This document provides an overview of key aspects of electrical system design and Indian electricity regulations. It discusses the objectives of electrical system design courses and outlines various modules that will be covered, including general safety precautions, electrical accessories and devices, wiring diagrams, and earthing systems. It also summarizes important elements of the Indian Electricity Act and Rules, including the roles of regulatory commissions, rural electrification efforts, open access provisions, and measures to prevent electricity theft.

1. EE09 801
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DESIGN

2. OBJECTIVE
• To import the basic concepts of various
electrical installation
• To study the design and estimation of
different electrical installation

3. MODULE - 1
• General:
– Salient features of Indian Electricity Act
– Indian Electricity Rules and Energy Conservation Act
– General safety precautions
– Role and scope of National Electric Code – IS codes and IEC codes
– Classification of supply systems: TN, TT and IT systems.
• Accessories and protective devices:
– Load break switches, Switch Fuse Units, Fuse Switches,
– Circuit Breakers: MCB, MCCB, ELCB, ACB, OCB and VCB - Different types of fuses-
• Protection against over load
• Service connections - Reception and distribution of main supply - Schematic and
wiring diagrams
• Estimation of wiring materials used for a small residential building
• Neutral and earth wire
• Earth bus
• Design of earthing systems: pipe earthing

4. Salient features of Indian Electricity act
• Three erstwhile Acts that regulated the electricity
sector:
• The Indian Electricity Act, 1910
• The Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948
• The Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998

5. • The Indian Electricity Act, 1910
• Provided basic framework for electric supply industry in
India.
• Growth of the sector through private licensees. License
by State Govt.
• Provision for license for supply of electricity in a specified
area.
• Legal framework for laying down of wires and other works.
• Provisions laying down relationship between licensee and
consumer.

6. • The Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948
• Mandated creation of SEBs.
• Need for the State to step in (through SEBs) to extend
electrification (so far limited to cities) all across the
country.

7. • Main amendments to the existing Acts
• Amendment in 1975 to enable generation in Central sector
• Amendment to bring in commercial viability in the
functioning of SEBs –
• Section 59 amended to make the earning of a minimum return of
3% on fixed assets a statutory requirement (w.e.f 1.4.1985)
• Amendment in 1991 to open generation to private sector
and establishment of RLDCs
• Amendment in 1998 to provide for private sector participation
in transmission, and also provision relating to Transmission
Utilities

8. • The Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998
• Provision for setting up of Central / State Electricity
Regulatory Commission to with powers to determine
tariffs.
• Constitution of SERC optional for States. .
• Distancing of Govt. from tariff determination.

9. State Reform Acts
 Orissa (1995)
 Haryana (1997)
 Andhra Pradesh (1998)
 Uttar Pradesh (1999)
 Karnataka (1999)
 Rajasthan (1999)
 Delhi (2000)
 Madhya Pradesh (2000)
 Gujarat (2003)

10. Common features of State Acts
• Independent Regulatory Mechanism
• Constitution of SERC
• Powers of tariff fixation, licensing, regulation or working of
licensees, performance standards etc. to SERC
• Reorganisation of SEB
• TRANSCO as successor entity
• Single buyer model
• Separation of generation, transmission & distribution

11. • Powers of State Governments to give policy
directions to SERCs.
• Policy directions also on subsidy
• State Governments to compensate licensee affected by
direction regarding subsidy

12. Need for the new legislation
• Requirement of harmonizing and rationalizing the provisions in the
existing laws to
- Create competitive environment for benchmark competition which
will result in enhancing quality and reliability of service to consumer.
- distancing regulatory responsibilities of Govt.
• Reform legislation by several States separately.
• Obviating need for individual States to enact their own reform laws.
• Requirement of introducing newer concepts like power trading, open
access, Appellate Tribunal etc.
• Special provision for the Rural areas.

