Beatrice Lang
Electric fences are barriers that use electric shocks to deter humans and animals from crossing a boundary. They are used for agricultural purposes, animal control, and to protect high-security areas such as prisons and military installations. Electric fences can be made from smooth steel wire, synthetic webbing, or rope-like fencing materials woven with fine conducting wires. They can be powered by AC or DC energizers, with AC being more economical and DC running off batteries or solar panels. The voltage required depends on the type of animal being controlled, with more aggressive animals requiring higher voltages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To control a wide variety of animals and to protect high-security areas such as military installations or prisons |
| Function | Delivers a shock to the animal/human, training them to stay away from the fence |
| Fence Material | Smooth steel wire, synthetic webbing, rope-like fencing materials woven with fine conducting wires, barbed wire, or woven wire |
| Power Source | AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current) energizers, lead-acid or dry cell batteries, solar panels |
| Voltage Requirements | Varies depending on the animal/use case; for example, sheep and goats require 6,000 V, while pets only require 750 V |
| Installation | Does not require specialized tools; permanent electric fencing is cheaper and faster to construct than conventional fences |
| Grounding | Requires a properly installed ground circuit; a two-wire system can be used in areas with poor soil conditions |
| Safety | The electric current used is safe for animals and does not cause injury; electric fences are a psychological rather than physical barrier |
| Variants | "Stun-lethal" fences can deliver non-fatal and fatal shocks; invisible fences use buried electrified wires and shock collars for dogs |
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What You'll Learn
Electric fence design
Electric fences are used to control a wide variety of animals and are also used to protect high-security areas such as military installations or prisons. They are designed to deliver a shock to any animal or human that touches the fence and the ground simultaneously, thus completing an electrical circuit.
The design of an electric fence depends on the type of animal or human the fence is trying to control. For example, the voltage required for bulls is higher than that for cows, as bulls are more aggressive and have thicker hides. Similarly, sheep and goats require a higher voltage due to their wool and thick insulating coats. The voltage for horses should be lower, as they are intelligent and easy to control, and a fence made of politape, wire, or rope is less likely to injure them if they run through it.
The design of the electric fence also depends on the area to be fenced and the remoteness of its location. Electric fences can be hooked into a permanent electrical circuit or run by lead-acid or dry-cell batteries, or a smaller battery kept charged by a solar panel. The type of soil is also a factor in the design, as rocky and sandy areas require more joules than clay soil with more moisture.
The electric fence itself must be kept insulated from the earth and from any materials that will conduct electricity and ignite or short out the fence. Therefore, fencing must avoid vegetation and cannot be attached directly to wood or metal posts. Smooth steel wire is the material most often used for electric fences, ranging from fine thin wire to thicker, high-tensile wire. Woven wire or barbed wire fences can also be electrified but are more hazardous, especially if an animal becomes caught in the fencing material. In recent years, synthetic webbing and rope-like fencing materials woven with fine conducting wires have become available and are useful for areas requiring additional visibility or temporary fencing.
In addition to the physical design of the fence, the electric fence system must also be carefully designed. The fence charger, or energizer, is the heart of the system and must have enough power for the length of the fence and the animals being controlled. The ground circuit is also important, especially in areas with poor soil and grounding conditions, where a two-wire system may be necessary.
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Electric fence power sources
DC-powered fence chargers are suitable for shorter fences and offer low impedance features, but they cannot match the strength and distance of power delivery of AC chargers. Solar energizers are a good option for fences located far away from electrical outlets. They are powered by a smaller battery kept charged by a solar panel and are often used for temporary fencing.
Portable fence energizers are also available for temporary fencing and are powered solely by batteries. Lead-acid batteries can power several hundred meters of fence for several weeks on a single charge, while dry cell batteries are suitable for shorter periods.
To overcome issues with dry and sandy soil that reduce the effectiveness of the electric pulse, additional measures can be taken, such as using Pos/Neg nets, additional ground rods, or higher output energizers.
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Electric fence installation
Electric fences are used to control a wide variety of animals and are also used to protect high-security areas such as military installations or prisons. They are typically made of smooth steel wire, ranging from fine thin wire to thicker, high-tensile wire. They can also be made from synthetic webbing and rope-like fencing materials woven with fine conducting wires, or even barbed wire.
Before installing an electric fence, you should measure the amount of space you want to fence in. This will guide your choice of controller. You should also consider the type of animal you want to control or keep in, as this will impact the voltage and design of the fence. For example, bulls require a higher voltage than dairy cattle, as they are more aggressive.
There are two types of energizers: AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current). AC energizers are more economical, while DC energizers run off batteries and can be charged with solar panels. The type of soil you're building the fence on will determine the best energizer for your fence. For instance, if you're in a rocky, sandy area, you'll need more joules than if you're in an area with clay soil that holds more moisture.
