# 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 the Indian Electricity Act, 2003, to regulate measures relating to safety and electric supply in India.

## History

CEAR came into effect on the 20th of 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