Electric fencing has been used over 50 years as a safe method of controlling animals. Fear is instilled into the animal that receives an electric shock, it quickly learns that the experience is not one to be repeated and will avoid the fenced area. The form of the shock is delivered by a quick DC pulse and is followed by a 1-2 second gap to allow the animal to retreat in a safe fashion. In order for an animal to feel a shock, the voltage produced by the fence controller must be high enough to penetrate the animals hair, hide, and paw. Once the voltage is high enough to deliver a shock, electricity must travel through the fence wire and will take one of the following paths.

Electricity then flows through the animal that is touching the fence and into the soil the animal is standing on. The electricity then travels through the moist soil back to the ground rod. From the ground rod the electricity flows through the ground wire that is attached to the fence controller's ground terminal. The circuit is completed and the animal feels the shock instantly.  An example of this type of fence is the LG1 Garden Protector kit.

When an animal is not standing on the ground or in very dry climates (dry sandy soil) and cold climates (snow covered or frozen soil) an alternative fence installation must be used. This fence system implements the use of a ground wire(s) running parallel to your hot wire. This fence installation is no longer dependent on good soil conditions and will carry the electricity back to the fence controller's ground system when an animal contacts the hot and ground wires simultaneously.   An example of this type of fence is our Electo-Guard system.

 

 

 

Because the on-time of pulse type electric fence controllers is short and the off-time is at least 1 second, the pulses of electricity can be high voltage and high amperage without causing harm to humans or animals. This allows the fence controller to be extremely effective and safe at the same time. The short-on time also limits heat which could otherwise result in a fire.

Check with your local bylaws to determine if these units can be used in your area. Warning signs should be clearly posted along the wire to inform other individuals of the electrified system.  As with any electrical device, keep children away.