7 Reasons Your Electric Fence is Not Working (And How to Fix It)
- 1. Inadequate or improper power supply The effectiveness of electric fences depends on the power supply, so the inadequate power supply can cause an issue. ...
- 2. Poorly tied connectors Poorly tied connectors can also bring down the electric fence performance. ...
- 3. Poor insulators ...
- 4. No proper spacing ...
- 5. Insignificant energizer ...
- 6. Faulty lead-out wires ...
- 7. Breakage ...
Full Answer
How do you fix an electric fence?
Lightning strike on the electric fence destroys the charger
- Get a good warranty on your fence charger and keep the paperwork handy. Make sure the warranty protects against lightning strikes.*
- Install a lightning arrester on your fence about 50-100 feet before it connects to the charger.
- Use a surge protector between your electrical outlet and the fence charger.
What to do if an invisible fence is not working?
How do you reset an invisible fence transmitter?
- Check that the replaceable fuse on the back of the device is not blown, and if it is replace it.
- Make sure your transmitter is the issue by performing the short loop test.
- Unplug your transmitter from the AC adapter and disconnect the fence and ground wires.
- Look for damaged electrical components.
Is it legal to install an electric fence?
Requirements for putting up an electric fence will depend on where you live but, in most cases, it is legal to put up an electric fence if it is solely on your private property, and does not run along any property lines or public roads.
How do you properly ground an electric fence?
- Check your ground system and the voltage of your electric fence during the wettest and driest seasons of the year to ensure adequate electric fence grounding of your system regardless ...
- After properly shorting out the electric fence, use an electric fence voltmeter to check the voltage levels of your fence energizer.
- Make sure you use 10- to 14-ga. ...
Why does my electric fence not shock?
There could be a fault with the fence energiser itself. If there is no voltage, check the power supply and the plug fuse on a mains energiser. For battery energisers, check that the battery is fully charged, and that the fence leads are not broken or frayed. If the energiser still doesn't work, contact us.
What stops an electric fence from working?
Grounding. Poor grounding is one of the most common faults in electric fencing systems. If the ground is not completed correctly, the energizer cannot operate at is maximum potential. A rule of thumb is three feet of ground rod for each output joule of energy from the energizer.
How do you find a fault in an electric fence?
Check the voltage. If the voltage is low then the fault lies on the main fence or first section. If the voltage is OK, reconnect the fences or sections checking the voltage as each fence or section is added. The voltage should remain constant or drop slightly until you connect the fence or section causing the problem.
How do you troubleshoot an electric fence charger?
Testing these posts can help determine if the energizer is properly outputting energy.STEP 1 – Power: Turn off the power to the energizer.STEP 2 – Disconnect: Disconnect both hook-up wires from the charger.STEP 3 – Power On: Turn the power back on.STEP 4 – Test: Check the voltage output with your voltage tester.More items...
How do you test if my electric fence is working?
2:384:07How to test an electric fence without tools - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd if you're close enough to the charger that pulsing. Will line up with the clicking. If you stickMoreAnd if you're close enough to the charger that pulsing. Will line up with the clicking. If you stick it on there and you don't feel pulsing yet slide it a little bit closer. And a little bit closer.
How do you tell if an electric fence is working without touching it?
Many electric fences are inaccessible to the naked eye. So how would you know if a fence is electrified without touching it? The most obvious answer is to use a voltmeter.
How long does an electric fence last?
Barbed wire or woven-wire fences may only last 7 - 12 years, while permanent, high tensile, electric fences can last 20 plus years.
How tight should electric fence wire be?
approximately 200-250 poundsTensioning Wire High-tensile wire is typically tensioned to approximately 200-250 pounds. Be sure you do not apply too much tension to wires, as excessive tension will damage wire and may lift fence posts out of the ground in low spots. You can use a ratchet in-line strainer or tightener to tension wires.
Does rain affect electric fence?
