ASSAM ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Transcription

1 ASSAM ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION NOTIFICATION No. AERC.280/2007/22 dated 20 th December, 2016, Draft Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (Electricity Supply Code and Related Matters) Regulations, 2016 Prepublication of draft Regulation as required under section 181 (3) of the Electricity Act

2 INDEX A. CHAPTER WISE CONTENTS PAGE NO CHAPTER- I GENERAL 1.1 Short Title and Commencement 1.2 Applicability 1.3 Introduction Coverage Related provisions of the Electricity Act, Other Regulations Reference of Regulations and Regulatory Guidelines 1.4 Forms and Formats 1.5 Definitions and Interpretations Definitions Interpretations 1.6 Review of this Code (Regulations) CHAPTER- II SYSTEM OF SUPPLY AND CLASSIFICATION OF CONSUMERS 2.1 System of supply Frequency Voltage 2.2 Classification of Voltage of Supply to Consumers Supply voltage for different connected loads Supply at higher or lower voltage Contract Demand and Billing Demand Power Factor Supply to Energy Intensive Industries Load and voltage balancing 2.3 Classification of Consumers CHAPTER- III NEW POWER SUPPLY 3.1 Licensee s obligation to supply of Electricity on request 3.2 Licensee s obligation to extend the distribution system and consumer s share in the cost 3.3 Exception from duty to supply of electricity 3.4 Conditions for Grant of Connection 3.5 Time frame for completion of different activities related to power supply 3.6 Redressal of Grievances 3.7 Failure to comply with the time line 3.8 Priority and waiting list of applicants 3.9 Cost of Service Connection/Extension 3.9.1Standard cost of estimates Service connection/ extension work done by consumers Rights and obligation of the Licensee relates to extension Notice regarding completion of service connection by Licensee 2

3 3.10 Power supply to special categories of Consumers Separate Establishment/Premises Connection with separate meters with separate point of supply Supply to multi consumer complex including commercial complexes and multi storied building Additional requirement for power supply and use of electricity in a multi-storeyed building of more than 15 metre height CHAPTER- IV REQUISITION OF SUPPLY AND PROCEDURE FOR PROVIDING NEW SERVICE CONNECTION 4.1 Requisition for New Electricity Service Connection Application forms Submission of Registration Form Initial inspection of the site Clearance for providing the service connection Registration cum processing fee Issue and submission of application form 4.2 Documents required to be furnished with an application form for power supply 4.3 Procedure for providing New Service Connection 4.3.1Processing application for new service connection Way-leave permission Acceptance of application and preparation of estimates and demand note Demand Note Content of the demand note Payment of charges as per the demand note Mode of payment Completion of formalities 4.4 Release of New Connection to different categories of Consumers Supply to Low Tension Consumers Permission/approval of Electrical Inspector Supply to High/Extra High Tension Consumers 4.5 Supply to special categories of Consumers Supply to Public Street Lighting Temporary Power Supply 4.6 Obligation of the licensee to energise connection CHAPTER- V GENERAL CONDITIONS OF SUPPLY & MODIFICATIONS IN EXISTING INSTALLATION 5.1 General Conditions of Supply Connected load and Contract demand Point of commencement of supply/ Point of supply 5.2 Execution of Agreement 5.3 Security Deposit Postpaid Metering Prepaid Metering Payment of Security Deposit Interest on Security Deposit 3

4 5.3.5 Surcharge for belated payment of Security Deposit Release of Security Deposit 5.4 General Provisions Regarding Service Line and Apparatus 5.5 Resale of Energy 5.6 Access to Consumer's Premises 5.7 Failure of Supply due to Fuse Failure 5.8 Procedure applicable to- Property transfer with change of name, subdivided property, reconstruction of existing property and change in existing connection Application form Processing application form Property transfer with change of name Change of name due to change in ownership of the occupancy Transfer of name to the legal heir Sub-divided property Reconstruction of existing property Conversion of Services (Voltage of supply) Shifting of Meter / Existing Connection Reclassification of Consumer Category Enhancement of Connected Load/Contract Demand Reduction of Connected Load/Contract Demand 5.9 Annual review of Contract Demand 5.10 Redressal of Consumer Grievances CHAPTER- VI RECOVERY OF CHARGES, METERING & BILLING 6.1 Recovery of Electricity Charges 6.2 Metering Requirement of meters Metering in Grid Interactive Solar PV Systems (GISPVS) Adoption of new technologies for Metering Supply and Installation of meters and MCBs/CBs Consumers not to interfere with the Supply mains and Apparatus including meters Reading of meters Schedule reading of meters Sample check of meters Action in case of inaccessible meters Unscheduled reading of meters for special billing Testing of meters Schedule testing of meters Unscheduled Testing of meters Replacement of defective/burnt/lost meters Cost of replacement Replacement of meters (including MDI) not recording Replacement of Burnt meters Replacement of lost meters 6.3 Billing General 4

