electric fence grounding diagram
electric fence grounding diagram
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Some designs come with testing probes, while others have the probe built into the main body of the device. Next, tighten the rest of the wires by feel to match the tension on the wire with the spring. 0000015381 00000 n
Before installing posts, choose the fence lines. Grounding rods may be copper or galvanized. 
If using wood or steel fence posts, make sure the fence wires cannot touch the posts. If putting in high tensile fencing, consider zig-zagging the fence line slightly rather than going straight over areas that need leveling, more posts, etc. If the consumer using an AC charger, the location should be as close to the power source and the electric fence as possible. Wire should be strung on the inside of line posts and on the outside of curves. To find out more see our. One end of the wood posts should be placed 3 to 4 feet into the ground. Excessive tension will damage wire and may lift fence posts out of the ground in low spots. A variety of properly installed products can prevent or limit lightning damage. If the animal and the ground terminal of the charger are not sufficiently grounded, the path of electric current cannot be completed and the animal will not feel the shock. 0000001016 00000 n
High-tensile wire is typically tensioned to approximately 200-250 pounds. Corner posts require a brace assembly for each fence leading to it. 0000002256 00000 n
Be sure to install porcelain tube-type insulators (or equivalent) in the walls of buildings or housings where the fence wires feed through. 0000009116 00000 n
When spans between posts exceed 650 feet use braced line post assemblies every 650 feet of the fence line. Make sure to have connected the grounding rod properly. This will ensure uniform depth. Even though the charger's enclosure is basically weatherproof, it is advisable to install it indoors or in weatherproof housing. Grounding this system is simple. Email Us. CALL: 800 800 1819 x 1455
One day the user tests the fence and the reading is 2000 volts or 2 kv and 20 amps. 0000011158 00000 n
A reading with high amps indicates a short. 0000018713 00000 n
Since earth provides half of the electric field circuit, it is crucial to have a properly installed ground circuit. Be sure to not apply too much tension to wires. 0000079078 00000 n
Place the post in the hole and then repack the soil around it. Ratchet in-line strainer or tightener to tension wires. Birds landing on the wire will not be harmed -- since they are not in contact with the ground as they sit upon the wire, they are not completing the circuit, and therefore they will not receive a shock. The amount of weight needed to tension wire will depend on the type of wire chosen. 
A two wire ground system should be used if there are more than three strands of wire on the fence. 0000016242 00000 n
The corner posts take tremendous tension loads and are the key to a solidly constructed electric fence. When lightning strikes the fence, the sudden power surge can travel down the fence wire and damage the fence charger. Each rod will then need to be connected using insulated wire. High-tensile, difficult animals, rolling terrain. The strands on the fence must alternate between a ground wire and a charged wire: one charged, one ground, and then charged, etc. For the greatest protection, install one lightning diverter/arrestor at each corner of the fence, but no closer than 50 feet to the fence charger. Ratchets will also allow wire tension to be adjusted for temperature changes. Drive staples at upward angles for downhill grades and downward angles for uphill grades. No two fencing jobs will be the same. Rebar / fiberglass must be driven into the ground with a hammer. Although they are cheaper than wood posts, they cannot hold up to the strain and tension like a wood post. 0000017083 00000 n
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The benefit of copper is that it transports the electrical charge more efficiently than the galvanized rod; however, it is more expensive than a galvanized rod. !mRVbKZI\a88r. Use an AC surge suppressor to protect against AC power surges. Long runs with both straight and curving sections should have the friction center placed in the bends section rather than the straight section. Move line posts closer together as the terrain becomes hillier. IMPORTANT: Check with the local gas company and other utilities before digging! To do this, it is imperative to do things right the first time and set posts deep. For short stretches of fence line (less than 600 feet), the in-line strainer and tension indicator spring, known as the friction center, can be placed anywhere, but usually should be close to an end. Use a tension indicator spring to adjust each wire to the proper tension. 0000076430 00000 n
The simplest models feature a light, which when lit, indicates electrical current is flowing through the fence. 0000025196 00000 n
