Umair Gaines
Electric fences are used to keep livestock on pasture, but they can be extremely frustrating when they malfunction. To avoid this, it is important to regularly test your fence and address issues as they arise. You can use a voltmeter or voltage tester to check for voltage and troubleshoot problems. A non-contact voltmeter is a useful tool that can detect voltage without touching the fence wires, but it won't give you specific voltage readings. For that, you'll need an electric fence voltmeter, which typically costs between $20 and $50. To use it, stand near the part of the fence farthest from the charger and touch the metal tip of the probe to the ground wire or the ground, then touch the metal prong on the tester to a charged wire. Compare the voltage reading to your fence manual to ensure it's within the expected range of 2,000 to 10,000 volts. A well-functioning electric fence should deliver a minimum voltage of 4,000 to 5,000 volts, with 7,000 volts being ideal for goats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Voltmeter price | $20 to $50 |
| Voltmeter type | Electric fence voltmeter, non-contact voltmeter |
| Voltmeter features | Handheld meter with a digital readout, metal prong on top, attached metal probe at the end of a wire |
| Fence voltage range | 2,000 to 10,000 volts |
| Minimum voltage | 4,000 to 5,000 volts |
| Voltage for goats | 7,000 volts |
| Amps | Low (0-1) |
| Causes of power loss | Faulty power source, blown fuse, tripped breaker, faulty energizer |
| Causes of faulty grounding | Poor grounding with ground rods, insulator issues, hot wire connection with vegetation or brush |
| Causes of voltage loss | Heavy snow, rain, tall grass, branches, weeds, brush, damaged insulators |
| Outlet voltage | 105 to 125 volts |
| Solar battery voltage | 12 volts |
| 6-volt or 6/12-volt battery voltage | Minimum of 6 volts |
| Purpose of volts | Measure strength of electric shock |
| Purpose of joules | Measure energy delivered by electric fence pulse |
| Purpose of amps | Measure electrical current flowing through a circuit |
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What You'll Learn
Use a voltmeter to test voltage
To test an electric fence with a voltmeter, start by standing near the part of the fence farthest from the fence charger. Identify the ground wires of the fence by checking the fence manual. Hold the plastic part of the voltmeter’s probe, and use the metal tip to touch the ground wire. If there is no ground wire, touch the metal tip of the probe into the soil near the fence.
The digital screen on the voltmeter will display the voltage. Compare the voltage reading to your fence manual, which will tell you what the fence’s voltage should be. Most electric fences have a voltage of 2,000 to 10,000 volts.
Repeat these steps along the fence, moving closer to the charger, to find weak spots. You can buy a non-contact voltmeter, or non-contact voltage tester, for about $20 to $30 at most home improvement retailers. They’re easy to use and won’t require you to touch the fence wires.
Turn the non-contact voltmeter on and wait for a blinking red light on the tip. Stand within 5 feet of the electric fence. Point the blinking tip of the non-contact voltmeter toward the fence. The voltmeter may begin to glow with a steady red light and beep, indicating a charge. If not, slowly move closer to the fence. If the non-contact voltmeter still doesn’t remain lit up or beep, the wire likely lacks a charge.
Note that non-contact voltmeters don't give you any information about the amount of voltage; they only reveal if there is or isn't any voltage in the fence. Use an electric fence voltmeter if you want specific voltage readings.
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Test the entire length of the fence
Testing the entire length of an electric fence is important to ensure that it is functioning properly and to prevent animals from escaping. Electric fences are designed to deliver a minimum voltage of 4,000 to 5,000 volts, with 7,000 volts being ideal for goats. It is recommended that the voltage does not drop below 2,000 volts.
To test the entire length of the fence, start by standing near the section of the fence that is furthest from the charger, which is usually a small box that provides electricity to the fence. By checking the voltage at the furthest point, you can ensure that the proper voltage is flowing through the fence.
Use an electric fence voltmeter, which typically includes a handheld meter with a digital readout, a metal prong on top, and an attached metal probe at the end of a wire. Hold the plastic part of the voltmeter's probe and touch the metal tip to the ground wire. If there is no ground wire, insert the metal tip of the probe into the soil near the fence.
