Permission from Electrical Inspectorate must for installing electric fences, says KSEB

Permission from the Electrical Inspectorate is mandatory for installing electric fences meant to keep out wild animals and protect farm lands, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) said on Friday.

In the past two years alone, 24 people have died of electrocution from electric fences, the KSEB observed. In the latest incident, an illegal electric trap set for wild boars at Vazhikkadavu, Malappuram, claimed the life of a 15-year-old school boy and injured two others.

“In many instances, the accidents are caused by fences illegally powered from KSEB distribution lines or from domestic connections, the power utility said. Such practices are expressly prohibited. Only battery-powered electric fence energisers equipped with impulse generators as laid down under Section 76 (Part 2) of the Standard IS 302-2-76 (1999) can be used, the KSEB said.

Illegal drawing of electricity for electric fencing is punishable under the Electricity Act, 2003, it added. The KSEB has also urged the public to alert the nearest Section Office or the dial 9496010101 about misuse of electricity.