If you need livestock to stay within a well-defined space or wild animals not to enter your property, then an electric fence could be a viable solution. It is effective, non-bloody and allows you to close a garden or pasture; it is also not difficult to build and maintain in perfect condition. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Draw a project
You need to estimate how big the fence needs to be to fit your needs. Consider how many animals you need to control and determine the number of cables and how far they need to be spaced for the fence to be effective. If you need to protect a certain area, take your measurements carefully and decide how high the barrier should be.
- Determine how long each segment must be, as well as the number of cables needed to complete the work. Find out about the prices per meter of electrical cables to get the best deal.
- The power supplies are optimized according to the length of the cables. Consult the supplier to make sure the one you have chosen is suitable for your project.
Step 2. Decide how many corner brackets you will need
In each corner of the electric fence there must be a corner element. If you plan to install no more than six power lines, you will need a bracket at each corner and at the ends of the cables. A fence with 7 or more cables requires double brackets.
Step 3. Get enough load-bearing poles
You will need to purchase several if your fence is large enough. Those made of wood are to be preferred for durability and efficiency even if, over time, they tend to deteriorate. Metal poles are easier to install but are expensive.
Step 4. Choose a battery
To keep the electric current flowing, you need a battery. Those with solar panels do not need to be connected to the home network, but must be exposed to an adequate amount of sun; depending on the climatic conditions in your region, this could be the ideal and smartest solution from an energy point of view. Normal batteries must have access to an AC outlet.
Do not choose a battery classified according to how many meters or kilometers of wire it can electrify, but rather a model whose charge is expressed in joules. A high value in joules does not mean that the animals will be electrocuted on contact, but simply that the battery is capable of generating a constant electric current; for this reason a battery with a high number of joules is the smartest purchase. If you need to fence off a 2 acre piece of land, you will need a battery of at least one joule
Step 5. Choose the cable type
You can build a fence with electrical tape or with cables of various thicknesses. Tape is easier to see and less dangerous than straight cables.
Making the fence conspicuous is one of your top priorities. 4-5 cm thick polyester tape, drawstring or rope are excellent solutions for this. The sheathed cables are also easy to assemble and clearly visible. The 1cm thick tape is probably too thin to make the fence effective, especially for horses and to ward off deer
Part 2 of 3: Install the Fence
Step 1. Install the battery
Choose a place protected from the elements and close to an AC outlet or an area in full sun if you have decided on a model with solar panels.
To protect the battery, hang it on a pole or on the exterior wall of a building. Don't turn it on until you've assembled the entire fence
Step 2. Install the ground rods
When creating an electrified fence, you need at least one grounding rod that is at least 1.80m long. Put one near the battery and help yourself with the digging pliers and a mallet to bury it. Let it protrude about 2 inches above the ground. You should bury another one 300-600m away from the first.
Step 3. Connect the ground wire
This extends from the battery ground terminal to each pole it is connected to with specific terminals.
Step 4. Install the bearing posts
Use a long rope to keep the posts in a straight line and bury them with pliers. As a general rule, the pole should be buried to a depth equal to half of its entire length. In other words, if you want a 1.20m high fence, you will need to use a minimum of 2.40m posts, especially at the corners.
Do not use too many bearing posts. Burying too many of them is a common mistake, because people believe this is the way to make a safer fence. Unlike barbed wire barriers, electrified ones must have poles spaced about 30 m from each other or you can calculate 50 poles distributed over a 1.6 km track
Step 5. Install the corner brackets and access gates
For the electrified fence to work properly, posts that are subjected to greater pressure must be reinforced with brackets, concrete bases or anchor points. Many livestock breeders use "adjustable diagonal braces" that is, diagonal poles with a diameter of 10 cm and 3 m long stuck with a 1.5 cm notch to the supporting pole. The other end of the diagonal brace is fixed to the ground.
Step 6. Fit the insulators
Since the electricity must flow through the wires but not the poles, it is essential to fit the insulators. The methods depend on the type of cable you purchased, as the manufacturer also includes these items in the package.
The most common insulators allow cables, whether twisted or not, to slide inside them in order to avoid friction
Step 7. Pass the cable
Use the connection clamps that are included in the fence assembly kit to secure the cables to the bearing posts. Start at the pole furthest from the battery and pull as many wires as you have rated for your project.
- Don't just wrap the wire around the pole, as it will loosen over time and risk corroding more easily. Rely on the connection terminals provided by the manufacturer.
- It is necessary to pull the cables so that they are taut at the end of the pole. There are several tools that can be used for this purpose.
- Stretch the cable as tight as possible, but make sure the tension is not enough to break it.
Part 3 of 3: Testing the Fence
Step 1. Turn on the battery
Use a voltmeter to make sure the electrical current runs through the wires throughout the fence. Write down the electrical potential recorded and keep it handy for comparison with daily tests. Based on the power of the battery, you should have a reading between 6,000 and 10,000 volts (with the battery disconnected from the fence).
Step 2. Feed the fence
Connect the cables together with a wire jumper with a gauge between 10 and 14 and then connect the other end to the battery. Check all cables again before turning on the battery.
Step 3. Check the voltage again
When the whole circuit has been connected, check the potential at the farthest point from the battery. If you notice a slight drop in potential (but no more than 2,000 volts) it means there is a short circuit or some sort of interference.
Step 4. Schedule of daily checks
It is always a good idea to carry out checks to prevent problems and make any changes. Moisture and vegetation can accumulate on cables causing temporary losses of electrical energy (the voltmeter will read less data). If you notice that the electrical potential is lower than usual, it may be time to do a thorough inspection of the entire fence and evaluate repairs.
Step 5. Make sure the fence is always clean
Grass and bushes growing nearby can cause voltage losses. Remove any plants around the fence and spray some glyphosate herbicides to reduce their growth.
Advice
- Hang warning signs on the fence so people know it's electrified.
- Check the fence at least twice a year with a voltmeter.
Warnings
- Never use barbed wire for electric fences.
- When there is a storm with lightning, do not stay near the fence
