Setting up the Fence
- 1 Set up your charger. Look for a weather-resilient spot near an AC outlet to install an electric charger, or an area that receives plenty of sunlight for a solar charger. ...
- 2 Put in grounding posts. ...
- 3 Attach a grounding wire. ...
- 4 Install your fence posts. ...
- 5 Set up braces on corners and gates. ...
- 6 Mount the insulators. ...
- 7 Run the wire. ...
How to connect fence charger to ground rod?
How to protect a fence charger from lightning?
Why is my fence charger not charging?
How to prolong the life of a fence charger?
What is a fence tester?
What is the best tool to find a short in a fence?
Why does my electric fence short out?
See 2 more
How do you hook up a Zareba electric fence?
0:322:26How to Install an AC (Plugin) Fence Charger: Electric Fence 101 | ZarebaYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLook for the symbol on your charger. Then connect the wire to a ground rod system using insulatedMoreLook for the symbol on your charger. Then connect the wire to a ground rod system using insulated wire and ground rod clamps. Next connect the fence wire to the fence terminal.
How do you install an electric fence step by step?
0:092:08How to Set Up an Electric Fence - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDrive the post into the ground with a sledgehammer or a post driver leaving about two inches aboveMoreDrive the post into the ground with a sledgehammer or a post driver leaving about two inches above the ground to attach the clamps. Then run an insulated wire from the ground post of the controller.
How do you hook up a Zareba solar fence charger?
1:353:30How to Install a Solar Fence Charger: Electric Fence 101 | ZarebaYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLook for this symbol on your charger. Then connect the wire to a ground rod system using insulatedMoreLook for this symbol on your charger. Then connect the wire to a ground rod system using insulated wire and ground rod clamps next connect the fence wire to the fence terminal.
How deep does a ground rod need to be for an electric fence?
To ensure ground rods come in contact with enough soil moisture to complete the circuit, best practice is to install 90 cm (3') of ground rod below the water table for every joule of output provided by the energizer.
Does an electric fence have to make a complete loop?
Does an electric fence have to make a complete loop? The short answer is: no. For an electric fence to be properly installed it should not be a closed loop. When an animal touches the electric fence, this should be the missing link in the loop for the animal to get the shock.
How many ground rods do you need for an electric fence?
three grounding rodsIn fact, the majority of electrical fence systems will actually require at least three grounding rods. These rods should be about 10 feet apart and should be placed at the start of the fence. Grounding rods can actually interfere with phone service as well as electrical lines that may be located on the property.
Can you use rebar as a grounding rod for electric fence?
Proper Grounding Rod In most cases, pipe or rebar can be used. The grounding rod needs to be made of galvanized steel and also needs to be at least four feet in length for best results. Using copper rods will diminish the overall effectiveness of the electrical fence system.
Which way do you face a solar fence charger?
South is best with battery systems Facing your panels south should allow you to meet your daytime needs and, crucially, generate lots of surplus power to charge up your battery. You can then use your battery to meet your power needs at peak times, overnight and during grid outages.
How do you connect an electric fence to a battery?
Place two 12-volt batteries, one in front of the other, in an enclosed area next to the electric fence controller. Turn the batteries so that the positive and negative terminals are on the same side and next to each other. For example, place both positive terminals on either the left or right.
What happens if you don't ground an electric fence?
If It Isn't Grounded, It Won't Shock When an animal touches the electrically charged fence wire, the animal feels the electric current as the charge passes through the body. The charge then completes the circuit through the soil via the ground rod and then up the ground wire to the ground terminal charger.
Will grass ground out an electric fence?
Grass or other vegetation touching your electric fence will reduce power going through the fence line. Excessive grass contact on an electric fence can completely ground out your fence.
Why is my electric fence shocking through the ground?
If an animal or person touches the electric fence, they will be shocked by the electric fence electric current that flows from the electric fence wire, through them and is grounded to the earth. The electric fence's electric current needs to continue flowing even if something touches it in order for it to be effective.
How far apart should electric fence posts be?
How to fix it: In an electric-fencing system, Derynck reccomends fence post spacing 80-100 feet apart, or about 50 posts per mile. He suggests using a “stay” – a shorter post that sits on top of the ground and holds wires up – if posts are spaced 100 ft. apart.
Does electric fence ground wire need to be insulated?
All wires you want “hot” must be properly insulated. That means the hot wire must not be in contact with the ground through battens, posts, waratahs or for that matter any uprights.
What type of wire is best for electric fencing?
High-tensile wire is available in two options: galvanized steel and aluminum. Both are strong, hard-wearing, and low maintenance, and are a good choice for constructing perimeter fences to contain slow animals. Galvanized steel offers an economic solution that will effectively carry an electric charge long distances.
What is needed for an electric fence?
At a minimum, a grounding system should consist of three 6' galvanized steel rods placed 10' apart, linked by one wire that leads to the energizer. Additional ground rods may be needed for larger energizers. Small, portable fences may use a single 3 foot ground rod with a T handle for easier installation and removal.
How to connect fence charger to ground rod?
