SAFETY IN ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE 9.

CHAPTER-9

SAFETY IN ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE

SNO.
1.

ELEECTRICAL SAFETY

2.

PROTECTION SYSTEMS USED FOR ELECTRICITY

3.

STATUTARY REQUIREMENTS.

SAFETY IN ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE 9. 2

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS, ELECTRICAL RULES

AND SAFETY APPARATUS
ELEECTRICAL SAFETY
We all know that Electrical Energy has emerged as one of the most convenient,
versatile, reliable & efficient form of energy for our domestic & commercial use.
It is pollution free at the point of use. It offers more flexibility & better controls for
distribution at the location of usage. Almost all walks of life are greatly influenced
by it. Latest technological advancements are continuing to open more avenues for
the utilization of electricity. It is almost impossible to think about life in todays
society without electricity. Life will come to standstill, if power fails. We can not
commute, transport material through rails, factories will stop & we will not be able
to do household chores etc. Today its failure causes a great inconvenience & loss
to the nation.
Though the electricity has become indispensable for our day-to-day life, its safe
use only can render good service. Any lapse on safety aspects, can invite uncalled
troubles which can cause merciless havoc to both men & material. So to avoid any
Electric shock or Electric fire, all safety precautions should be strictly followed.
All industrial equipments i.e. transformers, motors, heaters, illumination systems &
equipments & domestic appliances should be operated, controlled & protected
through a suitably designed Electrical distribution network & with desired
protection system. This ensures a safe operation of the electrical system so that
electrical power flows within safe limit & incases of any abnormal condition the
protection system either limits the power flow or isolates the faulty part by tripping
its feeder. The additional advantage obtained by selectively tripping the faulty part
only, keeps other parts healthy.
Potential Hazards of Electricity
1. Electrical Shocks
2. Fire
3. Lightning
Electrical Shocks: Shock occurs when the human body becomes part of the electric circuit. The
electric current completes its path for which it enters the body at one point &
leaves at another. The electric shock occurs by anyone of the following ways.

SAFETY IN ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE 9. 3

1.
2.
3.

Touching one wire of energised circuit & ground

Touching both wires of energised circuit
Touching a metallic part that has become conductive by itself being in contact
with live wire
Most of the people are of impression that severity of the shock depends on the
voltage, which however is not the only factor. We have noticed birds sitting on
High-tension wires but not getting the shock. This is because they are not touching
ground. Similarly if a man hangs on any one High-tension wire without touching
ground or any other live wire, will not get the shock.
Other factors, which affect the degree of shock, are amount of current, the physical
& psychological condition of the person, the phase of the heart cycle when shock
occurs. The amount of current flow through the body mainly depends upon the
body resistance, which varies from person to person. For dry skin body resistance
varies between 1,00,000 to 6,00,000 Ohms, while for wet skin it is approx. 1000
Ohms only. Resistance between hand to foot varies between 400 to 600 Ohms
while it is approx. 100 Ohms ear to ear.
The effect of Electric current on human being is as given below:
Effect on Human body

1. Slight sensation on
hand
2. Perception threshold
3. Shock not pain full &
muscular
control
not
lost
4. Shock painful &,
muscular
control
lost
5. Shock painful , let go
threshold
6. Shock painful & severe
muscular contraction, breathing
difficult
7. Shock-possible ventricular
fibrillation effect from 3 sec
shock

