How to Locate a Broken Wire in a Dog Fence

Invisible dog fences work through use of a radio frequency. This makes it relatively simple to find an area of broken wire when your invisible fence stops working. Locating a broken wire in an invisible dog fence requires an AM radio and an RF transmitter, both of which are available at electronic retail stores. These items are inexpensive and can save you from having to dig up the entire fence to find one break.

Things You'll Need

  • RF choke transmitter
  • Portable AM radio
  • Boundary flags
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Instructions

    • 1

      Unplug the power supply cord to the fence transmitter to power down the system. Disconnect the two wires for the invisible fence.

    • 2

      Wrap one wire around one end of the RF choke transmitter, and wrap the other wire on the opposite end of the transmitter. Place the leads of the RF choke into the transmitter where the fence wires usually install.

    • 3

      Tune a portable AM radio until all you hear is static. Hold the radio 4 feet above the ground over the wire fence boundary. Wave the radio back and forth over the invisible fence. You should hear a constant pulsating tone in your AM radio.

    • 4

      Follow the path of the invisible fence, waving the AM radio back and forth. When you come across areas where the signal fades, place a boundary flag in that area to mark the spot. When you come across an area where the signal goes away completely, mark the area with two boundary flags. This is most likely the location of a break.

    • 5

      Continue checking the entire perimeter of the fence until you come back to the fence transmitter. Unplug the transmitter and make your fence repairs. You should inspect areas that you have one boundary flag to ensure that there are no cracks in the system that can develop into breaks.