1 REGISTERED NO. PT-40 20 PAUSH 1929(S) (NO. PATNA 27) PATNA, FRIDAY, 10TH JANUARY 2008 BIHAR ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION BIHAR ELECTRICITY ] SUPPLY CODE, 2007 NOTIFICATION The 31st December, 2007 No. BERC/Regl-6/2006/529 – In exercise of power conferred by Section 181(1) and 181(2) read with Section 50 and 43 (1), Section 44, Section 46, Section 47 (4) Section 56 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003) and all powers enabling it in this behalf and also in compliance of the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India’s (i) notification no. SO 790(E) dated 8 th June, 2005 issuing “Electricity (Removal of difficulties) Order, 2005” for “Inclusions of measures to control theft of electricity in Electricity Supply Code”, and (ii) notification no.
SO 798(E) dated 9 th June, 2005 issuing Electricity (Removal of Difficulties) Eight Order, 2005 for obtaining supply of electricity at single point from the distribution licensee by the Cooperative Group Housing Societies or by any person for their members or employees residing in the same premises, the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission hereby makes the following Electricity Supply Code to govern supply and retail sale of electricity by the licensees and procedure thereof, the powers, functions, and obligations of the licensees and the right and obligations of the consumers and matter connected therewith and incidental thereto.
[1] The word 'Electric' in title of the Regulation is corrected with 'Electricity' vide Corrigendum under Notification No. BERC-Regl-06/06-part-II/02/08 dt.24.04.08.
1[ i B IHAR ELECTRIC ITY SUPPLY CODE, 2007 C O N T E N T S
CHAPTER NO. PARTICULARS PAGE NO.
CHAPTER 1 GENERAL Short Title, Extent and Commencement …………………………… 1 Mechanism for Review of Bihar Electricity Supply Code …………. 1
CHAPTER 2 DEFINITION ………………………………………………………… 2
CHAPTER 3 SYSTEM OF SUPPLY AND CLASSIFICATION OF CONSUMERS System of Supply ………………………………………………….. 7 Voltage of Supply to Consumers ………………………………….. 7 Classification of Consumers ……………………………………….. 8
CHAPTER 4 NEW SERVICE CONNECTION Licensee’s Obligation to Supply …………………………………… 8 Licensee’s Obligation to Extend the Distribution System …………. 9 Service Connection/ Extension Work got done by Consumers …… 10 New Connection …………………………………………………… 10 No Dues Certificate ………………………………………………… 13 Supply to Different Categories of Consumers …………………… 14 LT Supply to Multi-Consumer Complex including Commercial Complexes: ………………………………………………………… 17 LT Supply to Housing Colonies ……………………………………. 19 Supply to Group User ……………………………………………… 20 System of Supply and Metering ……………………………………. 20 LT Supply for Agriculture/Irrigation Pumpsets …………………… 22 LT Supply to Public Street Lightings ……………………………… 23 Temporary Power Supply ………………………………………….. 24 H.T. Supply ………………………………………………………… 25 Supply at Extra High Tension ……………………………………… 26 Target Period of Completion of Various Activities ………………... 27
CHAPTER 5 POINT OF SUPPLY AND LICENSEE’S EQUIPMENT IN PREMISES Point of Supply ……………………………………………………... 29 Installation of Equipment at point of Supply ………………………. 30 Dedicated Feeder …………………………………………………… 30 Licensee’s Equipment at Consumer’s Premises …………………… 30 ii
CHAPTER NO. PARTICULARS PAGE NO.
Damage to Equipment at Consumer’s Premises …………………… 31 Failure of Fuse / Supply …………………………………………… 31
CHAPTER 6 WIRING AND APPARATUS IN CONSUMER PREMISES Wiring at Consumer’s Premises …………………………………… 32 General Wiring Conditions ………………………………………… Mains ……………………………………………………….
Switches and Fuses ………………………………………...
Balancing of Load ……………………………………..…..
Earthing …………………………………………………… Domestic Appliances …………………………….………...
Plugs ……………………………………………………….
32 32 33 33 33 33 33 Apparatus Interfering with Licensee’s System …………..………… 33 A.C. Motor Installations ……………………………………………. 33 Consumer’s Apparatus ……………………………………………... 34 Power Factor of Apparatus …………………………………………. 34 Welding Transformers ……………………………………………… 34 Low Tension Shunt Capacitor ……………………………………… 34 High Tension Consumers …………………………………………... 35 Extra-High Tension Consumer ……………………………….…….. 35 HT/ EHT Consumers ………………………………………….……. 36 Inspection and Testing of Consumer’s Installation ………………… 36 Extensions and Alterations ……………………………….………… 37 Access to Consumer’s Premises …………………………….……… 37 Rating of Installations ……………………………………………… 38 Parallel Operation with the Supply System of the Licensee ……….. 40 Harmonics ………………………………………………………….. 40
CHAPTER 7 SERVICE CONNECTION RELATED MATTERS Contract Demand …………………………………………………… 41 Procedure for Disconnection of Supply ……………………………. 41 Temporary Disconnection ………………………………….………. 42 Permanent Disconnection ………………………….……………….. 44 Procedure for Reconnection …………………………………….….. 44 Change of Category ………………………………………………... 46 Transfer of Connection and Mutation of Names …………………… 46 iii
CHAPTER NO. PARTICULARS PAGE NO.
Procedure in Case of Change in Wiring and / or Apparatus or Shifting of Service Line in the Premises of the Consumer ………… 47 Procedure for Enhancement of Contract Demand / Connected Load 49 Procedure for Reduction of Contract Demand / Connected Load …. 50 Agreement ………………………………………………………….. 52 Termination of Agreement …………………………………………. 54 Security Deposit ……………………………………………………. 55
CHAPTER 8 METERS Licensee's Obligation to give Supply on Meters: Requirement of Meters ……………………………………………………………… 57 Classification of Meters, etc ……………………………………….. 58 Supply, Installation and Ownership of Meters and Cut-outs/ MCBs / CBs ………………………………………………………………….
60 Testing of Meters …………………………………………………... 62 Defective Meters …………………………………………………… 63 Meter (Including Maximum Demand Indicator) Not Recording ….. 64 Burnt Meters ……………………………………………………….. 65 Cost of Replacement of Defective / Burnt Meters …………………. 65
CHAPTER 9 BILLING Meter Reading and Billing ………………………………………… 66 Special Reading of Meters in cases of Change of Occupancy / Vacation of Premises for Domestic Consumers …………………… 72
CHAPTER 10 PAYMENT AND DISCONNECTION Payment ……………………………………………………………. 72 Disputed/Erroneous Bills ………………………………………….. 74 Disconnection ……………………………………………………… 76
CHAPTER 11 UNAUTHORISED USE OF ELECTRICITY AND THEFT OF ELECTRICITY Unauthorised Use of Electricity (UUE) …………………………… 77 Assessment ………………………………………………………… 77 Procedure for Inspection, Provisional Assessment, Hearing and Final Assessment in case of unauthorized use of electricity (UUE) under Section 126 of the Act Inspection…………………………………………………………… 78 Provisional Assessment and Notice to the Consumer ……………… 79 iv
CHAPTER NO. PARTICULARS PAGE NO.
Hearing & Final Assessment ………………………………………. 79 Appeal to Appellate Authority Against the Final Assessment Under Section 127 of the Act ……………………………………………… 80 Default in payment of assessed amount or instalments thereof ….… 81 Theft of Electricity …………………………………………………. 81 Section 135 of the Act as amended ………………………………… 81 Section 138 - Interference with meters or works of licensee ………. 83 Procedure to be adopted by licensee for Inspection, Provisional Assessment, Hearing and Final assessment in case of theft of electricity under section 135 of the Act Procedure …………………………………………………………… 84 Provisional Assessment and Notice to the Consumer ……………… 85 Hearing & Final Assessment ……………………………………….. 86 Compounding of Offence …………………………………………... 86 Measures to prevent diversion of electricity, theft or unauthorized use of electricity or tampering, distress or damage to electrical plant, electric lines or meter ………………………………………...
87 Voluntary declaration of tampered meters …………………………. 89 General ……………………………………………………………... 90
CHAPTER 12 MISCELLANEOUS Force Majeure and Restrictions on Supply of Power …………….. 90 Demand Side Management (DSM) ………………………………. 90 Service of Notice …………………………………………………. 91 Jurisdiction of Court ……………………………………………… 91 Repeal . …………………………………………………………… 91 Power to Remove Difficulties ……………………………………. 91 Savings …………………………………………………………… 91 ANNEXURE 1 APPLICATION FOR SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY (LOW TENSION SUPPLY) ………………………………………………… 93 ANNEXURE 2 APPLICATION FOR SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY AT HIGH TENSION ……………………………………………………………..
97 ANNEXURE 3 TEST REPORT (To be filled up by Licensed Electrical Contractor) .. 101 ANNEXURE 4 DETERMINATION OF CONNECTED LOAD …………………... 105 ANNEXURE 4(1) TYPICAL POWER RATING AND LOAD FACTOR OF DOMESTIC APPLIANCES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR BILLING PURPOSES ….
107 v
CHAPTER NO. PARTICULARS PAGE NO.
ANNEXURE 5 FORMAT FOR INTIMATION TO CONSUMER AFTER TEMPORARY DISCONNECTION OF SUPPLY ………………… 108 ANNEXURE 6 INSPECTION REPORT (Under Section 126 of the Act) …………... 109 ANNEXURE 7 ASSESSMENT IN CASE OF UNAUTHORIZED USE OF ELECTRICITY & THEFT OF ELECTRICITY…………………..
111 ANNEXURE 8 INSPECTION / SEIZURE REPORT ……………………………… 114 1 BIHAR ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CODE, 2007
CHAPTER 1 GENERAL
1.1 Short Title, Extent and Commencement
(1) This Code may be called the “Bihar Electricity Supply Code, 2007”.
