Introduction to Installation Permits
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The Electricity Regulatory Authority, under Section 10 of the Electricity Act 1999, is among other functions mandated to regulate persons and entities carrying out any electrical installation works on any premises such as homes, offices, shops, industries, schools, hospitals. Such mandate ensures the safety of electricity consumers. Accordingly under Electricity Act 1999 and the Electricity (Installation Permits) Regulations SI No 19 of 2003 electrical installation works may only be carried out by persons with the appropriate electrical worker’s permit issued by the Authority
Installations person
- A person shall not practice as a installations person unless he or she is in possession of a valid permit issued by the Installations Permits Committee.
- A person employed by a company or firm shall obtain a permit issued under the The Electricity (Installation Permits) Regulations, 2003, notwithstanding the fact that such company or firm is in possession of its own valid permit.
Technical qualifications.
A person shall not be granted a permit under these Regulations unless he or she possesses any of the following technical qualifications-
- a University Degree in the relevant field of study;
- a Higher Technician’s Diploma;
- an Ordinary Technician’s Diploma;
- a Master Craftsman’s Certificate;
- a Craftsman’s Certificate or Intermediate Certificate; or
- any other technical qualification recognised by the Committee.
The qualifications above shall determine the class of permit which the Installations Permits Committee shall issue to each respective applicant.
Types of permit.
The Installations Permits Committee may, subject to such conditions as it may impose, issue any of the following types of permit-
- CLASS A for carrying out all and any kind of class of electrical installation work upon payment of the prescribed fee;
- CLASS B for carrying out electrical installation work of such medium value or complexity, including heavy low voltage and simple high voltage connections up to 11 kV;
- CLASS C for carrying out electrical installation work of such small value including:
- installation in multi-storied flats and other big bungalows and mansions of complex design and commercial buildings; or
- installation of light plants of up to a level of 415 volts;
- CLASS D for carrying out work restricted to any specialised class of electrical installation work, including:
- installation of residential premises not exceeding five bedrooms; and
- repairs on equipment of up to 240 volts;
- CLASS Z for carrying out specialised fields like:
- switch gear installation;
- centralised cooling and refrigeration;
- installation of generator sets;
- solar systems; and
- electrical installation systems and designs.
A permit issued under the The Electricity (Installation Permits) Regulations, 2003 may be renewed but shall not be transferable.
A permit issued under the The Electricity (Installation Permits) Regulations, 2003 shall expire on the 31st day of December of the year during which it was issued.
Application for permit.
An application for a permit shall be submitted in writing or electronically (online application) to the Installations Permits Committee and the permit shall be issued in a prescribed form and subject to such conditions as the Installations Permits Committee may determine.
An employee of a company or organisation may apply for a permit in his or her own individual capacity or on behalf of the company or organisation if such company or organisation authorises him or her in writing.
Where an employee of a company or organisation applies for an individual permit and another for his or her company or organisation, each permit shall be paid for separately in accordance with the procedures
prescribed by the Installations Permits Committee.
Every company or organisation applying for a permit under the The Electricity (Installation Permits) Regulations, 2003 shall have amongst its staff persons qualified to be issued with CLASS A or B categories of permit.
Every person issued with a permit under the The Electricity (Installation Permits) Regulations, 2003 shall exhibit such permit at all times in his or her usual place of business.