5 6.3.2 Billing frequency and serving of bill Bill on meter reading instrument (MRI) download Billing Demand Contents of the energy bill (Model bill format) Billing for net metering Procedure for billing under special circumstances Billing in case of multi consumer complex Billing when meter is not accessible Billing in case of defective/stuck/stopped/burnt meter Billing in case of lost meters Billing case of change of occupancy or vacancy of premises for Domestic Consumers Payment based on self assessment by the Consumer 6.3.9Advance payment of bills Billing in case of disputed bills Billing in case of excess load Payment of bills Receipt of bill payment Utilization of the amount received Late payment surcharges Instalment facility Recovery of arrears CHAPTER- VII THEFT & UNAUTHORISED USE OF ENERGY AND OTHER IRREGULARITIES 7.1 Provision of the Electricity Act, Appointment of Authorized Officer and Assessing Officer 7.3 Power of officers authorised under Section 126 and under Section 135 of the Act to enter, inspect and initiate proceedings 7.4Unauthorized use of Electricity Procedure for booking a case for Unauthorized use of Electricity Provisional Assessment Provisional assessment order Submission of Consumer s reply Hearing in case of suspected Unauthorized use of Electricity Assessment Appeal to Appellate Authority Consequences of default 7.5 Theft of Electricity Provisions in the Electricity Act, Inspection, search and seizure Disconnection of supply and lodging of complaint Assessment of electricity charges 7.6 Assessment of energy in case of theft of electricity for temporary connection 7.6 Voluntary declaration of tampered meters 7.7 Interference with meters or works of Licensee 7.8 Measures to prevent diversion of electricity, theft or unauthorized use of electricity or tampering, distress or damage to electrical plant, electric 5

6 lines or meter CHAPTER- VIII DISCONNECTION AND RECONNECTION 8.1 Disconnection 8.2 Temporary Disconnection Disconnection due to non-payment of bill amount Disconnection for other reasons Reconnection/Restoration of power supply Unauthorised reconnection 8.3 Permanent Disconnection 8.4 Disconnection on Consumer s request CHAPTER- IX CONUMERS INSTALLATIONS 9.1 Compliance of Regulations and Standards 9.2 Supplier s Switchgear in consumer s premises 9.3 Consumer s Control equipment at the Point of Supply 9.4 Protection transformer 9.5 Equipment and apparatus in consumer s premises 9.6 Use of earth leakage protective device 9.7 A. C. Motor Installation 9.8 Power Factor Apparatus 9.9 Wiring on Consumer s Premises 9.10 Extensions and Alterations 9.7 Periodical Inspection and testing of installation 9.8 Generator and inverter in the Consumer s premises 9.9 Parallel operation of the generator of the consumer with the supply system of licensee CHAPTER- X GENERAL PROVISIONS 10.1 General 10.2 Provision for scheduled load shedding 10.3 Service of notice 10.4 Demand side management 10.5 Unforeseen circumstances and exemptions 10.6 Additional terms of supply 10.7 Pro rata charging of fixed charge in case of failure to supply power 10.8 Power to remove difficulties Interpretation Repeal and Saving B. ANNEXURES PAGE No Sl. No. Clause No. Topic Format No (b) For New connection (LT) (a) Registration form Format 1 6

7 (b) Set of Application form as below- (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Check list (two copy) Application Form Determination of connected load Agreement (v) Affidavit, consent letter and indemnity (vi) Test Report of Electrical Contractor (vii) Test Report of Licensee (with authorisation of applicant) (b) For New Connection (H.T.) Format 2 (i) Format 2 (ii) Format 2 (iii) Format 2 (iv) Format 2 (v) Format 2 (vi) Format 2 (vii) (a) Registration form Format 3 (b) Set of Application form as below - (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Check list (two copy) Application Form Agreement Test Report of Electrical Contractor Test Report of Licensee (with authorisation of applicant) Format 4 (i) Format 4 (ii) Format 4 (iii) Format 4 (iv) Format 4 (v) Application format for Temporary service Format 5 connection Format of Application for Transfer (Change Format 6 of Name) Format of Application for Transfer due to Format 7 Legal Heir /5.8.7/ Format of Application for Transfer due to Format 8 conversion of service/ shifting of existing connection/reclassification of consumer category / Format of Application for Load Format 9 enhancement/load Reduction (c) Format for Test Result of Meter Format (b) Format for Request for Testing of Meter Format Format for self assessment of bill Format Format for advance payment of bill Format Format for Inspection Report in case of UUE (Under Section 126 of the Act) Format 14 7

8 Format for Provisional assessment order with 15 days disconnection notice (f) Format for Inspection / Seizure Report (Under Section 135 of the Act) Format for assessment bill (For disconnected consumer under section 135 of EA) 16 Format for intimation to consumer after temporary disconnection (a) Format for Request for Permanent Disconnection Format 15 Format 16 Format 17 Format 18 Format Intimation to consumers after termination of Agreement Sl No. Chapter No. 1 III 3.4, 5.3.1, 7.4.2, 7.4.6, Format 20 C. APPENDICES PAGE No Clause Topic Appendix No. Assessment of monthly consumption per kw load of different categories of consumer 2 III 3.4, Standard Estimate II 3 III 3.5 Recommended time limit III (A) for different activities for various types of services related to power supply (LT) 4 III 3.5 Recommended time limit III (B) for different activities for various types of services related to power supply (HT/EHT)) 5 VI 6.1 Recovery of Charges and IV Expenditure 6 IX 9.8 Power Factor Apparatus V I 8

