GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION PERMITS

ISSUING PROCEDURES

AUGUST 2016
 GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION PERMIT ISSUING PROCEDURES

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS
Within the Electrical Engineering field, persons engaged in electrical
installations will for the purpose of these guidelines, be categorised as
follows:

Qualification: Eligible Permit Class:

University Graduates in the relevant field------------------------------------------------Class A
Higher Technician's Diploma---------------------------------------------------------------------Class A
Ordinary Technician's Diploma-----------------------------------------------------------------Class B
Master Craftsman's Certificate-----------------------------------------------------------------Class C
Craftsman's Certificate Grade One-----------------------------------------------------------Class D

AUTHORISED WORK ACCORDING TO PERMIT CLASS

Class A
Installation of any plants up to and including high voltage of 132 kV.
Any work under Class B.
Class B
Heavy low voltage and simple high voltage connections up to 33 kV.
Any work under Class C.
Class C
Installation in multi - storied flats, commercial buildings, bungalows and
mansions of complex design.
Installation of light plants up to a level of 415 V.
Any work under Class D.
Class D
Installation of any residential premises of 1 - 5 bedrooms.
Repairs on equipment of up to 240 V.
Class Z
Electrical installation systems designs.
Installation in specialised fields like switchgear; centralised heating;
refrigeration; generator sets; solar systems; et cetera.

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COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS
An employee of a company or an organisation can be interviewed on his or
her own and on behalf of the company or an organisation, if he or she has
been authorised by the company or organisation in writing. If a person
wants to be interviewed for both individual and company or organisation
Permit, payment has to be made for each Permit separately. The company
or an organisation must have at least two competent employees possessing
Permits Classes A and/or B.

REGISTER OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION PERMIT HOLDERS

The Electricity Regulatory Authority keeps a register of persons who have
been issued with Installation Permits. Additions and/or deletions are done
only in accordance with the guidelines set by the Installation Permits
Committee.

ANNUAL FEES
The following fees apply to each of the Permit Classes:

Category Fees (UGx)

Class A----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------140.000/=
Class B----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------105.000/=
Class C-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------70.000/=
Class D-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------35.000/=
Class Z----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------100.000/=
Registered Companies and/or organisations--------------------------------------695.000/=

All fees are payable to ERA Bank Account No. 0105613299800, Standard
Chartered Bank, Speke Road Branch or Account No. 9030005711605 Stanbic
Bank, Corporate Branch.

APPLICATION FEE
All applicants for the Installation permits have to pay an application fee of
UGx 20.000/=.

DOCUMENTATION
Installation Permits for Classes A, B, C, D and Z to be issued by ERA to
qualifying persons in the respective classes.
Completion of Wiring Certificates booklets to be issued by a Licensed
Distribution Utility to permit holders who will carry out the
wiring/installation tasks and issue completion of wiring certificates to the
customer. The certificates will form part of the documentation a customer
submits to the licensed distribution utility for new connection.
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INSPECTIONS
The Licensed Distribution Utility will inspect and connect installations which
have been wired by persons with a valid Installation Permit.

INTERVIEWS (SEE ADDITIONAL NOTES ACCOMPANYING THESE GUIDELINES)

All candidates are required to apply in writing using the ERA approved form
and are required to appear before the interview panel, with original
documents, certificates and testimonials. They are also required to make a
satisfactory presentation of their technical qualifications, training and skills
to justify the award of the permit class applied for. Companies need to
provide evidence of their registration and the nature of business done in
form of: Companys Background/Profile; Certificate of Incorporation; List of
Directors; Trading License; VAT Registration and TIN number. The
qualifications and competence of persons being presented by the company
also need to be indicated.

MECHANISM OF PERMIT CLASS TRANSFER

Interviews are normally carried out once, but candidates who feel ready to
transfer from one permit class to another are free to apply in writing using
the ERA approved form, giving justifications for their request to transfer. If
the grounds indicated in the request for transfer are sufficient, they are
required to appear before the Installation Permits Committee with their
certificates and testimonials and sit for an interview. The Committee may
also require persons who are above 60 years, to appear before it periodically
to certify that they are still competent to do installation work.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
The Licensed Distribution Utility is responsible for monitoring the
professional performance of Permit Holders and report any mal-practices to
the Electricity Regulatory Authority. At an appropriate Committee sitting,
such cases and any others arising from the Public are be considered.
Depending on the gravity of the offence, the offender can have his/her
permit either suspended for a certain period or completely withdrawn.

