Section 10 in Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensee) Regulations, 2006
10.
(1)Safety Standards to be complied with, by the Licensee.- (i) The licensee shall carry out construction, operation and maintenance of the distribution lines strictly in accordance with the Indian Electricity Rules 1956, (IER 1956) except those parts of IER 1956, which have been superseded by the safety Regulations notified by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) under Section 53 of the Act. On subjects and areas (segments of power system) on which CEA's Regulations do not exist, the licensees shall follow IER 1956. In respect of matters not covered by IER 1956 or CEA's Regulations, the licensee shall develop his own written Rules and procedures and communicate them to his officers and staff after getting approved by the Commission. No relaxation or exemption shall be allowed by the licensee to his officers/employees in complying with the safety Rules in force. When CEA's Regulations or Rules on safety of any part of power system are notified, the procedures of the licensee to the extent of those notified will stand superseded.(ii)The grounding provided for the equipment and lines and earthing grid for sub-stations shall be in accordance with latest version of IS : 3043-Code of Practice for Earthing.(iii)The Licensee shall erect and maintain earthing systems by following best standards and connect all those points of the system which are required to be connected to earth.(iv)The earthing connections shall be maintained in a sound and healthy state at all times. The licensee shall take all necessary steps for testing the same and maintain the record of each test in accordance with the provisions under relevant Rules of IER 1956.(v)The Licensee shall follow provisions of IER 1956 and would ensure that no live parts of any overhead line or distribution transformer are so exposed as to cause danger. The Licensee shall also adhere with the provisions under relevant Rules of IER 1956 regarding clearances in the construction of overhead lines, erection of transformers, sub-stations and other equipment and guarding must be provided for the lines where necessary.(vi)The licensee shall adopt prescribed mechanical factor for safety of components of overhead lines and must provide guys and stays where necessary. The structures and overhead lines must be capable to withstand the storms, wind and rain that occur every year in his area.(vii)At places of high density population and wherever heavy traffic exists the Licensee shall maintain higher degree of safety by insulating live parts and by providing adequate guarding although the clearances may be adequate.(viii)Leakage current means the difference between phase current and return path. The Licensee shall take necessary steps to measure leakage current at various points in the system.(ix)The earth wires and earth electrodes provided in the Distribution System shall be maintained in good condition to ensure instantaneous operation of the protective equipment, either a fuse or a circuit breaker as the case may be, in case of accidental snapping of a conductor. In case of failure in the operation of the protective system during any accidental snapping of conductors, the circuit shall be de-energised manually, immediately after it comes to the notice of the concerned employee of the Distribution Licensee. A detailed investigation shall be done to determine cause for non-operation of the protective systems and remedial measures should be taken promptly by the Licensee.(x)The Licensee must install lightning arresters at appropriate points of the system to protect the system from lightning.(xi)The Licensee shall fix danger warning boards and display voltage level at appropriate points of the system.(xii)The safety precautions to be followed in respect of the Licensee's installations in the consumer's premises at the point of supply and for the system part downstream and adjacent to the point of supply i.e. in the consumer's system shall be conveyed by the Licensee to the consumer both in writing and verbally at the time of release of supply to a new service connection.(xiii)The Licensee shall take alt necessary action to spread awareness among the consumers for safe usage of the electricity.(xiv)The Licensee shall educate the public through press notifications regarding precautions to be taken and methods to protect themselves when an overhead line conductor snaps or when a pole falls or when a structure collapses and other similar events occur.(xv)The Licensee may disconnect supply to such consumer, in the event of consumer's non compliance even after due notice, or any specific condition or direction if such non compliance can reasonably be expected to affect system operations and safety. In cases of emergency, disconnection may be effected immediately in the interest of system operation and safety. The connection should be immediately restored as soon as the cause(s) leading to the disconnection are removed or rectified.(2)Electrocution Accidents. - (i) Departmental/Non-Departmental fatal electrocution accidents to human or animal life shall be reported by the Area Distribution Engineer to Chief Electrical Inspector (CEI) and to all concerned officials of the State Government/Licensee within 24 hours and confirmed by a post copy within 48 hours.(ii)The records of all the fatal electrocution accidents shall be maintained along with the investigation report of the CEI. A copy of the action taken on report of CEI alongwith safety measures taken for avoiding recurrence of such accidents shall be submitted to the Commission every six months i.e. by 31st October and 30th April of each financial year.
