How to Install an Electric Fence?

What is an electric fence for?

An electric fence allows you to control your pets (cattle, dogs) by a fear effect. When the animal comes into contact with the wire of the fence, it receives a tiny discharge. He then remembers that it is dangerous and he will not come near it anymore. You can, therefore, install an electric fence to prevent your animals from leaving the perimeter you have determined. This kind of fence is also useful for preventing wild animals or certain predators from entering a specific area.

The operation of an electric fence is simple. Isolated posts hold wires that are crossed by an electric current. When there is contact between an animal, the wire rope, or the ribbon, an electrical current passes through the body of the animal to descend to the ground. This causes an electric shock. The fence itself is not directly connected to a battery or sector. It is connected to a converter that delivers high voltage pulses of the order of 5000 volts, but a duration of barely a millisecond, with a frequency of 1 Hz. The pulse does not present an electrical risk to your health or that of your animals.

You can power your electric fence in different ways. Depending on the degree of discharge you wish to obtain, you can draw the electricity necessary for the proper functioning of your sector fence, an accumulator, a battery, a mixed-feed device or a solar panel. Photovoltaic.

The products needed to install an electric fence

It is not necessary to have high qualities of a handyman to install an electric fence properly. The installation is a breeze. Here are the main products you need to set up an electric fence.

Closing stakes

They determine the perimeter to be framed and serve as supports for the conductive ribbon. For the stakes to be aligned, it is recommended to use a chalk line and to draw straight lines on the ground. The fence posts can be of iron or reinforced plastic. Both are of great strength.

Isolators

In general, at least one isolator is required for each fence post. This isolator has the main role of providing insulation between the conductor tape and the fence. Most fencing stakes are already delivered with their insulators, which is very convenient.

The conductive ribbon

The conductive strip is the portion of the closure through which the electrical discharge pass. It is usually presented as a roll. The length of the ideal conductive tape roll depends on the number of rows of wire you want to put in place and, of course, the perimeter to cover.

A stake for grounding

The ground stake allows you to channel the current to earth and cut the electrical installation automatically to ensure your safety and that of those who are close to your fence. The grounding spike makes it possible to turn the current flowing through the wires, the surrounding vegetation and the animal towards the device that emitted it. Depending on the area enclosed by the fence, you will need to set up one or more ground stakes. For a better return, it is essential to place them in the wettest places of the land to be fenced.

Insulating handles

An insulating handle is essential to avoid electric shocks. You need it to enter or leave your lot without having to touch the electrified fence.

The Energizer

The energizer is undoubtedly the most important element of the electric fence. It is chosen according to the density of the vegetation in the field, the perimeter of the fence and the type of animal that you keep. The denser the vegetation on the ground, the more you need an energizer that provides high pulse energy. A powerful energizer is essential for animals that are difficult to contain, such as sheep, goats, or poultry. A less powerful device may be sufficient for animals that are easy to contain, such as cattle, pigs, or horses. The performance of an energizer is determined by its pulse energy, expressed in joules.

The output voltage under load, expressed in volts, is another criterion to take into account when choosing an energizer.

• For pets, an energizer capable of delivering a maximum idle voltage of 7000 W, such as Chapron Lemenager’s Pet Area Energizer
• To prevent sheep and equines from getting out of your perimeter and to prevent wild animals such as deer from entering, it is recommended to opt for an energizer model with a higher voltage as the energizer on mains SEC 15 000 V from Chapron Lemenager.

Steps to install an electric fence

First stage

Before placing your electric fence, you must make some preparations. Determine the size of the enclosure or park you want to put in place, and the use you want to make of it. The size of the enclosure and the animals you want to park there define the number of stakes, the length of wire and the type of energizer you need for your electric fence.

Second step

Install the energizer in a safe place near the area or power source you wish to use. Protect it by attaching it to a peg or wall. Take care to light it only once the fence is installed.

Third step

Install the ground stake near the energizer. You need a hammer or hammer to drive it down, but make sure to let it extend about 5 cm. Depending on the size of your fence, it may be necessary to add a ground stake, at a distance of 3 to 6 meters from the first. Then wire the grounding by connecting the ground terminal of the energizer to all ground rods.

Fourth stage

Install the fence stakes to mark the area to be fenced. Unlike a barbed fence, you do not need a lot of stakes. A stake every 30 meters, or about 30 stakes per kilometer, is ample. Once the stakes are installed, do not place the insulators that will insulate the stakes. For convenience, opt for insulators that allow conductive wires or tapes to slide. This done, pass the conductive tape. Start with the stake furthest away from the energizer. Always avoid wrapping the wire around the stakes. It would relax too much, which will cause rapid corrosion.