Keep the metal tip of the probe in contact with the ground wire or soil while touching the metal prong on the voltmeter to a charged wire. The digital screen on the voltmeter will display the voltage reading, which you can then compare to the voltage specified in your fence manual.
Repeat this process along the entire length of the fence, moving closer to the charger to identify any weak spots. This comprehensive testing will help you confirm that the fence is functioning effectively and consistently throughout its entire length.
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Check for common issues
Checking for voltage on an electric fence can help you identify common issues. Firstly, it is important to test the entire length of the fence to check for problems. Even if your initial test indicates that the fence is functioning, you should check along the entire fence to confirm your results.
You should also check your ground wire to ensure it is connected properly, as poor grounding is a major cause of electric fence malfunctions. If your fence model doesn't use a ground wire, stick the metal end of the probe several inches/centimetres deep into the soil.
If you have an outlet, a simple test is to plug in another electrical device to check if it works. If it doesn't, consult an electrician. The outlet should be delivering between 105 and 125 volts to the charger.
If you have a solar-powered fence, use your voltage tester to measure your battery voltage. If it is underperforming, you may need to replace it. A solar battery could also lose its charge after a long time without sunlight.
If you have a battery-operated, non-solar, DC fence charger, check your DC battery to see if it is delivering the appropriate charge.
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Compare readings to the manual
Once you have your voltage reading, it's important to compare it to the expected voltage outlined in your fence's manual. This will help you determine if your fence is functioning properly and safely.
The voltage of an electric fence can vary depending on its purpose and the animals it is meant to contain. Electric fences for livestock typically deliver a minimum voltage of 4,000 to 5,000 volts. For goats, 7,000 volts is recommended. The voltage should never drop below 2,000 volts, and amps should be low (0-1). If the voltage is too high, it could cause dangerous shocks to animals or humans who come into contact with the fence. Conversely, if the voltage is too low, animals may be able to escape through the fence without receiving a shock.
If your fence is consistently falling below or varying significantly from the expected voltage range, it indicates a potential problem. Common issues with electric fences include loss of power, faulty grounding, vegetation touching the fence, and damaged insulators.
Additionally, it's important to consider factors beyond voltage when evaluating the effectiveness of your electric fence. Joules, for example, measure the energy delivered by an electric fence pulse, taking into account both voltage and amperage. Amperage, or amps, refer to the amount of electrical current flowing through the circuit and can impact the strength of the shock delivered. While a high voltage is important, it does not guarantee an effective electric fence. Therefore, it's crucial to consult your fence's manual and consider multiple factors to ensure your fence is both safe and functional.
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Fence maintenance
Electric fences require regular maintenance to ensure they function properly and keep your animals or plants safe. Here are some tips to maintain your electric fence:
Seasonal Check-ups
Perform thorough check-ups on your electric fence at the beginning of each season. Seasonal changes can impact the functioning of your fence. For example, in fall, check for potential damage caused by summer, such as deteriorated plastic insulators due to UV ray exposure. Prepare for winter by loosening wire tension to prevent damage from snow and addressing issues with frozen ground impacting the ground system.
Vegetation Management
Keep fence lines trimmed and free of weeds or excess vegetation. Vegetation can touch the fence, causing a short circuit and reducing the fence's effectiveness. If maintaining complete weed control is challenging, consider investing in a more powerful charger to ensure the fence remains energised even through vegetation.
Voltage Testing
Regularly test the voltage of your electric fence to identify any issues. Use a voltmeter or voltage tester to check for voltage along the entire length of the fence. If you find inconsistent voltage readings or low voltage, investigate the cause, such as a broken insulator or wire. Refer to the owner's manual to determine the correct voltage range for your fence, typically between 2,000 and 10,000 volts depending on the type of animals you are containing.
Ground System Inspection
Ensure your ground system is adequate. Check that the ground hook-up wires are properly connected and that there are enough ground rods installed, especially in sandy, dry, or rocky soil. Frozen soil can also hinder the operation of your fence by reducing the conductivity of the ground.
Basic Function Understanding
Familiarise yourself with how an electric fence operates. Understand the basic circuit principle: the fence and ground terminals, the connection to fencing material and grounding rods, and how animals complete the circuit by touching the ground and fence simultaneously. This knowledge will help you identify and troubleshoot any issues with your electric fence.
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