13. Objective of Indian electricity act
• Encouraging autonomous regulation with the
separation of
• policy regulation and operational aspects
• Rationalizing tariff and lowering the cross-
subsidization
• levels
• Creating competition in the industry
• Ensuring supply of electricity to all areas
• Protecting consumer interests

14. Policy
• A National electricity plan shall be prepared in
accordance with National Electricity Policy
every 5 years National policy on stands alone
systems for rural areas and Nonconventional
energy systems National policy on
electrification and local distribution in rural
areas

15. Salient features of the Electricity
Act, 2003
• Role of Government
• Rural Electrification
• Generation
• Transmission
• Distribution
• Consumer Protection
• Trading / Market Development
• Regulatory Commission / Appellate Tribunal
• Tariff Principles
• CEA
• Measures against Theft of electricity
• Restructuring of SEBs

16. Role of Government
• Central Government to prepare National Electricity Policy and Tariff
Policy.(Section 3)
• Central Govt. to notify a National Policy for rural areas permitting
stand alone systems based on renewal and Non-Conventional
energy sources in consultation with States. (Section 4)
• Central Govt. to formulate a National Policy in consultation with the
concerned State Govts. for bulk purchase of power and
management of local distribution through Users’ Association,
Cooperatives, Franchisees and Panchayat Institutions etc. (Section
5)

17. Rural Electrification
Appropriate Government to endeavor to extend
supply of electricity to all villages/hamlets.
(Section 6)
No requirement of licence if a person intends to
generate and distribute power in rural area.
(Section 14)

18. GENERATION
 Generation free from licensing. (Section 7)
 Requirement of TEC for non-hydro generation done away with. (Section 7)
 Captive Generation is free from controls. Open access to Captive generating plants
subject to availability of transmission facility. (Section 9)
 Clearance of CEA for hydro projects required. Necessary due to concern of dam
safety and inter-State issues. (Section 8)
 Generation from Non-Conventional Sources / Co-generation to be promoted.
Minimum percentage of purchase of power from renewable may be prescribed by
Regulatory Commissions. (Sections 61 (h), 86 (1) (e))

19. TRANSMISSION
 There would be Transmission Utility at the Centre and in the States to undertake
planning & development of transmission system. (Sections 38 & 39)
 Load dispatch to be in the hands of a government company/organisation. Flexibility
regarding keeping Transmission Utility and load dispatch together or separating
them. Load Dispatch function critical for grid stability and neutrality as compare to
generators and distributors. Instructions to be binding on both.
(Sections 26, 27,31, 38, 39)
 Transmission companies to be licensed by the Appropriate Commission after giving
due consideration to the views of the Transmission Utility.
(Sections 15(5)(b))
 The Load Dispatch Centre/Transmission Utility / Transmission Licensee not to
trade in power. Facilitating genuine competition between generators
(Sections 27, 31, 38, 39,41)
 Open access to the transmission lines to be provided to distribution licensees,
generating companies. (Sections 38-40)
 This would generate competitive pressures and lead to gradual cost reduction.

20. DISTRIBUTION
• Distribution to be licensed by SERCs.
• Distribution licensee free to take up generation & Generating co. free to
take up distribution licence. This would facilitate private sector
participation without Government guarantee/ Escrow. (Sections 7, 12)
• Retail tariff to be determined by the Regulatory Commission. (Section 62)
• Metering made mandatory. (Section 55)
• Provision for suspension/revocation of licence by Regulatory Commission
as it is an essential service which can not be allowed to collapse. (Sections
19, 24)
• Open access in distribution to be allowed by SERC in phases. (Section 42)
• In addition to the wheeling charges provision for surcharge if open access
is allowed before elimination of cross subsidies, to take care of
• Current level of cross subsidy
• Licensee’s obligation to supply. (Section 42)
• This would give choice to customer

21. Regulatory Commissions/Appellate
Tribunal
 State Electricity Regulatory Commission to be constituted within six months.
(Section 82)
 Provision for Joint Commission by more than one State/UT. (Section 83)
 Provision for constitution of Appellate Tribunal consisting of Chairman and
three Members. (Section 110, 112)
 Appellate Tribunal to hear appeals against the orders of CERC/SERC, and also
to exercise general supervision and control over the Central/State
Commissions. (Section 111)
 Appeal against the orders of Appellate Tribunal to lie before the Supreme
Court. (Section 125)
 Appellate Tribunal considered necessary to-
 Reduce litigation and delay in decisions through High Court.
 Provide technical expertise in decision on appeals.

22. CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY
 CEA to continue as the main technical Advisor of the
Govt. of India/ State Government with the responsibility of
overall planning. (Section 70)
 CEA to specify the technical standards for electrical plants
and electrical lines. (Section 73)
 CEA to be technical adviser to CERC as well as
SERCs.(Section 73)
 CEA to specify the safety standards. (Section 53)

23. TARIFF PRINCIPLES
Regulatory Commission to determine tariff for supply of electricity
by generating co. on long/medium term contracts. (Section 62)
No tariff fixation by regulatory commission if tariff is determined
through competitive bidding or where consumers, on being allowed
open access enter into agreement with generators/traders.
 Consumer tariff should progressively reduce cross subsidies and
move towards actual cost of supply. (Section 61 (g), (h))
 State Government may provide subsidy in advance through the
budget for specified target groups if it requires the tariff to be lower
than that determined by the Regulatory Commission. (Section 65)
Regulatory Commissions may undertake regulation including
determination of multi-year tariff principles, which rewards
efficiency and is based on commercial principles. (Section 61 (e), (f))
Regulatory Commission to look at the costs of generation,
transmission and distribution separately. (Section 62 (2))

24. RESTRUCTURING OF SEBs
• Provision for transfer scheme to create one or
more companies from SEB. (Section 131)
• Provision for continuance of SEBs (Section 172)
• States given flexibility to adopt reform
model/path

25. Measures Against Theft of
Electricity
- Focus on revenue realisation rather than criminal proceedings. (Sections
126, 135)
- Penalties linked to the connected load and quantum of energy and
financial gain involved in theft. (Section 135)
- Provisions for compounding of offences. (Section 152)
- Assessment of electricity charges for unauthorised use of electricity by the
assessing officer designated by the State Government. (Section 126)
- Theft punishable with imprisonment. (Section 135)
- Punishment provision for abetment of theft. (Section 150)
- Special Courts (Sections 153-158)

26. New Central Law vis a vis State Reform
/ Amendment Laws
• All licenses, authorisations, permissions, approvals,
clearances issued under the repealed laws are saved for a
maximum period of one year. (Section 172(b)).
• Action taken under corresponding provisions of the
repealed laws or rules made thereunder are saved to the
extent of consistency/correspondence with the provisions
of the new Act(Section 185 (2)).
• Provisions of State Reform laws not inconsistent with
provisions of the new Central law will continue to apply in
that State (Section 185(3)).
• State Governments can defer implementation of the new
Act by a maximum period of six months. (Section 172(d)).

27. INDIAN ELECTRICITY RULES
• Indian Electricity Rules : 1956 – An Overview
• Indian Electricity Rules 1956 are made the Indian Electricity
Act:1910 , which is repealed by the Electricity Act:2003.
• These Rules shall be in force till new Rules are framed under the
Electricity Act:2003.
• Indian Electricity Rules contain general and specific provisions
regarding reliability and safety of Electrical supply systems.
• They focus on protection of persons and property from injury by
reasons of contact with , or the proximity of , or by the reason of
the defective or dangerous condition of any appliances or
apparatus/equipment used in the generation, transmission , supply
or use of energy.
• The Indian Electricity Rules supplement the various codes of the
Bureau of Indian standards.