(2) The Code shall come into force from the date of its publication in the official gazette.
(3) It shall extend to the whole State of Bihar.
(4) It shall apply to all distribution licensees engaged in the business of supplying electricity as covered under section 14 of the Electricity Act, 2003 and the consumers of electricity.
1.2 Mechanism for Review of Bihar Electricity Supply Code
(1) The Commission shall constitute an Electricity Supply Code Review Panel (hereinafter called review panel) to review this Code on regular basis. The review panel shall consist of such number of members, as the Commission may consider necessary and adequate, to be appointed by the Commission including persons representing the following interests.
(a) Each Distribution Licensee of the State;
(b) State Transmission Utility (STU) and Transmission licensees;
(c) LT consumers, HT consumers, EHT consumers, their associations and interested groups;
(d) Generating company (by rotation if more than one);
(e) Any other person or interested group or organisation as the Commission may think fit.
(2) The Commission shall appoint one of the member amongst the above members as Chairman of the review panel. The Commission shall also nominate an officer from the Commission to act as Member-Secretary to the review panel. The Commission shall provide all the required support, administrative or otherwise.
(3) All members of the review panel shall be appointed for a period of two years.
(4) The review panel shall meet at least once every six (6) months. The Member Secretary of review panel shall convene meetings with the approval of the Chairman. He shall send meeting notice along with agenda to all members ten days in advance.
(5) The Chairman, Member-Secretary and all Members shall be part-time officers of the review panel. They shall draw their salaries, allowances and perquisites from their respective parent organizations.
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(6) The Member Secretary of the review panel shall send the proceedings of the meetings of the review panel to all the members of the panel and to the Commission within 15 days of the meetings.
(7) Any Licensee, generating company, consumer, industry or any interested parties or business organization may send their suggestion and requests for revision of Code to the Member–Secretary of the review panel, the difficulties experienced in implementation of code may also be communicated to the review panel. All these representations shall be recorded and discussed in the review panel meetings. The Member-Secretary shall be the custodian of the entire correspondence relating to the review panel.
(8) The Commission may amend the Electricity Supply Code suo-motu or on the recommendations of the review panel. However, before any amendment is made in the Code, comments on the proposed changes shall be obtained from all the Distribution Licensees, State Transmission Utility STU, Transmission Licensees and public.
(9) A notice of the gist of amendment made in the Electricity Supply Code shall be published by the Licensee in at least two newspapers having wide circulation in the area of supply stating that copies of the amended Electricity Supply Code are available for purchase in the offices mentioned in clause (10) below.
(10) Copies of the ‘Bihar Electricity Supply Code’ as duly amended from time to time shall be kept at area offices, regional offices, circle offices, division and subdivision offices, distribution centres of the licensees and such other offices as may be specified by the Commission. The licensee shall also post it on their websites.
CHAPTER 2 DEFINITION
2.1 In this Code, unless it is repugnant to the context:
(a) ‘Act’ means The Electricity Act, 2003 (No. 36 of 2003)
(b) ‘Agreement’ with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions means an agreement entered between the licensee and the consumer under this Code.
(c) ‘Apparatus’ means electrical apparatus and includes all machines, fittings, accessories and appliances in which conductors are used.
(d) ‘Area of Supply’ means the area within which a Licensee is authorized by his licence to supply electricity.
(e) ‘Authorised officer’ means the officer authorized in this behalf by the State Government under section 135 of the Act.
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(f) ‘Breakdown’ means an occurrence relating to the equipment of the electric energy supply system including electrical line that prevents its normal functioning.
(g) ‘Code’ means the Bihar Electricity Supply Code as in force from time to time.
(h) ‘Commission’ means the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission constituted under section 82 of the Electricity Act, 2003
(i) ‘Conductor’ means any wire, cable, bar, tube, rail or plate used for conducting electrical energy and so arranged as to be electrically connected to a system.
(j) ‘Connected Load’ means aggregate of the manufacturer’s rating of all energy consuming devices, in the consumer’s premises, which can be simultaneously used. This shall be expressed in kW, kVA or HP units and shall be determined as per the procedure laid down in clauses 6.37 to 6.42 on ‘Rating of Installations’ in this Code.
2 [If the rating of the energy consuming device is in KVA, the same may be converted to KW by multiplying KVA with power factor of 0.9 and if the rating of energy consuming device is in HP it shall be converted into KW by multiplying HP by 0.746.]
(k) ‘Consumer’ means any person who is supplied with electricity for his own use by a licensee or the Government or by any other person engaged in the business of supplying electricity to the public under this Act or any other law for the time being in force and includes any person whose premises are for the time being connected for the purpose of receiving electricity with the works of a licensee, the Government or such other person, as the case may be;
(i) ‘Low Tension Consumer (LT Consumer)’ if he obtains supply from the licensee at low voltage.
(ii) ‘High Tension Consumer (HT Consumer)’ if he obtains supply from the licensee at High Voltage.
(iii) ‘Extra High Tension Consumer (EHT Consumer)’ if he obtains supply from the licensee at Extra High Voltage.
(l) ‘Consumer’s installation’ means any composite electrical unit including electric wires, fittings, motors and apparatus, portable and stationary, erected and wired by or on behalf of the consumer at the consumer’s premises.
(m) ‘Contract demand’ means the maximum Load in kW, kVA or HP, as the case may be, agreed to be supplied by the licensee and contracted by the consumer and mentioned in the agreement.
[2] Added at the end of Clause 2.1(j) by the Bihar Electricity Supply Code, 2007 (1st Amendment) vide Bihar Gazette No. 603 dated 18th August, 2010 (w.e.f. 18.08.2010).
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(n) ‘Cut-out’ means any appliance for automatically interrupting the supply or flow of electrical energy through any conductor when the current rises above a predetermined quantum, and shall also include fusible cut-out.
(o) ‘Date of commencement of supply’ means the day immediately following the date of expiry of a period of one month in case of LT consumers and three months in case of HT or EHT consumer from the date of intimation to an intending consumer of the availability of power or the date of actual availing of supply by such consumer, whichever is earlier.
(p) ‘Demand Charge’ for a billing period means a charge levied on the consumer based on the contract demand or maximum demand and shall be calculated as per the procedure provided in the Tariff Order of the Commission.
(q) ‘Distribution main’ means the portion of any main with which a service line is, or is intended to be, connected.
(r) ‘Distribution System’ means the system of wires and associated facilities between the delivery points on the transmission lines or the generating station connection and the point of connection to the installation of the consumers;
(s) ‘Earthed’ or ‘connected with earth’ means connected with the general mass of earth in such manner as to ensure at all times an immediate discharge of energy without danger.
(t) ‘Electric line’ means any line which is used for carrying electricity for any purpose and includes –
(i) any support for any such line, that is to say, any structure, tower, pole or other thing in, on, by or from which any such line is, or may be, supported, carried or suspended; and
(ii) any apparatus connected to any such line for the purpose of carrying electricity;
(u) ‘Electrical Inspector’ or ‘Inspector’ means an Electrical Inspector appointed under sub-section 1 of section 162 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003), and also includes chief Electrical Inspector.
(v) ‘Energy’ means electrical energy-
(i) Generated, transmitted or supplied for any purpose, or
(ii) Used for any purpose except the transmission of a message.
(w) ‘Energy charge’ refers to a charge levied on the consumer based on the quantity of electricity (units in kWh or kVAh as per tariff) supplied.
(x) ‘Extra High Voltage (EHV)’ or ‘Extra High Tension (EHT)’ means the voltage, which exceeds 33,000 volts, under normal conditions subject, however, to the percentage variation allowed under the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956.
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(y) ‘Group User’ means Cooperative Group Housing Society, registered under Bihar Cooperative Societies Act or a person representing his employees.
(z) ‘High Voltage (HV)’ or ‘High Tension (HT)’ means the voltage higher than 440 volts but which does not exceed 33,000 volts, under normal conditions subject, however, to the percentage variation allowed under the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956
(aa) ‘Initial period of agreement’ means the period of one year in case of LT supply and two years in case of HT supply starting from the date of commencement of supply. The initial period of agreement shall continue till the end of the month, in which the end date of the one/two years period expires.
(bb) ‘Installation’ means any composite electrical unit used for the purpose of generating, transforming, transmitting, converting, distributing or utilizing electrical energy.
(cc) ‘Licensed Electrical Contractor’ means a contractor licensed under rule 45 of the Indian Electricity Rules 1956.
(dd) ‘Low Voltage (LV)’ or ‘Low Tension (LT)’ means the voltage, which does not exceed 250 volts at single phase and 433 volts at three phase under normal conditions subject, however, to the percentage variation allowed under the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956.
(ee) ‘Maximum demand’ means the maximum demand of a consumer’s system at a point of supply during a month (or a specified billing period) which is twice the largest number of kilo volt –ampere–hours supplied to the consumer at that point of supply during any consecutive 30 minutes in the month (or a specified billing period). (This is a measure of the peak power requirement of the consumer, depends on the capacity of the licensee’s equipment and is related to the initial capacity cost of the licensee’s system).
(ff) ‘Meter’ means an equipment used for measuring electrical quantities like energy in kWh or kVAh, maximum demand in kW or kVA, reactive energy in kVAR etc. including accessories like Current Transformers (CT) and Potential Transformers (PT), including cables, where used in conjunction with such meter and any enclosure used for housing or fixing such meter or its accessories and any devices like switches or MCB/ load limiter or fuses used for protection and testing purposes.
(gg) ‘Occupier’ means the owner or person in occupation of the premises where electrical energy is used or proposed to be used.
(hh) ‘Overhead line’ means any electric supply-line, which is placed above ground and in the open air but excluding live rails of traction system.
