Rutland Fencing Tips

4 Earthing Earthing is an important part of the electric circuit. To make sure the current flows back without hindrance through the soil to the fencer, there has to be the best contact possible between ground rod and soil (soil with hardly no moisture conducts inadequately). When driving in the ground rod look for moist spots, i.e. the ground rod must be of sufficient length to reach deepsub-soil moisture. This should be positioned at least 10m away from any domestic earth rod. Fence Voltage and Impulse Energy The peak of an electric impulse generated by the fencer is called fence-voltage. High voltage is necessary to create a proper channel between fence wire and body of the animal. There has to be a minimum voltage of about 3,000 volts. (For thick-coated animals we recommend a minimum voltage of 4000 volts). Now the current (impulse energy) can flow through this channel. This means that the efficiency of shock depends on the amount of impulse energy (voltage alone does not hurt). The more stubborn an animal is the more power should be used to enclose or keep off. Furthermore, the need of more impulse energy rises according to the length of the fence line and its possible loss (e.g. vegetation). The more power is delivered by a fencing unit, the higher its power consumption. With regard to the impulse energy we recommend to make a careful choice especially when battery or rechargeable battery operated energisers are concerned. Fence Resistance As well as sufficient impulse energy, you also need highly conductive fence material to achieve the maximum shock possible and to make sure that there is minimum loss in the energy delivered to the animal, and no energy fade beforehand. The conductor resistance is a measure for assessing the fence material. It is specified in Ohm/meter. The longer the fence, the better the conductivity of the chosen material must be. The longer the fence, the better must be the conductivity of the chosen material. The best materials have a resistance < 1 Ω/m; poorer materials exceed 4 Ω/m. Technical terms What kilometre figures should you base your decision on? Kilometre figures are often highly theoretical values that are based on the best possible conditions (wire conductivity, connections, insulation status, ground conditions, earthing) in the fence system. These conditions change constantly, however, due to the influences of weather. It is therefore important to achieve the minimum protective voltage of 3,000 Volt at each point of the fence system in all conditions.