What the Electrical Inspectorate does
The Department of Electrical Inspectorate, Government of Karnataka, is headed by the Chief Electrical Inspector to Government (CEIG). Its officers inspect electrical installations for safety under the Electricity Act, 2003 and the Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023.
For most HT projects, your ESCOM (BESCOM, MESCOM, CESC, HESCOM or GESCOM) will not release supply until the Inspectorate has approved the installation. That makes the inspection a critical step in your project timeline.
When is CEIG approval required?
- New HT and EHT installations, including consumer substations and transformers
- Generating sets above the capacity specified in the regulations
- Installations in buildings above specified heights, and other categories named in the regulations
- Additions and alterations to an already approved HT installation
- Periodic inspection of existing installations at the intervals specified
The 2023 regulations allow some installations up to specified voltages to be self-certified by the owner or a chartered engineer instead of being inspected. Whether your project qualifies depends on its voltage, capacity and type. We check this at the start so you follow the right route.
Limits, charges and forms are set by KERC, your ESCOM and the Electrical Inspectorate and are revised from time to time. Use this guide to prepare, and confirm the current requirement for your case before you apply. We check it for every project.
The two stages: drawing approval, then inspection
Stage 1: Drawing approval
Before installation starts, the drawings and details are submitted for approval. Getting this right avoids rework on site.
- Single-line diagram showing incoming supply, protection, transformer, panels and outgoing feeders
- Layout drawing of the substation or electrical room with clearances
- Earthing layout with the number and location of earth pits
- Equipment specifications: transformer, VCB / RMU, HT metering, LT panels, DG set
- Cable schedule with sizes and routes
- Details of the licensed contractor and supervisor carrying out the work
Stage 2: Inspection and energisation approval
After the installation is complete and tested, the inspection is requested. The inspector visits the site, checks the work against the approved drawings and the regulations, and reviews the test reports. If there are observations, they are corrected and the inspection is completed. Approval for energisation is then issued, and the ESCOM can connect the supply.
- ?Check if the installation needs inspection or can be self-certifiedYes Inspection routeNo Self-certification with test reports
- 2Drawing approval
SLD, layout, earthing layout, equipment details.
- 3Installation as per approved drawings
- 4Testing and commissioning records
- 5Site inspection
- ?Observations raised?Yes Correct and re-inspectNo Approval issued
- ✓Energisation approval, the ESCOM releases supply
What the inspector checks on site
| Area | What is checked |
|---|---|
| Clearances | Working space around panels and transformers, heights of live parts, fencing of outdoor yards |
| Earthing | Separate earthing for transformer neutral and equipment bodies, earth pit condition, measured resistance values |
| Protection | Relays set and tested, breakers operating, fuses rated correctly, lightning arresters fitted |
| Test records | Insulation resistance, transformer oil breakdown voltage, cable high-voltage tests, relay test reports |
| Safety items | Danger boards, insulating rubber mats, fire extinguishers and sand buckets, shock treatment chart, first-aid box |
| Documentation | Approved SLD displayed in the electrical room, equipment test certificates, contractor completion certificate |
| DG sets | Changeover interlock preventing back-feed into the ESCOM network, neutral and body earthing, exhaust and ventilation |
Common objections and how to avoid them
- Site differs from the approved drawing. Equipment moved or ratings changed during execution. Update the drawings before the inspection, not after.
- High earth resistance. Rocky or dry soil gives high readings. Plan extra electrodes or treated pits at design stage. See the earthing guide.
- Missing test reports. Relay, cable and oil tests done but not documented. Keep signed reports in one file.
- Safety items missing. Rubber mats, danger boards and extinguishers are cheap and easy to fit, but a missing item still means a repeat visit.
- No interlock on the DG changeover. A mechanical and electrical interlock is essential to prevent back-feeding.
Lifts and other approvals
In Karnataka, the Electrical Inspectorate also administers lift and escalator licensing. If your building has lifts, their approval runs in parallel with the electrical approval. We coordinate the electrical supply side of the lift installation with the lift supplier so both approvals are ready together.
Questions
Is CEIG approval needed for a house?
An ordinary LT domestic installation normally does not need an Inspectorate inspection before supply. It becomes relevant for HT supply, large generators and certain building types. We confirm this for your project.
Who applies for CEIG approval?
The owner of the installation applies, usually through the licensed electrical contractor who prepares the drawings, carries out the work and submits the test reports.
Can the inspection be done before the building is fully complete?
The electrical installation covered by the inspection must be complete and tested. Civil finishing elsewhere does not usually hold up the electrical inspection, but the electrical room and access must be ready.
How often are periodic inspections done?
The regulations specify the intervals for periodic inspection of existing installations. Keeping maintenance and test records up to date makes these inspections straightforward.
Need this done for you?
We handle the electrical work and the ESCOM, KPTCL and CEIG liaisoning anywhere in Karnataka, with BESCOM, MESCOM, CESC, HESCOM and GESCOM. Email basavalalith.electricals@gmail.com or use the enquiry form.
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