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(ii) ‘Power Factor’ means the average monthly power factor and shall be the ratio expressed as a percentage of the total kilowatt hours to the total kilovolt ampere hours supplied during the month; the ratio being rounded off to two decimal figures, 5 or above in the third place of decimal being rounded off to the next higher figure in the second place. In case kWh or kVAh reading is not available then power factor shall be calculated on the basis of kVARh reading, if the meter has KVARh recording feature in the meter.
(jj) ‘Premises’ includes any land, building or structure.
(kk) ‘Service-line’ means any electric supply-line through which electrical energy is, or is intended to be, supplied
(i) to a single consumer either from a distribution main or immediately from the supplier’s premises, or
(ii) from a distribution main to a group of consumers in the same premises or in adjoining premises supplied from the same point of the distribution main.
(ll) ‘System’ means an electrical system in which all the conductors and apparatus are electrically connected to a common source of electric supply.
(mm)‘Theft of Electricity’ has the meaning assigned to it under section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003.
2.2 All other expressions used herein although not specifically defined herein, but defined in the Act, shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Act. The other expressions used herein but not specifically defined in this Code or in the Act but defined under any law passed by the Parliament applicable to electricity industry or stated in the tariff order shall have the meaning assigned to them in such law.
Subject to the above the expression used herein but not specifically defined in this Code or in the Act or any law passed by the Parliament shall have the meaning as is generally assigned in the electricity industry.
3 [ In case of any inconsistency between the code and Tariff order in force, the provisions and meanings contained in the Electricity Supply Code shall prevail.]
[3] Substituted the last two lines of Clause 2.2 by the Bihar Electricity Supply Code, 2007 (2nd Amendment) vide Bihar Gazette No. 120 dated 29th March, 2012 (w.e.f. 29.03.2012).
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CHAPTER 3 SYSTEM OF SUPPLY AND CLASSIFICATION OF CONSUMERS System of Supply
3.1 The declared frequency of the alternating current (AC) shall be 50 cycles per second or Hz. The Licensee shall as far as possible supply and maintain uninterrupted power supply in a frequency band between 49.02 Hz to 50.5 Hz stipulated in the Indian Electricity Grid Code issued by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission.
3.2 The declared voltage of AC supply shall be as follows:
(a) Low Tension (LT)
(i) Single Phase: 230 volts between phases and neutral.
(ii) Three Phase: 400 volts between phases.
(b) High Tension (HT) - Three Phase: 11 kV or 33 kV between phases.
The existing 6.6 kV systems of supply, if any, shall be converted 4 [into 11 kV system of supply ] in a time bound programme.
(c) Extra High Tension (EHT) - Three Phase: 132 kV or 220 kV between phases.
For existing Railway Traction – Single / Two-phase/Three phase on 25kV / 132kV
3.3 The licensee shall design and operate the distribution system in conjunction with the transmission systems. The licensee shall maintain voltage at the point of commencement of supply to the consumer within the limits with reference to the declared voltage as stipulated hereunder;
(a) Low voltage: (+) 6%; and (–) 6%;
(b) High voltage: (+) 6% and (–) 9%
(c) Extra high voltage: (+) 10% and (–) 12.5% Voltage of Supply to Consumers 5&6 [3.4 The supply voltage for different contract demands shall be normally as follows:- Supply Voltage Minimum Contract Demand Maximum Contract Demand 230 Volts - Upto 7 KW 400 Volts 5 KW and above (3 phase) 70 KW 11 KV 50 KVA 1500 KVA 33 KV 1000 KVA 15000KVA 132 KV 7500 KVA - 220 KV 10,000 KVA - L.T Agriculture and L.T Industrial consumers of load between 2KW & 5KW shall have option to avail supply at 230 Volts or 400 Volts.]
[4] The word 'into 11 kV or 132 kV system of supply respectively' is corrected with 'into 11kV system of supply' vide Corrigendum under Notification No. BERC-Regl-06/06-part-II/02/08 dt.24.04.08.
[5] Substituted Clause 3.4 by the Bihar Electricity Supply Code, 2007 (2nd Amendment) vide Bihar Gazette No. 120 dated 29th March, 2012 (w.e.f. 29.03.2012).
[6] Substituted Clause 3.4 by the Bihar Electricity Supply Code (5th Amendment) 2016 vide Bihar Gazette No. 179 dated 26th February, 2016 (w.e.f. 26.02.2016).
8 Classification of Consumers
3.5 The classification of consumers, tariff and conditions of supply applicable to each category shall be as fixed by the Commission from time to time in the tariff order or otherwise.
CHAPTER 4 NEW SERVICE CONNECTION Licensee’s Obligation to Supply
4.1 The Licensee shall on an application by the owner or occupier of any premises, located in his area of supply, give supply of electricity to such premises within one month after receipt of completed application and requisite charges.
Provided where such supply requires extension of distribution mains, or commissioning of new sub-stations, the distribution Licensee shall supply the electricity to such premises immediately after such extension or commissioning or within such period as specified by the Commission in clause 4.80 of the code.
Provided also in case of application for supply from a village or hamlet or area wherein no provision for supply of electricity exists, the Commission shall extend the time period for provision of supply appropriately on a case-to-case basis:
7 [Provided that -
(i) If there are arrears of electricity dues against the owner or occupier or tenant of a premises as a consumer, new connection shall not be denied to subsequent owner, occupier or tenant, and the arrear of electricity dues on the premises shall be recovered from the defaulting consumer under the provisions of Bihar and Orissa Public Demands Recovery Act, 1914 or alternately the arrears may also be transferred to another running accounts of the defaulting consumer after adjustment of amount of security deposit and interest there on and giving fifteen days notice.
(ii) Where a property/premises has been sub-divided, the outstanding dues for the consumption of energy on such premises, if any, shall be divided and recovered on pro-rata basis based on area of subdivision, and a new connection to such sub-divided premises shall be given only after the share of outstanding dues attributed to such sub-divided premises is duly paid by the applicant. A licensee shall not refuse connection to an applicant only on the ground that dues on the other portion (s) of such premises have not been paid nor shall the Licensee demand record of last paid bills of other portion (s) from such applicant.
[7] Substituted third proviso of Clause 4.1 by the Bihar Electricity Supply Code (4th Amendment) 2015 vide Bihar Gazette No. 585 dated 19th May, 2015 (w.e.f. 19.05.2015) 9
(iii) If there are arrears of electricity dues on a premises, a new connection may be refused to a new applicant on the same premises if the applicant being an individual is an associate or relative as defined in Section 2 and 6 respectively of the companies Act, 1956 of the defaulting consumer, or where the applicant being a company or body corporate or association, or body of individuals, whether in corporate or not, or artificial judicial person, is controlled, or having controlling interest in the defaulting customer. Provided the Licensee shall not refuse electric connection on this ground, unless an opportunity to present his case is provided to the applicant and reasoned order is passed by an officer designated by the licensee for this purpose and the order of refusal shall be communicated within one month of receipt of the application.]
Licensee’s Obligation to Extend the Distribution System
4.2 The Licensee shall have obligation for ensuring that its distribution system is upgraded, extended and strengthened to meet the demand for electricity in its area of supply. Wherever the existing transformation capacity is loaded upto 80% of its capacity, the licensee shall prepare a scheme for augmentation of such transformation capacity.
4.3 The Licensee shall meet the cost for strengthening / upgradation of the distribution system to meet the demand of the existing consumers as well as future growth in demand through its annual revenues or funds arranged by the licensee and this cost shall be allowed to be recovered from the consumers through tariff subject to prudence check by the Commission.
4.4 In all cases of new connections, the consumer shall bear the Service Connection Charges, that is the cost of service connection from the Distribution Mains to the point of supply as approved by the Commission from time to time.
4.5 For uniformity and simplification in calculating the actual cost of extension, the licensee shall prepare a ready reckoner to show the per-unit material cost of LT line, HT line, substation of different capacities etc. The licensee may update the ready reckoner every year, and after every update, submit the same to the Commission for information.
4.6 In case the connected / contracted load of any new connection is projected to be 60 kW or more, a separate transformer of adequate capacity shall be installed at consumer’s cost. The space /room with easy access required for housing the transformer, sub-station, switch gears, meters and panels shall be provided by the consumer, free of cost, for which rent or premium shall not be payable by the licensee .
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4.7 The service connection/ extension of distribution mains, notwithstanding that it has been paid for by the consumer, shall be the property of the licensee. The licensee shall maintain it at its cost and shall also have the right to use the same service connection/ extension for supply of energy to any other person but such extension or service connection should not adversely affect the supply to the consumer who paid for the extension of the distribution supply network.
4.8 When the licensee completes the work of extension of distribution mains and is ready to give supply, the licensee shall serve a notice on the consumer to take power supply within one month in case of LT and three months in case of HT or EHT. If the consumer fails to avail supply within the notice period, the agreement shall come into force from the day following the end of the notice period, and thereafter the consumer shall be liable to pay charges as applicable, as per the agreement.
Service Connection/ Extension Work Got Done by Consumers
4.9 The consumer shall have an option to get the work of drawing of service line from the licensee’s distribution mains up to his premises as per the estimates and layout approved by the licensee through a ‘C’ or higher-class licensed electrical contractor, and the work of extension of EHT and HT line, distribution or HT substation and LT line through an ‘A’ class contractor as per the estimates and layout approved by the licensee. In such case the consumer himself shall procure the materials. The material should, conform to relevant BIS specification or its equivalent and should bear ISI mark wherever applicable. The licensee may ask for documentary evidence to verify the quality of materials used. The consumer shall be required to pay the supervision charges as approved by the Commission on the cost of works as per the estimates approved by the licensee. The rates of the materials shall be available in the ready reckoner (refer clause 4.5).
