Molly Ayala
Electric fences are a useful tool for farmers who want to keep their animals safe and contained, as well as to keep intruders out. Electric fences can be set up in a few different ways, depending on your needs. For example, if you require a portable fence, lightweight equipment such as polywire and tape, plastic posts, and battery-powered energizers are necessary. On the other hand, if you need a permanent fence, you should invest in high-quality insulators, self-insulating electro-wood, or wooden posts. This guide will take you through the process of setting up your own electric fence, including choosing the right equipment, installing the fence, and maintaining its functionality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Keep animals safe and contained within the fence, as well as to keep intruders out |
| Fence type | Portable or permanent |
| Animals | Horses, cattle, sheep, or livestock |
| Fence material | Lightweight equipment such as polywire and tape, plastic posts, battery-powered energizers, reels, high-quality insulators, self-insulating electro-wood, or wooden posts |
| Fencing wire | Steel wire, polywire, electro-rope, or tape |
| Fence charger | Electric, solar, battery, or voltage-powered |
| Grounding system | Minimum of three 6' galvanized steel rods placed 10' apart, linked by one wire that leads to the energizer |
| Tools | Reels, crimper and crimps, fencing pliers, payout spinner or spinning jenny, testers |
| Soil | Moist and of good quality |
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What You'll Learn
- Planning: Measure the space and choose the right fencing materials
- Installation: Attach ground wire to grounding posts and secure with clamps
- Power source: Choose an energizer based on fence length, vegetation, and animal type
- Safety: Ensure good grounding to avoid faults and electrocution
- Maintenance: Check the fence daily and use testers to detect and correct faults
Planning: Measure the space and choose the right fencing materials
Planning an electric fence requires careful consideration of the space you want to fence and the selection of appropriate fencing materials. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the planning process:
Measure the Space
Start by measuring the perimeter of the area you want to enclose with your electric fence. This can be done by simply walking the distance and counting your steps or using a GPS device to get a more accurate measurement. Knowing the length of the fence will help you determine the amount of fencing material needed and guide your choice of controller and energizer.
Choose the Right Fencing Materials
The type of fencing materials you choose will depend on whether you need a portable or permanent fence. If you require a portable fence for temporary pastures, lightweight materials such as polywire, tape, plastic posts, and battery-powered energizers are suitable. Reels are also useful for storing and tensioning polywire and tape. On the other hand, if you need a permanent fence, invest in high-quality insulators, self-insulating electro-wood, or wooden posts.
Determine the Type of Animals
Different types of animals require specific considerations when it comes to electric fencing. For horses, highly visible conductors such as rope and tape are recommended. Slower-moving animals like cattle and sheep can be effectively contained with steel wire or polywire. If you're fencing in livestock, consider using high-tensile wire for added security.
Select the Appropriate Energizer
The energizer is a crucial component of your electric fence, creating the electric pulse that travels through the fence. Choose an energizer based on factors such as fence length, vegetation on the conductors, fencing material, animal type, and the availability of a 230-volt power source. For a permanent fence, a wet battery-powered energizer is a good option, while a dry battery-powered energizer is more suitable for fences that need to be moved frequently.
Consider Additional Components
In addition to the fencing materials and energizer, you'll need to think about other components such as corner braces, fence posts, and gates. Calculate the number of corner braces needed based on the number of lines you plan to use. Determine whether your gate needs to be electrified and choose an appropriate option, such as an electric bungee gate or a leadout cable.
By carefully measuring the space and considering the specific requirements of your project, you can choose the right fencing materials and components to build a safe and effective electric fence.
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Installation: Attach ground wire to grounding posts and secure with clamps
To install an electric fence, you will need to attach your ground wire from the ground terminal on your charger to all grounding posts. You will need to secure the wire to the posts with grounding clamps. This is a critical step in ensuring your electric fence works effectively, as a good grounding system is essential for the energizer to function properly. Poor grounding is the cause of 90% of the problems electric fence users experience.
The grounding wire should be attached to the grounding terminal on your energizer or charger. This wire will then need to be connected to each of the grounding posts. It is important to use grounding clamps specifically designed for this purpose to ensure the wire is securely attached to the posts.
When attaching the wire, start at the post furthest from the charger and work your way back towards it. Use a wire tensioner or cable puller to pull the wire tight, ensuring it is as taut as possible without risking snapping. Do not wrap the wire around the fence posts, as this can interfere with the electrical current.
If you are using wooden or metal posts, insulators will also need to be installed on the posts before attaching the wire. This is to prevent electricity from travelling from the wire directly into the ground, which is known as a fault. Faults can also be caused by factors such as wet grass or loose debris touching the wire, so it is important to keep the area around the wire clear and maintain your electric fence regularly.
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Power source: Choose an energizer based on fence length, vegetation, and animal type
When building an electric fence, it is crucial to select an appropriate energizer. The energizer creates an electric pulse that travels through the fence and into the body of any animal that touches it. The type of energizer you require depends on several factors, including the length of your fence, the amount and type of vegetation present, the type of fencing material, and the animal you are fencing in or out.
Firstly, consider the length of your fence. Longer fences will require a more powerful energizer to ensure the electric pulse is strong enough to travel the entire length of the fence. Measure the space you want to fence in by counting your steps or using a GPS device. This measurement will guide you in choosing the right energizer and controller.
