Molly Ayala
Electric fences are designed to prevent animals from accessing or exiting a particular area. They are regulated to ensure they operate safely, and laws prohibit the use of electric fences unless the current is limited and regulated by an energizer controller. Despite high voltages of over 5000 volts, electric fences are much safer than one might assume. This is due to the low amperage of the current, which is usually around 120 milliamps. Modern fence energizers use low-impedance circuitry, which results in a controlled voltage delivery and a shorter shock pulse. The pulsating current in electric fences is also safer than a continuous supply, as it allows animals or people to remove themselves from the source of electricity. The muscle contraction caused by the shock is transitory, and the affected animal or person can retreat from the fence. The voltage required for an electric fence depends on various factors, such as the type of livestock and the length and construction of the fence.
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What You'll Learn
Electric fence safety
Electric fences are used to protect livestock and domestic pets by preventing them from leaving a designated area and by deterring predators from entering. They can also be used to protect human properties. While they are generally safe, they are not without risks. Here are some safety tips to consider when dealing with electric fences:
Installation and Maintenance
It is important to ensure that electric fences are properly installed and maintained. Most problems with electric fence safety originate in the initial design or installation of the fence system. Poor grounding is the leading cause of fence problems and can also interfere with electronic devices such as radios, telephones, and televisions. Most fences require at least three grounding rods spaced 6 to 10 feet apart. The length of the fence line, geological conditions, and the capacity of the equipment are also factors that should be considered.
Signage and Communication
Clear signage and communication are crucial in preventing accidental misuse and injuries. Install high-visibility markers on your electric fence lines, especially where they run close to roads and property lines. Communicate the locations of cut-off switches in case of an emergency and ensure that they are easily accessible.
Body Contact
Avoid body contact with live strands, especially at the head, neck, and back. While the joule rating should be low enough not to cause serious injury, this is an unnecessary exposure to risk. Injuries can occur when electric circuits malfunction, and you may inadvertently teach animals not to respect the fence.
Voltage and Current
Understanding the difference between voltage and current is key to ensuring safety. Voltage is responsible for carrying the electrical pulse through the animal's skin or hide to the nerves. A higher voltage is required for animals with thick coats or wool as they provide insulation against shock. However, the current or amplification (amps) is more important when it comes to safety. A high voltage with a low current will result in a painful but non-lethal shock, whereas a lower voltage with a high current can be lethal. Electric fences generally have a very small amount of current before the voltage drops off, which is why they are relatively safe.
Alternative Fencing Options
Consider alternatives to electric fencing, especially in areas where animals are in close confinement. Woven wire field fences, for example, make a durable and cost-effective option that can be reinforced with electric wire to keep large predators away.
Compliance with Regulations
If you are installing an electric fence, it is important to comply with the relevant regulations and safety standards. For example, existing laws prohibit the sale, installation, or use of an electrified fence unless the electrical current is limited and regulated by an electrical controller that meets specified standards. All energizers must also pass a range of safety directives and electromagnetic compatibility directives before they can be sold.
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Voltage vs. joules
Electric fences work by delivering a non-lethal shock to any animal that comes into contact with the wires. The effectiveness of an electric fence depends on several factors, including volts, joules, and amps.
Volts
Volts measure the strength of the electric shock delivered to the animal touching the fence. The higher the voltage, the stronger the shock. Voltage is responsible for carrying the electrical pulse through the animal’s skin or hide to the nerves. When the fence has a low load, minimal amperage is needed, so thin conductive materials like stainless-steel twine wires are sufficient. Even a unit with just 0.10 output joules can be effective if voltage is maintained.
Joules
Joules, on the other hand, measure the energy delivered by an electric fence pulse. This calculation takes into account both the voltage and the amperage of the pulse and determines the distance the pulse can travel along the fence wire while still delivering an effective shock. Joules represent the energy needed to push voltage down the fence line and through vegetation or resistance. Think of joules as the “horsepower” moving the current. Fence length and construction type should dictate the required output joules. A common rule of thumb is one output joule per mile of fence.
Amps
Amps measure the amount of electrical current flowing through a circuit and are used to measure the amount of current that flows through the animal’s body when it comes into contact with the fence.
While higher output is generally beneficial, excessive energy can lead to induction, which happens when voltage unintentionally powers nearby gates or neutral wires. This occurs if the energizer is too large for the system and creates an expanded electrical field that reaches unintended components. For fences with underground cables or heavy vegetation, a powerful charger paired with 12½-gauge wire is ideal. Materials like aluminum-clad, high-tensile steel offer excellent conductivity and durability for long lines under load. It’s important to understand that output joules, not stored joules, determine fence performance. Many manufacturers list high stored joules, but what truly matters is how much energy reaches the fence after passing through the output transformer. Output joules typically equal about 70% of stored joules.
While voltage is an important factor in electric fencing, joules are actually more important for determining the effectiveness of the fence. Joules take into account factors like resistance, distance, and vegetation, which voltage alone does not. The higher the joules, the more energy the energizer can deliver to the fence, which results in a stronger and more effective shock. The joule rating determines the power of the shock, which ultimately determines whether the fence is effective at containing or excluding animals.
To deliver an effective shock, a fence must maintain a minimum of 3,000 volts. However, the voltage required may vary depending on the type of animal. For example, sheep and goats typically require a higher voltage of 4,000-5,000 V due to their thick insulating coats. On the other hand, pets require a lower voltage of 700-1,000 V.