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 PART B:
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FORMS AND INTERVIEWS
1. Candidates have to fill and sign application forms obtained from the
Permits Office at ERA House, or downloaded from the ERA website
(www.era.or.ug ). Prior to submission, candidates have to attach copies of
ALL academic documents like O- and A-level certificates, diploma
certificates, and any other academic qualification possessed. Pass slips are
not accepted and candidates whose applications do not have copies of ALL
academic certificates are considered incomplete and not ready for
interview.
(a) Candidates whose Diplomas, certificates, and other qualifications where
not obtained from Uganda, they must have them equated to the Uganda-
based ones, by UNEB before submission of the application.
(b) Candidates whose Degrees and other higher qualifications were not
obtained from Uganda, must obtain the equivalency from The Uganda
Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE). Written evidence of the
equivalency must be submitted together with the applications.
2. Unless announced otherwise via public media, interviews are normally
scheduled for Thursdays of every week starting at 09.00 am. Applicants,
who return filled and signed application forms and are ready to be
interviewed, either book for a scheduled date with the Permits Office OR are
called by ERA to appear for a scheduled interview, following the order in
which application forms were received and recorded.
3. Irrespective of whether they have made their own booking or were called,
candidates do register according to the order they arrive at ERA House (or
the interview venue, if different from ERA House) on the interview date and
are interviewed according to that order.
4. Candidates appearing for an interview must carry with them originals of
ALL the academic documents submitted at the time of application.
5. At the time of the interview, candidates have to identify themselves
positively by showing a valid identity card or a document that shows the
candidates recent photograph, signed by a competent authority, and has an
expiry date.
6. Permit Class A (work on high voltage (HV) systems up to 132 kV)
(a) Due to the complex nature of the work candidates are expected to
engage in for this permit class and on voltage levels going up to 132 kV
systems and subsequent high levels of responsibilities expected of the
candidates, applicants for this class need to submit a detailed CV OR career
report together with the application forms.
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(b)Candidates have to highlight their specific experiences and the voltage
levels at which they participated. The applicant's direct involvement on HV
systems has to clearly be demonstrated. Persons who have not had an
extensive working experience involving high voltage systems cannot apply
for permit class A.
(c)Note that O- and A-level certificates must be submitted as well.
7. Permits Class B (work on medium voltage (MV) systems up to 11 kV)
(a) Due to the complex nature of the work candidates are expected to
engage in for this class and on voltage levels going up to 11 kV systems and
subsequent high levels of responsibilities expected of the candidates,
applicants for this class need to submit a detailed CV OR career report
together with the application forms.
(b)Candidates have to highlight their specific experiences and the voltage
levels at which they participated. The applicant's direct involvement on MV
systems has to clearly be demonstrated. Persons who have not had an
extensive working experience involving high voltage systems cannot apply
for permit class B.
(c)Note that O- and A-level certificates must be submitted as well.
8. Permit Class C (work on systems up to 415 V)
(a)Candidates for this permit class are expected to be familiar with test
methods they normally carry out on completing an installation.
(b)The following combination of UNEB certificates are accepted for this
class: Diploma Certificate together with Uganda Craftsman Grade One
(Trade test); OR Master Craftsman together with Uganda Craftsman Grade
One (Trade test); OR Crafts Course Parts II and III or B and C, together with
Uganda Craftsman Grade One (Trade test).
(c)Note that O- and A-level certificates, where applicable, must be submitted
as well.
9. Permit Class D (work on systems up to 240 V)
(a)Candidates for this permit class are expected to be familiar with test
methods they normally carry out on completing an installation.
(b)The following combination of UNEB certificates are accepted for this
class: Uganda Craftsman Grade One (Trade test); OR Crafts Course Parts II
or B, together with Uganda Craftsman Grade One (Trade test).
(c)Note that O- and A-level certificates, where applicable, must be submitted
as well.

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10. Permit Class Z (work on specialised areas)
(a)Due to the complex nature of the work candidates are expected to
engage in for this permit class, and subsequent high levels of responsibilities
expected of them, applicants for this permit class need to submit a detailed
CV OR career report together with the application forms.
(b)Candidates need to highlight their specific experiences and the voltage
levels at which they participated. The applicant's direct involvement in the
area of specialisation applied for has to clearly be demonstrated.
(c)Note that O- and A-level certificates must be submitted as well.
11. A candidate cannot pay for a permit until the Permit Class to be issued
has been determined by the Committee after the interview.
12. The Committee reserves the right of refusal to grant a permit, renew a
permit, or cancel a permit if it is satisfied that a person has failed to comply
with conditions stipulated in The Electricity (Installation Permits)
Regulations 2003. Candidates are further reminded that Installation Permits
issued to them remain the property of ERA. Misuse of the permits lead to
permit suspension or cancellation.

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