Man
1.0

Electrical Current passing through

Human body (in Milliampres)DC
60Hz AC
Woman
Man
Woman
0.6
0.4
0.3

5.2
9.0

3.5
6.0

1.1
1.8

0.7
1.2

62.0

41.0

9.0

6.0

76.0

51.0

16.0

10.5

90.0

60.0

23.0

15.0

SAFETY IN ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE 9. 4

Protection Systems Used for Electricity

Following main protection systems are used for protection of man & material
from electricity:
1. Earthing
2. Lightning protection
3. Protective relays mainly protecting the equipments & electrical systems
The man has learned about the safety because of its hazards in last so many years.
Therefore, following topics are also important from safety viewpoint.
1. Safety Requirements for Selection of Electrical Equipments
2. Useful tips while using electrical equipments
Earthing
Meaning of the term earthing or grounding is, to connect the electrical equipment
to general mass of the earth by a wire of negligible resistance. This brings the
body of electrical equipment to zero potential & thus will avoid shock to the
operator. Besides, the neutral of the power supply system is also solidly earthed to
ensure that its potential equals to zero. As explained earlier that we get a shock
when an electric current passes through our body. By earthing the neutral & body
of the electrical equipment, we are bringing both at the same potential. Therefore
incase of any fault i.e. leakage due to failure of electrical insulation of the
equipment, a very low resistance path is available to the leakage current. Under
such circumstances, if a person touches the equipment, he will get almost no
shock as the earth potential & equipment body potential will be same. Besides it
offers an additional advantage of automatic fault detection & immediate fault
clearing by the existing short circuit / overload protection circuit of the system,
that too without any modification in the protection scheme. It will be worthwhile
to mention here that by earthing, the probability of a person getting shock,
considerably reduces, as for getting a shock time of fault occurrence & the time of
touching shall match.
According to Indian Electricity Rules, the earthed or connected with earth
means connected with the general mass of the earth in such manner as to ensure
at all times an immediate discharge of energy without danger.
For voltage exceeding 125 volts:
(a) The neutral conductor of a 3-ph, four wire system & the middle conductor of
a two separate 3-wire system shall be earthed by not less than two separate &
distinct connections with the earth both at the generating station & the substations.
It may also be earthed at one or more points along the distribution system or
service line in addition to any connection with earth which may be at consumers
premises.

SAFETY IN ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE 9. 5

(b) The frame of every generator, stationary motor & so far as practicable,
portable motor, & the metallic parts (not intended as conductors) of all
transformers & any other apparatus used for regulating or controlling energy & all
medium voltage energy consuming apparatus shall be earthed by the owner by
two separate & distinct connection with earth.
General Safety Requirements for Selection of Electrical Equipments
1. Insist for a ISI approved design or according to Indian Standard or International
standard if the IS is not applicable.
2. Frame specifications according to actual site requirements along with provision
for future requirements. Specify requirements to the maximum extent instead of
leaving them on the manufacturers mercy.
3. Adequate spacing for internal wiring & easy terminations.
4. All wires shall be crimped with lugs.
5. Use of HRC fuse is strongly recommended instead of rewireble fuses particularly
where potential fire hazards are more.
6. Use of approved/good quality parts for manufacturing a tailor made equipments
7. Standardise for Ready made common items
8. Perform proper testing before actual use at site
9. For hazardous area use CMRI approved Explosion proof/ Increased Safety
equipments i.e. motors, LCS, CG boxes, Lighting fixtures, glands, etc as per area
classification. Go for proven designs
10. Proper earthing provisions
11. Establish & maintain a permanent earthing of all installed electrical field &
substations equipments as per requirements
Useful tips while using or working on electrical equipments
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Never connect any domestic electrical appliance with loose wire. Always use
proper plug top.
All hand held electric tools shall be earthed before use. Always use 3pin plug with
phase +neutral +earth wires instead of two pins.
Never bypass a fuse.
Before touching any live part of the equipment, ensure that it is electrically
isolated.
Instead of using earth strip as a return path, separate neutral cable shall be brought
upto the job for welding.
Twisting of any electrical wire of domestic appliance shall not be allowed &
removed soon after noticing.
Electrical socket points near floor shall be suitably sealed in houses having kids.
Series test lamp (with 2 nos. 230V) lamps shall be used instead of single lamp
tester while working 230/415 V supplies.
Never use fuse in neutral. Instead, a disconnecting link may be used if at all
required. Fuse shall be used in phase wires only.

SAFETY IN ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE 9. 6

6.
7.
8.
9.

Use on/off switch in the phase wire of a circuit instead of neutral.