Mount the fence charger off the ground using a screw or nail through the hanger hole in the charger case. Connect the ground wire to the ground terminal and ground rods using insulated ground wire.
How to protect a fence charger from lightning?
Lightning and Power Surge Protection 1 To prolong the life of a fence charger, consider disconnecting the fence charger from the power source when storms are near. 2 Install a lightning diverter/arrestor to divert lightning to the earth before it can damage the charger. For the greatest protection, install one lightning diverter/arrestor at each corner of the fence, but no closer than 50 feet to the fence charger. 3 Use a lightning choke between the fence line and fence charger to dissipate power surges caused by lightning. 4 Use an AC surge suppressor to protect against AC power surges.
Why is my fence charger not charging?
Lightning is often the cause of fence charger failure. When lightning strikes the fence, the sudden power surge can travel down the fence wire and damage the fence charger. A variety of properly installed products can prevent or limit lightning damage.
How to prolong the life of a fence charger?
To prolong the life of a fence charger, consider disconnecting the fence charger from the power source when storms are near.
What is a fence tester?
A fence tester, also known as a voltage tester , voltage meter, or voltmeter, can help determine if there is adequate voltage on the fence line. Voltage testers are also useful in troubleshooting bad grounds and fence shorts. Be sure to purchase a voltage tester designed specifically for electric fence.
What is the best tool to find a short in a fence?
If a short in the fence is suspected, a "fault finder" fence tester with a display showing voltage (kv) and current readings (amps), as well as arrows pointing in the direction of the fault, is the best tool to locate the problem.
Why does my electric fence short out?
Shorts are caused by a number of things such as broken wires touching the ground, weeds, and cracked insulators. All of these will cause the wire to short out and ground. Underground wires going under gates which were not protected properly can also cause electric fences to ground out.
How far above ground do you need to ground electric fencing?
To install electric fencing, you need at least 1 grounding post that is 6 feet (1.8 m) (182.88 cm) or longer. Place 1 grounding rod near the charger and use a post-hole digger/slammer to set the grounding post. Leave at least 2 inches (5.08 cm) of the post above the ground.
How many lines do you need to brace an electrical fence?
Each corner of the electrical fence will need to be braced with a corner piece. 1 brace will suffice at ends and corners with 6 or fewer lines. 7 or more lines require a double brace when putting in fencing. 3. Get enough fence posts.
Why do you need insulators for fence posts?
Mount the insulators. Because you need to keep the electricity in the wires and away from the posts, insulators are important to install. It'll depend on the type of fence wire you purchase, because manufacturers will usually include and design insulators tailored to their products.
How to check if a fence is working?
Turn the charger on. Use a voltmeter to test the lines to ensure the electricity flows through the entire fence. Write down the voltage and keep the number on hand to compare to daily checks of the current. Depending on the strength of your charger, it should read somewhere between 6000 and 10,000 volts, unconnected.
What is the best charger for a 5 acre fence?
If you've got a five acre fence, you'll need at least a joule at the minimum.
What is the purpose of insulators in rope fencing?
Most common are are insulators that allow braided or rope style fencing enough space to slide through, helping to avoid rubbing.
Why hang warning signs on electric fence?
Hang electric fence warning signs so that people know the fence is hot.
How to connect fence charger to ground rod?
Mount the fence charger off the ground using a screw or nail through the hanger hole in the charger case. Connect the ground wire to the ground terminal and ground rods using insulated ground wire.
How to protect a fence charger from lightning?
Lightning and Power Surge Protection 1 To prolong the life of a fence charger, consider disconnecting the fence charger from the power source when storms are near. 2 Install a lightning diverter/arrestor to divert lightning to the earth before it can damage the charger. For the greatest protection, install one lightning diverter/arrestor at each corner of the fence, but no closer than 50 feet to the fence charger. 3 Use a lightning choke between the fence line and fence charger to dissipate power surges caused by lightning. 4 Use an AC surge suppressor to protect against AC power surges.
Why is my fence charger not charging?
Lightning is often the cause of fence charger failure. When lightning strikes the fence, the sudden power surge can travel down the fence wire and damage the fence charger. A variety of properly installed products can prevent or limit lightning damage.
How to prolong the life of a fence charger?
To prolong the life of a fence charger, consider disconnecting the fence charger from the power source when storms are near.
What is a fence tester?
A fence tester, also known as a voltage tester , voltage meter, or voltmeter, can help determine if there is adequate voltage on the fence line. Voltage testers are also useful in troubleshooting bad grounds and fence shorts. Be sure to purchase a voltage tester designed specifically for electric fence.
What is the best tool to find a short in a fence?
If a short in the fence is suspected, a "fault finder" fence tester with a display showing voltage (kv) and current readings (amps), as well as arrows pointing in the direction of the fault, is the best tool to locate the problem.
Why does my electric fence short out?
Shorts are caused by a number of things such as broken wires touching the ground, weeds, and cracked insulators. All of these will cause the wire to short out and ground. Underground wires going under gates which were not protected properly can also cause electric fences to ground out.