4.10 The consumer shall get the work done within the timeframe as provided in clause
4.80. If he fails and needs more time he shall represent to the licensee with reasonable ground for extension of time.
New Connection
4.11 Application for a new connection of electricity supply or for enhancement/reduction of load shall be made in duplicate in the appropriate prescribed form, copies of which shall be available free of cost from the local office of the licensee. The format of the application forms is provided in Annexure - 1 (LT connection) and Annexure - 2 (HT Connection). The licensee shall post the application forms on its website. Photocopies of a blank form or form downloaded from the website of the licensee may also be used by the applicant and shall be accepted by the Licensee.
11 Any assistance or information required in filling up the form should be given to the consumer by the licensee.
The Licensee may modify the structure of the formats if so required to meet any requirement that may arise in consequence of the provision of this Code so that the formats are consistent with the Act, prevailing Rules, Regulations and provisions of the Code.
4.12 All information relating to procedure, fees, designated officers for releasing new connection shall be displayed on the notice boards of Subdivision office, Divisional, Circle and Area offices of licensee. Public information counters for new forms, filing, and disseminating information status in the above offices, with computerized facilities in all towns with a population greater than 10 lakhs shall be made operational within a time frame of one year.
8 [4.13(A)] The consumer shall furnish, along with the application form, attested true copies of following documents (details at Annex1 & Annex -2). The licensee may ask for the original documents, from the consumer, if required, for verification.
(a1) Proof of ownership of the premises in the form of registered sale deed or partition deed or succession or heirship certificate or deed of last will, OR Proof of occupancy such as valid power of attorney or latest rent receipt or valid lease deed or rent agreement or copy of allotment order issued by the owner of the property, OR In case of supply for agriculture/ irrigation pump set, the copy of Land Revenue receipt ‘khata nakal’ giving the Revenue Plot No. ‘khasara/khata’ number of the field within which the supply is required.
(a2) In case of tenant permission of landlord along with proof of ownership of the premises.
(b) Approval / permission of the local / statutory authority, if required under any law /statute.
(c) In case of a partnership firm, partnership deed, authorization in the name of the applicant for signing the requisition form and agreement.
(d) In case of a Public or Private Limited Company, Memorandum and Articles of Association and Certificate of incorporation together with an authorization in the name of the applicant for signing the requisition form and agreement.
In case of application for power supply to stone crushers, stone polishing and hotmix plants, the following additional information shall also be furnished.
[8] Clause 4.13 is numbered as 4.13(A) by Bihar Electricity Supply Code, 2007 (2nd Amendment) vide Bihar Gazette No. 120 dated 29th March, 2012 (w.e.f. 29.03.2012).
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(e) Documentary evidence from the department concerned to show that he will be able to take requisitioned quantum of power supply for at least two years, or as specified in the agreement.
(f) His permanent address.
The consumer shall also intimate whether the service line and extensions, if any, shall be laid by the consumer or the licensee.
9 [4.13(B)] The person residing/occupying in the premises such as road side panwala, shops, Jhuggi Jhopari, slum settlers etc. on encroached Govt./Semi Govt./public land and have taken a shape of settlement desirous of taking new electric connection and are unable to furnish proof of ownership of premises shall be allowed to take electric connection on submission of the followings.
(i) Application in prescribed format in Annexure–1 of the Code.
(ii) Proof of occupancy such as Attested true copy of proof of identity (voter ID card, or BPL card or PAN card or Ration Card with photograph or latest Bank/Post Office Pass book with photograph or passport or driving license or MNREGA identity card or any other photo identity card issued by Government).
(iii) Submit Affidavit in the format in Annexure–1 A
(iv) Deposit all the required charges for taking new electric connection.
However the release of the electric connection does not confer any legal right over the premises whatsoever in any manner.]
4.14 (a) The Licensee shall verify the application and the attached documents at the time of receipt of application. Written acknowledgement shall be issued on the spot. If the application is complete, otherwise it should mention the shortcomings, if the application is incomplete.
(b) No application for the new connection for an electrified area shall be refused under any circumstances if it complies with statutory requirements and is in conformity with Act. In case consumer has not been intimated within stipulated period about any deficiencies in his application, the application shall be deemed to have been accepted for processing by the licensee.
(c) Licensee shall not be responsible if the reasons for delay are on account of right of way, acquisition of land, technical feasibility and lack of transmission capacity etc, over which the licensee has no reasonable control, provided the reasons for the expected delay are communicated to the applicant within the period specified for energisation.
[9] A new Clause 4.13(B) is inserted by the Bihar Electricity Supply Code, 2007 (2nd Amendment) vide Bihar Gazette No. 120 dated 29th March, 2012 (w.e.f. 29.03.2012).
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(d) If any information furnished in application form is found wrong or the installation is defective or the energisation would be in violation of provision of Act / Electricity Rules / Tariff Order, the licensee shall not sanction the load and shall intimate the applicant the shortcomings / reasons thereof in writing on the spot as far as possible.
4.15 No Dues Certificate
(i) It will be the duty of the seller to find out the outstanding electricity dues up to the date of sale, and liable to pay the outstanding electricity dues/ obtain No dues certificate.
(ii) Before sale of a premise is made, the outstanding dues will be cleared or alternatively the agreement / sale deed will specifically mention the outstanding dues and the method of its payment. “Outstanding dues” means all dues pending on a premises including late payment surcharge.
(iii) In the event of non payment of the outstanding dues, the dues shall be recoverable as public demand under the Bihar and Orissa Public Demand Recovery 10 [Act, 1914] as amended from time to time.
(iv) The outstanding dues will be first charge on the assets of the defaulting consumer/ company, and the licensee shall ensure that this is entered in an agreement with new applicant.
(v) The recovery proceedings against the defaulting consumer, and where the defaulting consumer is a company, from the Directors of the company, shall be ensured. Where a financial institution has auctioned the property without consideration to licensees charge on assets, claims may be lodged with the concerned financial institution with diligent pursuance.
(vi) In case the electricity connection to the said premises was given with the consent of house owner, such person shall ensure the payment of all arrears/ dues of electricity by the tenant before the tenant vacates the premises.
However the conditions mentioned under clause 4.15 above shall not apply if inconsistent with the provision of any higher court order or an order as a consequence to it.
[10] The word 'Act 1954' is corrected with 'Act 1914' vide Corrigendum under Notification No. BERC-Regl-06/06-part-II/02/08 dt. 24.04.08.
14 Supply to Different Categories of Consumers (A) LT Supply
4.16 The Licensee shall verify the application and documents at the time of receipt of application. A written acknowledgement shall be issued on the spot if the application is complete. If the application is incomplete, the shortcomings in the form shall be intimated to the applicant in writing within 3 working days. After complete application is received from the consumer, the licensee shall issue a written acknowledgement to the consumer immediately. Within 2 working days of receipt of the completed application form, the licensee shall intimate the consumer the proposed date of inspection, which should be within the next 5 working days in urban areas and 10 working days in rural areas.
4.17 On receipt of application the Licensee shall inspect the premises of the applicant and the applicant along with the licensed contractor or his representative shall be present during the inspection. During the inspection, the Licensee shall:
(i) Fix the point of supply and the place where meter and the cut-out/ MCB shall be fixed.
(ii) Fix the layout of the proposed lines and substation and estimate the distance between the point of supply and the nearest Distribution mains from where supply could be given.
(iii) Determine if the supply line shall go over any property belonging to a third party, in such case the applicant shall obtain no objection certificate from the third party, in absence of which licensee may adopt a different route for which the applicant shall bear the cost differential.
(iv) Verify other particulars mentioned in the application form, as required.
(v) Satisfy themselves regarding the work completion certificate and the test report submitted by the applicant.
(vi) If the Licensee is not satisfied, he shall intimate to the applicant shortcomings on the spot. The applicant shall be required to get the defects removed.
Inspection shall again be conducted and a fee, as prescribed, may be charged for such subsequent inspections.
4.18 It shall not be incumbent on the licensee to ascertain the validity or adequacy of way leave, licence or sanction obtained by the consumer.
4.19 (a) After sanction of load, an estimate shall be prepared, which shall remain valid for three months from the date of sanction letter to the applicant.
(b) The estimate shall include security deposit, charges for laying the service line, distribution mains (if required) & material, and service connection 15 charges etc, as determined by the Licensee with the approval of the Commission from time to time.
(c) After approval of the Commission, the Licensee shall publish a cost data book, and make it available to any interested person at a reasonable charge, and shall also place it on their website.
(d) The above estimate shall be based on Rs / KW (or Rs / KVA) of the sanctioned / contracted load, or on Rs per service installation for specific bands of contractual load applied for or sanctioned load at each voltage level up to 33 KV voltage on which supply is to be given. Beyond 33 KV voltage level, the charges for laying shall be based on actual estimates of the licensees.
Provided that the estimates for independent / dedicated feeder shall be in accordance to requirements laid down in clause 5.3 of this Code.
(e) If the work is to be done by the developer/ applicant / development authority, the Licensee shall charge supervision charges as a percentage as given below, of the normative estimate arrived at on KVA or KW basis as specified in cost data book, which shall be deposited with the licensee before work begins.
Load 30 KW (33 KVA) upto 3600 KW (4000 KVA): - 15% Above 3600 KW upto 9000 KW (10,000 KVA): - 8% Above 9000 KW (10,000 KVA): - 5% In other cases, Licensee shall commence the work after the applicant, has deposited the full amount of the estimate. Until the normative cost estimates are enforced, the supervision charges shall be levied as percentage specified above on estimated material cost and shall also include the estimated labour cost, cost of material handling and storage/inventory, and shall not include the system loading charges and the establishment costs.
(f) Disputes regarding the estimate may be referred to the authority that is one level higher than the sanctioning authority and if the applicant is still aggrieved he may approach the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum established under section 42(5) of the Act for adjudication.
(g) A final bill shall be prepared after completion of the work by the Licensee.
- If the final bill exceeds the value of the estimate, the difference shall be deposited by the applicant before connection is energized.
- If the bill is less, the difference shall be adjusted in subsequent electricity bills or refunded by cheque within 60 days.
