Trystan Casey
Gallagher electric fencing is a popular choice for farms and ranches as it is easy to install and cost-effective. Electric fencing works by creating an electric pulse that travels through the fence. When an animal touches the fence, the circuit is complete, and the pulse travels through its body and into the ground, then back into the energizer. To build an electric fence, you will need posts, insulators, and wire. It is important to ensure proper connections to prevent corrosion and power loss. A ground rod connected to the fence controller output ground terminal is necessary to reduce the risk of electrical shock.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fence Type | Electric fence |
| Brand | Gallagher |
| Items Needed | Energizer, posts, insulators, wire, connectors, reels, crimp connections, fencing pliers, payout spinner/spinning jenny, testers, ground rod, ground wire, gate anchor/cut out switch/gate kit |
| Installation Steps | 1. Ensure controller is properly grounded to avoid electrical shock. 2. Insert plug into a 120-volt outlet. 3. Protect electrical connections from moisture. 4. Use wire clamps, wire connectors, and proper splices for connections. 5. Use high-quality insulators, gate handles, and insulator wrap. 6. Avoid common electrical wiring (rated for 600 volts). 7. Install a 6 ft. ground rod within 20 ft. of the controller with a ground rod clamp. 8. Install gate kit if needed. |
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What You'll Learn
Ensure proper grounding to avoid electric shocks
Proper grounding of your Gallagher electric fence is essential to keep it in good working order. Without it, the fence will not be able to shock animals, making it difficult to keep livestock contained and protected from predators.
To ensure proper grounding, start by selecting the right grounding rod. It should be made of galvanized steel and be at least four feet in length. Pipe or rebar can be used, but avoid copper rods as they will diminish the effectiveness of the fence. In most cases, you will need at least three grounding rods placed about 10 feet apart at the start of the fence. Keep these rods away from utilities, as they can interfere with phone service and electrical lines. Avoid installing them within 50 feet of any utility ground rods, buried telephone lines, or buried water lines.
The grounding circuit is key to the proper functioning of your electric fence. When an animal bumps against the fence, the electrical charge passes through its body and continues through the earth to the grounding rod. From there, the charge travels up the ground wire to the grounding terminal of the charger or energizer. This process ensures that the fence is safe for both animals and people.
To ensure proper grounding of the controller, use the provided plug and insert it into an appropriate 120-volt outlet that complies with local codes. If the plug does not fit, consult an electrician to install a suitable outlet. If you need to use an extension cord, only use a polarized extension that can accept the plug. Protect all electrical connections from moisture, and regularly check the ground system and voltage during periods of wet and dry weather, as these conditions can impact the grounding.
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Use insulators with wood or metal posts
When building a Gallagher electric fence, it's important to use insulators with wood or metal posts. This is because wood and metal are conductive materials, and insulators will prevent the electricity from travelling through the post and into the ground. This transfer of electricity from the wire to the ground is called a fault, and it can cause the electric fence to malfunction. Faults can also be caused by other factors, such as wet grass growing too high and touching the wire, loose debris touching both the ground and the wire, broken insulators, or damage that causes the wires to fall and touch the ground.
To prevent faults, it is crucial to ensure that the fence wires do not touch the metal posts. High-quality insulators should be used, along with gate handles and insulator wrap with UV inhibitors. If you prefer to avoid using insulators, you can opt for specific types of wood posts that are designed for electric fence use without insulators.
In addition to insulators, connectors are necessary for tensioning the wire. Connectors help to keep the wire taut, terminate the wire at the end of a run, splice two lengths of wire together, and connect multiple strands to each other electrically. Reels are useful tools for storing and tensioning poly wire and tape.
When installing a Gallagher electric fence, it is important to consider the different components and tools required. By using insulators with wood or metal posts and ensuring proper connections, you can maintain the functionality and effectiveness of your electric fence.
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Choose the right gate
When it comes to choosing the right gate for your Gallagher electric fence, there are several options available. The decision depends on whether you need the gate to be electrified or not. If you don't require electrification, you can simply terminate the fence and restart it around the gate. This can be achieved using underground or lead-out cable.
However, if you do need an electrified gate, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can use a gate anchor, which is a simple and effective solution. Alternatively, a cut-out switch provides the ability to turn off the electricity temporarily, which can be useful in certain situations. Another option is to use a gate kit, such as the electric bungee gate, which offers a more comprehensive solution with additional features.
