Who this guide is for
You are building or have finished a new building and need permanent supply, or you need temporary supply while construction is going on. Karnataka has five electricity supply companies (ESCOMs): BESCOM (Bengaluru and surrounding districts), MESCOM (Mangaluru, the coast and Malnad), CESC (Mysuru and the southern districts), HESCOM (Hubballi, Belagavi and nearby districts) and GESCOM (Kalaburagi and Kalyana Karnataka). Your application goes to the subdivision of the ESCOM that covers your site.
The same process applies whether you are in a city like Bengaluru, Mysuru or Hubballi-Dharwad, or in a taluk town like Channapatna, Gokak or Sirsi. The difference is usually how far your site is from the nearest pole or transformer, and whether that transformer has spare capacity.
LT or HT: which connection do you need?
The first question is how much load you need. Your ESCOM gives supply at low tension (LT: 230 V single-phase or 415 V three-phase) up to a limit set in the KERC Electricity Supply Code. Above that limit, supply is given at high tension (HT: 11 kV or 33 kV) and you install your own transformer.
| Supply | Voltage | Typical users | You provide |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT single-phase | 230 V | Houses, small shops | Wiring, DB, earthing, meter board |
| LT three-phase | 415 V | Larger homes, apartments, offices, workshops | Wiring, panel, earthing, meter board |
| HT | 11 kV / 33 kV | Factories, hospitals, malls, large apartments | Transformer, HT metering, panels, earthing |
| EHT | 66 kV and above | Large industries | Substation, involves KPTCL |
Plan for the load you will have in three to five years, not just today. A connection that is too small leads to a load enhancement application later. See our load enhancement guide.
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.
Choose the right tariff category
Your connection is sanctioned under a tariff category that depends on how the premises are used. Applying under the wrong category causes rejections or back-billing later. Common KERC categories include:
| Category | Used for |
|---|---|
| LT-2 | Domestic premises |
| LT-3 | Commercial premises such as shops, offices and hotels |
| LT-4 | Irrigation pump sets |
| LT-5 | Small industries and workshops |
| LT-6 | Water supply and public lighting |
| LT-7 | Temporary supply, including construction power |
| HT-2 | HT industrial, commercial and institutional consumers |
Category names and sub-categories are set in the KERC tariff order for each year. We confirm the right one when we prepare your application.
Documents to keep ready
- Proof of ownership or occupancy: sale deed, khata / property extract, or a registered lease with the owner's consent
- Applicant's ID and address proof
- Building plan approval, and the occupancy or completion certificate where the local body requires it
- Wiring completion and test report signed by a licensed electrical contractor
- Connected load details: lights, fans, sockets, ACs, pumps, lifts and machines
- For companies and firms: registration certificate and authorisation letter
- For industries: relevant licences or KIADB / industrial plot allotment, where applicable
- For HT: single-line diagram, layout drawings, equipment test certificates and CEIG approval
Make sure the name on the ownership document, ID proof and application is spelt the same way. Name mismatches are one of the most common reasons files come back.
Step-by-step process
- Load assessment. A licensed contractor lists your connected load and decides LT or HT, single or three phase.
- Wiring and earthing. Internal wiring, distribution board, earthing and the meter board are completed as per the approved standards.
- Testing. The contractor carries out insulation resistance, earth resistance and polarity tests and issues the test report.
- Application. The application is submitted to the ESCOM, online or at the subdivision office, with documents and the prescribed fee.
- Site inspection. The ESCOM section officer inspects the site, checks the wiring and the distance to the nearest pole or transformer.
- Estimate and payment. If line extension or a transformer upgrade is needed, an estimate is prepared. You pay the service connection charges, security deposit and any other charges.
- CEIG approval, where applicable. HT installations and certain other installations need the Electrical Inspectorate's approval before energisation. See the CEIG guide.
- Meter fixing and service connection. The ESCOM fixes the meter, connects the service line and allots your RR number. Your first bill follows.
- 1Load assessment and wiring
Licensed contractor lists the load, completes wiring and earthing.
- 2Test report
IR, earth and polarity tests, signed by the contractor.
- 3Application with documents
Online on the ESCOM portal or at the subdivision office.
- 4Site inspection by the ESCOM
- ?Line extension or transformer needed?Yes Estimate issued, works done, then continueNo Pay charges and continue
- ?HT or special installation?Yes CEIG approval before energisationNo Go straight to meter fixing
- ✓Meter fixed, service connected, RR number allotted
Why applications get delayed
- Occupancy or completion certificate missing where it is required
- Wiring test report incomplete, unsigned or not from a licensed contractor
- Site is too far from the existing network, so a line extension estimate is needed
- The nearby transformer is fully loaded, so a new or upgraded DTC is required
- Earthing not done, meter board not accessible, or meter location not approved
- Pending dues on an old connection at the same premises
- Wrong tariff category or load declared lower than the actual connected load
Most of these can be caught before the application is filed. That pre-check is the main thing a good liaisoning contractor does for you.
Temporary supply for construction
You can take temporary supply for construction under the temporary tariff category. It is sanctioned for a fixed period and can be extended. When the building is complete, you apply for permanent supply and the temporary connection is closed. Using a temporary connection with proper earthing and an RCCB/ELCB on site is also a safety requirement for your workers.
Questions
Can I apply for a new connection myself?
Yes, the owner applies. However, the wiring must be done and certified by a licensed electrical contractor, and HT connections need drawings and approvals that a contractor prepares. Most owners let the contractor handle the file.
What is an RR number?
The revenue register number the ESCOM allots to every installation. It appears on your bill and is used for all later requests such as load enhancement or name transfer.
Do I need a new transformer for my connection?
Only if the existing transformer near your site does not have spare capacity or your load needs HT supply. The ESCOM decides this during the site inspection and includes it in the estimate.
Is a three-phase connection better than single-phase?
For larger homes with several ACs, a borewell pump or a lift, three-phase spreads the load and reduces voltage problems. Your contractor should size it based on the connected load.
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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