CEAR namely Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010 are regulations framed by Central Electricity Authority of India under Indian Electricity Act, 2003, to regulate measures relating to safety and electric supply in India.
History
CEAR came into effect 20 September 2010, in place of The Indian Electricity Rules, 1956.
The Electricity Act, 2003, was formulated combining the Indian Electricity Act 1910 and Indian Electricity (supply) Act 1948.
Earthing provisions and safety
Under CEAR, rule 41, there is specific provision of earthing neutral wire of a 3-phase, 4-wire system and the additional third wire of a 2- phase, 3-wire system. Earthing is to be done with two separate connections. Grounding system also to have minimum two or more earth pits (electrode) such that proper grounding takes place. As per the rule 42, installation with load above 5 kW exceeding 250 V shall have suitable Earth leakage protective device to isolate the load in case of earth fault or leakage.
Neutral and earth run separately on overhead line/cables. Separate conductor for overhead lines and armouring of cables are used for earth connection. Additional earth electrodes/pits are installed at user ends for proper earth.
All metal casing or metallic coverings of electric supply line or apparatus to be connected with earth and all such earthling points shall be so joined to make good mechanical and electrical connection in complete system.
Earthing in mines
Earthing in an underground mine shall be carried out by connection to an earthing system at the surface of the mine as per rule 99.
As per rule 100, protective equipment is to be placed in the mines for automatic disconnection of supply when there is earth fault exceeding 750 milliampere in 250 V to 1000 Volt installations. For open cast mine the limit is 50 ampere in installations of voltage exceeding 1100 V and up to 11 kV. The earth leakage current is to be restricted by placing suitable neutral grounding resistance (NGR) in all the distribution transformers.
Salient features
Chapters and regulations there in:-
Chapter - I Definitions
1 Short title and Commencement
2 Definitions
Chapter - II
3 Designating person(s) to operate and carry out the work on electrical lines and apparatus
4 Inspection of designated officers and other safety measures
5 Electrical Safety Officer
6 Safety measures for operation and maintenance of electric plants
7 Safety measures for operation and maintenance of transmission, distribution systems
8 Keeping of records and inspection there of
9 Deposit of maps
10 Deposit of printed copies
11 Plan for area of supply to be made and kept open for inspection
Chapter - III General safety requirements
12 General safety requirements, pertaining to construction, installation, protection, operation and maintenance of electric supply lines apparatus
13 Service lines and apparatus on consumer’s premises
14 Switchgear on consumer’s premises
15 Identification of earthed and earthed neutral conductors and position of switches and switchgear therein
16 Earthed terminal on consumer’s premises
17 Accessibility of bare conductors
18 Danger Notices
19 Handling of electric supply lines and apparatus
20 Supply to vehicles and cranes
21 Cables for portable or transportable apparatus
22 Cables protected by bituminous materials
23 Street boxes
24 Distinction of different circuits
25 Distinction of the installations having more than one feed
26 Accidental charging
27 Provisions applicable to protective equipment
28 Display of instructions for resuscitation of persons suffering from electric shock
29 Precautions to be adopted by consumers, owners, occupiers, electrical contractors, electrical workmen and suppliers
30 Periodical inspection and-testing of Installations
31 Testing of consumer's installation
32 Installation and testing of generating units
Chapter - IV General conditions relating to supply and use of electricity
33 Precautions against leakage before connection
34 Leakage on consumer's premises
35 Supply and use of electricity
36 Provisions for supply and use of electricity in multi-storied building more than 15 meters in height