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Provided further that, in case of revision of charges, if the estimates were sanctioned prior to the date of revision, the estimates in excess shall not be charged on completion of works on the basis of revised charge.
However, if the work is completed at an estimate less than that prepared in revised charges, the excess amount deposited by the applicant on the basis of unrevised charges, shall be refunded within 60 days.
Provided also that, if the licensee has published updated normative charges in the cost data book, and has included the same in preparing the estimate, the final bill and above proviso, shall not be necessary.
4.20 In case it is possible to extend supply from the existing mains, the licensee will forward to the consumer, within 20 days or otherwise provided in the Standards of Performance for Distribution Licensee Regulations an advice for the charges for laying the service line, the amount of security deposit and any other charges as applicable. The amount shall be payable in full within 7 working days, after which only any work for laying the service line will be taken up. The licensee will also intimate to consumer to execute the agreement.
4.21 In case it is necessary to extend distribution mains for giving supply to the consumer, the licensee will forward to the consumer, within 15 days in urban areas and within 20 days in rural areas or otherwise specified in the Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensee Regulations, an advice containing the charges for extension of the distribution main, laying the service line, the amount of security deposit, any other charges as applicable and will also intimate if any additional formalities are required to be carried out by the consumer. In cases where the consumer has to lay the service line and extension of mains, the consumer shall pay the supervision charges on cost of extension of the distribution mains and laying the service line in addition to payment of other charges as may be applicable. The amount shall be payable in full within 7 working days along with completion of formalities, after which only any work for laying the distribution mains and service line can be taken up. The licensee will also intimate the consumer to furnish test report in the prescribed form.
4.22 Licensee on request of consumer may extend the date of payment beyond 7 days, upto 15 days but this extended time shall not be counted for delay in connection under Section 43 of Act, and no compensation shall be paid during the said period.
In case the consumer fails to complete the formalities within 15 days, the licensee shall give him notice to complete the formalities within the next 15 days failing which, his requisition for supply shall be cancelled. Thereafter the consumer shall have to apply afresh for supply or additional supply as the case may be.
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4.23 On deposit of charges as indicated above by the consumer, execution of the agreement and receipt of test report and intimation that the service line and extension work have been completed, the licensee shall intimate the consumer, within 3 working days, the date of testing of the consumer’s installation. The consumer shall ensure that the licensed electrical contractor, who has carried out the wiring, is present during the testing.
4.24 On testing the consumer’s installation, if the licensee is satisfied with the test results, the licensee shall arrange to install the meter with the cut-out or MCB, seal the meter in presence of the consumer and provide supply. If the Licensee is not satisfied, he shall intimate the consumer in writing, the shortcomings in the wiring.
The applicant shall be required to get the defects rectified. On payment of the prescribed fee, testing shall again be conducted as per clause 6.29 of the Code.
4.25 All work shall be completed within the timeframe specified in clause 4.80 of the Code or as specified in the Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensee Regulations.
(B) LT Supply to Multi-Consumer Complex Including Commercial Complexes:
4.26 For the purpose of providing new power supply to a building or a group of buildings having more than one connection with a total load exceeding 30 kW, the building shall be considered as a multi-consumer complex. Such new connection shall be provided with single meter. However this shall not restrict the individual owner for applying for individual connection and the licensee shall sanction such connection on LT. The applicant / developer / development authority shall be responsible to develop, construct the entire infrastructure required for distribution network from the licensee’s sub-station 33/11KV or 11/0.4 KV, upto the connection outlets in individual owner’s premises, at his own cost.
4.27 In case it is not possible to give supply to the Multi-Consumer Complex by augmentation of the existing 33/11 kV substation capacity the developer/ builder/ society/ consumer shall bear the cost of the 33 kV line. The cost of construction/augmentation of 33/11 kV power sub-station if required shall be borne by the licensee.
Note: The developer/ builder/ society/ consumer includes any agency whether Government, local body or private that constructs the Multi-Consumer Complex.
4.28 Meters shall normally be provided at the ground floor in accordance with the procedure stated in chapter 8 of the Code.
4.29 The land/room required for housing the transformer substation and meters shall be provided by the developer /builder/ society/ consumer free of cost for which rent or premium shall not be paid by the licensee. Transformers should preferably be 18 placed in open areas. In case installation of transformer in a room or closed area is unavoidable, all safety measures as per prevailing rules and regulations should be taken.
4.30 Connections for common facilities like lift, water pumps etc. shall be given in the name of the builder/developer/society.
4.31 In case the original approved plan is for a multi-consumer complex, but the builder/developer/ society/ consumer desires to avail connection for a portion of it, the connections shall be provided treating it as multi-consumer complex.
4.32 Due to additional construction or additional requirement of load, if a building comes under the category of multi-consumer complex and if a separate distribution transformer of sufficient capacity, for giving supply to such building was not provided earlier, it will be provided at the cost of the builder/developer/ society/ consumer. Alternatively, the builder/ developer/ society/ consumer shall arrange to suitably augment the capacity of the existing 11/0.4kV substation, if found feasible by the licensee.
4.33 The load of a multi-consumer complex, for development of infrastructure for extension of distribution mains shall be calculated on the following basis (area represents built-up area of individual unit):
AREA LOAD
(a) Upto 400 sq ft 1.5 kW
(b) Above 400 sq ft & upto 700 sq ft 2.0 kW
(c) Above 700 sq ft & upto 1000 sq ft 3.0 kW
(d) Above 1000 sq ft & upto 1300 sq ft 4.0 kW
(e) Above 1300 sq ft & upto 1600 sq ft 5.0 kW
(f) Above 1600 sq ft & upto 2000 sq ft 7.0 kW
(g) Above 2000 sq ft & upto 2500 sq ft 10 kW
(h) For every additional 500 sq ft or part thereof over 2500 sq ft of built up area,
1.0kW of load shall be added.
The load of the common facilities like lift, water pump, parking lights etc shall be taken as declared by the developer/builder/society/ consumer.
The aforesaid procedure for estimation of load is for the purpose of bringing about uniformity in the assessment of the load of the multi-consumer complex. However, security deposit etc shall be worked out on the basis of the load as declared by the consumer and supported by the test report at the time of providing connection to individual consumer.
4.34 On receipt of requisition from the builder/developer/ society/ consumer for supply of electricity to multi-consumer or commercial complexes, the licensee shall take 19 action for extending the supply as per procedure given in clauses 4.16 to 4.25 of the Code, as applicable.
(C) LT Supply to Housing Colonies:
4.35 The developer/ builder/ society/ consumers of a housing colony shall bear the cost of extension including the cost of 11 kV line, distribution transformer and LT lines/ LT cables. The cost of construction / augmentation of capacity of power sub station of 33/11 kV if required, shall be borne by the Licensee.
[Note: The developer/ builder/ society/ consumer includes any agency whether Government, local body or private that constructs the building/ colony.]
4.36 The load of a housing colony, for development of infrastructure for extension of distribution mains shall be calculated on the following basis (area represents plot area):
AREA LOAD
(a) Upto 500 sq ft 1.0 kW
(b) Above 500 sq ft & upto 1000 sq ft 2.0 kW
(c) Above 1000 sq ft & upto 1500 sq ft 3.0 kW
(d) Above 1500 sq ft & upto 2000 sq ft 4.0 kW
(e) Above 2000 sq ft & upto 2400 sq ft 5.0 kW
(f) Above 2400 sq ft & upto 3000 sq ft 7.0 kW
(g) Above 3000 sq ft & upto 3500 sq ft 10.0 kW For every additional 500 sqft or part thereof above 3500 sq.ft 1.0 kW The load of the common facilities like lift, water pump, parking lights, street lights etc may be taken as declared by the developer/builder/society/ consumer. If, subsequently, the builder/ developer/ society/ consumer constructs houses or buildings for sale, instead of sale of plots, the load will be reassessed on the basis of the guideline given in clause 4.33 The developer/ builder/ society/ consumer will also be required to pay the cost of the additional infrastructure required for the purpose excluding the cost of construction of new/augmentation of 33/11kV power sub station which shall be borne by the licensee.
The aforesaid procedure for estimation of load is for the purpose of deciding the number and capacity of distribution transformers and the length of HT/ LT line required. However, the service connection charges, security deposit etc shall be worked out on the basis of the load as declared by the consumer and supported by the test report at the time of serving connection to individual consumer.
4.37 On receipt of requisition from the builder/developer/ society/ consumer for supply to housing colony, the licensee shall take action for extending the supply as given in clauses 4.16 to 4.25 of the Code, as applicable.
20 Supply to Group User
4.38 The Group user shall be eligible to opt supply by a distribution licensee at a single point provided that the supply shall be primarily used for residential purpose including the loads of common amenities for the group user like lift, pumps for pumping water supply and lighting of common area. The use of electricity for more than 10% of the declared connected load for commercial/non-domestic purposes shall not be permitted from this connection. The Group user shall inform the details of every non-domestic activity along with the connected load to the licensee at the time of seeking connection or at the time of enhancement in contract demand. The licensee may undertake physical checking of non-domestic load for the purpose of ensuring that the non-domestic load is within permissible limit i.e. 10% of declared connected load. In case the use for commercial activity is observed for a load more than the permitted load, it shall be treated as unauthorised use.
4.39 On receipt of requisition in manner specified under clauses 4.11 to 4.14 of the Code from the applicant group user, the licensee shall verify the application and the attached documents at the time of receipt of application. In case of a Cooperative Group Housing Society, a certified copy of the registration of the applicant Cooperative Group Housing Society shall also be annexed along with the application requiring supply at single point.
System of Supply and Metering The system of supply shall be either LT or HT or EHT according to the range of contract demand specified in Chapter 3 of the Code.
4.40 The manner to process the application for single point HT or EHT supply to Group user shall be followed as per clauses 4.71 or 4.76 of the Code, respectively.
4.41 HT metering shall be installed at the point of supply to the Group user for the purpose of recording of units sold by the licensee and billing to the Group user.
