CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY (MEASURES RELATING TO

SAFETY AND ELECTRIC SUPPLY) REGULATIONS, 2010

AND

CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY (MEASURES RELATING TO

SAFETY AND ELECTRIC SUPPLY) AMENDMENT REGULATIONS, 2015.

AS APPLICABLE TO MINES

2. Definitions: -
(1) In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires

(f) "Cable" means a length of insulated single conductor (solid or stranded) or of

two or more such conductors each provided with its own insulation, which are
laid up together. Such insulated conductor or conductors may or may not be
provided with an overall mechanical protective covering;

(i) "Concentric cable" means a composite cable comprising an inner conductor

which is insulated and one or more outer conductors which are insulated from
one another and are disposed over the insulation of, and more or less around,
the inner conductor;

(w) "flexible cable" means a cable consisting of one or more cores each formed of
a group of wires, the diameter and the physical properties of the wires and
insulating material being such as to afford flexibility.

(j) "conductor" means any wire, cable, bar, tube, rail or plate used for conducting
electricity and so arranged as to be electrically connected to a system;
(r) “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
electricity without danger;

‘(v) “flameproof enclosure” means an enclosure in which the parts which can
ignite an explosive atmosphere are placed and which can withstand the pressure
developed during an internal explosion of an explosive mixture and which prevents
the transmission of explosion to the explosive atmosphere surrounding the
enclosure;’
(Substituted by CEA(MSE) Amendment Regulations, 2015)
 (y) "hand-held portable apparatus" means an apparatus which is so designed as to
be capable of being held in the hands and moved while connected to a supply
of electricity;
‘(zc) “intrinsically safe circuit” shall denote any circuit operating under its
normal operation and specified fault condition as specified in the Bureau of
Indian Standards, which when exposed to any spark, ignition, or any thermal
effect whilst operating under the above said conditions, is not capable of
causing ignition of a given explosive gas atmosphere; (Substituted by
CEA(MSE) Amendment Regulations, 2015)

(zca) “intrinsically safe apparatus” shall denote electrical apparatus in

which all the circuits are intrinsically safe circuits;’ (Inserted by CEA(MSE)
Amendment Regulations, 2015)
(zd) "increased safety type ‘e’ " means a-method of protection by which additional
measures are applied so as to give increased security against the possibility of
excessive temperatures and of occurrence of arcs and sparks in apparatus
which does not produce arcs or sparks in normal service;

(zk) "neutral conductor" means that conductor of a multi-wire system, the voltage
of which is normally intermediate between the voltages of the other
conductors of the system and shall also include return wire of the single phase
system;

(zn) "open sparking" means sparking which owing to the lack of adequate
provisions for preventing the ignition of inflammable gas external to the
apparatus would ignite such inflammable gas

(zs) "portable apparatus" means an apparatus which is so designed as to be

capable of being moved while in operation;

(zt) "portable hand lamp" means a portable light-fitting provided with suitable
handle, guard and flexible cord connected to a plug;
(zzd) "transportable apparatus" means apparatus which is operated in a fixed
position but which is so designed as to be capable of being moved readily
from one place to another;

21. Cables for portable or transportable apparatus: -

(1) Flexible cables shall not be used for portable or transportable motors, generators,
transformers, rectifiers, electric drills, electric sprayers, welding sets or any other
portable or transportable apparatus unless they are heavily insulated and
adequately protected from mechanical injury.

(2) Where the protection is by means of metallic covering, the covering shall be in
metallic connection with the frame of any such apparatus and earthed.

(3) The cables shall be three core type and four core type for portable and
transportable apparatus working on single phase and three phase supply
respectively and the wire meant to be used for ground connection shall be easily
identifiable.
 Chapter IX

Safety requirements for mines and oil fields

96. Plans.-

(1) A correct plan, on the same scale as the plan kept at the mine in fulfilment of the
requirements of the Mines Act 1952 (35 of 1952), shall be available in the office at
the mine showing the position of all fixed apparatus and conductors therein, other
than lights, telecommunication or signalling apparatus, or cables for the same

(4) The plans specified under this regulation shall be examined and corrected as
often as necessary to keep them up-to-date and the dates of such examinations
shall be entered thereon by the manager or owner of the mine or wells and such
plans shall be available to the Inspector, or inspector of mines, at any time.

99. Method of earthing. –

Where earthing is necessary in a mine it shall be carried out by connection to an
earthing system at the surface of the mine and in a manner approved by the
inspector of mines.