Electric fences are effective even in the rain. If the rain came down as a result of the flow of a faucet or hose, it would be a different scenario. However, due to the small size of raindrops, they do not do any damage to the electric fence.
How do I know if my fence charger is bad?
If there is high voltage (same as when purchased), the problem is with the fence. In this case, it could be a broken wire, a bad splice joint, or anything that is not allowing voltage through. If the charger is clicking and there is low voltage, or if it turns on and won't click, there is a problem with the charger.
How long does an electric fence charger last?
Lead acid batteries, which are used in solar fence chargers, typically last around 3 years, or around 1,000 days of charging. It's a good idea to have back-up gel-cell solar batteries and trickle chargers to assure continuous power for your fence.
What happens if an electric fence isn't grounded?
If It Isn't Grounded, It Won't Shock If the animal and the ground terminal charger are not sufficiently grounded, the path of electric current cannot be completed and your animal will not feel the shock.
Do electric fence chargers have fuses?
Most fence chargers have a fuse inside them. This fuse limits the amperage, which is an important safety measure (getting electrocuted is not good).
What happens if an electric fence isn't grounded?
If It Isn't Grounded, It Won't Shock If the animal and the ground terminal charger are not sufficiently grounded, the path of electric current cannot be completed and your animal will not feel the shock.
How long do electric fence chargers last?
Battery units in these chargers are good for 3 to 4 years, before needing to be replaced. This is still a better option than replacing an entire charger every 4 years or so.
How many volts should an electric fence be for a dog?
That said, most sources recommend a minimum of 4,000 volts for hard-to-control species, and a minimum of 2,000 volts for more docile animals. Anything greater than 8,000 volts is considered more than necessary (some sources say 6,000), and more likely to cause injury.
Why isn't my electric fence working?
These are the power source, the terminals, the ground system, the hook-up wire, and the length of the fence. In most cases, it’s possible to troubleshoot and diagnose any issues with your electric fence yourself. When troubleshooting and repairing your ...
How to check if a fence is grounded?
Use a voltmeter to check the ground wire’s voltage. If the voltage is lower than 400 volts, your electric fence system is grounded properly. If it is higher than 400 volts, that means your ground rod is leaking too much voltage.
How to check if hook up wire is working?
Turn the power on and use a voltmeter to read the output of the hook-up wire that’s usually attached to the fence. If the voltage is more than 1500 volts, then the hook-up wire isn’t the issue. You can reconnect it to the fence.
What happens if your energizer is over 2000 volts?
If your energizer is putting out a voltage of over 2000 volts, then it is operating properly. 3.
What is the line that connects your energizer to your fence?
The line that connects your energizer’s positive terminal to your electric fence is the hook-up wire. There is also a second hook-up wire that runs from your energizer’s negative terminal to your first ground rod. For both of these wires, conductivity needs to be fully established.
What is an electric fence terminal?
Your electric fence’s terminals are the posts that attach the hook-up wires to the energizer. You can test the terminals to figure out whether the energizer is outputting enough energy.
Can a DC fence charger drain battery?
If you use a battery-operated DC fence charger to power your electric fence, check your battery. If it’s not delivering enough of a charge, it’s possible it’s been drained by a short. Keep in mind that if animals frequently test the fence, that can also drain the battery.
Why do electric fences fail?
Over years, your insulators may fail. The metal staples used to attach insulators to wooden posts are the main reason for insulator failure.
What happens if an electric fence connects to a ground wire?
If your electric fence connects to a ground wire, your charger reading will suddenly drop to 0.
Is the fence voltage slowly dropping over time?
When your voltage slowly drops, it means that you have lousy conductors touching your electric fence. A small amount of your voltage is traveling through these conductors to the ground, and is lost.
How many volts does a fence charger have?
When I first put in my fence, I had almost no faults. My fence charger showed 14.1, which I think translates to 14,100 volts. To put things into perspective, these fence chargers are effective deterrence against cattle down to a reading of 2.0. Horses will avoid the fence down to 0.5 or even lower.