(a) The Distribution sub-station and other required infrastructure like LT lines, cables, feeder pillars, metering panels for individual meters and service lines etc shall be laid by the applicant Group user and the Group user shall retain the owner ship of all such assets.
(b) The Group user shall be fully responsible for maintenance of complete infrastructure network after the HT metering point i.e., point of supply. The Group user shall also be responsible for maintaining all construction and safety standards in respect of all assets and works being retained and executed by the Group user.
4.42 The Group user shall be fully responsible for various commercial and technical activities related to distribution of electricity.
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4.43 The extension of lines and up-gradation of system up to the point of supply of the Group user, notwithstanding that it has been paid for by the Group user, shall be the property of the licensee. The licensee shall maintain it at its cost.
4.44 The Group user can execute the work of extension of his own distribution network from the point of supply to the individual premises through a ‘C’ or higher class licensed electrical contractor, and the work of extension of HT line and / or HT substation and LT lines through an ‘A’ class contractor. In such case, the Group user itself shall procure the material.
4.45 The land/ accommodation required for installation of metering at point of supply shall be provided by the Group user free of cost for which rent or premium shall not be paid by the licensee.
4.46 For the purpose of considering the criteria of a Group user, for development of infrastructure, if any, shall be calculated on the same basis as is provided in clause
4.36 of the Code.
4.47 The electrical energy supply to the Group user shall not be utilized by the Group user in any manner pre-judicial to the licensee and all usage must be in accordance with the provisions of the agreement and the Act as applicable.
4.48 The Group user shall not divert the use of energy other than purpose mentioned in the agreement. The Group user shall not extend the supply beyond its premises other than that for which it was sanctioned by the licensee.
4.49 The maps clearly indicating the plots/ building and the electrical distribution network with indexing on each pole and transformer or any other equipment shall be submitted by the Group user, agreed upon and signed by both the Group user and the licensee shall form a part of the agreement.
4.50 If there is a need to modify/ amend the agreement signed between the licensee and the Group user, it will be done by a supplementary agreement.
4.51 The licensee shall raise the electricity bills on the units sold to the Group user at the applicable rate approved by the Commission.
4.52 The provisions of this regulation shall not in any way affect the right of a person residing in the housing unit sold or leased by Cooperative Group Housing Society to demand supply of electricity directly from the distribution licensee of the area on the following terms and conditions:
(i) The Cooperative Group Housing Society must permit any person of the society to avail supply of electricity from the Distribution licensee directly.
The Cooperative Group Housing Society shall have no objection in respect of the following:
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(a) The electricity supply by the licensee to such person shall be served from the licensee’s distribution network.
(b) Extension of adequate distribution network by the licensee to release the supply to such person.
(c) Providing access for the licensee’s representative to approach at any point of time to network of licensee in the premises of the group user including the point of supply to such consumer to discharge service obligations without any resistance.
(ii) The meter shall be installed by the licensee at the appropriate place of the premise of such consumer and the reading and billing of electricity to such person shall be executed by the licensee.
(iii) The licensee shall recover the charges for the electricity consumed by such person at the approved applicable domestic rates.
(D) LT Supply for Agriculture/Irrigation Pumpsets:
4.53 The procedure laid down in clauses 4.16 to 4.25 of the Code, as applicable, shall be followed for giving supply to agriculture/irrigation pump sets where extension of distribution mains and /or augmentation of distribution transformer is not required.
4.54 Supply for agriculture/irrigation pump set, at one point, may also be given to a registered co-operative society or to a group of farmers recognized by the licensee.
4.55 If on inspection of the premises, it is found that extension of distribution mains and/or augmentation of distribution transformer capacity is required, the possibility of taking up the work from financial assistance available from the Government or financial institution like Rural Electrification Corporation etc. shall be examined.
Within 10 days of receipt of application if no extension of line is required, and within 20 days of receipt of application or otherwise provided in the Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensee Regulations. If extension of line is required, the consumer shall be intimated whether the licensee can take up the work from funds available with the licensee from other sources or whether the work can be taken up only after the full cost of the works is deposited by the consumer. In case the work can be taken up only after the consumer deposits the estimated expenses, the licensee shall specify the amount along with the intimation. The work of electrification of such pump set(s), for which the full cost of the work is deposited by the consumer(s), will be taken up and completed within the period as laid down in clause 4.80 of the Code of depositing the amount by the consumer(s) if extension work is involved. New connection shall be taken up on the broad principle of first-come first serve basis. Within 3 working days of completion of work, the licensee shall intimate the date of testing of the installation of the 23 consumer and request the consumer(s) to furnish the test report. In case he is satisfied with the test report and the wiring in the premises of the consumer, the connection shall be served within 3 working days of the inspection.
4.56 An agricultural consumer, if he so desires, may shift the location within his premises of his connection, with the approval of the licensee, after payment of charges as applicable.
(E) LT Supply to Public Street Lightings:
4.57 Requisition for power supply to new or additional public street lights shall be submitted in the prescribed format to the local office of the licensee by the Municipal Corporation or Municipality or Municipal Board or Gram Panchayat or Local Body or the Government Department or any other organization made responsible by the Government or local body to maintain public street lights (in context of public street lights herein after called ‘local body’).
4.58 The requisition for public lights shall be accompanied by resolution of the local body and the sketch indicating the number of poles, existing or new, where streetlights are required. Except otherwise directed by the Commission, the licensee may not provide a new street light connection if the local body, applying for new street light connection, has any electricity dues against it.
4.59 The fittings, brackets or any special fittings shall be in accordance with the relevant BIS specifications or its equivalent, and shall maintain, required clearances, as per prevailing rules and regulations. The local body shall bear the full cost of arranging of power supply to public streetlights including complete fittings and brackets. In case, any special fittings are to be provided, the local body shall arrange for it.
4.60 The licensee shall intimate the cost of extension in writing within 20 days from the date of acceptance of application or otherwise provided in Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensee Regulations. The work shall be taken up only after deposit of the amount and execution of agreement by the local body.
4.61 A suitable double compartment weatherproof metal box to house the energy meter and streetlight switch/ M.C.B./ timers shall be provided by the licensee.
4.62 It shall be responsibility of municipal body/local body to do maintenance and replacement of streetlight fittings and also to switch on and switch off the streetlight. However the licensee may carry out the maintenance of streetlight fixtures on payment basis and shall arrange to switch on fifteen minutes before sunset and switch off the streetlights fifteen minutes before sunrise as per local sunset/ sunrise timings. The licensee shall also carry out replacement of fixtures/ bulbs (of same wattage) etc on the poles on request by the streetlight consumers.
The fixtures, bulbs etc. shall be supplied by the consumers and replaced by the 24 licensee within 7 days of receipt. All such services shall be chargeable. Such maintenance charges shall be included in the schedule of miscellaneous charges.
(F) Temporary Power Supply
4.63 Any person requiring power supply for purpose that is temporary in nature, for a period of less than one year or as provided in the tariff order of the Commission may apply for temporary power supply in the prescribed form (Annex- 1 or 2). The period of connection can be extended upto two years for building construction activities and for purpose of installation of equipments by industrial consumers for setting up their units. Application for temporary supply shall normally be given in advance however in certain exceptional case like marriage, political meeting etc the application can be given on the day on which supply is required. Where no mains extension is required and where mains extension is required in both the cases the time frame work specified in Standards of Performance for Distribution Licensee Regulations will apply. The proof of ownership / occupation or permission from the local authority or from the owner of the premises, as the case may be, where temporary connection is required has also to be attached with the application as specified in clause 4.13 of this Code.
4.64 In case temporary supply is required in premises/ place where 100 or more persons are likely to assemble, the consumer shall comply with the provisions of section 54 of the Act.
4.65 If supply is technically feasible, the licensee shall intimate the charges to be paid by the consumer for the cost of service line, meter, cut-out/ MCB and other charges etc, together with charges for the estimated electricity consumption for the period of supply applied as per tariff order of the Commission in force. All the charges shall be payable in advance.
The consumer shall have the option either to receive the material used for temporary connection or receive credit, in the final bill, for materials dismantled and returned to stores of the licensee after disconnection of supply.
4.66 In case temporary supply is required for a period more than 90 days, the licensee may permit the consumer to pay charges for estimated consumption for 90 days in advance and serve the bills for monthly consumption. In case the consumer fails to pay the bills in time and the advance with the licensee does not cover the charges for the balance period, the supply shall be liable for disconnection.
4.67 If an agricultural consumer wishes, he may seek temporary connection for agricultural use. In such case the consumer shall pay the entire amount of bill charges payable for the period of proposed connection in advance. All charges and other conditions as applicable to temporary connection shall be applicable. In case 25 a consumer defaults in clearing any dues under this provision, he shall not be provided new connection till previous dues are cleared. The licensee shall have the right to remove any equipment specifically installed for providing supply under this provision, after the period of supply is over.
4.68 The licensee shall release the supply within 3 days of payment of charges and compliance of other requirements by the consumer for loads up to 10 KW and within 15 days for load exceeding 10KW where extension of distribution mains is not required. Where extension of distribution mains is required, the supply shall be released within 60 days in case of LT consumers, 90 days for HT consumers and 180 days for EHT consumers.
4.69 The readings of the meter may be taken during the period of the temporary connection to ensure that the charges for actual consumption does not exceed the advance payment received.
4.70 After the period of temporary supply is over and supply has been disconnected, the licensee shall send the final bill to the consumer within 10 days from the date of disconnection of supply and refund the balance amount, if any, within 20 days of surrender of original money receipt or submission of indemnity bond by the consumer. On any delay beyond the said time limit, the licensee will be liable to pay an interest @ 1.5% per month on the amount of refund outstanding for the number of days beyond the last date of payment, as specified above.
