Wiktor Wise
Electric fences are used to keep animals contained and safe. However, they can malfunction, leading to animals escaping and getting injured. Therefore, it is essential to regularly test the electric fence energiser, which powers the fence. To test an electric fence energiser, you can use a dedicated electric fence voltmeter or a non-contact voltmeter to check for voltage. If using a voltmeter, touch the meter's probe to the ground wire or stick it into the soil if there isn't one. You can also consult the owner's manual to determine the correct voltage range for your fence. If the fence has insufficient voltage, you may need to check the battery or the energiser itself. A simple test for an outlet is to plug in a light to see if it works. By regularly testing and maintaining electric fences, you can ensure the safety and security of your animals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Testing device | Electric fence voltmeter, non-contact voltmeter, electric fence tester, battery charge meter, Zareba® Fence Doctor, low-voltage tester, circuit test light |
| Testing process | Disconnect the wires, measure voltage at the end of the fence line, check voltage on the energizer between the two terminals, check the entire length of the fence, check voltage on the ground wire, stick the meter's probe into the soil, check earthing, check for damage, check wire tension, check insulators, check fence posts, check gate handles |
| Voltage readings | Below 3000V: problem with the fence or energizer; 3000V-5000V: fence is working; 400V: system is sufficiently grounded; 400V-2000V: ground rod is leaking voltage; 2000V-10,000V: typical range for electric fences; 6000V or above: device is working correctly; 12.2V: lead acid battery can be recharged; 12.6V or above: lead acid battery is fully recharged; 12V: solar battery is properly energised; 6V or above: 6V or 6/12V battery is functioning |
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What You'll Learn
Using a voltmeter
To use 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. Keep the metal tip of the probe to the ground and, at the same time, hold the metal prong on the end of the voltmeter to a charged wire.
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. If you get a low voltage result, repeating the test closer to the charger may help you pinpoint where there is a problem. Even if the voltage reading is good on your first test, repeating the test in other locations will confirm the result.
Non-contact voltmeters are also available for purchase and are very simple to use. They do not require you to touch the fence wires. Stand within 5 feet of the electric fence and 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 light up or beep, the wire likely lacks a charge.
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Checking the voltage
To begin checking the voltage, start by measuring the voltage at the end of the fence line. If the voltage is below 3000V, you may need to check if the problem is with the fence or the energizer. Turn off the energizer and disconnect the wires going to the fence and ground rod system. Then, turn the energizer back on and measure the voltage on the energizer between the positive and negative terminals with your voltmeter. This will tell you how well the energizer is working without any other variables. If the reading is below 5000V, then the problem is likely with the energizer or the battery (if it's a battery/solar energizer).
If the voltage at the end of the fence line is above 5000V, then the issue is likely with your fence. Check if the battery (for solar and DC units) is the problem by testing it with a low-voltage tester. If the battery voltage is low, you may need to recharge or replace it. Re-attach the fence and ground wires to the energizer and turn it on, then walk along the fence to look for situations that are reducing the voltage, such as conductors touching another wire, a steel post, or the soil.
It is also important to ensure your electric fence has adequate grounding. Conventional fence systems rely on soil moisture to be effective, and without proper grounding, the fence's electrical circuit cannot be completed. Check if the soil is too dry and ensure that your energizer is properly earthed by placing an iron post against the fence 100 meters away from the energizer and creating a short circuit to reduce the voltage. If the voltage is more than 1500V lower than what you measured on your energizer, then the issue may be with the earthing.
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Testing the ground wire
- Start by standing near the part of the fence farthest from the fence charger. The fence charger, usually a small box, provides electricity to the fence.
- Identify the ground wire of the fence by checking the fence manual. If you are unsure or cannot locate the ground wire, contact the fence manufacturer or an electrician for assistance.
- Use a voltmeter or voltage tester to measure the voltage. You can purchase a voltmeter from most home improvement stores for $20 to $50.
- Hold the plastic part of the voltmeter's probe, ensuring you do not touch the metal tip with your fingers during the test.
- Touch the metal tip of the probe to the ground wire. If there is no ground wire, insert the metal tip of the probe into the soil near the fence.
- At the same time, touch the metal prong on the end of the voltmeter to a charged wire.
- The digital screen on the voltmeter will display the voltage. Compare this reading to the recommended voltage for your fence model, which you can find in the fence manual. Most electric fences have a voltage between 2,000 and 10,000 volts.
- Repeat the test on each fence wire, moving closer to the charger to find weak spots.
- If you get no reading or a low reading, there may be a problem with the ground wire connection or the energizer. Check that the connections are secure and the energizer is functioning properly.
