Umair Gaines
Electric fences are used on farms, homesteads, and even private buildings for security. They can stop working due to broken parts or electrical problems. Before assuming that your electric fence energiser is broken, check for any downed or broken wires or loose debris along the length of the fence that could be grounding the current. If there are no obvious issues, check the fence energiser. Disconnect the fence connection from the turned-off energiser and switch on the device. Check with a fence tester whether the output voltage is over 6000V. If it is, reconnect the device to the fence. If not, check the power supply of the energiser. If the power supply is fine, the problem could be a corroded terminal, AC circuit breaker, dead batteries, or a blown input circuit fuse.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First steps | Check for any obvious external influences, such as downed or broken wire or loose debris. |
| Safety | Always unplug the source of electricity and disconnect the ground wires feeding into the controller box before attempting any repairs. Wear insulated gloves and rubber boots. |
| Troubleshooting | Use a fence tester to check the output voltage. If the voltage is below 6,000 volts, the fence cable may be disturbed. If the voltage is above 6,000 volts, the problem is with the energiser. |
| Common issues | Vegetation touching the fence, conductor material in contact with the ground, broken insulators, broken metal conductor wires, short circuits, blown fuses, corroded terminals, dead batteries. |
| Repairs | Remove any debris touching the fence. Cut back trees and grass. Replace broken insulators and conductor wires. Fix short circuits. Replace blown fuses. |
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What You'll Learn
Check for power supply issues
Before assuming that your electric fence energizer is faulty, it is important to check for any trouble spots along the fence. Walk the length of the fence to check for any downed or broken wires, loose debris, or vegetation touching the wires. Any of these issues can ground the current, causing the fence to stop working. If you spot any issues, repair or clean them up before attempting to replace the energizer.
If no external issues are found, the next step is to check the power supply of the energizer. First, disconnect the fence connection from the turned-off energizer, but keep the ground connection intact. Then, switch on the device and use a fence tester to check if the output voltage is over 6,000 volts. If the voltage is above 6,000 volts, the energizer is functioning correctly, and you can reconnect it to the fence.
If the voltage is below 6,000 volts, there may be an issue with the supply line. For underground supply lines, check for damage to the underground cable. For overground supply lines, look for discharges between the fence energizer and the electric fence, such as contact with the building through ivy, bushes, or gutters. If you find any discharges, remove the cause and then retest the voltage.
If the voltage is still below 6,000 volts, you may need to recharge or replace the battery in the energizer. A 12V battery energizer should be able to jump a gap of 2-4mm, and you should hear an audible click if it is working. If the power supply appears to be functioning correctly, it is recommended to call a specialist to check the 230V supply.
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Inspect for physical damage
Inspecting for physical damage is a crucial step in troubleshooting issues with your electric fence energiser. Here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:
Begin by disconnecting the fence connection from the energiser, ensuring the device is turned off. It's important to leave the ground connection intact during this step. This simple precaution will safeguard you from potential electric shocks.
Now, grab your trusty fence tester and switch on the energiser. It's time to test the output voltage. A reading of over 6000V indicates that your energiser is functioning correctly and can be reconnected to the fence. However, if the reading falls short of this benchmark, it's time to delve deeper.
Low voltage or a complete absence of voltage points to a problem with the energiser. If you encounter this issue, it's recommended to check the power supply. Start by considering simple solutions, such as recharging or replacing the battery. If this doesn't rectify the issue, it may be prudent to consult a specialist to assess the 230V supply.
Keep an eye out for visual cues, such as a flashing red LED or a non-lit LED on the energiser, as these can be telltale signs of underlying problems. If you can't identify any issues with the power supply, it's time to escalate your investigation to the next level.
The next step is to scrutinise the supply line to the fence. Measure the fence voltage at the endpoint of the supply line. If the voltage reading is below 6000V, it's likely that the supply line is disturbed. In the case of an underground supply line, this could indicate damage to the underground cable. Ensure that you're using a high-voltage underground cable to mitigate this issue.
For an overground supply line, the problem could be discharges between the fence energiser and the electric fence. Vegetation, such as ivy or bushes, could be the culprit. Remove any offending foliage and then retest the voltage.
If the voltage reading is still unsatisfactory, it's time to test the earthing. To do this, short-circuit the fence wire at a distance of approximately 10 metres from the grounding using iron rods. Then, utilise a digital voltmeter to check the voltage directly at the grounding post. If the voltage at the earth rod is below 1000 volts, you can be confident that the grounding is functional, and the issue lies elsewhere.
In the absence of any identifiable external influences, it's prudent to focus your attention on the fence energiser itself. This component is integral to the proper functioning of your electric fence, so it's worth taking the time to thoroughly inspect it for any signs of physical damage.
Remember to exercise caution and prioritise your safety throughout the troubleshooting process.