28. Indian Electricity Rules have been
covered in 11 Chapters in all
Chapte
rs
Rules
covered
Details
1 1 to 3 It covers preliminaries, such as definitions of
different expressions used in Rules, Authorization
to person to work on live mains etc.
2 4 to 10 It deals with appointment of Electrical Inspector,
his qualification and experience. Powers of Electrical
Inspector to enter the premises and to serve order
for compliance of defects, provision of appeals
against the order of Electrical Inspector etc.

29. 3 11 to
28
It deals with granting of license
for supply of electricity. As per
the provision of the Electricity
Act:2003, such license shall be
issued by the Gujarat
Electricity Regulatory
Commission ( GERC ) ,
constituted under the new Act.
4 29 to
46
This chapter deals with General
Safety requirement. All
these Rules are described below
in detail .

30. 5 47 to
59
It deals with general conditions
relating to supply and use of
energy. It covers general Rules
for applicable to all class of
installation.
6 60 to 62 It covers the Rules applicable to
low and medium voltage
installation’s supply and use.
7 63 to 73 It covers the Rules applicable to
high and extra high voltage
installations.

31. 8 74 to
93
It deals with the provision of
Rules applicable to Overhead
lines and under ground cables.
9 94 to
108
This contains specific safety
provisions which apply only to a
Electrical energy used for the
purpose of Traction.
10 109 to
132
It deals with precautions to be
adopted in mines and oil fields.
11 133 to
143
Miscellaneous – Contain mainly
penalty for breaking Rules.

32. General Safety Requirements ( Chapter-IV ,
Rules 29 to 46 )
• Rule:29 – Construction , installation , protection , operation and maintenance
of electric supply lines and apparatus
• Rule:30 – Service line and apparatus on Consumer’s premises
• Rule:31 – Cut –Out on Consumer’s premises
• Rule:32– Proper distinction between live, neutral and earth conductors
• Rule:33 – Earthed terminal on Consumer’s premises
• Rule:34 –Accessibility of bare conductors
• Rule:35 – Caution / Danger Notices
• Rule:36 – Handling of Electric Supply lines Apparatus
• Rule: 41 – Distinction of different circuits
• Rule: 43 – Provision applicable to Protective Equipment
• Rule: 44 – Instruction for restoration of persons suffering from electric shock
• Rule: 44 A– Intimation of Accident
• Rule: 45– Precautions to be adopted by consumers, owners, occupiers,
electrical contractors, electrical workmen and supplier
• Rule: 46– Periodic Inspection

33. Reasons of accidents
• Snapping of Conductors.
• Accidental contact with live electric wire /
equipment.
• Violation / neglect of safety measures / lack of
supervisions.
• Defective appliances / apparatus / tools.
• Inadequate / lack of maintenance.
• Unauthorised work / Sub-standard construction.
• Others reasons (inadequate knowledge / training of
the work force, leakage of current etc.)

34. Hazards of electricity
• Electric shock:- Current flows through body or part of
body when two surfaces having electrical potential
difference is touched resulting in burn, disability or
even death.
• Flashover:-Sudden collapse of electric field by having a
conducting path between two electrical potential
different surfaces resulting in burn, fire.
• Blast:-Failure of dielectric medium between two
electrical potential different surfaces resulting in
projectile, mechanical force, fire or burn.
• Heat:-Caused by loose connection in the circuit,
overheating of insulation/ conductor due to overload
or prolonged short circuit current etc. resulting in fire,
burn.

35. Quantitative effect of electric current
(up to 3sec.) on human (source Daziel)
Effect mA
d.c a.c
60Hz 10kHz
M F M F M F
Perception threshold 5.2 3.5 1.1 0.7 12 8
Shock but not painful 9 6 1.8 1.2 17 11
Muscular control lost, breathing
difficulty.
90 60 23 15 94 63
Ventricular fibrillation 500 500 100 100

