
  
  34 Leakage on consumer's premises
  
  35 Supply and use of electricity
  
  36 Provisions for supply and use of electricity in multi-storied building more than 15 meters in height
  
  37 Conditions applicable to installations of voltage exceeding 250 Volts
  
  38 Appeal to Electrical Inspector in regard to defects
  
  39 Precautions against failure of supply and notice of failures
  
  * Chapter - V Safety Provisions for Electrical Installations and apparatus of voltage not exceeding 650 volts
  
  40 Test for resistance of insulation
  
  41 Connection with earth
  
  42 Earth leakage protective device
  
  Chapter - VI Safety Provisions for Electrical Installations and apparatus of voltage exceeding 650 volts
  
  43 Approval by Electrical Inspector
  
  44 Use of electricity at voltage exceeding 650 Volts
  
  45 Inter-locks and protection for use of electricity at voltage exceeding 650 Volts
  
  46 Testing, Operation and Maintenance
  
  47 Precautions to be taken against excess leakage in case of metal sheathed electric supply lines
  
  48 Connection with earth for apparatus exceeding 650 V
  
  49 General conditions as to transformation and control of electricity
  
  50 Pole type sub-stations
  
  51 Condensers
  
  52 Supply to luminous tube sign installations of voltage exceeding 650 Volts but not exceeding 33 kV
  
  53 Supply to electrode boilers of voltage exceeding 650 Volt but not exceeding 33 kV
  
  54 Supply to X-ray and high frequency installations
  
  * Chapter - VII Safety requirements for overhead lines, underground cables and generating stations
  
  55 Material and strength
  
  56 Joints
  
  57 Maximum stresses and factors of safety
  
  58 Clearance above ground of the lowest conductor of overhead lines
  
  59 Clearance between conductors and trolley wires
  
  60 Clearance from buildings of lines of voltage and service lines not exceeding 650 Volts
  
  61 Clearances from buildings of lines of voltage exceeding 650 V
  
  62 Conductors at different voltages on same supports
  
  63 Erection or alteration of buildings, structures, flood banks and elevation of roads
  
  64 Transporting and storing of material near overhead lines
  
  65 General clearances
  
  66 Routes proximity to aerodromes
  
  67 Maximum interval between supports
  
  68 Conditions to apply where telecommunication lines and power lines are carried on same supports
  
  69 Lines crossing or approaching each other and lines crossing street and road
  
  70 Guarding
  
  71 Service lines from overhead lines
  
  72 Earthing
  
  73 Safety and protective devices
  
  74 Protection against lightning
  
  75 Unused overhead lines
  
  76 Laying of cables
  
  77 Protection against electromagnetic interference
  
  * Chapter - VIII Safety requirements for Electric Traction
  
  78 Application of chapter
  
  79 Voltage of supply to vehicle
  
  80 Insulation of lines
  
  81 Insulation of returns
  
  82 Proximity to metallic pipes
  
  83 Difference of potential on return
  
  84 Leakage on conduit system
  
  85 Leakage on system other than conduit system
  
  86 Passengers not to have access to electric circuit
  
  87 Isolation of sections
  
  88 Minimum size and strength of trolley wire
  
  89 Height of trolley wire and length of span
  
  90 Earthing of guard wires
  
  91 Proximity to magnetic observatories and laboratories
  
  92 Records
  
  * Chapter - IX Safety requirements for mines and oil fields
  
  93 Application of chapter
  
  94 Responsibility for observance
  
  95 Notices
  
  