On level terrain they can be further apart; on uneven terrain, posts need to be spaced wherever there is a high or low spot. It should be accessible to a separate ground rod system from a home or barn. When the battery is removed from the fence controller, it should be charged for no longer than 18 hours, stored at a moderate temperature and placed on a wooden board keeping it off the ground. 0000020899 00000 n
Rebar and fiberglass posts can be used along the fence line. 0000006965 00000 n
Wire spacers are used in all dips and at least every 30 feet apart for five wire strands and 50 feet for two to three strands. By using this site you agree to these cookies being set. Zareba offers a variety of fence testers to help keep a fence system working properly. Line posts need only support the wire between the corner posts. This will make tamping easier and allows soil to pack tighter around the post. Use wood posts at corners and ends due to the extra strain at these locations. Note: Fence wire that is 12.5 gauge or larger is not considered high-tensile, CALL: 800 800 1819 x 1455
2022 Woodstream Corporation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sheltered from the weather (except solar chargers). Avoid fencing in rough, stony, broken, or steep areas if possible. Before the battery is reinstalled into the fencer for use, it should be recharged for an additional 18 hours to ensure it is fully charged for operation. Drive the post into the ground manually or with a tractor-mounted driver. The two strand system allows the animal to complete the circuit by touching a charged wire and a ground wire at the same time. Once the fence charger is ruled out, start testing near the beginning of the fence run. Standard voltage meters used for household electrical purposes are not capable of this and will not work with electric fences. In addition, individual components include how-to instructions to assist in the fence system assembly. NOTE: Never allow the fence wires to come into contact with objects which may cause the electric "charge" to ground. Shorts are caused by a number of things such as broken wires touching the ground, weeds, and cracked insulators. More complex models known as "fault finders" display voltage in kilovolts (kv) and amps of current. We will discuss the basic steps to successfully construct a fence, including: The electric fence charger should be installed in a clean, sheltered location away from direct moisture and sunlight (with the exception of solar powered chargers). This spreads the legs of the staple, increasing holding power. The distance between line posts will depend on the terrain of the area being fenced. On very flat land, line posts are commonly spaced 10 to 16 feet apart (if not electrified). A heavy pipe with a closed end can also work. Buried gas lines, electrical lines and water lines can result in serious injury or death if they are punctured or come in contact with live wires. Wooden posts, which will make up end, corner, and brace posts, can be driven into the ground with a post pounder or tamped into place. Make sure to center the post before tamping. Fence testers contain special circuitry which allows the device to withstand and respond to very high voltages which are on for only a few millionths of a second. Important things to remember when setting corner, end, and line brace assemblies: How the fence posts are set will depend on the type of posts chosen. 
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90% of electric fence problems can be traced back to the fence being improperly grounded. A fence tester, also known as a voltage tester, voltage meter, or voltmeter, can help determine if there is adequate voltage on the fence line. trailer
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The wire from the ground terminal will connect directly to the ground rods and then connect to the ground wires on the fence line. On rolling terrain, there may be a need to straighten the wire by lifting and letting it drop on its own until it falls onto the same position. Whether the fence is designed to contain livestock or to repel predators, these wood posts should have at least a 6 inch diameter. Building a fence requires a combination of quality materials, use of proper construction techniques, and some elbow grease. 0000110541 00000 n
Mount the fence charger off the ground using a screw or nail through the hanger hole in the charger case. Connect the fence terminal to the fence wire using 20,000-volt (or higher) hook up wire. To prolong the life of a fence charger, consider disconnecting the fence charger from the power source when storms are near. 
Continue down the fence line following the "fault arrows" on the fence tester display until the short is found. Step-in and pigtail posts are easily set by stepping-in or pushing the base of the post into the ground. Check property lines and arrange cross-fences to take maximum advantage of the area being fenced. If there is a large area that needs to be fenced in, this system is ideal. This method can be used on barbed or woven wire fence as well. Fence post selection will depend on the animal being controlled, topography, price, fence type (portable, temporary, or permanent), and the expected lifetime of the fence. 