9 DRAFT ASSAM ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION NOTIFICATION Dated 20 th December, 2016 (Electricity Supply Code and Related Matters) Regulations, 2016 No. AERC. 280/2007/22- In exercise of the power conferred by section 50 and clause (x) of sub-section (2) of section 181 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003) (hereinafter referred to as the Act ) and all other powers enabling it in this behalf, and after previous publication, the Assam State Electricity Regulatory Commission hereby makes the following Regulations, to replace the Electricity Supply Code and Related Matters Regulations, 2004, namely: CHAPTER-I General 1.1 Short Title and Commencement a) These Regulations shall be called the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (Electricity Supply Code and Related Matters) Regulations, (Herein after referred to as the Supply Code or Code ). b) These Regulations shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Assam Gazette. 9

10 1.2 Applicability This Code shall be applicable to: a) All Distribution and Retail Supply licensees including Deemed licensees and all consumers of electricity in the State of Assam. b) All other persons who are exempted under section 13 of the Act; and c) Unauthorized supply, unauthorized use, diversion and other means of unauthorized use/ abstraction of electricity. 1.3 Introduction Coverage This Code contains matters connected with the supply of electricity to a person and other related matters. The Code details the rights and obligations of the licensee and consumers towards each other and specifies a set of practices, standards and norms required to be adopted by a licensee to provide efficient, cost-effective and consumer friendly service to the consumers. The Code, inter alia, covers: a) The procedure for connection, disconnection, reconnection, assessment of load, changes in existing connections (load modifications, change of name, change of tariff category etc.) b) Practices relating to consumer metering, billing and payment of bills. c) Matters related to theft and unauthorized use of energy Related provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003 a) This Code is made under provision of section 181(2)(x) of the Electricity Act, 2003, which provides that the State Commission shall make Electricity Supply Code (Regulations) under section 50 of the Act. b) The section 50 of the Act covers provisions for the following matters : i. Recovery of electricity charges 10

11 ii. Intervals of billing of electricity charges iii. Disconnection of electricity for non-payment of charges iv. Restoration of supply of electricity v. Measures for preventing tampering, distress or damage to electric plants or electric lines or meters vi. Entry of Distribution Licensee or any person acting on his behalf for disconnection of power supply and removal of meter and entry for replacing, altering, maintaining electric lines or plants and meters c) As provided under section 50 of the Act, this Code also includes the following such other matters, related to supply of electricity to a person : i. Under section 181(2)(t) Period (within which supply to be provided, where extension of distribution mains or commissioning of new substation is necessary) to be specified by the Commission for the purposes specified under section 43(1) of the Act. ii. Under section 181(2)(v)- reasonable security payable to the Distribution licensee under section 47(1) iii. Under section 181(2)(w)- payment of interest on security under section 47(4). iv. Under section 181(1), generally to carry out the following provisions (i) (ii) Section 44 Exception from duty to supply electricity Section 46 Authorise a Distribution licensee to charge from a person expenses incurred in providing electric lines or plant in pursuance of section 43 (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) Section 47 Regarding Security Deposits Section 48 Additional term of Supply. Section 55 Use etc. of Meters Section 56 Disconnection of Supply in default of payment (vii) Section Assessment for Unauthorized use of Electricity and related matters. (viii) Section Theft of Electricity and related matters Other Regulations 11

12 This Code shall be read in conjunction with the following Regulations of this Commission: a) AERC (Distribution licensees Standard of Performance) Regulations,2004 b) AERC (Distribution Code) Regulations, 2004 c) AERC (Redressal of Consumer Grievances) Regulations, 2016 d) AERC (Grid Interactive Solar PV System) Regulations, 2015 In case of any inconsistency, the provision of this Code shall prevail Reference of Regulations and Regulatory Guidelines While preparing the AERC (Electricity Supply Code) Regulations, 2016, references are made to the following Regulations/Regulatory Guidelines/Orders, as applicablea) The Electricity (Removal of difficulties) Order, 2005 vide S.O. 790(E), dated 8 th June, 2005 of the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India related to Inclusion of measures to control theft in Electricity Supply Code b) Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electricity Supply) Regulations, 2010 c) Central Electricity Authority (Installation & Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006 d) Central Electricity Authority (Grid Standards) Regulations, 2010 e) Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Indian Electricity Grid Code) Regulations, 2010 f) Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Connectivity of the Grid) Regulations, g) Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Connectivity of the Distributed Generation Resources) Regulations, Forms and Formats All the forms and formats annexed to this Code are for guidance of the licensee. The licensee may make suitable changes in the forms/formats after obtaining prior approval of the Commission and such amended forms/ formats would be posted on the website of the licensee for use by all concerned. The licensee may arrange to incorporate applicable official languages as may be considered appropriate in the forms and formats. 12

