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TROUBLE SHOOTING YOUR ELECTRIC FENCE

Even the best-built electric fences have problems from time to time. The best time to discover and fix the problem is before your livestock get loose. Use a volt meter designed to test an electric fence or a five light fence tester to check the fence every day. When the voltage drops drastically ( Remember: Although wet insulators from rain or snow will cause fence voltage to drop, the proper fence controller with correct installation techniques will perform satisfactorily) take the following steps. . .

STEP 1
FENCE CONTROLLER DOES NOT OPERATE, CHECK THE FUSES

a. Some fence controllers do not have fuses. Replaceable fuses can be replaced if there are fuse holders located on the exterior of the fence controller cabinet.

b. If fuses are blown, replace them with 1 amp/ 250V fuses. Plug the fence controller in. If the fuses blow instantly the fence controller must be serviced. Should the fence controller operate for several hours before blowing a fuse there is a problem with your fence installation, go on to Step 2.

c. If fuses are O. K. and the fence controller does not operate, go on to Step 2.

STEP 2
CHECK THE POWER SOURCE:

Unplug the fence controller or disconnect the battery clamps from the battery, before checking power source.

a. A fence controller that operates on 115VAC must have a power source ranging from 105VAC to 125VAC.

b. A 12 volt battery fence controller should have a power source of 12 volts minimum when testing.

c. The 6 volt or 6/ 12 volt battery fence controllers should have a power source of 6 volts minimum when testing.

Note: for best results use a deep cycle battery rated at 85 amp hrs or more.

STEP 3
CHECK THE FENCE CONTROLLER FOR OUTPUT:

Use a volt meter designed to test electric fence controller output. Ask your local farm store for this product.

If a volt meter is unavailable you can use a screwdriver as a gross check for voltage output. Disconnect the hot lead-out wire from your fence controller. Do not remove your ground wire. Using a screwdriver with an insulated handle, draw an arc between the hot terminal and the ground terminal. The length of the spark gaps are listed below for your use. This is not an accurate method to test your fence controller, but it will indicate whether or not your fence controller s output is reasonable.

The 115VAC solid state fence controllers have a typical spark gap of 1/ 8 inch to 1/ 4 inch

The battery & solar fence controllers have a typical spark gap of 1/ 16 inch to 3/ 16 inch

If the fence controller output is low your fence controller should be serviced. If the output is O. K. go on to Step 4.

STEP 4
IF THE FENCE CONTROLLER OUTPUT AND POWER SOURCE ARE NORMAL, CHECK THE FENCE INSTALLATION

a. Reconnect the hot lead-out wire ( which was disconnected in Step 3) to the fence terminal. Then disconnect the lead-out wire at the fence and check for voltage. If the voltage is good the lead-out wire is O. K. If the voltage is low, you must replace the lead-out wire. Use AFW hookup wire rated at 20,000V ( # 01404.92) Go on to Step 4b.

b. Reconnect the lead-out wire and disconnect all fences that run off the main fence and check the voltage. If the voltage is low, the problem lies in the main fence. If the voltage is O. K. , reconnect fences, checking voltage as each fence is added. Voltage should remain steady or show a slight drop until you connect the fence causing the problem. Then the voltage will drop drastically, or the fence will short out completely.

c. Once you determine which fence or section of fence is causing the problem, walk the fence line looking for shorts. Look carefully at corners, gates, and where the fence comes close to other fences. Pay close attention to insulators and connections, listen for telltale snapping sounds that indicate electrical shorting.

d. Vegetation or rust on the fence is the most common cause of voltage loss. Even high-power, low impedance fence chargers lose voltage when enough weeds and grass touch the fence ( especially when wet) . Spraying herbicide under any type of fence is good management, particularly under electric fence. Rust on the fence wires acts like an insulator and will not transfer the electric shock to the animal. If your fence wire is rusty, replace it.

Prices shown in Canadian Dollars