102. Voltage limits. –

Electricity shall not be transmitted into a mine at a voltage exceeding 11000 Volts
and shall not be used therein at a voltage exceeding 6600 Volts:

Provided that-

(i) where hand-held portable apparatus is used, the voltage shall not
exceed 125 V;

(ii) where electric lighting is used,-

(a) in underground mines, the lighting system shall have a mid or

neutral point connected with earth and the voltage shall not
exceed 125 V between phases;

(b) on the surface of a mine or in an, open cast mine, the voltage may
be raised to 250 V, if the neutral or the mid point of the system is
connected with earth and the voltage between the phases does not
exceed 250 V;

(iii) where portable hand-lamps are used in underground working of mine,

the voltage shall not exceed 30 V;

(iv) where any circuit is used for the remote control or electric interlocking
of apparatus, the circuit voltage shall not exceed 30 V:
105. Disconnection of supply. –

(1) Properly constructed switchgear for disconnecting the supply of electricity to a

mine or oil-field shall be provided at a point approved by the inspector of mines.

(2) At any time, when any cable or overhead line supplying electricity to the mine
from the aforesaid switchgear is live, a person designated to operate the said
switchgears shall be available within easy reach thereof;

Provided that in the case of gassy coal seam of second degree and third
degree gassiness, the main mechanical ventilator operated by electricity
shall be interlocked with the switchgear so as to automatically disconnect
the power supply in the event of stoppage of main mechanical ventilator.

(3) When necessary in the interest of safety, any apparatus suitably placed, shall be
provided for disconnecting the supply from every part of a system.

(4) If the inspector of mines in the interest of safety considered it necessary, he may
direct that the apparatus specified in sub-regulation (3) shall be so arranged as to
disconnect automatically, from the supply, any section of the system subjected to a
fault.

(5) Every motor shall be controlled by switchgear which shall be so arranged as to

disconnect the supply from the motor and from all apparatus connected thereto and
such switchgear shall be so placed as to be easily operated by the person
designated to operate the motor.

(6) Whenever required by the inspector of mines the motor shall be controlled by
switchgear to disconnect automatically the supply in the event of conditions of
over-current, over-voltage and single phasing.

(7) Auxiliary fan shall be interlocked with the switchgear controlling power supply to
the in bye face equipment of below ground coal mine for automatic disconnection
of power supply in the event of the stoppage of the auxiliary fan.

106. Cables. –

All cables, other than flexible cables for portable or transportable apparatus, shall
fulfill the following requirements, namely:-

(i) all such cables, other than the outer conductor of a concentric cable,
shall be covered with insulating material and shall be efficiently
protected from mechanical damage and supported at sufficiently
frequent intervals and in such a manner as to prevent damage to such
cables;

(ii) (a) except as provided in clause (iii) no cables other than concentric
cables or single core or two core or multi core cables protected by a
metallic covering and which contain all the conductors of a circuit shall
be used where the voltage exceeds 125 V or when an Inspector considers
that there is risk of igniting gas or coal dust or other inflammable
material, and so directs;

(b) the sheath of metal-sheathed cables and the metallic armouring of

armoured cables shall be of a thickness not less than that recommended
from time to time in the relevant standard of the Bureau of Indian
Standards;

(iii) where a voltage exceeding 250 V but not exceeding 650 V direct
current system is used, two single core cables may be used for any
circuit provided that their metallic coverings are bonded together by
earth conductors so placed that the distance between any two
consecutive bonds is not greater than thirty metres measured along
either cable;

(iv) The metallic covering of every cable shall be -

(a) electrically and mechanically continuous throughout;

(b) earthed, if it is required by sub-regulation (3) of regulation 101 to be

earthed by a connection to the earthing system of conductivity
specified therein;

(c) efficiently protected against corrosion where necessary;

(d) of a conductivity at all parts and at all joints at least equal to fifty
per cent of the conductivity of the largest conductor enclosed by the
said metallic covering; and

(e) where there may be risk of igniting gas, coal-dust, or other

inflammable material, so constructed as to prevent, as far as
practicable, the occurrence of open sparking as the result of any
fault or leakage from live conductors.

(v) cables and conductors where connected to motors, transformers,

switchgear and other apparatus, shall be installed so that,-

(a) they are mechanically protected by securely attaching the metallic

covering to the apparatus; and

(b) the insulating material at each cable end is efficiently sealed so as to

prevent the diminution of its insulating properties;

(vi) where necessary to prevent abrasion or to secure gas-tightness, properly

constructed glands or bushes shall be provided;

(vii) un armoured cables or conductors shall be conveyed either in

metallic pipes or metal casings or suspended from efficient insulators by means of
non-conducting materials which will not cut the covering and which
will prevent contact with any timbering or metal work and if separate
insulated conductors are used, they shall be installed at least 3.75 cm.
apart and shall not be brought together except at lamps, switches and
fittings.
107. Flexible cables.-

(1) Flexible cables for portable of transportable apparatus shall be two core or multi
core, unless required for electric welding, and shall be covered with insulating
material which shall be efficiently protected from mechanical injury.