When installing an electric fence, it's important to use proper installation techniques and items made for electric fencing. You will need to install a grounding rod that is 6 feet or longer and placed near your charger, leaving a few inches above the ground. You should also install a second grounding rod 10-20 feet from the first one. Attach your ground wire from the ground terminal on your charger to all grounding posts, securing it with grounding clamps. Install insulators to keep the electric current in the wires and away from the fence posts. Run the wire and connect to the posts, pulling it tight with a wire tensioner or cable puller. Be sure not to wrap the wire around the fence posts.
To test your electric fence, turn the charger on and use a voltmeter. Place the meter probe on the ground wire or rods and extend the meter lead wire as far away as possible. Attach to a wire probe and insert it into the soil. If the voltage reading exceeds 300 volts, add more ground rods until the voltage reads 300 or less. Generally, you will need one ground rod for each joule of output from your energizer.
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Electric fence safety
Electric fences are a powerful tool for farmers and security services alike, but they can pose a serious risk if not handled properly. Here are some key safety tips for anyone looking to install or interact with an electric fence:
Firstly, always be aware of the voltage requirements for your specific use case. Different animals require different voltages to be effectively contained or deterred. For example, bulls typically require a higher voltage (3,500 V) than horses (2,500 V) due to their more aggressive nature. Similarly, certain animals with thick coats or hooves that don't conduct electricity well may require higher voltages or a differently designed fence. It is important to do your research and consult experts to ensure you are using the correct voltage and fence design for your needs.
Secondly, it is crucial to have a properly installed ground circuit. The earth itself makes up half of the electric fence circuit, so ensuring good earth grounding is essential. In areas with poor soil conditions, a two-wire system can be used, with one wire electrically charged and the other acting as the ground. This system is also useful when alternating between "hot" and ground wires. It is important to keep the electrified wire insulated from the earth and any materials that will conduct electricity, such as vegetation, wood, or metal posts, to avoid shorting out the fence.
Thirdly, choose the right type of energizer for your fence. There are two main types: AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current). AC energizers are typically plugged into an electrical circuit, while DC runs off batteries or a solar panel. Consider the area you need to fence and its remoteness when choosing an energizer. If you opt for a battery-powered option, ensure you have enough power to cover the length of your fence and the animals you are dealing with.
Additionally, always exercise caution when installing or repairing an electric fence. Ensure the fence is well-designed and constructed to withstand pressure from animals, snow, and wind. Do not touch the fence while it is electrified, and follow all safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
Lastly, be mindful of your surroundings and any potential hazards. Electric fences can pose a risk to curious children or pets, so consider the likelihood of unintended individuals or animals coming into contact with the fence. If there is a high risk, additional safety measures such as warning signs or secondary barriers may be necessary.
By following these guidelines and staying informed about the specific requirements of your electric fence, you can help ensure the safety of yourself, your animals, and those around you.
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Electric fence use cases
Electric fences are used for controlling a wide variety of animals, from farm animals to wildlife. They are also used to protect high-security areas such as military installations and prisons.
Agricultural Use Cases
Electric fences are commonly used in agriculture to contain animals within a selected area of pasture or crop. They are also used to keep wild animals out and can be designed to control specific types of animals by adjusting the voltage. For example, higher voltages are required for sheep and goats due to their insulating wool and fur. Horses, on the other hand, can be controlled with lower voltages, and a fence made of politape, wire, or rope is recommended to prevent injury if they become spooked and attempt to run through it.
Electric fences are also used to protect gardens and landscapes from animal damage. They are ideal for grazing or pasture management and can be used for both permanent and temporary fencing solutions.
Residential Use Cases
In certain regions with high crime rates, such as South Africa, electric fences are commonly used as a security measure for residential homes. The City of Johannesburg, for example, promotes the use of palisade fencing over opaque walls as it provides better visibility and makes it harder for criminals to hide.
Security Use Cases
Electric fences are often employed to protect high-security areas, including military installations and prisons. In some cases, stun-lethal" electric fences are used, delivering a non-fatal shock on the first contact and a fatal one if touched a second time. These fences have been implemented in several US state prisons.
Pet Containment
Electric fences can also be used for pet containment, with above-ground electric fences suitable for larger animals like cows, horses, and goats, while buried-wire invisible fences are recommended for smaller animals like dogs and cats.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric fences are made of smooth steel wire, ranging from fine thin wire to thicker, high-tensile wire. They can also be made from barbed wire or woven wire, though this is less common and can be more hazardous. Electric fences also require a power energiser, which converts power into a brief high-voltage pulse.
A two-wire electric fence system is used when there is poor soil and poor earth grounding. One wire is electrically charged, while the other acts as earth ground.
A "stun-lethal" electric fence is 12 feet high and delivers a non-fatal shock if touched once, and a fatal one if touched a second time. They is commonly used in high-security areas such as prisons.
Permanent electric fences are often used in agricultural areas as they are cheaper and faster to construct than conventional fences. They use plain wire and lighter construction as they do not need to physically restrain animals.
Invisible electric fences are electrified wires buried underground that are used to contain pets within a certain area. They are used in conjunction with a shock collar that the animal wears, which activates when the animal gets close to the wire.
