QA

How To Run Electric Fence

Does electric fence need to make a full loop?

The answer is no, an electric fence DOES NOT have to make a complete loop. Creating a continuous loop will increase voltage on the fence line, because power is pushed in both directions. Essentially, with a continuous loop, voltage only has to travel half the distance.

Can you run an electric fence on the ground?

Use the proper type of grounding rod. In most cases, pipe or rebar can be used. The grounding rod needs to be made of galvanized steel and also needs to be at least four feet in length for best results. Using copper rods will diminish the overall effectiveness of the electrical fence system.

Are electric fences expensive to run?

The typical Zareba® fence charger uses about 33 watts per day. So, 33 watts multiplied by 31 days is 1,023. Divide that by 1,000 to get 1.023 kilowatt hours per month. The U.S. average cost of a kilowatt hour is 12 cents.

What do you need for electric fence?

Things You’ll Need Electric or solar charger. Wood or metal posts. Electric fencing wire or tape. Grounding post. Sledgehammer or post slammer. Grounding wire. Grounding clamp. String.

What happens if you don’t ground an electric fence?

When an animal comes in contact with an electric fence, a pulse travels from the fence, through the animal and into the soil. Via the soil moisture, this pulse is captured by the ground system and returned to the energizer. Without proper grounding, the fence’s electrical circuit can not be completed.

Can electric fence dead end?

Electric fence does not need to make a complete loop. An electric fence line that dead ends will work just as well as a fence line that is a full loop.

Can I use rebar to ground electric fence?

In most cases, pipe or rebar can be used. The grounding rod needs to be made of galvanized steel and also needs to be at least four feet in length for best results. Using copper rods will diminish the overall effectiveness of the electrical fence system.

Why is my electric fence clicking?

Clicking is part of normal fence operation when a charger releases energy that travels along the fence. Almost all radio noise generated by electric fences is caused by a spark or arcing of the electrical current across fence hardware.

How far apart should ground rods be for electric fence?

A general rule is to install a minimum of 3 feet of ground rod per joule of output capacity. A 15 joule fence charger will require a minimum of 45 feet of ground rod. These rods must be installed at least 10 feet apart from each other.

Does electric fence put out AC or DC?

A term used to describe electric fence controllers that pulse electricity at regular intervals through a fence, typically at one-second internals. An output capacitor is used to store direct current (DC) electricity between pulses through a fence. Alternating current (AC) can’t be stored using a capacitor.

How many volts is an electric fence?

An electric fence will have a voltage range that can vary from 2,000 to 10,000 volts with 10,000 being the maximum permitted by international regulations. The amount of voltage chosen will depend on the distance that the fence can be shocked up to with the desired power of the shock.

What is the average cost of an electric fence?

Installing an electric fence costs around $1,284, depending on the type you buy. Most homeowners pay between $1,016 and $1,618. A low-end electric fence costs $400, while a high-end electric fence costs up to $1,900.

How do you wire electric fence?

How to Tie Electric Fence Wire Together Grasp the two ends of wire you want to join, placing one in each hand. Create a simple loop in the wire in your right hand by folding its end back and over so the wire overlaps itself once.

Why is the ground wire hot on my electric fence?

Generally, the ground wire completes the circuit of the current flow in the fence. So when an animal touches it, it gets a shock from the hot wire. So the ground wire is crucial for an electric fence. But if you notice that it’s heating up, the most probable cause is leakage or improper grounding installation.

Does electric fence grounding wire need to be insulated?

Galvanized-steel rods should be connected to the ground terminal on the fence energizer by a highly insulated wire to cut out any leakage. Therefore its is mandatory to take the best possible care of the ground wiring.

Where do ground rods go on electric fence?

To ensure ground rods come in contact with enough soil moisture to complete the circuit, best practice is to install 90 cm (3′) of ground rod below the water table for every joule of output provided by the energizer.

Why is my electric fence so weak?

Poor grounding is one of the most common faults in electric fencing systems. If the ground is not completed correctly, the energizer cannot operate at is maximum potential. This could be accomplished by driving three ground rods that are each eight feet long into the ground at least 10 feet apart and attaching them.

Can you run two fence chargers together?

Only one charger should be used on a single electric fence line. Using two chargers on the same line will damage both chargers, and pose a hazard to people and animals that come in contact with the fence.

Can you pee on an electric fence?

A stream of urine quickly separates into individual droplets. Because the urine isn’t a steady stream, it would be highly unlikely that a powerful electric current could travel up it. The American “MythBusters” program also found that peeing on an electric fence can be a shocking experience.

How far should a grounding rod be in the ground?

Drive the rod into the ground. You need to drive your rod all the way into the ground. The electrical code states that it must have 8 feet (2.4 m) of contact with the ground, so you need to drive it all the way down.