(H) H.T. Supply
4.71 After receipt of application for supply of electrical energy at H.T. in the prescribed format, the licensee shall intimate the consumer in writing the date of inspection of the site to examine the feasibility. The licensee shall intimate the feasibility or otherwise of supply within 10 days of receipt of the application or as otherwise specified in the Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensee Regulations.
The consumer or his authorized representative shall remain present at the time of inspection. In case supply is found feasible, the licensee shall fix the point of entry of the supplier’s line, the position of meter, metering equipment and other equipments of the supplier. The consumer may with the written permission of the licensee house his own HT switchgear and other apparatus connected with the supply of electrical energy to him under the agreement signed between the consumer and the licensee and as must necessarily be placed therein; but such enclosure shall not be used for any other purpose. The licensee may insist on use of ‘Ariel Bunched Cable’, wherever considered appropriate, for the last span. The difference of cost of the last span on account of laying of ‘Ariel Bunched Cable’ with respect to overhead bare conductor shall be borne by the licensee.
26
4.72 Supply to HT industrial consumers shall normally be given through HT feeder exclusively meant for industries. It may be preferable to extend supply through a separate feeder from the nearest 33/11 kV or EHT substation in case of consumers with continuous process industry or load of 3 MVA or more.
4.73 Supply to new HT consumer (both at 11 kV or 33 kV) shall normally not be extended from the rural feeder. If due to the prohibitive cost of extension of separate feeder from the nearest 33/11 kV or EHT sub-station, or for any other reason, the supply is given from a rural feeder, the consumer shall be informed that the supply shall be restricted and regulated in accordance with the restrictions imposed on the rural feeders as per grid conditions. Such consumer may be required to furnish a declaration to the licensee indemnifying the licensee for the restrictions in supply.
4.74 The licensee shall intimate the consumer within the time limit as specified in the Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensee Regulations, the charges required to be paid for the cost of extension, if any, and the amount of security deposit and other charges if any. Copies of the draft agreement and the form of the required test report shall also be forwarded simultaneously.
4.75 After the payment of charges including security deposit, and execution of the agreement, the licensee shall take up the work of extension of mains. If the consumer wishes, he may execute the job on his own after payment of due supervision charges to the licensee. The work shall be completed within the time limit specified in the Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensee Regulations. After completion of the installation, the consumer shall furnish to the licensee the test report and the permission from the Electrical Inspector to energize the installation. On receipt of the report(s), the licensee shall intimate the consumer in writing the date (not later than 7 days) of inspection and testing of the consumer’s installation. In case the consumer’s installation is found in order, the licensee shall seal the meter in the presence of the consumer and serve the connection.
(H) Supply at Extra High Tension:
4.76 After receipt of application in the prescribed format for supply of electrical energy at E.H.T., the licensee shall intimate the consumer in writing the date of inspection to check the feasibility of supply. The licensee and the Transmission Licensee shall carry out the inspection jointly. The consumer or his authorized representative shall remain present at the time of inspection. In case supply is found feasible, the licensee shall fix the point of entry of the supplier’s line, the position of meter, metering equipment and other equipments of the supplier. The Licensee shall 27 intimate the feasibility of supply within 10 days of receipt of the application or as otherwise specified in the Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensee Regulations.
4.77 The licensee shall intimate the consumer within the time limit specified in the Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensee Regulations the charges required to be paid for the cost of extension, if any, and the amount of security deposit and other charges, if any. Copies of the draft agreement and the form of the required test report shall also be forwarded simultaneously.
4.78 After the payment of charges including security deposit and execution of the agreement, the licensee shall request the Transmission licensee to take up the work of extension required to give supply. If the consumer wishes he may execute the job on his own after payment of due supervision charges to the licensee. The work shall be completed within 180 days or as specified in the Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensee Regulations.
4.79 After the consumer executes his internal electrical works, he shall furnish to the licensee the test report and the permission from the Electrical Inspector to energize the installation in accordance with clause 47 of IE Rules. On receipt of the report(s), the licensee shall intimate the consumer in writing the date of inspection and testing of the consumer’s installation. If the consumer’s installation is found in order, the licensee shall seal the meter in the presence of the consumer and serve the connection.
4.80 Target Period of Completion of Various Activities The following table provides the target period of completion of various activities:
S. No. Type of Service Time Limit for Rendering the Service
1. LT connection a) Acceptance and Notice of inspection on receipt of complete application b) Inspection after sending the notice – Urban areas – Rural areas
(i) if the extension work is not required and the connection is to be given from the existing network c) Issue of demand note to the applicant for payment of estimated charges – Urban areas – Rural areas d) Serving of power availability notice for 5 days 3 days 7 days 3 days 5 days 28 commencement of supply after payment of necessary charges – Urban areas – Rural areas
(ii) If the extension work or enhancement of transformer capacity is required
(e) Issue of demand note to the applicant for payment of estimated charges – Urban areas – Rural areas
(f) After payment of necessary charges Serving of power availability notice for commencement of supply – All connections 5 days 7 days 20 days 30 days
2. High Tension Connection a) Informing feasibility after receipt of the application 10 days b) Issue of demand note of estimated charges (after issue of notice of feasibility) i) If no extension of work is involved ii) If extension work is involved 7 days 45 days c) Serving of power availability notice for commencement of supply / release of connection after receipt of estimated charges subject to receipt of clearance from Electrical Inspector i) If no extension of work is involved ii) If extension work is involved – Construction of 11kV line – Construction of 33kV line 7 days 45 days 45 days
3. Extra High Tension Connection a) Informing feasibility after receipt of the application 10 days b) Issue of demand note of estimate charges after issue of notice feasibility 60 days 29 c) Serving of power availability notice for commencement of supply / release of connection after receipt of estimated charges – involving construction / extension of EHT line – Involving construction / extension of EHT line and additional transformer 45 days (subject to receipt of clearance from Electrical Inspector) 180 days
4.81 The licensee shall maintain a priority register where type of connection will be categorised in following categories
(a) Where no extension of distribution mains is required
(b) Where extension of distribution mains upto two poles is required
(c) Where extension of distribution mains of more than two poles is required
4.82 The Commission may for reasons to be recorded, direct deviations from the above clauses 4.1to 4.81 if in the opinion of the Commission the circumstance warrants such deviation. The Commission may issue such direction by an order to the licensee.
4.83 Nothing contained in this chapter – 4 shall be taken as requiring a licensee to give supply of electricity to any premises if he is prevented from doing so due to Force Majeure conditions provided in clause 12.1
CHAPTER 5 POINT OF SUPPLY AND LICENSEE’S EQUIPMENT IN PREMISES Point of Supply:
5.1 (a) Supply shall be given at a single point, in premises, at the outgoing terminal of the Licensee. The Licensee shall determine the point of supply such that the meters and other equipment are always accessible to the Licensee without obstruction for inspection.
(b) All EHT & HT consumers / applicants shall provide independent entry to the meter or metering cubicle.
(c) However, in special cases, the licensee may agree to give supply at more than one point in the installation of the consumer / applicant having regard to the physical layout of the installation and the requirements of the consumer / applicant. The arrangement will be subject to the condition that separate metering will be done and summation of demand and energy 30 recorded at all points will be taken as parameters for billing under the relevant tariff schedule.
Installation of Equipment at Point of Supply
5.2 (a) At the point of commencement of supply, the consumer / applicant shall provide a main switch / circuit breaker from the outgoing terminal of the meter.
(b) In addition, HT / EHT consumers / applicants shall also provide suitable protective devices as per the provisions of Rule 56 and 64 of the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956 and thereafter as per regulations framed under Section 53 of the Electricity Act, 2003. The system of protection shall be got approved by the Licensee before commencement of supply.
(c) In case of HT / EHT consumer / applicant, Meter, circuit breakers and its associated equipment shall be installed by the Licensee at the point (s) of supply.
(d) HT / EHT consumer / applicant shall install step down transformers with a vector group with delta winding on the high voltage side and star winding on the low voltage side, with the neutral terminal brought out and solidly earthed.
(e) The licensee shall install and maintain the communication link facility from the grid sub-station supplying the railway traction through PLCC.
Dedicated Feeder
5.3 Consumers desirous of getting power supply from dedicated feeders may request for such facility to the licensee. The dedicated feeder shall be extended from the power substation to the consumer’s point of supply. In such cases the consumers shall be liable to pay the cost of Bay and all protection switchgears and its accessories provided at the power substation for this feeder in addition to the cost of the feeder. On receipt of such request, the licensee will check the feasibility based on merit of providing a dedicated feeder to the consumer’s premises. If found feasible, the consumer will be provided with a dedicated feeder and the consumer will be liable to pay additional charges such as supervision charges, etc.
as approved by the Commission from time to time. The Licensee shall not extend electric supply to any other consumer from the dedicated feeder.
Licensee’s Equipment at Consumer’s Premises
5.4 The consumer shall provide free of cost to the licensee necessary land belonging to the consumer and afford all reasonable facilities for bringing in not only the direct cables or overhead lines from the licensee’s system for servicing the consumer, but also cables or overhead lines connecting licensee's other 31 consumers and shall permit the licensee to install all requisite switchgears and connections thereto on the above premises and to extend supply to such other consumers through the cables and terminals situated on the consumer's premises, provided supply to the consumer in the opinion of the licensee is not thereby unduly affected.
Damage to Equipment at Consumer’s Premises
5.5 The meter, cut-out/ MCB, service mains and other equipment belonging to the licensee, must on no account be handled or removed by any one who is not an authorized employee/representative of the licensee. The seals, which are fixed on the meters /metering equipments, load limiters and the licensee’s apparatus, must on no account be tampered, damaged and broken. The responsibility for the safe custody of licensee’s equipments and seals on the meters/metering equipments within the consumer’s premises shall be on the consumer.
