|
FAQ
on
Electric
Fences,
Grounding,
Energizers
&
More
|
we receive many electric fences questions, such as “how do they work" and
“what parts
do I need
for my
fence.”
We’ve listed
a few of the
most
frequently
asked
questions to
help you
answer your
questions.
Check our
our list of
frequently
asked
questions
below. If
you have
more
questions
about the
usage of
electric
fence
equipment
and/or
components,
please feel
free to
contact us.
Questions:
-
How does
an
electric
fence
work?
-
How does
a ground
work?
-
How
important
is the
grounding
system?
-
How many
grounding
rods do
I need
to make
my fence
work?
How do I
install
them?
-
How do I
select
the
correct
sized
energizer?
-
What are
volts,
amps and
joules?
-
What
does low
impedance
mean?
1. How does
an electric
fence work?
An electric
fence is
simply a
large open
circuit
waiting to
be closed.
The electric
fence
energizer or
charger
sends a high
voltage
pulse of
electric
energy
through the
wire, tape
or rope at
short
intervals,
usually
between one
and two
seconds. The
circuit is
closed when
an animal,
which is
standing on
the ground,
touches the
fence. The
electric
energy in
the fence
wire flows
from the
fence,
through the
animal's
body and to
the ground
causing the
animal to be
shocked. The
animal will
only respect
the shock if
both the
voltage and
energy are
at proper
levels.
Environmental,
fence and
ground
conditions
influence
the level of
shock
received. It
takes a
minimum of
700 volts to
effectively
control
short haired
breeds of
cattle, pigs
and horses
while it
takes about
2,000 volts
for long
haired
cattle,
sheep and
goats.
Depending on
the type and
breed of
animal, it
may take
multiple
shocks from
an electric
cattle fence
before they
are fully
trained to
have respect
for the
electric
fence.
Back to Top
2. How does
a ground
work?
Upon leaving
the electric
fence
energizer,
the electric
current
travels
along the
wires and
connections
of the solar
electric
fence. It is
seeking all
possible
routes back
to Earth.
These routes
include
animals,
people grass
etc. When an
animal comes
in contact
with the
wire on a
livestock
electric
fence, the
energy
passes
through its
body and
returns to
the ground
causing an
electric
shock.
Back to Top
3. How
important is
the
grounding
system?
The
grounding
system is a
vital part
of the
system
enabling the
correct
return of
electrical
pulses (from
the electric
fence
energizer)
through the
animal from
the contact
point on the
fence to the
ground.
Without a
sufficient
ground, the
electric
fence will
be limited
in
effectiveness
of providing
a "shock".
Back to Top
4. How many
grounding
rods do I
need to make
my fence
work? How do
I install
them?
Grounding
rods should
be at least
6 feet long.
Even though
one
grounding
rod may
work, it is
recommended
for best
results to
use 3 rods
spaced 10-12
feet apart.
The first
rod should
be within
25-50 feet
from the
energizer
and driven
down deep
into the
earth. The
larger your
fence, the
more
grounding
rods you
should have
since more
grounding
rods
increase the
shock
potential.
Connect the
rods
together and
then connect
them to the
energizer
ground
terminal
using highly
conductive
wire (the
wire should
be a minimum
of 12.5 ga
in
diameter).
Water the
ground after
installation
and during
dry spells
if
necessary.
Back to Top
5. How do I
select the
correct
sized
energizer?
The
energizer
must deliver
sufficient
shock in
proportion
to the
requirements
placed on
it. The
power output
should be
selected
based on the
following
calculations.
Location of
electric
fence
energizer
(access to
A/C power),
type of
animals,
length of
the
above-ground
or
underground
electric
fence,
number for
strands of
wire,
conductivity
of wire,
vegetation
present on
the fence
and soil
conditions
for
grounding.
Back to Top
6. What are
volts, amps
and joules?
Volts or
voltage is
the driving
force behind
the flow of
electricity
in a wire.
It is often
related to
the pressure
water has in
a pipe. The
more
pressure
pushing
water
through a
pipe is
analogous to
the voltage
pushing
energy
through a
conductor.
Amps or
amperage is
the
measurement
of
electrical
current
through a
wire. It is
the current
or amps that
determine
the strength
of the shock
felt from a
permanent or
temporary
electric
fence. The
higher the
amps of
current, the
higher the
strength of
the shock.
Continuing
the water
pipe
analogy,
amps is
roughly like
the flowrate
of water
coming out
of the end
of the pipe.
A joule
(pronounced
jewel) is a
unit of work
or energy.
It is the
energy
expended in
one second
by a current
of one amp
at a
potential of
one volt.
One joule is
equal to one
watt of
power in one
second.
Back to Top
7. What does
low
impedance
mean?
Energizers
that are low
impedance
energizers
have the
ability to
regulate
their output
and maintain
a constant
voltage
supply to
the fence
even as the
grounding
and fence
conditions
deteriorate
as well as
increased
vegetation
contact.
This means
as more
vegetation
draws
amperage
from the
electric
fence (short
circuiting
or grounding
the fence),
a low
impedance
energizer
will produce
more energy
or joules to
overcome
this loss
due to
plants while
maintaining
adequate
levels for
animal
control.
Back to Top |
|
|