What does it mean when an electric fence wire falls?
Look for cables that fall and touch either the ground or a non-insulated wire. This means that you have an excellent conductor (such as a metal wire) connecting directly from your electric fence to the ground. Or part of your electric fence has fallen to the ground.
How many pulses does an electric fence send?
Electric fences for farms send very short “pulses” of electricity across the wire. Normally one pulse per second, and each pulse lasts a tiny fraction of a second. This is meant to allow the animal (or human) to get away from the fence before they are shocked again.
What to do if your fuse is blown?
If your fuse is just blown (it will look like it has smoke inside the glass), definitely try replacing it! This will often fix the issue. Since installing a lightning arrester, I’ve started to just get blown fuses instead of melted fence chargers. Big improvement.
Why is my electric fence not working?
Electric fencing is usually installed to confine our equines in a safe environment. If the electric fence is not working, the animal is exposed to the harsh world, so the issue needs to be fixed ASAP. ...
What are the problems with electric fences?
There are several more as well including; a fault in the ground system, shorts on fencing, too many wire tie-offs, tightly tied wires, and kinks in the high-tensile wire. In brief, there is no all-in-one solution, each issue needs to be addressed differently.
How to tell if a charger is being properly supplied?
To identify if the power supply is causing the issue, carefully check your power box if everything is running fine, take a voltmeter tester, and measure the power output of the electric charger.
How far apart should electric fence posts be?
Improper spacing between the fence posts can also play it’s part in making the electric fencing useless for a short period. The fence posts must at least be uniformly 15 feet apart for smooth working.
Why is my power supply not working?
Usually, the reasons for inadequate power supply are: a defective charger, blown fuse, and improper energizer. You can easily sort out the issue by replacing the charger, plugging in the charger correctly, fixing the blown-out fuse, and buying and connecting the right energizer.
How to fix an insulator?
This simple problem demands a simple solution, to fix the insulator issue, you simply have to invest in good quality insulators. You do not have to go through any lengthy process, replacing the expired insulators with the new ones would resolve the issue completely. Take professional help if you do not want to get bothered by the insulators again.
Can a poorly tied wire fence be cracked?
Poorly tied connectors can also bring down the electric fence performance. Fortunately, identifying and fixing the poorly tied connectors is not a hard nut to crack. This issue is breathtakingly common in long fences, but it can be identified and sorted without any professional help. Identifying if poorly tied ends are the issue can be a little tiring as you have no other option but to walk and check the metal filaments thoroughly.
What is hook up wire for electric fence?
Your electric fence’s hook-up wire is the line that leads from your energizer’s positive terminal to your fence. A second hook-up wire runs from the negative terminal to your first ground rod. Both of these need to be securely connected to the charger and their final destination.
How to fix a broken charger?
Step 1 – Power: Turn off your power to your charger. Step 2 – Secure: Check both connections (positive-to-fence and negative-to-ground rod) and make sure they are securely attached. If one or more has come loose, reattach, turn your power back on and see if this resolves your issue. If not, continue to Step 3.
Can insulators be damaged?
Be prepared to replace individual insulators during your regular survey of your fence line. Insulators can be damaged by prolonged exposure to sun and temperature variations as well as stresses to the fence line, such as an animal attempting to run through the fence or a tree collapsing on it.
Can a fence tester be used on an outlet?
Outlets – Your fence tester can’t be used on an outlet, but a simple test is to plug in another electrical device (such as a light) into the outlet and check if that works. If that item doesn’t power up properly, consult an electrician. The outlet should be delivering between 105 to 125 volts to the charger.
Do hook up wires break fences?
Are the Hook-up Wires Firmly Attached? – These wires can make or break your fence, make sure all your fasteners are attached.
Does a plant touch the electric fence?