5.6 In the event of any damage caused to the licensee’s equipments in the consumer’s premises by reason of any act, neglect or default of the consumer or his employees/ representatives, the cost thereof as claimed by the licensee shall be payable by the consumer. If the consumer fails to do so on demand, it shall be treated as a contravention of the terms and conditions of supply agreement and the supply shall be liable to be disconnected after due notice. The consumer shall however be liable to pay the charges, as applicable.
11 [In case of replacement of defective / burnt meters and metering units, the provision as contained in clause
8.20 of Chapter – 8 of the Code shall apply.]
5.7 The licensee is responsible for maintaining the meters and equipments, installed at consumer's premises from where electricity is supplied to the consumer.
Failure of Fuse / Supply:
5.8 In the event of failure of the licensee's service fuse, at any time, complaint thereof should be lodged by the consumer to the licensee's local office/call center and the Licensee shall ensure registration of complaints on round the clock basis. Only authorized employees possessing the photo-identity card of the licensee shall be permitted to replace these fuses in the licensee's cut-outs. Consumers are not allowed to replace these fuses. The licensee should not allow its employees to carry out any repairs in the consumer's installations.
[11] Added at the end of Clause 5.6 by the Bihar Electricity Supply Code, 2007 (1st Amendment) vide Bihar Gazette No. 603 dated 18th August, 2010 (w.e.f. 18.08.2010).
32
CHAPTER 6 WIRING AND APPARATUS IN CONSUMER PREMISES Wiring at Consumer’s Premises
6.1 The work of wiring in the consumer's premises shall be carried out by a Licensed Electrical Contractor and should conform to the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956 until rules/regulation are framed under section 53 of the Act as well as the rules of the Fire Insurance Company in terms of which the building is insured. The materials used for wiring shall conform to the relevant specifications of the Bureau of Indian Standards or its equivalent. Wherever applicable the materials used shall bear ISI or IEC mark. As soon as the consumer's installation is completed in all respects and tested by the consumer’s contractor, the consumer should submit, the contractor’s test report to the licensee. The test report form (Annexure-3) for this purpose shall be submitted to the local office of the licensee.
6.2 As required by rule 45 of the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956, no electrical installation work, including addition, alteration, repair and adjustment to existing installation - except the replacement of lamps, fans, fuses, switches and other component parts of the installations - which in no way alter the capacity or character of the installation, shall be carried out in the premises on behalf of any consumer or owner for the purpose of supply of energy to such consumer or owner, except by an electrical contractor licensed by the State Government in this behalf and under the direct supervision of a person holding a certificate of competency or by a person holding a permit issued or recognized by the State Government.
6.3 Any person committing breach of rule 45 shall render himself liable to punishment under rule 139 of the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956.
6.4 Provisions of rule 32 of the Indian Electricity Rules, 1956 should be complied with in respect of consumer's installation. No cut-out, link or switch other than a linked switch arranged to operate the earthed and live conductors simultaneously, shall be inserted in the conductor of the consumer's installation to be connected to the neutral conductor of the licensee's system.
General Wiring Conditions:
Mains:
6.5 The consumer's mains shall, in all cases, be brought up to the licensee’s point of supply and sufficient cable shall be provided for connecting up with the licensee's apparatus.
33 Switches and Fuses:
6.6 The consumer shall provide proper main switches of requisite capacity to carry and break current in each conductor near the point of commencement of supply. The switches in the consumer’s premises shall be on the live wire and the neutral conductor shall be marked for identification where it leaves the consumer's main switch for connecting up to the meter. No single pole switch or cut-out should remain inserted in any neutral conductor.
Balancing of Load:
6.7 The consumer taking three-phase supply shall balance his load between the phases as per IE Rules Earthing:
6.8 Proper earthing with earthing pipe should be done and gas and water pipes shall on no account be used for earthing purposes. All wiring shall be kept as far as possible away from gas and water pipes.
Domestic Appliances:
6.9 For the safety of the wiring at the consumer’s premises, separate circuit for heaters, geysers, air-conditioners and for cooking apparatus like oven, microwave oven shall be run with adequate size of wire from the main distribution board of the consumer. Wall plugs used on the circuits for domestic appliances shall be of the three-pin type, the third pin being connected to "earth".
Plugs:
6.10 All plugs shall be provided with switches on the live wire and not on the neutral.
Apparatus Interfering with Licensee’s System
6.11 The licensee may discontinue the supply giving reasons if the consumer installs any instrument, apparatus that are likely to affect adversely, the supply to other consumers. Supply shall be restored on taking appropriate remedial action to the satisfaction of the licensee.
A.C. Motor Installations:
6.12 The motor shall be provided with control gear so that the starting current of consumer's installation does not in any case exceed the limits given in the following schedule:
Nature of supply Size of installation Limit of starting current Single Phase Up to and including 1 HP Six times full load current Three phase Above 1 HP and upto 10 HP Three times full load current Above 10 HP and upto 15 HP Two times full load current Above 15 HP one and a half times full load current.
34 Failure to comply with these regulations will render the consumer liable for disconnection forthwith.
Consumer’s Apparatus
6.13 The apparatus/ appliances/ gadgets used by consumers should conform to the standards and specifications prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards or equivalent All new pumping set connection / reconnections shall ensure minimum losses and to achieve the same, shall conform to the requirement of Bureau of Energy Efficiency, and shall not be inferior, and shall also have the following: -
(a) Friction less foot valve
(b) HDPE piping suction and delivery
(c) ISI marked energy efficient monoblock pump set.
(d) Capacitor of adequate rating for the pump set, as provided in the tariff order.
The licensee shall collect the data of water levels in the areas from appropriate / concerned authority / agency, and if this calls for enhancement of load, the consumer shall be required to get the load enhanced.
Power Factor of Apparatus:
Welding Transformers:
6.14 LT installations with welding transformers will be required to have suitable shunt capacitor(s) installed so as to ensure power factor of not less than 90%. Such consumers shall be liable to pay surcharge as specified by the Commission, from time to time, on account of poor power factor.
Low Tension Shunt Capacitor:
6.15 Every L.T. consumer, including irrigation pump set consumer, whose connected load includes induction motor(s) of 3 HP and above or otherwise given in Tariff Order in force, and other low power factor consuming appliances shall arrange to install Low Tension Shunt Capacitors of appropriate capacity at his cost across the terminals of his motor(s), as given in Clause 6.16
6.16(a)The consumer in whose LT connection the meter provided by the licensee does not have the power factor recording feature, shall ensure installation of shunt capacitors as per ratings indicated in the table given below and shall maintain these capacitors in working condition.
Sl. No. Rating of Individual Induction Motor KVAR Rating of LT Capacitors
1. 3 HP and above up to 5 HP 1
2. Above 5 HP up to 7.5 HP 2
3. Above 7.5 HP up to 10 HP 3
4. Above 10 HP up to 15 HP 4
5. Above 15 HP up to 20 HP 5 35
6. Above 20 HP up to 30 HP 6
7. Above 30 HP up to 40 HP 7
8. Above 40 HP up to 50 HP 8
9. Above 50 HP up to 99 HP 9 The consumer in whose LT connection, the meter provided by the licensee has the power factor recording feature, shall install shunt capacitors of adequate capacity to ensure power factor of 90% and above.
(b) Supply to LT installations with induction motor(s) of capacity of 3 HP and above will not be given unless suitable capacitors to improve power factor are installed.
6.17 LT consumers in whose case the meter installed does not have power factor recording feature and fails to provide LT capacitors as specified hereinbefore and fails to maintain in working condition would be liable to pay surcharge as may be specified in the tariff order from time to time. LT consumer in whose case, the meter installed has power factor recording feature and who fails to maintain power factor within specified limits, as recorded by meter, by installing appropriate capacitors would be liable to pay surcharge as may be specified in the Tariff Order from time to time.
6.18 The licensee may discontinue supply, after due notice of 15 days, to any installation where the average power factor in a month is less than 70% where meter installed is having P.F. measuring feature. In case LT capacitors are not installed or installed but not in working condition then in that case also the supply shall be disconnected after due notice of 15 days without prejudice to the right of the licensee to levy demand/ minimum charges as applicable during the period of disconnection.
High Tension Consumers:
6.19 The following controls shall be installed (refer section 50 of IE Rules, 1956)
(a) A linked switch with fuse(s) or a circuit breaker for consumers having aggregate installed transformer/ apparatus capacity up to 1000 kVA if supplied at voltage of 11 kV and 2500 kVA if supplied at a voltage of 33 kV.
(b) A circuit breaker along with linked switch for consumers having an aggregate installed transformer/ apparatus capacity above 1000 kVA if supplied at 11 kV and above 2500 kVA if supplied at 33 kV.
(c) In either case, suitable automatic circuit breakers shall be installed on the low tension side of each transformer or on each feeder.
Extra-High Tension Consumer
6.20 Extra-High Tension consumer shall install a circuit breaker on HV side of the transformer (refer section 50 of IE Rules 1956).
36 HT/ EHT Consumers
6.21 All transformers, switch-gears and other electrical equipments in the installation of the consumer and also those directly connected to the feeders or lines of the licensee shall be of suitable design and be maintained by the consumer to the reasonable satisfaction of the licensee. The setting of fuses and relays on the consumer’s control gear, as well as the rupturing capacity of any of his circuit breakers, shall be subject to the approval of the licensee.
6.22 Notwithstanding the provisions under clause 6.19 it is necessary that the consumer should obtain prior approval of the Electrical Inspector about the suitability of protective devices or circuit breakers in accordance with the provisions of the prevailing laws, rules and regulations.
6.23 The consumer shall maintain a power factor of 90% and above. Consumers shall be liable to pay surcharge or receive incentive specified by the Commission, from time to time, on account of variation from specified power factor. The Railway traction consumers shall also maintain a power factor of 90% and above or as provided in Tariff Order. The licensee may discontinue supply except Railway traction, after due notice of 15 days, to any installation where the average power factor is less than 70% without prejudice to the right of the licensee to levy demand/ minimu