How and Why Electric Fencing Works!

HOW ELECTRIC FENCING WORKS

An electric fence system consists of an electric fence energiser, a fence wire or combination of wires supported on insulators, fixed on posts. These together with the EARTH system, form a pulsed high voltage OPEN LOOP with the animal being the completing link.

An electric fence works by “educating” your animals so that they learn to associate touching the fence with receiving an unpleasant shock. The effectiveness of the fence is the SHOCK, in both the meanings of the word. This is the same principle as barbed wire, but it presents a much more powerful deterrent with very little danger of physical damage to your stock. The source of the shock is the energiser. The energiser provides regular pulses of electricity to the fence. These intermittent high voltage pulses flow from the energiser, along connection cable to the fence, and then along the length of the fence. A pulsed electric current is sent along the fence wire, about one pulse per second, from an energizer which is earthed. When the animal touches the fence it completes the circuit between the fence and the ground and receives a short, sharp but safe shock. The shock is sufficiently memorable that the animal never forgets. The strength of the shock the animal receives depends upon the power available from the energiser, and the total resistance of the circuit.

WHY ELECTRIFIED FENCES WORK

Electric current (AMPS) only flows when a circuit is completed between a positive and negative terminal.

An electric fence circuit is made on a larger scale. The energizer fence terminal (positive) is connected to the insulated fences wires, and the energizer earth terminal (negative) is connected to galvanised metal stakes driven into the ground.

The same 'circuit completion' is necessary before the animal gets a short, sharp but safe shock. An animal standing on the ground and touching the electrified wires will complete the circuit like the closed switch above. The shock is sufficiently memorable that the animal never forgets.

Because the electric fence is also a psychological barrier, it does not require great strength to be effective. However, it must be well designed and constructed to absorb some pressure from animals and wind. The energizer must have enough power for the length of the fence and for the animals being controlled.