Avoid touching electrical circuit/ appliances with wet body/clothes.
Replace the wire if its insulation is found with cuts/ cracks.
Avoid joints in connecting leads of an appliance. Instead select a proper single
length wire at the time of installation. For temporary connections an extension
board is safe if the wire is of not adequate length.
10. Treat any wire as live if you are not sure it is dead.
15. Never play with electricity and do not take any chances with appliances.
16. Never work barefooted
17. Make it a regular practice to check your earthing.
18. Do not start working unless Permit to work is obtained.
19. Ascertain the line section and display a danger board on it.
20. After isolation discharge the H.T equipment/ bus bar with earth rod and convert it
to earth, before starting the job.
21. After finishing the job, ensure that all earth connection/ danger boards are
removed.
22. Measure the I.R value (phase to phase and phase to earth) before energizing back
the equipment.
STATUTARY REQUIREMENTS.
The Electricity board has formulated some statutory requirements, which every
consumer has to fulfil. These are known as Indian Electricity Rules. Some of the
very common and important rules are given below:
Rules No.29
Construction, installation, protection, operation and maintenance of electric
supply lines and apparatus. All electric supply lines and apparatus shall be of
sufficient ratings for powers, insulation and estimated fault current and of
sufficient mechanical strength, for the duty which they may be required to
perform under the environmental conditions of installation, and shall be
constructed, installed, protected, worked and maintained in such a manner as to
ensure safety of personnel and property.
Rule No.31
Cut-out on consumers premises:
The supplier shall provide a suitable cut out in each conductor of every service
line other than an earthed or earthed neutral conductor or the earthed external
conductor of a concentric cable within a consumers premises in an accessible
position. Such cut out shall be contained within an adequately enclosed fire proof
receptacle.

SAFETY IN ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE 9. 7

Rule No.33
Earthed terminal on consumers premises. The supplier shall provide and maintain
on the consumers premises for the consumers use a suitable earthed terminal in an
accessible position at or near the point of commencement of supply as defined
under Rule.58
Rule No.44
Instructions for restoration of persons suffering from electric shock. Instructions
in (English or Hindi and the local language of the district and where Hindi is the
local language ,in English and Hindi }for the restoration of persons suffering from
electric shock shall be affixed by the owner in a conspicuous place in every
generating station, enclosed sub-station enclosed switch station and in every
factory as defined in clause of section-2 of the Factories Act, 1948 in which
electricity is used and in such other premises where electricity is used as the
Inspector (or any officer appointed to assist the Inspector) may by notice in
writing served on the owner, direct.
Rule No.46
Periodical Inspection and testing of consumers installation: Where an installation
is already connected to the supply system of the supplier, every such installation
shall be periodically inspected and tested at intervals not exceeding five years
either by the Inspector appointed to assist the Inspector or by the supplier as may
be directed by the State Government.
Rule No.48 (I) & (II)
High Voltage Equipments /Installations:
i)

High voltage equipments shall have the IR value as stipulated in the relevant
Indian Standard.

ii)

At a pressure of 1000V applied between each live conductor and earth for a
period of one minute the insulation resistances of HV installations shall be atleast
1 megohm or as specified by the Indian Standards Institution from time to time.
Medium and Low Voltage Installations:
At a pressure of 500 V applied between each live conductor and earth for a period
of one minute, the insulation resistance of medium and low voltage installations
shall be at least 1 megohm or as specified by the Indian Standards Institution from
time to time.

SAFETY IN ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE 9. 8

Rule No.61
1. Neutral conductor of a 3 phase, 4 wire system and the middle conductor of a
2-phase, 3 wire system shall be earthed by not less than two separate and distinct
connections with a minimum of two different earth electrodes or such large
number as may be necessary to bring the earth resistance to a satisfactory value
both at the generating station and at the substation.
2. The connection with earth may include a link by means of which the connection
may be temporarily interrupted for the purpose of testing or for locating a fault.
3. The frame of every generator, stationary motor, portable motor and the metallic
parts of all transformers and any other apparatus used for regulating or controlling
energy and all medium voltage energy consuming apparatus shall be earthed by
the owner by two separate and distinct connections with earth.
4. Provided that where the supply of energy is at low voltage, this sub-rule shall not
apply to isolated wall tubes or to brackets, electroliers, switches, ceiling fans or
other fittings (other than portable hand lamps and portable and transportable
apparatus) unless provided with an earth terminal and to class-II
apparatuses/appliances.
5. Provided further that where the supply of energy is at low voltage and where the
installations are either new or renovated all plug sockets shall be of the three pin
types and the third pin shall be permanently and efficiently earthed.
6. All earthing system belonging to the supplier shall in addition be tested for
resistance on dry day during the dry season not less than once every two years.

Electricity is a Good
Servant but Bad Master