New Delhi, Feb 25 (KNN) The Distribution Transformer Manufacturers of the country, who now have to obtain dual certification from BEE & BIS  for  energy efficient DTs under IS:1180 Part 1/2014, are urging the government to relook into the matter  and  consider the  applicability of  only  one of the agencies for  mandatory  certification of DTs  for  manufacture and supply of  quality.

The  manufacturers have been  requesting the Government of India  to allow  them the  compliance of one of the `authorities/  agencies directive i.e. BIS or BEE  for the  same goal  of  producing Energy Efficient DTs,  and should not  insist upon  as in both the cases, they have to manufacture Energy Efficient  Distribution Transformers as per only one standard  IS:1180 Part 1/2014. 

After the enactment of Energy conservation Act 2001,  BEE  was  charged  with the prime responsibility  of  efficient  use of energy  in variety of equipment  particularly in  the  house hold appliances in a bid to save electricity as per saying that a unit of KWH saved is unit generated.

Consequently a  notification dated  February 2009 was issued by Ministry of Power specifying the energy  consumption standard   under S&L programme describing energy losses at 50% & 100 % loading  of DTs up to 200 KVA rating units at 11KV level and labeled as star 1 to  star 5  having progressively  maximum to minimum losses respectively. 

Recently BEE has issued an amendment to its February  2009 notification as per No. SO.4062 (E) dated 16^th December 2016 effective from 1^st January 2017 which has been recommended for extension by another 6 months wherein the losses of Distribution Transformers (DTs) has further been reduced thereby assigning its original star 4 (four) as star 1 (one)and  star 5 (five)  as Star 2 (two)  with further new losses for Star 3,4 & 5  worked out by extrapolating.   

The transformer manufacturers are already producing and supplying  new Star 1 (one) transformer as per the requirement of the purchasers.

“It is very well known that 95% of the distribution segment is controlled by State Governments Discoms / Utilities and Electricity Boards, where political interference is not ruled out and is responsible for lot of ills of distribution companies,” said B Lal, Director General, Indian Transformer Manufacturers Association (ITMA), Ghaziabad. 

He said inefficient and bad quality of Distribution Transformers cause 4 to 5 % of losses in the distribution network. 

In this connection CEA, the Apex organization of Ministry of Power in consultation with experts of transformer manufacturers worked out detailed technical document and issued guidelines for specification  of energy efficient outdoor type three phase  and single phase distribution transformers in 2008 specifying  all technical parameter of losses including at 50% and 100% loading, raw material, insulation level, testing, inspection,   manufacturing,  procurement and installation etc. to be followed by all Discoms/Utilities  at National Level, even when the  prevalent IS:1180 /1989 did not  specify  the losses in the standard.  

“In fact all  Discoms/Utilities were specifying  their own  set of  losses  at no load and full load and  the  other parameters  while issuing tenders for procurement of transformers,” he said.

Accordingly all the transformer manufacturers dutifully  started  implementing the mandatory BEE’s S&L programme to produce star 1 to 5 energy efficient DT s for the power sector after completing the necessary formalities of BEEs regulation and obtaining certification for labeling the DT star  1 to  star 5.

Concurrently CEA in its notification dated August 2010 issued technical standard for  construction of electrical plant and electric lines regulation for Distribution Transformers that:

“the maximum losses of oil filled DTs shall not exceed as  that for at least 3 star transformer specified  by BEE wherever applicable”.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises (DHI) issued a quality control order on Electrical Transformer  in 2014 for manufacture/use of DTs in accordance with  IS:1180/1989 up to 200 KVA rating at 11 KV level which was  subsequently   amended in 2015   mandating the   manufacture/sale & use up 2500KVA at 11/22/33/ KV as per revised IS:1180 Part 1/2014 effective from 1^st February 2016 duly BIS marked only.

“It will be thus observed that the manufacturers of DTs have to obtain dual certification from BEE & BIS  for  energy efficient DTs under IS:1180 Part 1/2014,” pointed B Lal.

The manufacturers have approached all the concerned Ministries to do away with “the curse of dual certification” which is tedious as well as costly for them.

“But Ministry of Power  has shown its helplessness as in both cases it is mandatory  through Gazette Notifications, which obviously is not desirable as  manufacturer has to observe and complete, all the  formalities/ requirements of both  the agencies which  not only create hindrance in conducting the business with ease  but also  involves lot of time and expenditure of yearly  renewal of license and  hefty BEE’s labeling/BIS marking fees of each types of distribution transformer  produced,” ITMA pointed.

ITMA has also written a letter to PMO requesting intervention.

The PMO has forwarded the representation to MoP who has given stock  reply that the matter has already been decided by Union Power Minister indirectly intimating that the transformer manufacturers shall have to be comply with the requirements of both the agencies with slight concession which is insignificant and of no consequence, said ITMA.

The transformer manufacturers have again made representation to Union Power Minister to re-examine the issue and appreciate all the aspects dispassionately   in order to  give relief to the stakeholders, so that they are able to do the business with  ease.

In the representation, ITMA  has highlighted that DTs have to be manufactured, supplied and purchased only as per IS 1180 Part 1/2014, for BIS & BEE.

In fact BEE follows all the testing procedures as laid down by BIS in their various IS and all the testing procedures to be followed for taking certification for any size/rating from BEE and BIS are the same.

Further, BEE having only one central office in Delhi is controlling whole Indian Transformer Industry, whereas BIS has got its own Regional and Zonal offices across India thus leading to a more efficient working.

ITMA said, “BEE is only concerned with end results of transformer like losses whereas for a transformer to be  certified by BIS the manufacturer has to take care of all the raw materials also which need to be of a particular standard or BIS certified as defined by BIS.”

“It would be appreciated from the comparison of requirements  between BIS & BEE   ultimate  rigmarole  of  BIS is the main nucleus which takes care of BEE as well. As such  one agency  which  enforces rigorous  requirements  should be  opted,” ITMA said. (KNN/ BL)