13 1.5 Definitions and Interpretations Definitions In this Code, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. Act means the Electricity Act, 2003 and subsequent amendments thereof; 2. AERC means the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission constituted under section 17 of the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998 and which is deemed to be so under section 82 of the Electricity Act, 2003 ; 3. Agreement means an agreement entered into by the Distribution licensee and the consumer; 4. Apparatus means electrical apparatus and includes all machines, fittings accessories and appliances in which conductors are used; 5. Appellate Authority means the authority prescribed under sub-section (1) of section 127 of the Act; 6. Applicant means an owner or occupier of any land/premises who files a registration form/ an application form with a licensee for supply of electricity, enhancement or reduction in sanctioned load/contract demand, change in title, disconnection or restoration of supply, or termination of agreement, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the Code, Rules and Regulations made there under or other services; 7. Application means an application form complete in all respects in the appropriate format, as required by the Distribution licensee, along with documents showing payment of necessary charges and other compliances; 8. Application form means an application made for electrical connection in the appropriate format of the licensee before payment of applicable charges. 9. Area of supply means the area within which a licensee is authorised by his licensee to supply electricity; 13

14 10. Assessing Officer means an officer designated as Assessing Officer by the Government of Assam under provisions of section 126 of the Act; 11. Authorised Officer means an officer designated as Authorised Officer by the Commission or the Government of Assam, as the case may be, under provisions of section 135 (1A) and 135(2) of the Act respectively; 12. Authorised Representative of any person/entity means all officers, staff, representatives or persons discharging functions under the general or specific authority of the concerned person/ entity; 13. Billing demand means the demand on which demand charge shall be made; 14. Billing cycle or billing period means the period for which regular electricity bills as specified by the Commission are prepared for different categories of consumers by the licensee; 15. Calendar year means the period from the first day of January of a year to the thirty first day of December, of the same year; 16. Chartered Electrical Safety Engineer means a person as notified by the State government under regulation 5A of the CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, Check meter means a meter connected to the same core of the Current Transformer (CT) and Potential Transformer (PT) to which main meter is connected; 18. Commission means the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission constituted under the Act; 19. Conductor means any wire, cable, bar, tube, rail or plate used for conducting electrical energy and so arranged as to be electrically connected to a system; 20. Connected load expressed in kw, kva or BHP, means aggregate of the manufacturer s rated capacities of all energy consuming devices or apparatus connected with the Distribution licensee s service line in the consumer s premises which can be simultaneously used and shall be determined as per the procedure laid down in this Code. If rating is in kva, the same may be converted to kw by multiplying the kva with a Power Factor as measured or as may be specified in this Code. In case, the power factor is neither measured nor specified, the same will be taken as If the same or any other Apparatus is rated by the manufacturer in HP, the HP rating shall be converted to kw by multiplying it by ; 14

15 21. Connection point means a point at which the consumer s installation and/or apparatus are connected to Distribution licensee s distribution system and shall be the incoming terminal of the switchgear/cut out installed by the consumer. Depending on site condition the connecting Point in a consumer s premises may also be the outgoing terminals of the meter, if the meter is fixed after the Distribution licensee s cut-outs/ switchgear and in case the meter is fixed before the Distribution licensee s cut-outs/ switchgear, the connecting point may be the outgoing point of the Distribution licensee s the cut-outs/ switchgear; 22. Consumer means any person who is supplied with electricity for his own use by a licensee or Government or any other person engaged in the business of supplying electricity to the public under the Act or any other law for the time being in force and includes any person whose premises are for the time being connected for the purpose of receiving electricity with the works of the licensee ; In this Code, the term shall also include persons who have applied for an electricity connection, persons whose supply has not yet commenced even after connection has been provided or whose electricity supply has been discontinued for non payment of dues etc but whose connecting service lines/electrical apparatus has not been physically dismantled or whose agreement has not been terminated; 23. Consumer installation or consumer s installation means any composite portable or stationary electrical unit including electric wires, fittings, motors and apparatus erected and wired by or on behalf of the consumer at the consumer s premises starting from the point of supply and includes apparatus that is available on his premises for being connected or envisaged to be connected to the installation but is for the time being not connected; 24. Contracted load or Contract demand means the maximum demand in kw, kva or BHP, agreed to be supplied by the licensee and indicated in the agreement executed between the licensee and the consumer; 25. Cut-out means any appliance or device for automatically interrupting the conduction of electricity through any conductor when the current rises above a predetermined quantum and shall also include fusible devices; 26. Date of commencement of supply is the date when the licensee energizes the consumer installation by connecting to the Distribution mains; 27. Dedicated feeder means a distribution feeder from the licensee s substation or the line to the point of supply of a consumer or a group of consumers for supplying 15