(2) If flexible metallic covering is used either as the outer conductor of a concentric
cable or as a means of protection from mechanical injury, it shall not be used by
itself to form an earth conductor for such apparatus, but it may be used for that
purpose in conjunction with an earthing core.

(3) Every flexible cable intended for use with portable or transportable apparatus
shall be connected to the system and to such apparatus by properly constructed
connectors:

Provided that for machines of voltage exceeding 650 V but not exceeding 33
kV a bolted type connector shall be used and the trailing cable shall be suitably
anchored at the machine end;

Provided further that, where there are space limitations for multiple onboard
motors and equipment for transportable or portable machines; direct entry
flexible cable with elastomeric sealing rings, compression gland, packing gland
or sealing box which does not alter the flame proof property may be permitted and if
a cable entry can accept any sealing ring with same outside diameter but different
internal dimension, the ring shall have a minimum uncompressed axial height of
twenty millimeter for circular cables of diameter not greater than twenty millimeter
and twenty five millimeter for circular cables of diameter greater than twenty
millimeter.

(4) At every point where flexible cables are joined to main cables, a circuit breaker
shall be provided which is capable of automatically disconnecting the supply from
such flexible cables.

(5) Every flexible cable attached to a portable or transportable machine shall be

examined periodically by the person designated to operate the machine, and if such
cable is used underground, it shall be examined at least once in each shift by such
person and if such cable is found to be damaged or defective, it shall forthwith be
replaced by a cable in good condition.

(6) If the voltage of the circuit exceeds 250 V, all flexible cables attached to any
transportable apparatus shall be provided with flexible metallic screening or pliable
armouring and cables of portable apparatus shall be provided with flexible metallic
screening on all the power and pilot cores.

Provided that the provision of this regulation shall not apply to flexible cables
attached to any transportable or portable apparatus used in open cast mines or
below ground mines where reeling and unreeling of such cables is necessary as
per design features of the equipment.

(7) All flexible metallic screening or armouring specified in sub-regulation (6) shall
fulfill the requirement specified in clause (iv) of regulation 106.

Provided that in the case of separately screened flexible cables the

conductance of each such screen shall not be less than twenty five per cent of that
of the power conductor and the combined conductance of all such screens shall in
no case be less than that of 0.15 sq. cm. copper conductors.

(8) Flexible cable exceeding hundred metres in length shall not be used with any
portable or transportable apparatus:

Provided that such flexible cable when used with coal cutting machines or
cutter or loader or armoured face conveyor for long wall operation, or with
shuttle cars or load haul dumper or cutter loader or all alike equipment for
development and de-pillaring operation shall not exceed two hundred fifty
metres in length:

Provided further that the aforesaid cable in case of an open cast mine when
used with electrically operated heavy earth moving machinery shall not exceed
three hundred metres in length and for bucked wheel excavator at 11 kV shall
not exceed one thousand metres in length.

(9) Flexible cable, when installed in a mine, shall be efficiently supported and
protected from mechanical injury.

(10) Flexible cables shall not be used with apparatus other than portable or
transportable apparatus.

(11) Where flexible cables are used they shall be detached or otherwise isolated
from the source of supply when not in use, and arrangements shall be made to
prevent the energising of such cables by undesignated persons.

108. Portable and transportable machines. -

The person designated to operate an electrically driven coal-cutter, or other portable
or transportable machine, shall not leave the machine while it is in operation and
shall, before leaving the area in which such machine is operating, ensure that the
supply is disconnected from the flexible cable which supplies electricity to the
machine and when any such machine is in operation, steps shall be taken to ensure
that the flexible cable is not dragged along by the machine:

Provided that all portable and transportable machines used in underground

mines shall operate on remote control from the concerned switchgear with pilot
core protection.

110. Precautions where gas exists. –

(1) In any part of a coal-seam of the first degree gassiness -

(i) all cables shall be constructed, installed, protected, operated and maintained in
such a manner as to prevent risk of open sparking;
(ii) all signaling, telecommunication, remote control and insulation tester circuits
shall be so constructed, installed, protected, operated and maintained as to be
intrinsically safe;

(iii) all apparatus including portable and transportable apparatus including lighting
fittings used at any place which lies in-bye of the last ventilation connection
shall be flame-proof:

Provided that electrically operated or battery operated portable or

transportable apparatus such as shuttle car, men or material transporting
equipment of increased safety type "e" shall be permitted at any place with
suitable monitoring devices for detection of gases, if any;

(iv) all electric lamps at any place which lie in-bye of the last ventilation
connection and return airways shall be in flame proof enclosure and at other
places these shall be in increased safety enclosure type 'e’.