Long runs of multiple-wired fences also need brace posts along the fence line. Be sure to purchase a voltage tester designed specifically for electric fence. Some people use a large hammer, but this is challenging and not recommended. 0000019265 00000 n
Most electric fence wires are 14 to 17 gauges and are steel or aluminum. Dont worry about spacing posts evenly other than for appearance. Sight over the guide posts and move them until they line up with the end posts. The charge then continues the circuit through the earth to the ground rod and then up the ground wire to the ground terminal of the charger. See the Animal Selector section for recommendations by animal. How to Install an AC (Plugin) Fence Charger: Electric Fence 101 | Zareba, How to Install a Solar Fence Charger: Electric Fence 101 | Zareba, How to Install Ground Rods for the Electric Fence, Fence Post Installation for High Tensile Fences, This site uses cookies to improve your user experience. Be sure not to drive too deeply as the wire must still be able to slide through the staples for adjusting tension. 0000001543 00000 n
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N)l LY*qur aEuk1:'EN5k"}9v#sZ):Cj.}wm&[|t10AGG@NG;9b$4CDK In general most fence testers can be used with both high and low-impedance fence systems. Wood posts should be used at corners, gates and termination points of a fence. An additional method to set wooden posts is to dig a hole larger than the post diameter. If electrified, spacing can be as far as 150 feet apart for line posts. The consumer has a single-wire fence that usually runs 6,000 volts or 6 kv. To set wooden fence posts, mark the digging tool to the desired depth fence posts will be set. NOTE: Wear heavy gloves and eye protection when tensioning wire to protect from possible injury. Ideally, the fence should be running a high voltage (kv) and little to no amps. Continue to replace small amounts of soil and tamp. Follow the instructions for grounding in the fence charger owner's manual; they will be a guide through the process. Wire will come packaged in various size coils or rolls depending on the type of fencing chosen. 0000002108 00000 n
Use a lightning choke between the fence line and fence charger to dissipate power surges caused by lightning. 0000002143 00000 n
Crimping sleeves and/or appropriate knots are used to secure wires to corner, end, and gate posts. 0000018290 00000 n
The charged wires are connected to the terminal on the charger. One wire systems can also be used when adding on to an existing fence. 0000143813 00000 n
Most of this will already have been completed in the planning and designing phases, however, here are a few tips to help make choosing the fence line easier. To drive a staple rotate it 25 degrees from the flat surface of the point. 0000022812 00000 n
It is also great to contain animals with long hair, or wool, and areas with sandy or rocky soil. Note: The required wire spacing will vary with type of wire used and species / class of animal(s) being contained or excluded. 55 0 obj
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If adequate post bracing cannot be achieved, additional bracing will be required to maintain tension. Wires can be run from the coil or roll using a payout spinner or, if running multiple strands, a multi-wire fencer. With fences more than 200+ feet, it is best to use a double span assembly. Place brace posts along the fence line when there are multiple wires running a long distance. To get started, walk from the far corner post to the first one, making sure wires are in a straight line. For non-electrified wire, staple or clips will suffice. The height, spacing, and number of the wires necessary will vary with the animal being contained and purpose of the fence. Brace wire should pull in the opposite direction than the fence is pulling. This will be an easy job if the fence is on flat land. 0 amps, barely any kv), the user will need to back track between where they tested and the previous test spot. Be sure to plumb the post to make sure it is level. More is explained about the differences between these two systems in the next section. Accessible to a ground rod system that is separate from building or grounding rods used by other systems or buildings. This will allow a better determination of the next post's position. If there is a spot where the fault arrow begins to point in the opposite direction or get a no reading (e.g. A trickle charger should be used to maintain a solar fence battery when the fence controller is not in use for more than three months. Step-in, pigtail, rebar, and fiberglass posts, along with t-posts are not recommended for corner posts. On long, fairly straight runs, it is more ideal to place them in the middle so that tension is dispersed equally to both sides of the fence. Place indoors to protect from moisture or outdoors in a protective enclosure. The battery should be stored outside of the energizer. When only charged wires run the perimeter of the fence, this is called a one wire system. If there is a small area, with one or two strands of wire, a one wire system is what should be used. The fence charger, or energizer, is designed to alter