Wiktor Wise
Electric fences are a useful tool for farmers and gardeners to protect their crops, yards, and livestock. They can also be used to increase security. While it is possible to buy ready-made electric fences, some people may prefer to build their own. This can be done using a battery in parallel with a capacitor, PWM oscillator, DC-AC buck converter, and ignition coil. The power supply does not matter, but electric fences require high voltage to deliver a mostly harmless, low-current shock. It is important to be cautious when working with high voltage. To ensure the fence works correctly, it should be placed in moist soil to help the electricity flow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Mains or battery |
| Battery Voltage | 12V |
| Pulse Rate | Adjustable |
| Safety | Must have safety features to limit current and duration of shock |
| Maintenance | Requires "boost" every few months |
| Soil Type | Moist soil is crucial for optimal electricity flow |
| Earth Terminal | Requires at least a 3.3-foot (1 m) galvanized earth stake |
| Gate | Requires an under-gate cable to transfer power |
| Fence Lines | Use high tensile wire, electro-rope, or tape with insulators |
| Connection | Connect positive side of fence charger to fence and negative terminal to grounding system |
| Components | Ignition coil, relay, capacitor, PWM oscillator, DC-AC buck converter |
| Alternative | Use a ready-made commercial product |
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What You'll Learn
Plan the location of the earth terminal
The earth system is the most important component of your electric fence. It allows the power to flow around the fence and back to the energizer. When an animal touches the live wire, the current flows through the animal and the ground back to the earth rods. To plan the location of the earth terminal, you need to consider the following factors:
Firstly, the earth terminal should be located at least 10 metres away from other earth systems such as house mains, underground power or phone lines. This is to ensure that the earth system for your electric fence is not interfered with by other electrical systems.
Secondly, the location should be away from stock or other traffic that could interfere with the installation. You want to make sure that the earth terminal is easily accessible for maintenance and repairs but also safe from any potential damage caused by passing stock or traffic.
Thirdly, the type of soil in the area is an important consideration. Dry, sandy or non-conductive soil provides an ineffective earthing system as it does not allow for a consistent flow of electricity. Therefore, it is recommended to install the earth terminal in an area with damp soil all year round, such as shaded or swampy areas.
Additionally, the number of earth rods required will depend on the type of energizer and the soil conductivity. It is important to consult with a professional or a local retailer/distributor to determine the correct number of earth rods needed for your specific location. As a general guideline, space the required number of 2-metre earth rods at least 3 metres apart. If using a bentonite earth system, space the rods at least 10 metres apart.
Lastly, the depth of the earth rod in the ground is dependent on its conductivity, surface area and the moisture of the soil. Smaller diameter rods in dry soils need to be placed deeper than larger diameter rods in wet soil. For effective earthing, it is crucial to guarantee consistent contact between the earth rods and the damp soil.
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Connect the battery to a fence charger
Connecting a battery to an electric fence charger is a straightforward process, but it requires caution. Electric fences are a great way to contain animals and keep wildlife out of gardens without breaking the bank. They are also easier to install than other fencing options. Here is a step-by-step guide to connecting a battery to an electric fence charger:
First, ensure you have the correct equipment. You will need a battery, a battery charger, a fence charger, and wires. The wires should be colour-coded, with a red wire for the positive terminal and a black wire for the negative terminal. It is important to use insulated wires to prevent short circuits.
Next, prepare the battery and charger. Place the battery on a stable, dry, and elevated surface near the fence charger. Ensure the area is protected from heavy rain and direct sunlight. Position the fence charger close by for easy wire connections.
Now, you can begin to make the connections. Connect the positive terminal of the battery to the input terminal of the charger, usually labelled "+" or "Battery". Use the red insulated wire for this connection. Then, connect the negative terminal of the battery to the ground port of the charger using the black wire. Ensure that all connections are secure and tight.
Finally, complete the grounding process. Drive a grounding rod at least 3 feet into moist soil and connect a ground wire from the charger's ground terminal to the rod using a grounding clamp. This provides a vital connection point for the electricity to flow through the fence.
Once all the connections are made, test the fence with a voltage tester to ensure it is working correctly. It is important to regularly check the voltage and recharge the battery when it drops below 12.0V. Always follow safety precautions when working with electric fences and batteries, including wearing rubber gloves and safety goggles.
