Electric Fence Checklist

An electric fence provides an electric shock to anything that comes into contact with the fence. It can be a means of keeping animals corralled to an area and can be built as stand-alone or in addition to traditional fencing. Electric fences must be properly built and maintained to ensure optimum performance.

  1. Components

    • Having the proper components to an electric fence is critical to it working properly and being safe for the animals and people who could come in contact with it. Common fence components include wood or fiberglass fence posts, wire, insulated clips and an energizer. The energizer regulates the electrical current in the wire and lets the user customize the amount to correspond to the size of the animal. Purchasing quality components will prevent damage by the effects of the sun and weather which can cause the fence to fail. Electric fence wire, available in varying thicknesses allows for different levels of electrical current. Mesh fence allows for broader coverage and keeps smaller animals from sneaking through the spaces.

    Grounds

    • Properly grounding the electrical fence is essential to the proper flow of electricity and to prevent the risk of stray voltage shock. The fence should have ground rods placed deeply within the soil throughout the tract of the fence. These ground rods help the current return to the power source which completes the circuit. The rods must be driven deep enough to come into contact with moist or wet soil to function properly.

    Cleared area

    • Clear the area under and around the electric fence of any metal objects and debris that could come in contact with the fence which could short out the charger. Old fence wires, improperly installed gates and feed containers are common objects that can come in contact with the fence.

    Animal Training

    • It is essential that the animal being kept within the confines of the electric fence be properly trained to prevent injury to them. Lead the animals one at a time around the entire fence line to make them aware of their boundaries. The animal will come in contact with the fence at some point alerting them to its shock capabilities. The fenced area needs to have signs to alert unsuspecting people from being shocked or unknowingly coaxing an animal to the fence where it will be shocked.