36. The Energy Conservation Act, 2001 and its Features
Policy Framework – Energy Conservation Act – 2001
• With the background of high energy saving potential
and its benefits, bridging the gap between demand and
supply, reducing environmental emissions through
energy saving, and to effectively overcome the barrier,
the Government of India has enacted the Energy
Conservation Act – 2001. The Act provides the much-
needed legal framework and institutional arrangement
for embarking on an energy efficiency drive.
• Under the provisions of the Act, Bureau of Energy
Efficiency has been established with effect from 1st
March 2002 by merging erstwhile Energy Management
Centre of Ministry of Power

37. Important features of the Energy
Conservation Act are:
• Standards and Labeling
Standards and Labeling (S & L) has been identified as a key
activity for energy efficiency improvement. The S & L program, when in
place would ensure that only energy efficient equipment and
appliance would be made available to the consumers.
• The main provision of EC act on Standards and Labeling are:
– Evolve minimum energy consumption and performance standards for
notified equipment and appliances.
– Prohibit manufacture, sale and import of such equipment, which does
not conform to the standards.
– Introduce a mandatory labeling scheme for notified equipment
appliances to enable consumers to make informed choices
– Disseminate information on the benefits to consumers

38. • Designated Consumers
• The main provisions of the EC Act on designated consumers are:
• The government would notify energy intensive industries and other
establishments as designated consumers;
• Schedule to the Act provides list of designated consumers which covered
basically energy intensive industries, Railways, Port Trust, Transport Sector,
• Power Stations, Transmission & Distribution Companies and Commercial
buildings or establishments;
• • The designated consumer to get an energy audit conducted by an
accredited energy auditor;
• • Energy managers with prescribed qualification are required to be
appointed or designated by the designated consumers;
• • Designated consumers would comply with norms and standards of
energy consumption as prescribed by the central government.

39. • Certification of Energy Managers and
Accreditation of Energy Auditing Firms
• The main activities in this regard as envisaged in
the Act are:
• A cadre of professionally qualified energy
managers and auditors with expertise in policy
analysis, project management, financing and
implementation of energy efficiency projects
would be developed through Certification and
Accreditation programme. BEE to design training
modules, and conduct a National level
examination for certification of energy managers
and energy auditors.

40. • Energy Conservation Building Codes:
• The main provisions of the EC Act on Energy
Conservation Building Codes are:
• The BEE would prepare guidelines for Energy
Conservation Building Codes (ECBC);
• These would be notified to suit local climate conditions
or other compelling factors by the respective states for
commercial buildings erected after the rules relating to
energy conservation building codes have been notified.
In addition, these buildings should have a connected
load of 500 kW or contract demand of 600 kVA and
above and are intended to be used for commercial
purposes;
• Energy audit of specific designated commercial
building consumers would also be prescribed.

41. • Central Energy Conservation Fund:
• The EC Act provisions in this case are:
• The fund would be set up at the centre to
develop the delivery mechanism for large-scale
adoption of energy efficiency services such as
performance contracting and promotion of
energy service companies. The fund is expected
to give a thrust to R & D and demonstration in
order to boost market penetration of efficient
equipment and appliances. It would support the
creation of facilities for testing and development
and to promote consumer awareness.

42. • Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):
• The mission of Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to
institutionalize energy efficiency services, enable delivery
mechanisms in the country and provide leadership to
energy efficiency in all sectors of economy. The primary
objective would be to reduce energy intensity in the Indian
Economy.
• The general superintendence, directions and management
of the affairs of the Bureau is vested in the Governing
Council with 26 members. The Council is headed by Union
Minister of Power and consists of members represented by
Secretaries of various line Ministries, the CEOs of technical
agencies under the Ministries, members representing
equipment and appliance manufacturers, industry,
architects, consumers and five power regions representing
the states. The Director General of the Bureau shall be the
ex-officio member-secretary of the Council.

43. • Role of Bureau of Energy Efficiency
• The role of BEE would be to prepare standards
and labels of appliances and equipment, develop
a list of designated consumers, specify
certification and accreditation procedure,
prepare building codes, maintain Central EC fund
and undertake promotional activities in co-
ordination with center and state level agencies.
The role would include development of Energy
service companies (ESCOs), transforming the
market for energy efficiency and create
awareness through measures including clearing
house.

