How to Hook Up a Fence Charger

Electric fence can be a lifesaver when it comes to containing livestock. By providing an electric deterrent, fences will last longer and animals will stay away from the fence and respect it. Most electric fences are easy to install, but it is critical to make sure they are working properly. If you do not get a good current flow on the fenceline, it will have no effect and be a waste of money. Knowing how to hook up the charger is the first step to electrifying your fence.

Things You'll Need

  • Fence charger
  • Electric wire
  • Fence tester
  • Pliers
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Instructions

  1. How to hook up a fence charger

    • 1

      Look at the fence charger to determine which of the lines is for the "ground" wire, and which one is for the "fence" wire.

    • 2

      Take the fence wire, using the pliers, and attach it to the "fence" connector. Make sure the wire is tight and it does not touch anything between the fence charger and the fence line.

    • 3

      Attach the "ground" wire to the ground connector in the same manner, taking care to make sure you do not have the charger on before you do this, otherwise you will get a nasty shock.

    • 4

      Turn on your fence charger and look for the light to "blink." This shows you that a current is passing through and the fence is working--pulsing the charge through the fence as intended. If it is not, then something is not hooked up correctly, and you will need to check your ground rods and your connectors.

    • 5

      Use your fence tester and walk your fence line to make sure that the entire fence is charged. It may be "grounded" somewhere by sticking to an object that is connected to the ground, and this will need to be untangled in order for the charge to work. You will need to check the charge from time to time so keep the tester handy.