the electric charge into a power that is safe for animals and people. Getting the first wire straight is very important. (Note: Brace line assembly is the same as a single span braced corner, but uses a second diagonal brace wire to pull the fence in the opposite direction.). Where the ground is leveled, re-plant grass to prevent erosion and weed growth. The bottom wire will be run out first and tensioned slightly to act as a guide for setting line posts. Underground wires going under gates which were not protected properly can also cause electric fences to ground out. High-tensile is most often 12.5 gauge galvanized steel and will state that it is for high-tensile systems. Frequently inspect the area where the charger is installed and maintain it as a clean and dry environment. Also, the amount of tension on the wire at the corner will determine the depth as well. Smaller gauge numbers on wire indicate larger diameters; conversely higher gauge numbers accompany thinner fence wire. If necessary, level uneven areas before setting posts. Electrified wire will require insulators for fastening to posts. Start by testing the fence charger first to make sure it is not the problem. The grounding circuit is a critical component of the electric fence and is essential to its proper functioning. 0000004858 00000 n
For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. However, these simple designs are not adequate for troubleshooting ground or short issues. In sandy or rocky soil the fence posts need to be set deeper than in clay or dirt. Multiple rods should be placed at least 10 feet apart and at least 50 feet from any other grounding system. 0000016823 00000 n
In addition, it's important to note that voltage testers designed to read direct current (DC-output) pulses will not work with alternating current (AC-output) fence chargers. On hillsides, posts should be installed perpendicular to the slope. Sandy, dry, and rocky soils may require a "one-wire" ground-wire return system or, in some cases, a "two-wire system." It must go to the ground terminal on the charger. Running a charged strand of wire on the top of a non-electrified fence will keep livestock from reaching over the fence and damaging it. Close to 110-volt AC power source (unless battery or solar powered). 
If driving staples into wood posts, do so slightly off the vertical so they straddle the wood grain. Do not make the mistake of connecting it to the fence wire or fence terminal. Every fence charger comes with a detailed installation manual. If a short in the fence is suspected, a "fault finder" fence tester with a display showing voltage (kv) and current readings (amps), as well as arrows pointing in the direction of the fault, is the best tool to locate the problem. Corner and end posts, along with line brace assemblies, are the backbone of the fencing system. Set corner posts leaning back from the direction of the fence approximately five degrees. Voltage testers are also useful in troubleshooting bad grounds and fence shorts. For ease of installation, pour water into the entry point when pounding in the ground rods. Connect the ground wire to the ground terminal and ground rods using insulated ground wire. 0000017866 00000 n
All of these will cause the wire to short out and ground. A depth of 3-4 feet will usually work. T-posts are most effectively set by using special tool known as a t-post pounder. 0000018543 00000 n
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Purchase a "post pounder" from the same source where the electric fence supplies are purchased. Longer fences or areas where the soil is dry, rocky, or sandy may require more grounding rods. 0000020269 00000 n
The higher the amps reading the worse the short. Having a fence tester on hand will make finding shorts and other issues quick and easy, saving time and money in the long run. Another factor is if the corner posts have brace posts to support them. 0000143848 00000 n
One terminal of the charger will connect to the fence while the other terminal will connect to earth ground wire. 0000002367 00000 n
Bracing the corners and fence line will help dramatically increase the strength of the fence. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. 0000015989 00000 n
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Lightning is often the cause of fence charger failure. 0000001642 00000 n
Fences such as high-tensile put an enormous amount of tension on these assemblies, and therefore need to be strong enough to handle the force. 
As each line post is set, secure the bottom wire to each post. 0000147463 00000 n
If there is trouble with this, try driving two pegs or sighting posts into the ground where each can be seen at the same time as the corner posts. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Install a lightning diverter/arrestor to divert lightning to the earth before it can damage the charger. When an animal touches the electrically charged fence wire, the animal feels the electric current as the charge passes through its body. This keeps the wire at the proper height and spacing and prevents it from binding on insulators or clips.
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