(2) At any place which lies in any part of a coal-seam of second and third degree
gassiness-

(i) all signaling, telecommunication, remote control and insulation tester circuits
shall be so constructed, installed, protected, operated and maintained as to be
intrinsically safe;

(ii) all cables shall be constructed, installed, protected, operated and maintained in
such a manner as to prevent risk of open sparking;

(iii) all apparatus, including portable and transportable apparatus used at any place
within ninety metres of any working face or goaf in case of a second degree
gassy mine and within two hundred seventy metres of any working face or
goaf in case of third degree gassy mine or at any place which lies in-bye of the
last ventilation connection or in any return airways shall be flame proof;

(iv) all electric lamps shall be enclosed in flame-proof enclosures.

(6) In any coal-seam of degree second and degree third gassiness or the
hazardous area of oil-mine the supply shall be discontinued;

(i) immediately, if open sparking occurs;

(ii) during the period required for examination or adjustment of the apparatus,
which shall necessitate the exposing of any part liable to open sparking;

(iii) the supply shall not be reconnected until the apparatus has been examined by
the electrical supervisor or one of his duly appointed assistants and until the
defect, if any, has been remedied or the necessary adjustment made; and

(iv) a flame safety lamp shall be provided and maintained in a state of continuous
illumination near an apparatus, including portable or transportable apparatus,
which remains energised and where the appearance of the flame of such safety
lamps indicates the presence of inflammable gas, the supply to all apparatus
in the vicinity shall be immediately disconnected and the incident reported
forthwith to an official of the mine and such apparatus shall be interlocked
with the controlling switch in such a manner as to disconnect power supply
automatically in the event of percentage of inflammable gas exceeding one
and one quarter in that particular district:

Provided that where apparatus for automatic detection of the percentage of

inflammable gas or vapour are employed in addition to the flame safety
lamps, such apparatus shall be approved by the inspector of mines and
maintained in perfect order.

(7) In any part of a coal-seam of any degree of gassiness or in any hazardous area
of an oil-mine, if the presence of inflammable gas in the general body of air is
found at any time to exceed one and one quarter per cent, the supply of energy
shall be immediately disconnected from all cables and apparatus in the area and
the supply shall not be reconnected so long as the percentage of inflammable gas
remains in excess of one and one quarter per cent.

(8) In an oil mine where concentration of inflammable gas exceeds twenty percent of
its lowest explosive limit, the supply of electricity shall be cut-off immediately
from all cables and apparatus lying within thirty metres of the installation and all
sources of ignition shall also be removed from the said area and normal work
shall not be resumed unless the area is made gas-free:

Provided that such disconnection shall not apply to intrinsically safe

environmental monitoring scientific instruments.

(9) Any such disconnection or reconnection of the supply shall be noted in the log
sheet which shall be maintained in the form set out in Schedule-XIII and shall be
reported to the inspector of mines,

(10) The provisions of this regulation shall apply to any metalliferous mine which
may be notified by the inspector of mines if inflammable gas occurs or if the
inspector of mines is of the opinion that inflammable gas is likely to occur in
such mine.

111. Shot-firing. –

(1) When shot-firing is in progress adequate precautions shall be taken to protect

apparatus and conductors, other than those used for shot-firing, from injury.

(2) Current from lighting or power circuits shall not be used for firing shots.

(3) The provisions of regulation 107 (Flexible Cables) shall apply in regard to the
covering and protection of shot-firing cables, and adequate precautions shall be
taken to prevent such cable touching other cables and apparatus.
112. Signalling. –

Where electrical signalling is used,-

(i) adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent signal and telephone wires
coming into contact with other cables and apparatus;

(ii) the voltage used in any one circuit shall not exceed 30 V;

(iii) contact-makers shall be so constructed as to prevent the accidental closing of

the circuit; and

(iv) bare conductors, where used shall be installed in suitable insulators.

114. Earthing of neutral points. –

Where the voltage of an alternating current system exceeds 30 Volts, the neutral or
mid-point shall be earthed by connection to an earthing system in the manner
specified in regulation 99.

Provided that when the system concerned is required for blasting, and
signalling purposes, the provisions of this regulation shall not apply.

Provided further that in case of unearthed neutral system adequate

protection shall be provided with the approval of the Inspector