It's important to consider the materials used for your gate and fence. If you're using metal fence posts, ensure that the fence wires do not touch the posts, as this can cause electrical faults. In this case, insulators are necessary to prevent electricity from travelling through the post and into the ground. On the other hand, if you opt for specific types of wood posts designed for electric fence use, insulators may not be required, simplifying the setup.
Additionally, connectors are essential for tensioning the wire to keep it taut and secure. They also serve other purposes, such as terminating the wire at the end of a run and connecting multiple strands electrically. When choosing connectors, consider using wire clamps, wire connectors, and proper splices to ensure good connections and prevent corrosion and power loss.
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Use wire clamps, connectors, and splices
To ensure proper connections, use wire clamps, connectors, and splices. These are essential for preventing corrosion and reducing power loss on the fence. If you are using metal fence posts, make sure that the fence wires do not touch the posts. If you are using wood posts, ensure they are designed for electric fence use without insulators.
Wire clamps are necessary for attaching the insulated ground wire to the ground rod. Ensure that the clamp bites into the rod and ground wire securely. The ground wire should have a gauge of 10 to 14 and insulation rated from 600V to 20,000 volts.
Connectors are another essential component of your electric fence. They are needed to tension the wire to keep it taut, terminate the wire at the end of a run, splice two lengths of wire together, and connect multiple strands to each other electrically.
To install heavy high tensile wire without it kinking or bending, use a payout spinner or spinning jenny.
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Install a fence controller
To install a Gallagher fence controller, follow these steps:
Firstly, ensure that the controller is properly grounded to reduce the risk of electrical shock. AC line-operated controllers come with a polarized 2-blade attachment plug for use on a 120-volt circuit. Insert the plug into an appropriate outlet that complies with local codes and ordinances. The grounding of this product is typically achieved through a ground rod connected to the fence controller output ground terminal. A well-grounded fence controller is important to avoid high electric shock currents on the electrified fence. If the plug provided does not fit the outlet, consult an electrician to install a suitable outlet. If an extension cord is necessary, only use a polarized extension cord that can accept the plug for the unit, and always replace any damaged cords.
Secondly, install at least one 6-foot galvanized or copper ground rod within 20 feet of the fence controller. Utilize a ground rod clamp to securely attach the insulated ground wire to the ground rod, ensuring that the clamp bites into both the rod and the wire. The ground wire should have a gauge of 10 to 14 and insulation rated from 600 to 20,000 volts. For optimal results, install three ground rods into the earth, positioning each rod 6 feet deep and spacing them 10 feet apart. If possible, select areas with constant moisture for ground rod installation. It is important to avoid installing ground rods near utility ground rods, buried telephone lines, or water lines to prevent issues with stray voltage.
Thirdly, ensure proper connections by using wire clamps, wire connectors, and proper splices. This is crucial to prevent corrosion and reduce power loss on the fence. Utilize high-quality insulators, gate handles, and insulator wrap with UV inhibitors. If you are using metal fence posts, ensure that the fence wires do not touch the posts, as this can cause electricity to travel into the ground, creating a fault. Alternatively, consider using specific types of wood posts designed for electric fence use without the need for insulators.
Finally, install the fence controller under cover and protect all electrical connections from moisture. Use reels for storing and tensioning poly wire and tape. If your fence uses crimp connections, you will need a crimper and crimps. Fencing pliers will also be useful for cutting, bending, and forming wire.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need posts, insulators, and wire. If you are using a non-conductive material, such as plastic or fiberglass, for your posts, then insulators are not needed. You will also need connectors to tension the wire, keep it taut, and connect multiple strands to each other electrically.
You should install at least one 6-foot galvanized or copper ground rod within 20 feet of the fence controller. For optimal results, install three ground rods into the earth, each 6 feet deep and spaced 10 feet apart.
Reels are useful for storing and tensioning poly wire and tape. Fencing pliers will help to cut, bend, and form wire. A payout spinner or spinning jenny is useful to install heavy high tensile wire without it kinking or bending.
Ensure that the controller is properly grounded to reduce the risk of electrical shock. AC line-operated controllers come with a polarized 2-blade attachment plug for use on a 120-volt circuit. Insert the plug into an appropriate outlet that complies with local codes and ordinances.
Use wire clamps, wire connectors, and proper splices. Use high-quality insulators, gate handles, and insulator wrap with UV inhibitors for your fence.
