How to Find a Break in a Pet Containment System

Pet containment systems use radio signals to keep your pet in a specific area. The key to the system is a radio transmitter attached to a wire loop that outlines the chosen boundary. The transmitter powers a weak radio signal that travels through the wire back to the transmitter, completing a circuit. The collar on the pet has a small receiver. In the presence of the radio signal, the collar delivers a warning tone or a small electrical charge. The system works as long as the circuit is complete. However, a break in the wire interrupts the signal.

Things You'll Need

  • Wire cutter
  • Pet containment wire
  • Waterproof wire splices
  • Silicone caulk
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect the wire, searching for any disturbed areas. Check the wire for any breaks. Remove the receiver collar from your pet.

    • 2

      Unplug the transmitter from the wall outlet. Remove one end of the boundary wire from one terminal. Insert it in the other terminal so that both ends of the boundary wire attach to the same terminal.

    • 3

      Cut a length of wire that is half the length of the total boundary. Strip ½ inch from both ends of the test wire. Insert one end of the wire into the empty terminal of the transmitter. Pull the other end of the wire to the halfway point of the boundary wire.

    • 4

      Expose the wire at the halfway point of the boundary. Cut the wire. Attach the free end of the test wire to one of the newly cut ends of the boundary wire.

    • 5

      Plug in the transmitter. Wave the pet's receiver collar over the wire. If the circuit is complete, the collar will sound a tone and you know that the break is in the other half of the boundary. If there is no tone, then the break in the line is in the half of the boundary attached to the test wire.

    • 6

      Remove the test wire and splice the cut wire back together. Twist the ends of the wire together to splice it. Insert the ends into a waterproof wire splice and close the splice securely. Seal the splice with silicone caulk.

    • 7

      Unplug the transmitter. Pull the free end of the test wire to the halfway point of the boundary wire that did not work. Expose the wire and cut it. Attach the free end of the test wire to one end of the fresh cut. Plug in the transmitter and repeat the collar test. Determine which quarter of the boundary contains the break and splice the cut together. Seal the joint with silicone caulk.

    • 8

      Repeat the process until you have narrowed down a 3- to 4-foot section of boundary wire. Expose the section of wire and inspect it for any breaks or damage. Cut the damaged area out and replace with fresh wire. Seal the splices at both ends with silicone caulk.

    • 9

      Pull one end of the boundary wire out of the terminal and insert the end into the terminal with the test wire. Plug in the transmitter and test the boundary.