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Install fence lines
To install fence lines for an electric fence, you will need to space your posts according to the type of animal you want to control. For grazing animals, the hot wires should touch the animals at the chest and/or nose and the back of the neck. You can attach one or more "hot" wires to existing fence posts or fence wires to keep animals away from the fence.
When installing fence lines, it is important to use high-quality insulators. Cheap insulators and incorrect installation are a major cause of electric fence problems. Use insulated cables designed specifically for electric fencing, with a wire gauge of 10 to 14 and insulation rated for at least 20,000 volts. Do not use common electrical wiring as it is only rated for 600 volts.
If you are installing a fence with more than three strands of wire, a two-wire ground system should be used. This system allows the animal to complete the circuit by touching a charged wire and a ground wire simultaneously. The strands on the fence must alternate between a ground wire and a charged wire.
To connect the fence wires, you can use electric fence joiners and connection bolts to securely join and connect any cables and hot wires. Electric Fence Undergate or Ungerground Cable can also be used as a connection cable for your energizer or anywhere a break in the fence needs joining, such as gates and corners.
It is important to regularly check your electric fence to ensure it is working properly. Check the voltage at least once a day, and walk the fence to look for broken insulators, loose connections, and other potential problems.
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Add additional earth stakes
The number of earth stakes required for your electric fence depends on the type of energizer used and the soil conductivity. For instance, high-powered energizers require more earth stakes than low-powered energizers, and dry, sandy, rocky, or frozen soil requires more earth stakes than wet soil. As a rule of thumb, use at least three earth stakes or divide the Energizer Stored Joules rating by five.
If you are using a mains energizer and must operate on poor soil conditions, such as light or sandy soil, more than one earth stake is necessary. In such cases, you should add additional earth stakes that are 3.3 feet (1 meter) apart. Connect the top of each stake with a lead-out cable. If you are using galvanised wire, you may need to replace it every 15 years.
The earth stakes should be placed in an area that remains damp, as the current produced by the energizer must complete a full circuit. The current leaves the energizer, moves along the fence wires, through the animal, into the soil, and back to the energizer via the earth system. A good earth can account for 85% of the fence’s efficiency, and a poor earth is the most common cause of electric fence failure.
If you are in a very dry place, you may need to contact an electrician to drive copper-coated steel rods into the ground and join them together vertically.
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Test your fence
When testing your electric fence, the first step is to turn off the power to your charger. Next, check that the connections (positive-to-fence and negative-to-ground rod) are secure. If either is loose, reattach them, turn the power back on, and check if this has resolved the issue.
If the problem persists, keep the hook-up line connected to the terminal but disconnect it from the fence, leaving the ground rod hook-up attached. Then, turn the power on and use a voltage tester to check the output of the hook-up wire that is normally attached to the fence.
If you are using a battery-operated, non-solar, DC fence charger, check that your DC battery is delivering the appropriate charge. If you have a solar charger, use a voltage tester to measure your battery voltage. A 12-volt battery should test at 12 volts to properly energize a charger. A 6-volt or 6/12-volt battery should show a minimum of 6 volts. If your solar battery is underperforming, you may need to replace it. Remember that solar batteries are meant to last about 1,000 days (3 years) and can lose their charge after extended periods without sufficient sunlight.
If your fence is connected to an outlet, you can test it by plugging in another electrical device, such as a light, and checking if it works. The outlet should be delivering between 105 to 125 volts to the charger. If the other device does not power up properly, consult an electrician.
Additionally, ensure that your electric fence system has an adequate ground system. Every system should have at least three ground rods to function properly, and more may be required if your fence is installed in sandy, dry, or rocky soil. Frozen soil will also hinder the operation of your fence.
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Frequently asked questions
An electric fence energizer is a device that takes in electrical energy from an outside source and then pushes the energy out through the positive fence terminal in very brief, high-voltage, high-amperage pulses.
Electric fence energizers can be powered by a 12-volt automotive battery or a 110V outlet. Alternatively, solar units are very portable and quick to set up, but they require a solar panel to be attached directly to the energizer case.
Electric fencing can be dangerous to humans and animals, so it is important to carefully design the fence to limit the current and duration of the shock and have other safety features in place. It is also important to have the fence turned off for a short time to let people and animals get off the fence.
It is important to find quality, moist soil as it helps the electricity flow better. Additionally, the pulse rate is adjustable, so you can start with a rapid rate and then cut it back after a few days.
