Form A - Approval of Electrical Inspector before commencement of supply of electricity to electrical installations under Regulation 45 of Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023
What is Approval of Electrical Inspector?
Form A – Approval of Electrical Inspector is a mandatory approval required under Regulation 45 of the Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023. This regulation mandates that before any electrical installation is energized and connected to the power supply, it must receive approval from the Electrical Inspector to ensure compliance with safety norms and technical standards. The purpose of this approval is to verify that the installation has been designed, installed, and tested in accordance with statutory safety requirements, minimizing the risk of electrical hazards such as shocks, fires, or failures. The applicant, typically the owner or operator of the electrical installation, must submit Form A along with relevant documents, including test reports, layout diagrams, and safety compliance certificates. The Electrical Inspector will conduct a detailed inspection, assess the installation’s adherence to prescribed safety measures, and, upon satisfaction, grant approval for the commencement of electricity supply. This process is crucial for high-voltage installations, industrial units, commercial complexes, and other significant electrical infrastructures to ensure public and operational safety.
Under the Electricity Act, 2003, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is responsible for prescribing standards related to the construction of electrical plants, electric lines, grid connectivity, installation and operation of meters, and safety regulations. In compliance with these standards, Form A – Approval of Electrical Inspector is a mandatory requirement before supplying power to an electrical installation. This approval must be obtained from the Electrical Inspector prior to the commencement of power supply for a new installation or recommencement of supply after a six-month shutdown for electrical installations operating above a specified voltage level. The application for this approval must be submitted using Form A, applicable to all new electrical installations except new transmission lines.
Importantly, the CEA does not charge any fees for conducting electrical inspections of such installations. Any individual found engaging in unsolicited activities related to inspection fees shall be subject to legal action. Furthermore, applications submitted by contractors on behalf of a utility will be rejected, as only a permanent employee of the owner organization is authorized to submit the application, ensuring complete and accurate details.
For any complaints or feedback, stakeholders can directly contact the Chief Electrical Inspectorate via email at cei-redressal@gov.in.
Who Can Apply for This Certificate?
The application for Form A – Approval of Electrical Inspector can only be submitted by a permanent employee of the owner organization. Contractors or third-party representatives are not authorized to apply on behalf of the utility or installation owner. The eligible applicants include:
Owners of Electrical Installations – This includes industrial units, commercial buildings, power plants, substations, and other high-voltage electrical installations.
Authorized Representatives of the Owner Organization – Only permanent employees of the organization that owns the installation can submit the application.
Government and Public Sector Entities – Organizations responsible for infrastructure projects, utilities, and public sector enterprises operating electrical installations.
Since the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) does not charge any fees for inspections, applicants must ensure compliance with the prescribed regulations. Any unauthorized applications or involvement in fraudulent activities will lead to legal consequences.
Documents Required for This License
- List of equipment and mention the data: (Name, Make, Sl.No., MW/kW, KVA, Quantity).
- Single Line Diagram with metering & protection.
- Drawings showing the location, layout, elevation, and section.
- Drawing of Earthing of Electrodes/Mats
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): i) Insulation Resistance Test.
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): (ii) Earth Resistance of individual electrodes, combined electrodes and earth mat.
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): (iii) High Voltage Test.
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): (iv) Polarity Test.
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): (v) Primary injection test.
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): (vi) Secondary injection and protection trip test.
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): (vii) Relay calibration test.
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): (viii) Annunciation test.
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): (ix) Function, sequence and interlock test.
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): (x) Dielectric test (BDV) of oil.
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): (xi) OCC/SCC tests of Generator.
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): (xii) Excitation System and AVR tests.
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): (xiii) Protection Stability and direction test.
- Site Test Results (Equipment wise): (xiv)Voltage Ratio and Vector group test.
- Manufacturer's Routine Test Certificate for each equipment and cables.
Act and Rules
Role of Shamkris and Process of Form A – Approval of Electrical Inspector
Shamkris adopts a results-oriented approach to ensuring compliance with the mandatory requirements for obtaining the Application. With a simple and guided methodology, Shamkris helps organizations achieve the necessary application in a timely and cost-effective manner. Shamkris offers 100% support in advisory, guidance, and compliance, ensuring smooth processing for obtaining the application.
The Application acquisition process described below:
Advisory for the document required
Preparation of documents as per application & list of documents.
Certificate File
Inspection by the department if required
Certificate department
Certificate issued
Yearly Compliance if Applicable
Renewal when due
Who can issue Form A - Approval of Electrical Inspector
FAQ
Form A is an approval required under Regulation 45 of the Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023. It ensures that an electrical installation meets safety standards before the supply of electricity is commenced or recommenced after a shutdown of more than six months.
The approval is required for:
New electrical installations (excluding new transmission lines).
Electrical installations resuming power supply after six months of shutdown.
Only a permanent employee of the owner organization can apply for the approval. Applications submitted by contractors or third-party representatives will be rejected.
Applicants typically need to submit:
Electrical layout diagrams
Test reports of the installation
Compliance certificates as per CEA safety standards
Details of the owner organization and authorized personnel
- No, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) does not charge any fee for conducting the electrical inspection and granting approval.
Operating an electrical installation without prior approval from the Electrical Inspector is a violation of the Electricity Act, 2003 and may result in legal penalties or disconnection of power supply.
- The approval timeline depends on the complexity of the installation and the inspection schedule of the Electrical Inspector. It is advisable to apply well in advance.
- No, applications submitted by contractors or third-party agencies on behalf of the owner will be rejected. Only a permanent employee of the owner organization can submit the application.
Any complaints or feedback regarding the approval process can be sent via email to cei-redressal@gov.in.
Any individual involved in fraudulent or unauthorized activities related to the inspection process will be subject to legal action as per the Electricity Act, 2003.