123. Flexible cables .-(1) Flexible cables for portable or transportable apparatus shall be two-core or multi-core (unless required for electric welding), and shall be covered with insulating material which shall be efficiently protected from mechanical injury. If a flexible metallic covering is used either as the outer conductor of a concentric cable or as a means of protection from mechanical injury, it shall not be used by itself to form an earth conductor for such apparatus, but it may be used for that purpose in conjunction with an earthing core.
(2)Every flexible cable intended for use with portable or transportable apparatus shall be connected to the system and to such apparatus by properly constructed connectors:[Provided that for high voltage machines a bolted type connector shall be used and the trailing cable shall be suitably anchored at the machine end.][Provided further that where there are space limitation for multiple on-board motors and equipment for transportable or portable machines, direct entry flexible cable with elastometric sealing rings, compression gland, packing gland or sealing box which does not alter the flame-proof property may be permitted if a cable entry can accept any sealing ring with same outside diameter but different internal dimension, the ring shall have a minimum uncompressed axial height of 20 mm for circular cables of diameter not greater than 20 mm and 25 mm for circular cables of diameter greater than 20 mm.] [ Inserted by G.S.R. 274, dated 10.7.2002 (w.e.f. 20.7.2002).](3)At every point where flexible cables are joined to main cables, a [circuit breaker] [ Substituted by G.S.R. 466, dated 18.7.1991 (w.e.f. 17.8.1991).] shall be provided which is capable of [automatically] [Substituted by G.S.R. 466, dated 18.7.1991 (w.e.f. 17.8.1991). ] disconnecting the supply from such flexible cables.(4)Every flexible cable attached to a portable or transportable machine shall be examined periodically by the person authorised to operate the machine, and if such cable is used underground, it shall be examined at least once in each shift by such person. If such cable is found to be damaged or defective, it shall forthwith be replaced by a cable in good condition.(5)[ If the voltage of the circuit exceeds low voltage, all flexible cables attached to any transportable apparatus shall be provided with flexible metallic screening or pliable armouring and cables of portable apparatus shall be provided with flexible metallic screening on all the power and pilot cores:Provided that the provision of this sub-rule shall not apply to flexible cables attached to any transportable apparatus used in open cast mines where reeling and unreeling of such cables is necessary as per design features of the equipment.] [ Substituted by G.S.R. 274, dated 10.7.2002 (w.e.f. 20.7.2002).](6)All flexible metallic screening or armouring specified in sub-rule (5) shall comply with the provisions of rule 122(d):Provided that in the case of separately screened flexible cables the conductance of each such screen shall not be less than 25 per cent of that the power conductor and the combined conductance of all such screens shall in no case be less than that of 0.15 sq. cm. copper conductors.(7)[ Flexible cable exceeding ninety metres in length shall not be used with any portable or transportable apparatus:Provided that such flexible cable when used with coal-cutting machines or cutter or loader or armoured face conveyor for long wall operation, or with shuttle cars or load haul dumper or cutter loader or all alike equipment, for development and de-pillaring operation, shall not exceed two hundred and fifty metres in length:Provided further that the aforesaid cable in case of an open cast mine, when used with electrically operated heavy earth moving machinery, shall not exceed three hundred metres in length and for bucked wheel excavator at 11 KV shall not exceed one thousand metres in length.] [Substituted by G.S.R. 274, dated 10.7.2002 (w.e.f. 20.7.2002). ](8)Flexible cable, when installed in a mine, shall be efficiently supported and protected from mechanical injury.(9)Flexible cables shall not be used with apparatus other than portable or transportable apparatus.(10)Where flexible cables are used they shall be detached or otherwise isolated from the source of supply when not in use, and arrangements shall be made to prevent the energising of such cables by unauthorised persons.
