How to fence

1. Energizer The first thing to decide is whether to have a battery or mains powered energizer. If possible, choose a mains powered energizer because they have lower running costs. When choosing an energizer, the main things to consider are the height of the lowest wire above the ground and the length of the fence. For sheep, the choice is therefore a powerful energizer because the lowest wire is not more than approx. 30 cm above the ground. For horses, a relatively low-power energizer is sufficient because the bottom wire is seldom lower than 60 cm. For the same reason, choose the most powerful energizers for permanent electric fences. They are usually long, with a lot of vegetation. The more powerful the energizer, the greater the safety margin in unforeseen events such as a tree branch touching the fence or animals unused to an electric fence coming into contact with it.

2. Connection to energizer The easiest way to connect the fencewire is to use a wire joint that will give good contact between the conductors. Use a ground cable from the energizer to the fence.

3. Earthing This is the most important and perhaps most overlooked aspect of an electric fence. Remember that the electric fence will not work if it is inadequately earthed. With small battery-powered energizers, use one one-meter earthing rod. With powerful mains operated energizers, use at least five one-meter earthing rods. It is important that the earthing rod is set in firm ground in a damp place and that the entire earthing rod goes down into the ground. The cable to the earthing rod must be properly screwed into the rod. When earthing fences a minimum of three earthing rods must be used. Our 115 cm rods are placed at a distance of three to four meters from each other, approximately 80 to 100 cm down in the earth. Try to find a place with good humidity in the ground. When there is bad earthing conditions, use an earth cable and do the earthing somewhere along the fence. •NOTE: Using the building’s mains power supply earth is not permitted. The mains power earth and the fence earth must be at least 10 m apart. How to check earthing A. Short-circuit the fencing by leaning an iron pole/rod against the fencing wire approx. 100 m from the energizer. B. Measure the voltage between the earthing and the ground with a volt meter C. If the measured voltage is higher than 300V (0,3 kV) the earthing is insufficient and needs to be improved with one or more additional earth rods.

4. Lightning protection Lightning strikes are one of the greatest threats to an electric fence. By installing at least one lightning protection on the fenceside, you will reduce the risk of lightning damaging the energizer.

Back to top