By following these steps, you can effectively test the ground wire of your electric fence and ensure it is working correctly.
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Troubleshooting common issues
Troubleshooting Steps:
- Check Voltage at the Fence End: Use a fence tester to measure the voltage at the end of the fence line. If the voltage is below 3000V, proceed to the next steps for further diagnosis.
- Isolate the Issue: Turn off the energiser and disconnect the wires to the fence and ground rod system. Then, turn on the energiser and measure the voltage directly on it using a digital voltmeter or high-voltage tester. Touch one tester end to the negative terminal ("-") and the other to the positive terminal ("+"). If the reading is below 5000V, the energiser or the battery (in DC/solar units) may be faulty.
- Inspect for Shorts: Walk or drive along the fence, listening for snapping sounds, which indicate a "short". Shorts occur when a conductor is close to a grounded wire, metal objects, or vegetation, causing the fence voltage to drop. Inspect electric netting for similar issues.
- Check Connections: Ensure connections around gates are secure. Electrified gates can lose connection over time, and insulated wires under non-electric gates may deteriorate.
- Check Earthing: Place an iron post against the fence, some distance from the energiser, and create a short circuit to reduce voltage. If the voltage is more than 1500V lower than the energiser reading, the earthing may be inadequate.
- Test the Battery: If you suspect a battery issue, test it with a low-voltage tester. If the voltage is below 12.2 volts, recharge the battery.
- Check Power Source: If your fence has completely lost power, the issue may be with the power source or outlet. Test the outlet by plugging in another electrical device, and consult an electrician if needed.
- Grounding Issues: If you have inadequate grounding, install additional ground rods or make them deeper. Ensure the soil is not too dry, as moisture is essential for conventional fence systems to function effectively.
- Magnetic Fields: If wires are placed close together, magnetic fields can be created, drawing energy from the fence. Separate wires by about 30cm to address this issue.
- Use a Radio: An AM/SW radio can help identify faults. With the energiser on, listen for an audible "tick" every second. Faults will register as a loud "click", becoming louder as you get closer to the issue.
Remember to follow safety precautions and refer to product manuals for specific instructions related to your electric fence energiser.
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Maintaining the fence
Regularly test your electric fence to ensure it is functioning correctly. A well-maintained electric fence will keep your animals safe and secure.
Firstly, check your energiser is on. Push-button energisers must have their on/off switch activated. If you are using a hand-held tester, ensure the battery is charged, as a depleted 9V battery may give an inaccurate reading.
Next, measure the voltage at the end of the fence line. If the voltage is below 3000V, there may be an issue with the fence or the energiser. Turn off the energiser and disconnect the wires going to the fence and ground rod system. Then, turn the energiser back on and measure the voltage on the energiser between the two terminals (positive and negative) with a digital voltmeter or other high-voltage tester. If the tester reads below 5000V, then the energiser or the battery (if it is a battery/solar energiser) is likely the issue.
If the voltage is above 5000V, the issue is with your fence. Test the battery with a low-voltage tester and recharge if lower than 12.2 volts. Re-attach the fence and ground wires to the energiser and turn it on. Walk along the fence to check for situations that are reducing the voltage, such as conductors touching another wire, a steel post or the soil.
Listen for snapping sounds, which occur when a conductor is close to a grounded wire, metal objects, fallen branches, or vegetation causing a "short". Shorts cause fence voltage to collapse and allow animals to touch the fence without feeling pain.
Check the wire is properly tensioned to reduce the risk of entanglement and ensure the wire and insulators are intact. Make sure the electric fence posts are straight and undamaged, and check that the gate handles are still in one piece.
A well-earthed energiser will perform better than one with poor earthing. To check the earthing, place an iron post against the fence 100 meters away from the energiser and create a short circuit to reduce the voltage on your fence.
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Frequently asked questions
You can test an electric fence energiser by following these steps:
- Turn off the device and disconnect the fence at the red button.
- Turn the device back on and hold a tester against the end of the red button.
- Hold the end of the wire attached to your tester against the end of the green button, where the earthing is attached.
- If the voltage reads higher than 6000V, your device is working correctly.
You will need a fence tester or a voltmeter. A non-contact voltmeter will only tell you if the fence is on or off, whereas an electric fence voltmeter will give you specific voltage readings.
Electric fence voltages typically range from 2000 to 10,000 volts, depending on the type of animals they are meant to control.
There are a few things you can check if your electric fence is not working:
- Check the voltage of the energiser. If the voltage is below 3000V, the problem may be with the fence or the energiser.
- Check the battery. If the tester reads below 5000V, the problem may be with the battery.
- Check the ground wire is connected properly. Poor grounding is a major cause of electric fence malfunctions.