Is Vegetation Touching the Line? – If a plant – whether it’s a weed growing up from below the fence, a bush growing into the fence, or a branch resting on the fence – will drain voltage from your electric fence. Clear these items from the fence and maintain a regular schedule of trimming these plants.
Does Zareba have a fence tester?
Zareba® Systems has five helpful diagnostic tests to suggest for your electric fence troubleshooting. It’s best to test a system in the order presented here so that the issues that cause broad problems are checked first. We recommend having a fence tester ready so that you can properly test your fence. Zareba® Systems offers a variety of fence testers for your needs.
Why is my fence not putting off power?
If your fence is already out in the open and is still not putting off enough power, there may be an issue with the angle the panel is placed at.
What to do if your electric fence isn't putting off enough power?
If your electric fence isn’t putting off enough power, you may need to check that your solar panels are getting enough sunshine.
How far apart should you put grounding rods on an electric fence?
As long as the grounding rods are spaced at least 10 feet apart you can add as many as you would like. The more grounding rods around your electric fence the stronger the shock will be no matter where your animal is along the fence.
What happens if an animal touches an electric fence?
When an animal touches both the ground wire and the electric fence, they will receive a shock, no soil or grounding rods required!
Why is my electric fence shorting?
If your electric fence is low to the ground or runs under trees or bushes, debris or vegetation may be causing it to short out or weakening its power supply.
How to stop an animal from escaping from an electric fence?
Rather than relying on a grounding rod to complete the circuit, shocking an escaping animal, try using a ground wire instead. This wire is strung along the same length as the electric fence. Connect the ground wire to the power bank.
How to keep electric fence from becoming weaker?
To keep your electric fence from becoming weaker, keep your wiring consistent. It’s as simple as that.
Which is the most efficient fence?
Electric fencing is the most efficient fence in terms of cost and installation. Technology is constantly changing to make each project easier and easier. The same problems need to be avoided whether we are charging high-tensile, soft smooth wire, or twine fence.
Can you measure voltage at ground rods?
If at any point you can measure a significant voltage at your ground rods, your ground bed is not large enough. Keep in mind you can never have too good of a grounding system and soil conditions do have an impact. #2 Undersized electric fence charger (Energizer) : An undersized fence charger creates an ineffective fence.
How to check if an electric fence is energized?
It’s good to check the energizer first so that you do not waste money in buying a replacement if it's not needed. Turn off the energizer, and disconnect the fence from it. Then , connect it to an electric fence tester to see it gets any readings. If there isn't any, the problem could be a corroded terminal, AC circuit breaker, dead batteries, or a blown input circuit fuse. In the event that you are strapped for cash, you can try simple solutions like cleaning the terminals or replacing the batteries before you replace the entire device.
How to know if a charger is bad?
Before assuming that your charger has gone bad, walk about the length of the fence and check for trouble spots. Any downed or broken wire or loose debris hanging off the fencing can all ground the current, rendering the fence useless. Troubled spots on the fence must be repaired or cleaned up first before attempting to replace the energizer.
Can you replace an electric fence charger?
An electric fence energi zer doesn’t last forever, and you will need to have it quickly repaired or replaced when it inevitably breaks down or its malfunction can create problems. However, having the charger replaced is easier and more cost-effective than trying to repair it, which is also a time-consuming task. All it involves is some simple instructions and basic tools. In the following article, we tried to break it down nice and easy for any DIYer willing to take on the challenge.
Can you wire posts like G>T>Fa?
It's possible that you wired your posts like G>T>Fa<Fb. The direction in which things are wired matters, wires in the game transfer power only in the direction that they are connected.
Does an electric fence work if you disconnect the wire?
I actually reported a similar bug in A16 experimental. I found out that sometimes when you wire an electric fence it doesn't work, but if you disconnect the fence posts and reconnect them (don't re-place them, just re-attach the wire) a second time they usually start to work.
Does tripwire activate fence?
The tripwire activates the fence I guess.
