
Electric fences are used to contain livestock and deliver a non-lethal shock to any animal that comes into contact with the wires. The amperage of an electric fence is an important consideration, as it measures the amount of electrical current flowing through the circuit and determines the strength of the shock. Higher amperage can be more dangerous to animals and humans, so choosing an electric fence with the appropriate amperage is crucial for safety. While voltage is the driving force behind the flow of electricity, amperage determines the volume of electricity flowing through the fence. Understanding the role of amperage in electric fences is essential for selecting a safe and effective fence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Voltage | High |
| Amperage | Low |
| Volts | 8,000V |
| Amps | 120 milliamps |
| Amps in milliamps | 120-thousandths of an amp |
| Mains electricity | 13-15 Amps |
| Safe amperage | 15-500 milliamps |
| Majority of units operate in | 100-150 milliamp range |
| Pulsating current | Once every second for 1/300th of a second |
| Ideal voltage range | 5,000-12,000 volts |
| Poor livestock control voltage | Under 3,000 volts |
| Joule | Unit of work or energy |
| Joule rating for small animals | 0.2-2 |
| Joule rating for larger stubborn animals | 1-3 |
| Joule rating for calmer animals | 0.5-5 |
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What You'll Learn

Electric fences have high voltage and low amperage
Electric fences are designed to deliver a non-lethal shock to any animal that comes into contact with them. They are a popular method for containing livestock and keeping them within a specific area.
Electric fence energisers put out high voltage (around 7,000 to 8,000 volts) but very low amperage or current (around 120 milliamps). This is because amperage or current is what can kill. The higher the amperage, the higher the strength of the shock. Therefore, electric fences are designed to have high voltage and low amperage.
The voltage in an electric fence is the driving force behind the flow of electricity in a wire. It is often related to the pressure of water in a pipe. The more pressure pushing water through a pipe is analogous to the voltage pushing energy through a conductor.
Amperage, on the other hand, is the measurement of electrical current through a wire. It is the current or amps that determine the strength of the shock felt from an electric fence. Amps measure the amount of electrical current flowing through a circuit and are used to measure the amount of current that flows through the animal's body when it comes into contact with the fence.
It is important to consider the appropriate voltage, joule rating, and amperage based on the type and size of animal being contained. For example, a smaller animal like a rabbit or a dog might only need a fence with a low voltage and joule rating, while a larger animal like a horse or a cow might require a fence with a higher voltage and joule rating.
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Amps are a measure of electrical current
Amps, or amperage, is a measure of electrical current. It is the current or amps that determine the strength of the shock felt from an electric fence. The higher the amps of current, the higher the strength of the shock. Amps are a measure of the volume of electricity flowing through a wire, much like gallons per minute for water.
In the context of electric fences, amperage is the amount of electrical current flowing through the circuit. When an animal touches an electric fence, the electric energy in the fence wire flows from the fence, through the animal's body, and into the ground, delivering a shock to the animal.
It is important to note that higher amperage can be more dangerous to animals and humans. While a high voltage is necessary to contain larger animals, the amperage should be low to ensure safety. A good electric fence uses almost no power, with high voltage and low amperage.
To ensure safety, electric fences are designed with low amperage and a pulsating current. This means that if a person or animal touches the fence and receives a shock, they have a chance to remove themselves before the next pulse of electricity. This pulsating current also prevents the "grabbing effect" that could occur with a constant current, where the muscles react and the person or animal is unable to remove themselves from the fence.
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Amps determine the strength of the shock
Amps, or amperage, is the measurement of electrical current through a wire. It is the current or amps that determine the strength of the shock felt from an electric fence. The higher the amps of current, the higher the strength of the shock.
Amperage is the volume of electricity flowing through, much like gallons per minute. A good electric fence uses almost no power. Electric fence energisers put out high voltage (around 8,000 volts) but very low amperage or current (around 120 milliamps). This is 120-thousands of an amp. It should not even kill a squirrel.
