FAQ

An electric fence system comprises of 3 main items: an energizer, wire/rope/tape or electric netting and power supply (either mains or battery). You will usually also have posts (to support the wire/rope/tape/netting), an earth stake (to complete the circuit) and, depending on your specifications, some insulators (to ensure good conductivity), line tensioners (to keep ropes/tapes taught) and warning signs. The power supply (mains or battery) powers the energizer which in turn sends an electrical pulse down the wire/rope/tape/netting. When an animal touches the fence it receives a short sharp shock as it creates an earth and completes the circuit.

When it is wet a slack fencing line, be it rope, tape, wire or polywire could become very close to an earthing point (a wooden post or tree or grass). The electric pulse will try to jump the gap and hey presto the system will not be working correctly. Just walk around and listen for the crack noise and check where it is coming from.

You may not like it but the best time to check an electric fence is when it is raining. For example, you may have had a permanent fence system up for 4 or 5 yeas and one screw-in insulator may have cracked. There will be no noise when the sun is shining but when it is raining the water will enter the crack and touch the screw thread and this will short the fence out through the wooden post. Just walk around your fence and listen for the spark to crack.

Ineffective earth systems account for 95 percent of all electric fencing problems. When using portable fences, use the correct earth stake as recommended. In dry, rocky or sandy soil conditions more than one may be necessary. When using mains energisers in a fixed position, use at least one x two metre long galvanized earth stake. Make sure to use bolts to attach the earth wire and tighten firmly. The drier the soil, the more extensive the earth system needs to be. Always check the earth immediately following installation and at periodic intervals, particularly in summer. If excessive voltage readings are found, add more earth stakes at 2 metre spacing until the voltage is within tolerance levels.

You can easily add an electrified wire to an existing chain link or wood fence. Our insulators are available in a variety of styles that give the flexibility of putting an electrified wire at the outside top of the fence (to keep dogs, cats, and other animals from climbing or jumping over) or at the outside bottom to prevent dogs from digging underneath. This is a simple, low-cost way to "dog-proof" an existing fence.