How to Find a Break in an Underground Pet Wire Using an AM Radio

Underground pet wires, or invisible pet fences, are designed to keep pets safely inside a restricted area. Pet fences are comprised of wires that are buried under the ground. A special collar attached to the pet emits a radio frequency that gives off a shock when it meets the buried wire. Unfortunately, the underground wire can sometimes break, causing the system to fail. You can find the break using an AM radio.

Things You'll Need

  • Battery-operated AM radio
  • Radio frequency (RF) choke
  • Stick
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn off the underground pet wire and unplug it from the battery supply.

    • 2

      Remove the two wires from the pet fence's transmitter.

    • 3

      Wrap one of the transmitter wires around the center of one of the metal arms of the radio frequency (RF) choke, a device used to block radio frequency signals. Wrap the other transmitter wire around the other metal arm on the RF choke. RF chokes are available at most electronic supply stores.

    • 4

      Insert the metal ends of the RF choke into the transmitter openings that you removed the transmitter wires from.

    • 5

      Plug the pet fence transmitter back into the battery supply and turn the fence on.

    • 6

      Tune the battery-operated AM radio to the 600 or 1600 frequency and extend the antenna. If a radio channel is heard, turn the tuner until you hear nothing but static.

    • 7

      Walk to one end of the underground pet wire and hold the transmitter three to four feet above the ground.

    • 8

      Continue walking along the ground where the pet wire is buried until you reach a section that causes the radio to stop emitting sounds. This is the location of the break. Place the stick or another object in the location to mark it.

    • 9

      Continue walking the length of the pet wire to ensure that there are no other breaks.