16 electricity to that consumer or group of consumers on the same premises or on contiguous premises; 28. Demand charge for a billing period refers to a charge levied on the consumer based on the contracted/sanctioned load or recorded maximum demand for the billing cycle, whichever is higher, and shall be calculated as per the procedure laid down in the Tariff Order approved by the Commission; 29. Disconnection means the physical separation of installation of the consumer from the system; 30. Distribution mains means the portion of any main with which a service line is, or is intended to be, immediately connected; 31. Distribution system means the system of wires and associated facilities between the delivery points on the transmission lines or the generating station connection and the point of connection to the installation of the consumers; Explanation: Any system consisting mainly of overhead lines, underground cables, service lines, electrical plant, control switchgear and meters having design voltage of 33 kv and below and shall also include any other system of higher voltage as the Commission may specifically recognise. The Distribution System shall not include any part of the Transmission System except the terminal equipment (metering system, CT and PT) connected at consumer end and used for the supply of electricity to extra high voltage (66 kv and above) consumers 32. Earthed means connected with the general mass of earth in such manner as to ensure at all times an immediate discharge of energy without danger; 33. Electrical Inspector or Inspector means an Electrical Inspector appointed under sub-section (1) of section 162 of the Electricity Act, 2003,by the Government of Assam; 34. Electric line means any line which is used for carrying electricity for any purpose and includes: a) Any support for any such line, that is to say, any structure, tower, pole or other thing in, on, by or from which any such line is, or may be, supported, carried or suspended; and b) Any apparatus connected to any such line for the purpose of carrying electricity; 35. Emergency rostering means load shedding carried out by disconnecting at short notice or no notice for safety of personnel and equipment; 16

17 36. Energy charge refers to a charge levied on the consumer based on the quantity of electricity supplied (units in kwh or kvah as per tariff); 37. Extra High Voltage (EHV) or Extra High Tension (EHT) means a voltage exceeding Volts; 38. Financial year means the period beginning from first of April in an English calendar year and ending with the thirty first of the March of the next calendar year; 39. Feeder means a LT, HT or EHT line, emanating from a substation, to which a distribution substation or LT, HT or EHT consumers are connected; 40. Fixed Charge for a billing period means a charge levied on the consumer based on the contract demand or maximum demand and shall be calculated as per the procedure provided in the Tariff Order; 41. Grid Interactive System (GIS) means a system that connects the power generating plant (commonly Solar) in an electricity consumer s premises to an utility grid, so as to supply excess electricity to the distribution company s grid, after meeting the need of consumer and also to draw from the grid to meet the short fall, when sufficient electricity is not produced by the generating plant. Import-export and net energy consumed or injected is measured by net metering ; 42. High Voltage (HV) or High Tension (HT) means a voltage level between 650 Volts and Volts; 43. Harmonics means a component of a periodic wave having frequency that is an integral multiple of the fundamental power line frequency of 50 Hz, causing distortion to pure sinusoidal waveform of voltage or current; 44. Independent feeder means a dedicated feeder as defined under item 26 above; 45. Interconnection shall have the same meaning as connection point as defined under item 20 above; 46. Licence means a licence granted under section 14 of the Act; 47. Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) means a contractor licensed under Regulation 29 of the Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010; 17

18 48. Licensee or Distribution Licensee means an entity granted a licence under section 14(b) of the Act authorising them to operate and maintain a distribution system for supplying electricity to the consumers in his area of supply; 49. Load factor is the ratio of the total number of units consumed during a given period to the total number of units which would have been consumed had the contracted load been maintained throughout the same period and shall usually be expressed as the following percentage- Load factor in percentage = Actual units consumed in a given period x 100 Contracted load in kw x No.of hours in the period 50. Low Tension (LT) means a voltage that does not exceed 250 volts between phase and neutral or 650 volts between any two phases; 51. Maximum demand means the highest load measured in average kva or kw at the point of supply of a consumer during any consecutive period of 30 (thirty) minutes or as specified by the Commission, during the billing period; 52. Medium Voltage means the voltage which normally exceeds 250 V but does not exceed 650 V; 53. Meter means an equipment used for measuring, indicating and recording electrical quantities like energy in kwh or kvah, maximum demand in kw or kva, reactive energy in kvar hours etc. including accessories like Current Transformer (CT), Voltage Transformer (VT) / Potential Transformer (PT) / Capacitor Voltage Transformer (CVT) etc. where used in conjunction with such meter. It shall also include any seal or sealing arrangement and other measures provided by the licensee for sealing, reliability and for preventing theft/unauthorised use of electricity; 54. Minimum charge shall be as approved by the Commission in the prevailing Tariff Order of the licensee; 55. Notified voltage means a voltage notified by the State Government for the purpose of self certification under regulation 30 and regulation 43 of the CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, Occupier means the owner or person in occupation of the premises where energy is used or proposed to be used; 57. Overhead line means any electric supply-line, which is placed above ground and in the open air but excluding live rails of traction system; 18