Secondly, take into account the amount and type of vegetation that may come into contact with the fence. Vegetation can cause faults in the electric circuit, interrupting the flow of electricity. Wet grass, loose debris, and overgrown plants can all cause issues. Ensure your energizer is powerful enough to overcome these potential interruptions.
Thirdly, the type of fencing material you use will impact your choice of energizer. Different materials have varying electrical conductivity, so consider whether you will use high-tensile wire, polywire, electro-rope, or tape. For example, steel wire or polywire is suitable for slower-moving animals like cattle and sheep, while horses typically require highly visible conductors like rope and tape.
Lastly, the type of animal you are fencing in or out will influence the choice of energizer. Different animals have varying sensitivities to electric shocks, so the energizer's strength and pulse settings should be adjusted accordingly. Ensure that the electric pulse is strong enough to act as a deterrent without causing harm to the animal.
You can choose from various energizer power sources, including mains-powered, dry battery-powered, and wet battery-powered options. Mains-powered energizers are located inside buildings, provide a consistent power source, and are low-cost to operate. Dry battery-powered energizers are ideal for portable fences that are frequently moved, while wet battery-powered energizers are suitable for permanent or infrequently moved fences.
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Safety: Ensure good grounding to avoid faults and electrocution
Safety should be a top priority when installing an electric fence. Proper electrical grounding is essential to ensure safety and prevent faults and electrocution. Grounding helps protect the system from electrical shock, electrocution, fires, and other hazards. When electrical devices are grounded, excess electrical energy flows through the grounding wire instead of passing through people or objects.
To ensure good grounding, it is crucial to install a grounding system that includes grounding rods and a grounding wire connected to the electric fence controller. A minimum grounding system consists of three 6-foot galvanized steel rods placed 10 feet apart, linked by a wire that leads to the energizer. Additional ground rods may be needed for larger energizers. Small, portable fences may use a single 3-foot ground rod with a T-handle for easier installation and removal. The ground wire should be attached from the ground terminal on the charger to all grounding posts, secured with grounding clamps.
It is also important to consider the type of fence being installed. If installing a low-impedance fence, insulate the ground wire to prevent electrical interference and ensure proper grounding. For high-impedance fences, insulation may not be necessary. Consult a professional to determine the best approach for your specific situation.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of an electric fence depends on the quality of the soil. Moist soil is crucial as it helps electricity flow better and makes the fence harmonious with the ground. However, significant amounts of rain or snow can affect the fence's ability to work properly, so it is important to check the ground system and voltage during extremely wet or dry weather.
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Maintenance: Check the fence daily and use testers to detect and correct faults
Maintenance is key to keeping your electric fence functioning properly and ensuring the safety of your animals and plants. It is important to check your fence daily and use testers to detect and correct faults.
Daily Checks
Most electric fence chargers include a voltage meter or an indicator light that shows whether the fence is active. If your charger does not have this feature, you can purchase electric fence indicator lights to place along the fence wires. If you notice any issues, walk the perimeter of your fence and check for any grass, shrubs, or vegetation that may be interfering. Vegetation that touches an electric fence can cause a short, wasting electricity and robbing the fence of power. Keep your fence lines trimmed and free of weeds to prevent this.
Using Testers to Detect Faults
If you suspect something is wrong with your electric fence, it is important to test and troubleshoot it. You can test your fence with a multimeter, non-contact voltmeter, or Zareba® Fence Doctor. To test your fence with a voltmeter, stand within 5 feet of the fence and point the blinking tip of the voltmeter toward it. If the voltmeter does not glow with a steady red light or beep, slowly move closer to the fence. If the voltmeter still does not light up or beep, the wire likely lacks a charge. Repeat this process to check for faulty wires all over the fence. You can also use a Zareba® Fence Doctor to read the voltage on the ground wire. If the voltage is over 400 volts, your ground rod is leaking too much voltage, and you will need to add extra ground rods or make them deeper.
Correcting Faults
If your fence has completely depowered, your battery or power source may be at fault. Try plugging another electrical device, such as a light, into the outlet to check if the outlet is functioning. If the other device does not power up properly, consult an electrician. If your fence has a short, walk your fence line and check that all hook-up wires are firmly attached and that the jumpers between lines are connected properly.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a fence charger, or energizer, that converts power into voltage. The energizer should be placed inside a building and connected to the ground terminal on your charger and all grounding posts. You will also need posts, which can be made of wood, metal, or plastic. If you use wood or metal posts, you will also need insulators to keep the electricity from travelling from the wire through the post and into the ground. You will also need wire, which can be made of rope, tape, or polywire.
The type of electric fence you build depends on what you need it for. If you need a portable fence, purchase lightweight equipment such as polywire and tape, plastic posts, and battery-powered energizers. If you need a permanent fence, purchase high-quality insulators, self-insulating electro-wood, or wooden posts. High-tensile wire should be used to fence livestock while electro-rope and tape work well for horses.
First, measure the amount of space you want to fence in. Decide whether you will need a gate and, if so, what type. Purchase enough wire for your area and attach your ground wire from the ground terminal on your charger to all grounding posts. Run the wire and connect to the posts using connector clamps, pulling the wire tight with a wire tensioner or cable puller. Be sure to pull the wire tight, but not so tight that it snaps. Turn the charger on and use a voltmeter to test the lines.
