Mandatory provision for RCD in all service connections
Amendments to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Distribution Code
Notification No. TNERC/DC/8-28, dated, 24-12-2020 (w.e.f. 27-1-2021)
(Lr. No. TNERC / DD(L) F. Notification / [Link]. 1438 / 2021)
No. VI (2) \ 17 \ 2021
ln exercise of the powers conferred by Section 181 read with Section 46 of the Electricity Act,
2003 (Central Act 36 of 2003) and all other powers enabling it in this behalf, the Tamil Nadu
Electricity Regulatory Commission hereby makes the following amendments to the Tamil Nadu
Electricity Distribution Code, the draft of the same having been previously published, as required
under sub-section (3) of the said Section 181.
AMENDMENTS
ln the said Distribution Code, -
1. In regulation 2, after clause (a), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:-
"(aa) "Authority" means the Central Electricity Authority referred to in sub section (1) of Section
70 of Electricity Act 2003";
2. In regulation 16, after sub-regulation (2), the following sub-regulation shall be inserted,
namely:-
16. Safety Aspects: —
(2A) EARTH LEAKAGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE / RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (ELPD /
RCD):
(i) The supply of electricity to every installation of low voltage (240 V) and medium voltage
(415V) including installations of Temporary supply shall be controlled by a Residual Current
(operated) Device (RCD), whose rated residual operating current shall not exceed 30 milli
ampere for protection against electric shock, so as to disconnect the supply on the occurrence
of earth fault or leakage of current.
(ii) In the case of installations having large number of motors, equipment, appliances of loads
totaling above 10 kW, one common RCD at the point of commencement of supply with rated
residual operating current of 300 milliampere for protection against electrical fire shall be
provided, in addition to RCD of not exceeding 30 milliampere rating for protection against
electric shock.
(iii) An installation, where there are a large number of loads giving rise to a sum of permissible
leakage currents exceeding 30 milliampere, shall be subdivided into circuits to avoid nuisance
tripping and each sub-divided circuit shall be provided with an independent RCD with leakage
current sensitivity rating not exceeding 30 milliampere at appropriate location(s).
Explanation - RCD is a generic term which embraces the various types of RCCBs, (Residual
Current operated Circuit Breaker), RCBOs (Residual Current operated Circuit Breaker with
integral Over current protection), etc., RCCB is also called as RCB for convenience
(RCCB/RCB). The term ELCB (Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker ) is not used in Standards.”;
3. In Regulation 27, after sub-regulation 11, the following sub-regulations shall be inserted,
namely:-
27. Supply of Energy:
“(11A) Where the requisition for supply is for a multi-storeyed building, the applicant shall
enclose the planning permission along with building plan approval with the application. The
Licensee shall verify the height of the building from the planning permission / building plan
approval enclosed by the applicant. Physical measurement is not necessary. If the height of the
multi-storeyed building is more than 15 metre as given in the planning permission / building plan
approval, necessary approval from the Electrical lnspector in compliance with CEA (Measures
relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations 2010 as amended, shall be furnished by the
applicant.
(11B) The supply of electricity to every installation of low voltage (240 V) and medium voltage
(415V) including installations of Temporary supply shall be controlled by a Residual Current
(operated) Device (RCD) as specified in sub-regulation (2A) of Regulation 16 of this Code, to
ensure safety against electric shock and fire hazards.”