19 58. Phased contract demand means contract demand agreed to be availed in a phased manner; 59. Plant in this Code means an Electrical Plant which may be a facility for generation, supply or utilization of electricity; 60. Point of commencement of supply or point of supply carries the same meaning as connection point as defined under item no. 20 above; 61. Power Factor means the average power factor and shall be the ratio of the total kilowatt hours to the total kilovolt ampere hours supplied during the period; the ratio being rounded off to two decimal figures, 5 or above in the third place of decimal being rounded off to the next higher place in the second; However if there is provision in the consumer s installation to record the actual average power factor for a particular period as in the case of a static energy meter, the same shall be taken. 62. Premises means land, building or infrastructure or part or combination thereof in respect of which a separate meter or metering arrangements have been made by the licensee for supply of electricity; 63. Registration form means a prescribed form available with the licensee, which is required to be submitted by a prospective consumer (applicant), on the basis of which the licensee s representative visits the premises and electrical installations to be connected, to ascertain the feasibility of the connection and to gather other required information; 64. Rural areas means the areas which are not notified as urban areas by the Government of Assam; 65. Sanctioned load means the load in kw, kva which the licensee has agreed to supply from time to time subject to the governing terms and conditions in the absence of an Agreement between the distribution licensee and the consumer; 66. Self certification means a certificate issue by a supplier or the owner in the prescribed format as required under regulation 30 and regulation 43 of the CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, "Service line" means any electric supply line through which electricity is, or is intended to be, supplied: a) to a single consumer either from a distribution main or immediately from the Distribution Licensee s premises; or 19

20 b) from a distribution main to a group of consumers on the same premises or on contiguous premises supplied from the same point of the distribution main; 68. Supplier means any entity authorised to supply electricity to consumer under the provisions of the Act including a licensee; 69. Tariff Order in respect of a licensee means the most recent order issued by the Commission for that licensee indicating the rates to be charged by the licensee from various categories of consumers for supply of electrical energy and services; 70. Tariff Schedule means the most recent schedule of charges for supply of electricity and services issued by the licensee as per the provisions of the Tariff Order for that licensee; 71. Theft shall mean theft of electricity as defined in section 135 of the Act; 72. "Transmission licensee means a person who has been granted a licence under section 14(a) of the Act authorising him to establish or operate transmission lines; 73. Transmission system means the system consisting of extra high voltage electric lines being operated at EHV (excluding generator interconnection facilities) owned and/or operated by the transmission licensee for the purposes of the transmission of electricity from one power station to a sub-station or to another power station or between sub-stations or to or from any external interconnection equipment up-to the interconnection with the distribution system and includes the plant and apparatus and meters owned or used by the transmission licensee in connection with the transmission of electricity, but shall not include any part of any licensee s distribution system; 74. Urban areas means the areas covered by all Municipal Corporations and other Municipalities Act including the areas falling under the various Urban Development Authorities, Cantonment Authorities and Industrial Estates or Townships, 75. User means any person having electrical interface with, or using the distribution system of the Distribution Licensee to whom this Code is applicable. Any distribution licensee, transmission licensee and generating units connected to the distribution system and the person availing Open Access in transmission or distribution system are also included in this term; 76. Voltage unbalance means the ratio of the maximum voltage deviation of the phase voltage from the average phase voltage to the average phase voltage of the three phases; 20

21 1.5.2 Interpretation Words, terms and expressions defined in the Electricity Act, 2003, as amended from time to time and used in this Code shall have and carry the same meaning as defined and assigned in the said Act as well as Rules and Regulations made thereunder. Expressions used herein but not specifically defined in the Act but defined under any Law passed by a competent legislature and applicable to the electricity industry in the state shall have the meaning assigned to them in such Law. Subject to the above, expressions used herein but not specifically defined in the Act or any law passed by a competent legislature shall have the meaning as is generally assigned in the electricity industry. In the interpretation of this Code, unless the context otherwise requires: a) Words in the singular or plural term, as the case may be, shall also be deemed to include the plural or the singular term, respectively; b) References to any Statutes, Regulations or Guidelines shall be construed as including all statutory provisions consolidating, amending or replacing such Statutes, Regulations or Guidelines, as the case may be, referred to; c) Terms "include" or "including" shall be deemed to be followed by "without limitation" or "but not limited to" regardless of whether such terms are followed by such phrases or words of like import. d) The word he will also mean she in this Code. 1.6 Review of this Code (Regulations) The Commission may, on its own at any time and on such terms as it may deem fit, amend, alter or modify any provision of this Code or remove any error or defect in this Code after following due procedure in this regard. Further, the Commission may, if found necessary, on receipt of a petition from an affected person praying for review / revision of this Code, constitute a panel consisting of representatives of consumer organisations, senior officials of licensee and persons representing the Commission to review and suggest changes required, if any in this Code. The Commission may in its own wisdom accept or reject the suggestion of the panel. 21