The amperage within the electrical charge and the constant connection make electricity dangerous. A 220-volt shock will hurt just as much as a 10,000-volt shock, as long as the current or amps are the same. Amps are what kill. Higher amperage can be more dangerous to animals and humans, so it’s important to choose an electric fence with an appropriate level of amps for the animals being contained.
When selecting an electric fence system, it’s important to consider the appropriate voltage, joule rating, and amperage based on the type and size of animal you want to contain or deter. For example, a smaller animal like a rabbit or a dog might only need a fence with a low voltage and joule rating, while a larger animal like a horse or a cow might require a fence with a higher voltage and joule rating.
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Higher amps are more dangerous
Electric fences work by delivering a non-lethal shock to any animal that comes into contact with the wires. However, higher amperage can be more dangerous to both animals and humans. Amperage, or amps, is the measurement of electrical current through a wire. It determines the strength of the shock felt from an electric fence. The higher the amps, the higher the strength of the shock.
When selecting an electric fence, it is important to consider the appropriate voltage, joule rating, and amperage based on the type and size of animal you want to contain or deter. For example, a smaller animal like a rabbit or a dog may only need a fence with a low voltage and joule rating, while a larger animal like a horse or a cow may require a fence with a higher voltage and joule rating.
It is worth noting that voltage is the driving force behind the flow of electricity in a wire, and it is often related to the pressure of water in a pipe. The more pressure pushing water through a pipe is similar to the voltage pushing energy through a conductor. Amperage, on the other hand, is the measurement of electrical current through a wire, and it determines the strength of the shock felt from an electric fence.
While electric fences are generally considered safe, it is important to keep children away from them. Additionally, it is crucial to regularly maintain electric fences to ensure they are functioning properly and not leaking current to the ground, which could indicate a problem.
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Electric fences are safe due to low amperage
Electric fences are generally considered safe due to their low amperage, which refers to the amount of electrical current flowing through the fence circuit. While electric fences have high voltage, which is the driving force behind the flow of electricity, their amperage or current is very low. This low amperage is what makes electric fences relatively safe, as amperage is what determines the strength of the shock felt. In other words, while high voltage creates pressure, it is the amperage that allows the electricity to flow and deliver a shock.
For example, a 220-volt shock and a 10,000-volt shock will hurt the same as long as the amperage is the same. Electric fence energisers typically output high voltage (around 7,000 to 8,000 volts) but with very low amperage (around 15-500 milliamps, or 0.15-0.5 amps). This low amperage means that electric fences cannot kill or permanently harm humans or animals, although they can deliver a non-lethal shock.
The low amperage of electric fences is further mitigated by the fact that the electricity pulses at short intervals, usually between one and two seconds. This means that if something touches the fence and receives a shock, it has a chance to remove itself, as the current will stop flowing after a very short period. This is in contrast to most electrical appliances, where the current is constant, which can cause death.
Therefore, it is important to select an electric fence with an appropriate amperage level for the animals being contained. For example, a smaller animal like a rabbit or a dog may only need a fence with a low voltage and joule rating, while a larger animal like a horse or a cow may require a higher voltage and joule rating. However, it is worth noting that higher amperage can be more dangerous to both animals and humans, so it is crucial to choose a fence with the correct specifications.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric fences have very low amperage or current, ranging from 15 to 500 milliamps, with most units operating in the 100-150 milliamp range.
Higher amperage can be more dangerous to animals and humans, so it is important to choose an electric fence with an appropriate level of amps for the animals being contained.
The ideal amperage for an electric fence is zero amps. Amps are what kill, so a perfect fence should read 7,000 volts and zero amps – high pressure with no flow.
Voltage is the driving force behind the flow of electricity in a wire, while amperage is the measurement of electrical current through a wire. The higher the voltage, the stronger the shock, and the higher the amperage, the higher the strength of the shock.
Electric fences work by delivering a non-lethal shock to any animal that comes into contact with the electrified wires. The circuit is closed when an animal, standing on the ground, touches the fence, and the electric energy flows from the fence, through the animal's body, and to the ground.











































