Sanctioned Load: The Power a Building Is Allowed to Draw
Sanctioned load is the maximum electrical load the distribution company has approved a premises to draw, in kW or kVA. It is applied for based on the building's connected load with diversity applied, and it sets the supply type, the fixed charges and whether the connection is LT or HT.
By Dhruv Agarwal · · 1 min read
Why it matters
Sanctioned load is set once and then shapes years of bills. Too low, and the building pays penalties and faces an upgrade application. Too high, and it pays fixed charges for capacity it never uses — and may have bought a larger transformer than it needed.
How it works in practice
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Connected load | Sum of all installed equipment ratings |
| Diversity | Allowance for equipment not running together |
| Maximum demand | Highest load actually drawn |
| Sanctioned load / contract demand | What the DISCOM approves |
Common mistakes
- Applying for connected load without diversity. Leads to paying for capacity that is never used.
- Ignoring future growth. Load enhancement later is slower and costlier.
- Leaving it to the end. The application sits outside the site programme and can hold up energisation.
Standards referenced
Installation safety under the CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023. Sanction procedures are set by each state's electricity distribution company.
Standards referenced
- CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023 — Safety of electrical installations (Central Electricity Authority)
Frequently asked
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