22 CHAPTER-II System of Supply and Classification of Consumers 2.1 System of Supply Frequency The declared frequency of the alternating current (AC) shall be 50 Hz. The licensee shall as far as possible supply and maintain uninterrupted power supply in a frequency band between Hz to 50.5 Hz. These limits are subject to change based on notifications/directions of the Commission Voltage a) The declared voltage of AC supply shall be as follows: i. Low Tension (LT) (i) Single Phase: 230 volts between, a phase and neutral. (ii) Three Phase: 400 volts between any two phases. ii. High Tension (HT) Three Phase: 11 kv, 22 kv, 33 kv between phases. iii. Extra High Tension (EHT) Three Phase: 66 KV, 110 kv, 132 kv, 220 kv between phases. b) The licensee shall design and operate the distribution system in conjunction with the transmission systems. The licensee shall maintain voltage at the point of commencement of supply to the consumer within the limits with reference to the declared voltage as stipulated hereunder; i. Low & Medium Voltage: (+) 6%; and ( ) 6% ii. High voltage: (+) 6% and ( ) 9% 22

23 iii. Extra high voltage: (+) 10% and ( )10% These limits are subject to change based on notifications/directions of the Commission. 2.2 Classification of Voltage of Supply to consumers The supply voltage for different connected load shall normally be as follows: a) For the period upto 31 st December, 2020 Category Low Tension All installations with a connected load less than 5 Kw All installations with a connected load of 5 kw or more upto 20 kw High Tension Connected load exceeding 25 kva or 20 kw upto 2000 kva Connected load exceeding 2000 kva upto kva Extra High Tension Connected load above kva System of Supply Single phase at 230 V 3 phase, 4 wire at 400 V 11 kv 33 kv 132 kv b) For the period w.e.f 1 st January, 2021 Category Low Tension All installations with a connected load less than 5 kw All installations with a connected load of 5 kw or more upto 50 kw High Tension Connected load exceeding 59 kva or 50 kw upto 2000 kva Connected load exceeding 2000 kva upto kva Extra High Tension Connected load above kva System of Supply Single phase at 230 V 3 phase, 4 wire at 400 V 11 kv 33 kv 132 kv These classifications are subject to change based on notifications / directions of the Commissions. Note: a) The connected load is for consideration of determination of voltage of supply to a 23

24 consumer. For billing and other purpose contract load/ billing demand as specified under clause would be considered. b) In case, a consumer is connected at a voltage with a transformer based on the connected load of the installation, reduces his connected load to a level for which transformer is not required, he will be continued to be supplied through the same transformer in the tariff applicable. Further, those who would be provided with connections in H.T. prior to 1 st January, 2021 will be continued to be supplied through the existing transformer. c) Provided that, depending on system availability or other condition, the licensee, at its discretion, may supply a consumer at a voltage other than one specified above recording justification for such deviation. Particularly in case of railways, the maximum and minimum limits of contract demand on the various voltage levels indicated in the above table may be relaxed by mutual agreement depending on the actual requirement and feasibility Supply at higher or lower voltage a) For supply at voltages higher than as applicable to the consumers as specified under clause 2.2.1, a rebate of 3% (or any other percentage as the Commission may decide) shall be applicable on energy consumption for each higher level of voltage. b) In case, supply is made to a consumer at voltage lower than specified above under clause 2.2.1, or metering is done on the L.T. side of the distribution transformer, then, for the purpose of billing a 3% (or any other percentage as the Commission may decide ) by an order on the consumer s energy charges shall be added Contract Demand & Billing Demand a) Contract Demand The Contract Demand of a consumer shall be i) LT consumers without Maximum Demand (MD) based (two part) tariff The Contract Demand for LT consumers without MD based (two part) tariff will be the connected load of the premises as per the agreement entered into between the consumer and the licensee. ii) LT consumers with MD based tariff and all HT and EHT consumers The Contract Demand shall be as per the agreement entered into between the consumer and the licensee and having regard to the requirement of the consumer s installation and will be independent of connected load. 24

25 b) Billing Demand clause Billing demand is the demand on which demand charge shall be made as specified in Power Factor It shall be mandatory for all consumers obtaining three phase supply to maintain an average power factor of not less than 85 % in respect of their installation. The Distribution Licensee shall not commence power supply to any applicant requiring motive power load of 3 HP (or 2 kw) or having motors with aggregate installed capacity 7.5 HP (or 5 kw) unless his installation is provided with a suitable and adequate power factor corrective equipment like the shunt capacitor. Details regarding power factor apparatus and penalty for low power factor and rebate for high power factor are provided in clause 9.8 of this Code Supply to Energy Intensive Industry Load for energy intensive consumers such as arc/induction furnaces, rolling mills, re-rolling mills and mini steel plants shall be released only through an independent feeder wherever feasible and all necessary charges shall be paid by the consumer. Supply may be given through independent feeder in other cases at the request of the consumer if he is willing to bear all applicable charges and subjected to acceptance of conditions specified under clause Load and voltage balancing a) Load Balancing: All consumers taking three-phase supply, having single phase load shall balance their load in such a way that the difference in loading between each phase does not exceed 5% of the average loading between the phases. b) Voltage Balancing: The distribution licensee ensure that the maximum permissible value of unbalance shall be as specified in the table below- Sl.No. Nominal system voltage (rms) Voltage unbalance (%) V 5% 2 11 kv 5% 3 33kV -132kV 3% kv 2% 25

