Electric fence

Testing your electric fence

The most obvious fault on an electric fence is when the siren is sounding. This generally indicates a fault, but use the word GENERALLY! A common tactic of criminals is to continuously short the electric fence so as to annoy the owner enough to switch the fence off. DON’T switch it off – you are playing into there hands. If possible you should deactivate the siren to the next day and call in a technician to repair/evaluate the fence and make any repairs. Should you turn off the fence, you are playing directly into there hands and giving them the opportunity they require.

Maintaining your fence:

Keep your fence free of vegetation! The most common cause of call outs can be a simple blade of grass touching the fence that gets wet in the morning (dew) which then creates a short on the fence (if it doesn’t, there could be a problem!)

Check your fence is free of vegetation once a month (maybe more in summer)

Walk your fence once a month and check for breaks. Not ALL broken wires will indicate a fault (if the ground wire is broken, it will not sound or alert you if not a monitored earth)

If you can here a “tic … tic… tic’ sound , there is a short! This does NOT mean your fence is working correctly (it just means the energizer is working), it means there is a short that is draining the current and “shock value”  (the energy) of your fence.  Try to locate the sound and see what the wires are touching and rectify – REMEMBER to switch off.

Shorting your fence can give you a good indication of whats happening – a piece of chain, wire or similar on the end of a WOODEN pole will do. Short out areas of your fence (just once or the alarm should sound) and see that it does spark or you here the familiar tic as it touches. WARNING – using metal poles, wet wood etc WILL hurt!

If you are uncertain, rather consult someone who knows electric fences – REMEMBER THEY ARE DESIGNED TO HURT. NEVER ATTEMPT REPAIRS WITH THE FENCE/ENERGIZER ON

Common errors/faults on electric fences include:

Vegetation – as described above, it really is important to keep the vegetation well clear of the fence, cracked or broken bobbins, loops and jumpers that have touched another wire, broken wires, earth loops touching.

Incorrectly installed or repaired - it has become clear that some installers have a basic understanding of electric fences, but NOT a clear understanding of electrical equipment. Many fences are incorrectly bridged either at installation (of course not all companies) or and commonly on repair as this is usually a quick fix to get the job done as opposed to fault finding it. Bridging in incorrect places is done to stop the alarm sounding – CONCERNING as it defeats the objective of the fence – PROTECTION! Is your technician using the correct test equipment such as a Nemtek Fence Scope or fence compass tester?

Call us for a free valuation of your fence.