Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code (as amended upto 31-12-2009)

Purpose and status

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission issued Notification No. TNERC/SC/7-17 on 20 January 2010 to republish the Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette. The republication consolidates the original Code, notified through Notification No. TNERC/SC/7/1 dated 21 July 2004, and the listed amendments incorporated up to 31 December 2009, so the public can consult an updated text.

What the Code governs

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code provides rules concerning:

• Recovery and billing of electricity charges.
• Billing intervals and payment due dates.
• Disconnection for non-payment and restoration of supply.
• Tampering with, or damage or distress to, electrical plants, lines or meters.
• Entry by a distribution licensee or its authorised person to disconnect supply, remove or replace a meter, or alter and maintain electrical lines, plants or meters.
• Connected load, contracted load, contracted demand and consumer categories.

A consumer includes a person supplied with electricity for personal use and a person whose premises are connected to receive electricity. An occupier may be an owner or another person occupying premises where electricity is used or intended to be used.

Supply and charging provisions

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code contains the following key provisions:

• Single phase supply is described for a total connected load not exceeding 4,000 watts.
• Three phase, 415 volt supply is described for connected load exceeding 4,000 watts but not exceeding a demand of 112 kilowatts.
• Supply at 11,000 volts and above is described for power installations exceeding a demand of 112 kilowatts, with a minimum demand of 63 kilovolt amperes.
• A consumer must take supply at 33 kilovolts and above when demand is 5 megavolt amperes or more.
• Electricity prices, demand charges and fixed charges apply at rates fixed by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission from time to time.
• Electricity used for constructing residential houses or housing complexes is charged under the commercial tariff until construction is completed, after which the appropriate tariff applies.
• Temporary use of floor polishing equipment, repair or maintenance welding equipment, and similar portable equipment at premises with permanent supply is treated as regular consumption under the permanent supply tariff.
• Consumers must maintain the stated power factor levels, 0.85 lag for low tension supply and 0.90 lag for high tension supply. The Commission may set disincentives or incentives from time to time.

Relevance to property users

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Supply Code can affect owners, tenants, builders and other occupiers because electricity classification, load, construction use, billing, meter notices and possible disconnection depend on how supply is obtained and used at the premises.