26 2.3 Classification of Consumers a) The classification of consumers, tariff and conditions of supply applicable to each category shall be as fixed by the Commission from time to time in the Tariff Order or otherwise. The licensee may classify or reclassify consumers into various categories from time to time as per these classifications fixed by the Commission. No additional category other than those approved by the Commission shall be created by the licensee. b) Where a consumer has been classified under a particular category and is billed accordingly and it is subsequently found that the classification is not correct, the consumer will be informed through a notice, of the proposed reclassification, duly giving him an opportunity to file any objection within a period of fifteen days. The licensee shall finalise the classification, after due consideration of the consumer's submissions. c) For any consumer other than BPL consumer, having a connected load below 1 kw, the contract demand will be taken as 1 kw, for the purpose of demand charge, security deposit or any other purposes as may be necessary. 26

27 CHAPTER-III New power supply 3.1 Licensee s obligation to supply of Electricity on request The licensee shall, on an application by the owner or occupier of any premises located in his area of supply, give supply of electricity(including enhancement and reduction of load) to such premises within the time specified in clause 3.5 below, provided, a) The supply is technically feasible. b) The consumer has observed the procedure specified in this Code c) The consumer agrees to bear the cost of supply and services as specified in this Code. 3.2 Licensee s obligation to extend the distribution system and consumer s share in the cost a) The licensee is responsible for ensuring that its distribution system is upgraded, extended and strengthened to meet the demand for electricity in its area of supply. b) The licensee shall meet the cost for strengthening / up gradation of the system to meet the demand of the existing consumers through its annual revenues or funds arranged by the licensee for this purpose. The cost of investment shall be recovered from the consumers through tariff, as per the provision in the Tariff Regulations of the Commission. c) The consumer shall bear the Service Connection Charges, i.e. the cost of extension of service connection from the nearest Distribution Mains to the point of supply. In addition, the consumer shall also bear other charges including the cost of extension of mains, if any. d) When the distance of the premises where the service connection is required is more than 50 (Fifty) meter from the existing distribution mains, such service connections shall be deemed to need extension of distribution mains. e) The cost of extension of distribution mains and extension / up gradation of the system upto the point of supply for meeting demand of new consumers shall be payable by the consume, or any collective body of the consumers or otherwise as specified under clause of this Code as per the provision of section 46 of the Act. 27

28 f) The consumer may also meet the cost of service line as provided under clause of this Code. g) It shall be the licensee's obligation to assign a unique consumer number for each consumer and communicate the same to the concerned consumer at the time of providing the service connection. The unique consumer number may include pole number, transformer number, 11 kv feeder number, distribution centre number, division number etc. 3.3 Exception from duty to supply of electricity a) While it is the duty of each distribution licensee to provide electric plant or electric line for giving supply to the premises specified above, no person shall be entitled to demand or to continue to receive from licensee supply of electricity for any premises having separate supply unless he has agreed with the licensee to pay him such price as specified by the Commission. b) Nothing contained under clause 3.1 above (under section 43 of the Act) shall be taken as requiring a Distribution licensee to supply electricity to any premises, if he is prevented from doing so by natural calamities such as cyclone, floods, storm, earthquake and other occurrences beyond his control. c) The licensee shall not be grant supply of electricity to an area or colony or building or any premises, if any Court or the Government or any other competent authority has issued an order restraining or prohibiting such grant of supply of electricity. 3.4 Conditions for Grant of Connection The licensee shall prominently display on its offices and website, detailed procedure for grant of new connection and the complete list of documents required to be furnished along with such applications. Security deposit determination norm (details in Appendix I), norm of preparing estimates (Appendix II) and standard cost of service lines (as specified under clause 3.9) shall also be prominently displayed. Wherever feasible, the licensee shall display in its offices and website the updated status of applications for new connections in that area/circle within jurisdiction of office. 28

29 3.5 Time frame for completion of different activities related to power supply The overall time limits specified from the date of submission of registration form by a prospective consumer upto the date of commencement of supply for various types of services are in the table below. Sl. No. Type of Service Time limits specified for supply of electricity after the date of submission of registration form (days) 1 L. T. Connection URBAN RURAL i. If extension work is not required and the connection is to be given from the existing network ii. If extension of line required iii. If installation of new transformer/ enhancement of transformer capacity required iv. Agriculture connection ( if extension of LT line or installation / enhancement of transformer capacity required ) a) With approachable road 101 b) Without approachable road H. T. Connection i. If no extension work is involved 42 ii. If extension work is involved Extra High Tension Connection 160 Note: In the above time frame it is stipulated that the time taken for payment after receipt of the demand note by different categories of consumer is as below: a) L.T. consumer - 6 days b) H.T. consumer 10 days c) H.T/E.H.T consumers with extension 18 days The time limit will be automatically increased corresponding to delay in payment beyond no. of days specified above. Within the time frame specified above, the recommended time limit for different activities for various types of services are given in the table in Appendix III(A) and III (B). 29