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Test the voltage
To test the voltage of your electric fence, you will need a voltmeter or a fence tester. You can also use a small AM/SW radio to check for short circuits. If you don't have access to any of these tools, you can use a screwdriver as a "gross check" for voltage output.
First, ensure that the power to the electric fence is switched off. Then, disconnect the fence connection from the energizer, but do not disconnect the ground connection. Switch on the energizer and check the output voltage. If you are using a radio, listen for an audible "tick" every second. If you are using a voltmeter or fence tester, you are looking for a reading of over 6,000 volts. If the voltage is below 6,000 volts, the fence cable is disturbed. This could be due to an underground cable that has been damaged or discharges between the fence energizer and the electric fence.
If the voltage is under 5,000 volts, the problem lies with the energizer. Common issues include a corroded terminal, AC circuit breaker, dead batteries, or a blown input circuit fuse. If the voltage is over 6,000 volts, the problem is with the fence. The most common issue is that the lowest "hot" strand has been caught around one of the metal spikes on the posts, causing a short circuit.
If you are using a screwdriver, draw an electrical arc between the two terminals. A 220v energizer should jump a gap of 3-5mm, while a 12v battery energizer should jump a gap of 2-4mm. If there is an audible click, the energizer is likely working. If there is no click, try attaching the input cords to a nearby vehicle's battery.
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Identify short circuits
Before attempting to identify short circuits in your electric fence energiser, it is important to take safety precautions. Always use insulated gloves and rubber boots to protect yourself while troubleshooting and fixing your electric fence. Additionally, exercise caution when working with high voltage devices and ensure that the power to the electric fence is switched off before starting any repairs.
To identify short circuits in your electric fence energiser, you can use an AM radio to check for interference with the radio signal. If you detect any interference, it indicates a potential short circuit in that specific area of the fence. Walk along the fence to localise the issue.
Another method to identify short circuits is to use a voltmeter, which can help you measure voltage levels and identify any discrepancies that could indicate a short circuit. Check the wiring for any signs of damage, such as broken or loose wires, debris, or damaged insulators. Ensure that the connectors are correctly wired and there are no exposed wires that could cause a short circuit.
Additionally, inspect the fence for any signs of electrical surge or burnouts. Look for flashes of electricity, sparks, or a burnt smell. These could indicate a short circuit or other electrical issues. If you suspect a short circuit, disconnect the energiser and inspect the components for any damage or corrosion.
It is important to note that electric fence energisers can be complex systems, and troubleshooting short circuits may require specialised knowledge. If you are unsure or uncomfortable performing these checks, it is advisable to consult a professional or an expert in electric fence maintenance.
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Replace the energiser
Before replacing your electric fence energiser, it is important to check for any other possible issues. Start by unplugging the source of electricity to your fence and disconnecting the ground wires that feed into your controller box. Walk the length of the fence and check for any downed or broken wires or loose debris that might be causing the problem. If you spot any issues, clean or repair them before attempting to replace the energiser.
If no issues are found, turn off the energiser and disconnect the fence from it. Then, connect it to an electric fence tester to see if it gets any readings. If there are none, the problem could be a corroded terminal, AC circuit breaker, dead batteries, or a blown input circuit fuse.
If you have established that the energiser is faulty and needs to be replaced, start by removing the old energiser unit and placing the new one into the charger. Place the brackets back on to secure the unit. Attach the hot wire to the new charger, and then attach the ground wire with the electricity still turned off.
Finally, reconnect the energiser to the fence and inspect it carefully. Look out for any signs of electric surge or burnouts, and be alert to any flashes of electricity or flames that could spark. If you notice any of these issues, disconnect the energiser immediately and work to identify and fix the problem.
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Frequently asked questions
Check for any signs of electric surge or burnouts, flashes of electricity or flames, or a burnt smell coming from the fence. If you notice any of these, disconnect the energiser immediately. You can also use a fence tester to check if the output voltage is over 6000V. If there is a very low voltage (under 5000V) or no voltage, then the energiser is faulty.
There are two main reasons your electric fence might not be working: no power to your fence wires or the power is not strong enough. Walk the length of your fence and check for any breakages, loose wires, or debris touching the wires. Check for damaged insulators and line breaks.
First, turn off the power to the electric fence. Then, remove anything that is broken and replace it with a new part. If the post has come loose, replace the post and reinforce the hole. If the wire needs replacing, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and ensure the insulators are in the correct position and that the wire is grounded.
You will need a voltmeter, a pair of insulated gloves, and rubber boots. You will also need replacement electrical parts, such as energisers, crimps, insulators, splicers, drive caps, and ground rods. For replacement fence parts, you will need wire, staples, spring gate, gate handles, fence flags, and posts. You will also need tools such as a crimping tool, gripple tensioners, wire cutters, and two-bolt clamps.
