Overview of CEIG Approval

Projects such as Captive power plants, solar power plants, transformers, EHV overhead lines, HT Motors, reactors, and wind power plants must apply for CEIG approval to the relevant jurisdictional office of the Electrical Inspectorate before their installation and electrification. This must be done after getting the necessary power sanction approval from the relevant DISCOM and before beginning electrical installation work once the installation schematic has been approved. Following that, an inspection is performed in accordance with Regulation-30 (Periodic inspection and testing) and Regulation-43 (Approval by Electrical Inspector for the installation) before the initiation of supply and in the case of resumption of power after a six-month shutdown. In this write-up, we will discuss the process to obtaining approval from the Chief Electrical Inspector to the Government of India (CEIG).

An inspection for CEIG Approval is separated into two parts: the first examination and the department's periodic inspection. Applications for loads larger than 33 KV are directed to the Chief Electrical Inspector Office, while all other applications are sent to the Electrical Inspector Office. The following are the situations in which Chief Electrical Inspector Certification of Electrical Installations is necessary.

• Solar Power Plant Application if power generation exceeds 100 KW
• All-purpose captive power plant (CPP) (or in case the plant is for construction purposes with a capacity of more than 500 KVA)
• EHV Overhead Line
• Transformers
• HT Motors
• Reactors
• Wind Power Plant

Role of CEIG Approval

Under the Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010, statutory inspections of electrical installations are conducted. The role of such approval in the case of private electrical installation is as follows:

• Conduct statutory inspections of electrical equipment under the Central Electricity Authority (Measures pertaining to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations 2010.
• To develop guidelines and adjust appropriate measures relevant to safety and electric supply rules in accordance with Section 53 of the Electricity Act 2003.
• Conduct investigations into electrical accidents.
• Handling of VIP References and Parliamentary Questions.
• To publish information following the RTI Act of 2005.
• Compile data and returns and information relevant to electrical accidents in Forms 19 and 20 under the Statistics, Returns, and Information Regulations, 2007.

Documents for CEIG Approval

The documents required for the approval along with the application are:

• A licenced electrical contractor's completion and test report
• NOC (from the Fire Department/Fire Extinguisher Test) Certificate.
• Copies of statutory clearances, and approvals from authorities (Railways/ Defence (AHQ)/Forest Department/ Civil Aviation/ PTCC/National Highways/ HERC/State Government/Power Utilities/CEI/other State/Central Government authorities)
• A single-line diagram of the installation displaying the size, rating, and details of protection, as well as loading and metering system details.
• Earthing details for the intended installation are provided.
• A certified copy of the Licensed Electrical Contractor and Supervisor permit.
• A scanned copy of the inspection fee challan.
• Undertaking for the installation's safe functioning.

Requirements for CEIG Approval

• For installations with installed capacities greater than 500 KVA, the single line diagram indicating various protections, change-over switches, and apparatus must be approved by the Chief Electrical Inspector before work begins. When requesting approval of the Single Line Diagram, the owner must provide a copy of the construction plan identifying the placement of the Transformer, Generator, HT&LT Protection, earth pits and size of earth strips, and spacing between the apparatus. The Chief Electrical Inspector issues approval of single line diagrams/schemes of electrical systems following a thorough examination of the same and pertinent drawings. The electrical installations must also comply with the relevant provisions of the National Building Code.

Stages in the CEIG Approval

• Stage 1: The licenced contractor must provide the Electrical Inspector with written notice of the start of electrical installation work within 48 hours of such work.
• Stage 2: The owner of the installation shall arrange for site tests of electrical apparatus, cable, or supply line following the relevant code of practice of the Bureau of Indian Standards and records of all tests, trappings, maintenance work, and repairs of all equipment shall be kept in such a way that they can be compared with earlier ones.
• Stage 3: The Licensed Electrical Contractor/Electrical Supervisor with a Competency Certificate who performed the installation work must be present with tools and instruments during the Electrical Inspector's inspection and arrange for all routine tests of the apparatus/cable/line as well as any additional tests that may be required.
• Stage 4: The Electrical Inspector grants clearance for energisation to installations judged to comply with the relevant provisions of the Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010.

Process for CEIG Approval

The process for obtaining this approval is as follows:

1. Approval of Electrical Drawings - To obtain statutory approval of designs from the Electrical Inspectorate of the respective state, the applicant must first submit the electrical installation drawings to the office of the Chief Electrical Inspector, this step usually requires about seven days.
2. Electrical Installation – After the approval of the Electrical Drawing is received, electrical installation of the project can be started with.

3. Issuance of Compliance and Test Report – After the thorough inspection of the electrical installation a Compliance and Test report is issued by the electrical contractor.

4. Undertaking submission – The installation owner will then submit an undertaking to ensure that the installation is ready for inspection by the Electrical Inspector.