Beginners Guide to Electric Fencing
Installing electric fencing is actually fairly easy. It can be set up on a temporary or permanent basis, and it can be a quick and economical option, especially in a rotational grazing context.
You can also set it up on an existing non-electric fence, or easily install temporary electric fencing across the middle of a paddock. Because the electric fence provides a psychological barrier, this often reduces the number of wires needed. And conveniently, many electric fence wire reels come with handles and gears so that you can leave the excess wire on the reel.
Where to Start | Mains, Solar, or Battery
Firstly, you’ll need an energiser to provide the electricity. Energisers can be either mains powered (these need to be protected from moisture), solar powered, or battery powered. Many energisers are now able to utilise a variety of power sources, depending on what suits at the time.
Solar energisers have a higher up front cost, but don’t cost anything to run as long as they receive enough sunlight. Energisers also don’t need to be located at the end of the fence, they can be connected at any convenient location. The main thing is that the energiser is appropriate for the length of your electric fence and the animals being contained. Energisers are selected on the basis of their stored joules rating, which is a power rating similar to a vehicle’s horsepower rating.
Which Wire to Use | Braid, Tape, Cord, Netting, or Rope
Secondly, you’ll need electric fence wire. Electric fence “wire” can be braid, tape, cord, netting or rope, but they all serve the same purpose. You simply choose the best material, durability, width, and colour based on whether you’re trying to contain your pet dog or a large herd of cattle.
Earth Stakes
Thirdly, you’ll need earth stakes. An earth stake is really just a metal rod in the ground which is hooked up to the earth on the energiser. Earth stakes are very important because after the shock has passed through the animal’s body to the ground, the electrical flow is drawn back to the stake, so the better the earth attraction as a result of the quality of the stake, the better the flow of the electrical current and the more shock received by the animal. If you have dry soil with poor conductivity, you may also need to install earth wires on your fence and alternate these with live wires to create an appropriate shock as per the below diagram.
Essentially, the energiser is then connected to both the live wires and the earth stake and/or earth wires, so that when an animal touches the fence and contacts both the live or “hot” wire and the earth wire and/or the charge going into the ground through the earth stake, they complete the electric circuit and an electric shock is delivered. A bird sitting on the fence won’t receive a shock because it isn’t touching the ground, so the circuit isn’t completed.
Insulators, Signage, & Final Items
Finally, you’ll need insulators, which are usually plastic or porcelain and prevent the live wires from losing power when they’re attached to the fence posts. If the public could potentially come across your fence, you’ll also need to get yourself some warning signs to display at intervals along it. Aside from that, the only other items you’ll need are the usual electric fence items like strainers, posts, joiners, connection bolts, clips and so on.
Need Supplies?
We supply quality Gallagher fencing pliers as well as a wide range of electric fence energisers, electric fence wire, cables, insulators, signage, and other electric fence products. Drop in to FarmCo Moora where our friendly team can give you a hand or give us a call on 1300 327 626.
Some information and diagrams/photos above are thanks to Gallagher and Nemtek. To learn more about Gallagher Electric Fencing, explore their Electric Fencing 101 Guide