44. • Role of Central and State Governments:
• The following role of Central and State Government is
envisaged in the Act
• Central - to notify rules and regulations under various
provisions of the Act, provide initial financial assistance
to BEE and EC fund, Coordinate with various State
Governments for notification, enforcement, penalties
and adjudication.
• State - to amend energy conservation building codes to
suit the regional and local climatic condition, to
designate state level agency to coordinate, regulate
and enforce provisions of the Act and constitute a State
Energy Conservation Fund for promotion of energy
efficiency.

45. • Enforcement through Self-Regulation:
• E.C. Act would require inspection of only two
items. The following procedure of self-
regulation is proposed to be adopted for
verifying areas that require inspection of only
two items that require inspection.

46. • Penalties and Adjudication:
• Penalty for each offence under the Act would be in
monetary terms i.e. Rs.10,000 for each offence and
Rs.1,000 for each day for continued non Compliance.
• The initial phase of 5 years would be promotional and
creating infrastructure for
• implementation of Act. No penalties would be effective
during this phase.
• The power to adjudicate has been vested with state
Electricity Regulatory Commission which shall appoint
any one of its member to be an adjudicating officer for
holding an enquiry in connection with the penalty
imposed.

47. Role and Scope of IS and IEC code
• NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 2011
• This Part 1/Section 1 of the Code describes the scope
of the National Electrical Code.
• This Part 1/Section 2 of the Code covers definitions of
terms.
• This Part 1/Section 3 of the Code covers graphical
symbols for diagrams, letter symbols and signs which
may be referred to for further details.
• This Part 1/Section 4 of the Code covers guidelines for
preparation of diagrams, charts and tables in
electrotechnology and for marking of conductors.
• This Part 1/Section 5 of the Code covers units and
systems of measurement in electrotechnology.

48. • This Part 1/Section 6 of the Code covers standard values of
ac and dc distribution voltages, preferred values of current
ratings and standard system frequency.
• This Part 1/Section 7 of the Code enumerates the
fundamental principles of design and execution of electrical
installations.
• This Part 1/Section 8 of the Code covers guidelines for
assessing the characteristics of buildings and the electrical
installation therein.
• This Section 9 of the Code covers the essential design and
constructional requirements for electrical wiring
installations.
• This Part 1/Section 10 covers guidelines and general
requirements associated with circuit calculations, namely,
short circuit calculations and voltage drop calculations for
cables and flexible cords.

49. • This Part 1/Section 11 of the Code covers
requirements for installation work relating to
building services that use electric power.
• This Part 1/Section 12 of the Code covers general
criteria for selection of equipment.
• This Part 1/Section 13 of the Code covers general
principles of erection of installation and
guidelines on initial testing before
commissioning.
• This Part 1/Section 14 of the Code covers general
requirements associated with earthing in
electrical installations. Specific requirements for
earthing in individual installations are covered in
respective Parts of the Code.

50. • 1.1 This (Part 1/Section 15) of the Code covers guidelines
on the basic electrical aspects of lightning protective
systems for buildings and the electrical installation forming
part of the system.
• 1.2 Additional guidelines if any, for specific occupancies
from the point of lightning protection are covered in
respective sections of the Code.
• 1.1 This Part 1/Section 16 covers the protection
requirements in low voltage electrical installation of
buildings.
• 1.2 This part does not cover the primary protection against
lightning which is covered under Part 1/ Section 15.
• This Part 1/Section 18 of the Code covers the aspects to be
considered for selection of equipment from energy
conservation point of view and guidance on energy audit.

51. • This Part 1/Section 19 of the Code covers
guidelines on safety procedures and practices
in electrical work.
• This Part 1/Section 20 gives frequently
referrred tables in electrical engineering work.