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Electric fence chargers
Voltage, measured in volts, is the electrical potential or voltage across a conductor. In the context of electric fences, voltage is responsible for carrying the electrical pulse through an animal's skin or hide to its nerves. A minimum voltage of 3,000 volts is generally recommended to deliver an effective shock. However, the required voltage may vary depending on the type of animal and the thickness of its coat. For example, sheep and goats, which have thick insulating coats, require a higher voltage of 4,000 to 5,000 volts. On the other hand, pets and small nuisance animals may only need 700 to 2,000 volts.
Joules, on the other hand, represent the energy needed to push the voltage down the fence line and through any vegetation or resistance. They can be thought of as the "horsepower" moving the current. While higher output is generally beneficial, excessive energy can lead to induction, where voltage unintentionally powers nearby gates or neutral wires. Therefore, it is important to consider both the voltage and joules when selecting an electric fence charger to ensure effective livestock control.
There are several reputable brands of electric fence chargers available in the market, such as Speedrite and Patriot. Speedrite offers a range of low impedance energizers that can be powered by a 110-volt line input or a 12-volt battery. Patriot electric fence energizers also offer a variety of power sources, including AC (110V), battery, and solar options. When choosing an electric fence charger, it is important to consider factors such as the length of the fence, the number of wires, and the type of animal being contained or excluded.
In addition to voltage and joules, other safety considerations come into play when using electric fences. Unlike household circuits, electric fences do not typically have fuses to prevent short circuits. Therefore, it is important to understand that electric fences can only provide a small amount of current before the voltage drops off, minimizing the risk of electrical injury. Additionally, electric fences use DC power, which our bodies can tolerate in short pulses, further enhancing the safety of these systems.
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Voltage requirements
Electric fences are designed to prevent animals from accessing or exiting a particular area. They are regulated to ensure they operate safely and are considered to be much safer than one might assume. To deliver an effective shock, a fence must maintain at least 3,000 volts. However, the voltage requirements may vary depending on several factors.
The voltage requirements for electric fences can vary depending on the type of animal being contained or excluded. For example, sheep, goats, wolves, coyotes, deer, elk, and llamas typically require higher voltages ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 volts due to their thick insulating coats or fur. On the other hand, pigs, pets, and small nuisance animals may only need 700 to 2,000 volts. Additionally, the voltage requirements may differ based on the specific breed or behaviour of the animal. For instance, bulls tend to require higher voltages than dairy cattle, as they are more aggressive and have a better memory for avoiding electric fences.
The soil type and forage cover can also impact the voltage requirements. Arid conditions with dry ground thatch may insulate the feet of lighter animals, requiring different considerations compared to wet ground conditions. The length of the fence is another factor, as longer fences may need more voltage to maintain effectiveness.
The amount of vegetation on the fence can affect voltage requirements. Heavy vegetation loads may require higher voltages to keep the vegetation under control and maintain the effectiveness of the fence. The maintenance plan, such as whether the fence lines will be sprayed or weeded, should also be considered.
The type of conductor or wire used will also influence the voltage requirements. For example, thin conductive materials like stainless-steel twine wires are sufficient when the fence has a low load and minimal amperage. However, for fences with underground cables or heavy vegetation, a more powerful charger and thicker gauge wire may be necessary. Materials like aluminum-clad, high-tensile steel offer excellent conductivity and durability for long lines under load.
It is important to note that while higher output can be beneficial, excessive energy can lead to induction, where voltage unintentionally powers nearby gates or neutral wires. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the specific circumstances and requirements of the electric fence to determine the appropriate voltage range.
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Voltage and amperage
Electric fences use high voltage but low amperage. The voltage on an electric fence can vary depending on the type of animal it is designed to contain or exclude. For example, electric fences designed to contain bulls or goats require a higher voltage (4000-5000 volts) due to their thick, insulating coats. On the other hand, fences meant for pets or small nuisance animals can have a lower voltage of 700-2000 volts. To deliver an effective shock, a fence must maintain at least 3000 volts.
Voltage is responsible for carrying the electrical pulse through the animal’s skin or hide to the nerves. The higher the voltage, the more effective the shock will be. However, excessive energy can lead to induction, where voltage unintentionally powers nearby gates or neutral wires. Therefore, it is important to consider the type of livestock and the fence load when determining the voltage needed for an electric fence.
Amperage, or amperes, refers to the strength of the electrical current flowing through the fence. While voltage is high in electric fences, amperage is kept very low, usually around 120 milliamps. This low amperage is what makes electric fences relatively safe, as a higher amperage could be deadly. The low amperage also allows animals or people to remove themselves from the source of electricity, reducing the risk of injury.
The power output of the energizer determines the amperage of an electric fence. Energizers can usually supply a maximum of 50 watts of power. The amperage will depend on the voltage and the amount of power being supplied. For example, if you touch a 10000-volt line that can supply arbitrary amounts of power, you will pull 100 milliamps through your body, which can be deadly. However, the small power output of an electric fence energizer means that the amperage is limited and not enough to cause serious harm.
In addition to voltage and amperage, other factors such as soil type, forage cover, fence length, maintenance plan, and type of conductor can also affect the performance of an electric fence. It is important to consider all these variables when designing and maintaining an effective electric fence system.
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Frequently asked questions
To deliver an effective shock, an electric fence must maintain at least 3,000 volts.
The voltage required for an electric fence depends on the type of animal. For example, sheep and goats require 4,000-5,000 volts, while horses and cattle require 2,000-3,000 volts.
Volts and joules serve different functions in an electric fence. Volts are a unit of measure for the electrical potential or voltage across a conductor, while joules represent the energy needed to push voltage down the fence line and through any vegetation or resistance.
Electric fences operate with high voltage but low current, and their pulsating current allows people to remove themselves from the source of electricity. Proper installation, safety features, and warning signs further reduce the risk of injury or harm to humans.
Heavy vegetation loads may require more voltage to keep the vegetation under control.
