ELECTRIC FENCE COMPONENTS

ELECTRIC FENCE COMPONENTS

An electric fence system is made up of four components:

• The energiser
• The earthing system
• The leadout
• The fence line

If any one, or more, of these components is faulty or defective, then the whole system will be defective.

Linking the four components of an electric fence together provides the circuit through which the current will flow

The energiser

An energizer is an "electron pump" that converts an A.C. or D.C. electric power source into high voltage pulsed energy. The power source can be either 220 Volt mains power or a 12 Volt battery supply.

When comparing an energizer to a water pump:

Voltage = Pressure

Amps = Flow ( volume )

The power output of an energizer is measured in Joules. The output Joule capability of an energizer is a measurement that can be used to compare energisers and can be likened to Horsepower of an engine.

The earthing system

The earthing system refers to the galvanised metal stakes that are placed in the earth near the energizer. The metal stakes in the ground are part of the circuit that is completed when the animal touches the wire. The completion of the circuit is what allows the animal to get a shock. It is essential to have an effective earthing system. Soil that is very dry, sandy or pumice will not conduct the electric current as effectively as clay or slightly damp soil. In these less than ideal conditions, it is more difficult to get an adequate earth system to ensure the animal receives the maximum shock. It is best to choose a damp area for earth installation where possible.

The lead out

The lead out is the high conductive insulated cable or wire that connects the energizer to the fence. It is important to have a lead out that is able to deliver the full power of the energizer to the fence. If the fence is several hundred meters from the building where the energizer is installed cable should be used to get the power to the outside of the building.

The fence

It is important for your fence to be well insulated to ensure the voltage remains constant along your entire fence system. Insulators, to which the wire is attached, provide protection from losing voltage as a result of the wire coming into contact with the post and being lost to the ground, i.e. ‘shorting out’. The quality of the fence and insulators will determine its effectiveness. Generally, for wildlife, conventional non-electric fences are re-enforced by attaching offset brackets and an electrified wire to the side of the fence.