Fixing Electric Fence Wire
- Turn Power Off. It almost goes without saying that before commencing any "hands on" work on the fence, it is important that the power to the fence is switched off.
- Conductive Material. ...
- Check for More Breaks. ...
- Connectors and Handles. ...
- Finding Weak or Missing Current. ...
How to fix an electric fence wire?
Get hold of some length of wire that must be of the same type as the wire in the electric fence. The actual fixing of the electric fence wire is simple and requires only learning to construct “eye” loops in both ends of the tie-in.
How do I know if my electric fence needs replacing?
It’s good to check the energizer first so that you do not waste money in buying a replacement if it's not needed. Turn off the energizer, and disconnect the fence from it. Then, connect it to an electric fence tester to see it gets any readings.
What should I do if my electric fence charger goes bad?
Before assuming that your charger has gone bad, walk about the length of the fence and check for trouble spots. Any downed or broken wire or loose debris hanging off the fencing can all ground the current, rendering the fence useless. Troubled spots on the fence must be repaired or cleaned up first before attempting to replace the energizer.
Is it easy to fix a fence?
In theory, fixing the wires is simple and can even be done intuitively. However, in practice a number of issues can crop up that require deft handling. For example, long winding fences will be harder to fix and the same is the case when dealing with tree lines. The best way to keep the fence working is by running routine maintenance work.
Can you splice electric fence wire?
Splices are usually needed as you come to the end of one spool of electric poly wire, but you still need to extend the fence. They allow you to link the polywire from one spool to the next. Secondly, polywire sometimes breaks and the de-energized section of fencing needs to be quickly re-established.
How do you fix a broken electric dog fence?
1:432:56How to fix a wire break in an Electric Dog Fence - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWire. Cut the wires to the same length of neepy strip each wire half an inch twist the wiresMoreWire. Cut the wires to the same length of neepy strip each wire half an inch twist the wires together screw on the wire. Not. Place the wires inside the gel cap seal the gelcap and you're done.
What would cause an electric fence not to work?
This can be caused by a broken underground cable, broken wire or insulator, a loose connection, or something touching the wires, such as excessive vegetation. The Fault Finder can help you locate the source of a short by measuring the flow of energy from the fence energiser to the ground.
How do you find a fault in an electric fence?
2:055:47Finding faults in your electric fence system - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSystem to check for a faulty earth ensure your energizer is connected to your fence and to the earthMoreSystem to check for a faulty earth ensure your energizer is connected to your fence and to the earth system and power source is on simulate a large fault on the fence. This can be done by placing a
How do I find a broken wire in my invisible dog fence?
0:096:46How to Use the Wire Break Locator to Find and Repair a Wire BreakYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe wire on one end of the spool. Insert. The stripped end of the spool into one of the groundMoreThe wire on one end of the spool. Insert. The stripped end of the spool into one of the ground terminals on the wire break locator transmitter.
What kind of wire is used for electric dog fence?
Electric dog fences usually come with 20-gauge (thinnest), 18-gauge, 16-gauge, or 14-gauge (thickest) wire. The 20-gauge wire with a vinyl coating is what you will find in most pre-packaged do-it-yourself fencing kits. Most professionally installed systems use the more substantial 14, 16 or 18 gauge wire.
Why does my electric fence not shock?
Poor grounding is one of the most common faults in electric fencing systems. If the ground is not completed correctly, the energizer cannot operate at is maximum potential. A rule of thumb is three feet of ground rod for each output joule of energy from the energizer.
Can you test a electric fence with a multimeter?
An Electric Fence is designed to use the ELECTRICITY in the fence as the deterent. If there is NO electricity then the fence is useless and will not fulfill its function. A standard electrician's voltmeter or electronic multimeter will not work with electric fences.
Will the ground wire on an electric fence shock you?
This electric current running through the electric fence wire does not pose any danger for people or animals; however, if there is an improper connection between the ground wire and the electric fence charger, some of this electric current can flow back up the ground wire and cause the ground wire to become hot.
How long does an electric fence last?
Barbed wire or woven-wire fences may only last 7 - 12 years, while permanent, high tensile, electric fences can last 20 plus years.
Why do electric fences have 3 ground rods?
In fact, the majority of electrical fence systems will actually require at least three grounding rods. These rods should be about 10 feet apart and should be placed at the start of the fence. Grounding rods can actually interfere with phone service as well as electrical lines that may be located on the property.
Does rain affect electric fence?
Electric fences are effective even in the rain. However, due to the small size of raindrops, they do not do any damage to the electric fence. It would only be a problem if the electric fence had already been destroyed by the time it started raining.
How do I fix my PetSafe wireless fence?
How do I reset my PetSafe wireless collar? Simply remove the battery and hold down the power button for a few seconds after the LED indicator has gone out. Then, replace the battery, with a fresh one if need be, and turn the collar on again.
How do I join PetSafe wire?
How to splice wireStrip 3/8 inch of insulation from the end of each wire.Twist the exposed wire together.Twist a wire cap over the wires. Tie a loose knot in the wire to help secure the wires.Insert the wires into a splice capsule, then close the capsule.
Why is my invisible fence beeping?
If your Invisible Fence control panel is beeping with a lengthy pause between each beep, it's possible your backup battery unit needs to be replaced. Your fence will still work, but if your power goes out, the system will no longer be operational until power is restored.
How do I install an invisible fence wire?
0:402:11How to Install the PetSafe® In-Ground Fence System - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen simply take a spade and make a slit two to three inches deep lay the wire in the slit. ThenMoreThen simply take a spade and make a slit two to three inches deep lay the wire in the slit. Then tamp the earth flat over. It. When your dog is wearing the collar he'll hear the warning beep.
What happens when an electric fence wire breaks?
Electric fences are circuits which work on simple principles and so when the electric fence wire breaks, the circuit is damaged and should be repaired at the earliest moment. Otherwise the fence will not be able to do its job effectively. In theory, fixing the wires is simple and can even be done intuitively.
Why is it important to inspect fence wire?
It is important that every inch of the fencing wire be checked so that all possible breaks are identified and then repaired. For this, it helps to start inspecting the fence at one end then methodically work around the entire perimeter looking for breaks. Even a material hanging on the wire can lead to circuit diversion.
What is a tie in on an electric fence?
Tie-ins are simple links that help to join two things together. Get hold of some length of wire that must be of the same type as the wire in the electric fence. The actual fixing of the electric fence wire is simple and requires only learning to construct “eye” loops in both ends of the tie-in.
Why do you need a line holder for electric fence wire?
These line holders will help ensure that the wires can be kept sufficiently taught. When inspecting the electric fence wire, it also pays to be alert to any snapping sounds, which if noticed, will indicate an electrical short that too must be fixed without delay.
What is an electric fence?
An electric fence comprises a fence charger, fence wire, ground wire, the ground system, and the lead-out wire.
Why is my electric fence not working?
The following are the main reasons your electric fence may not be working. Breakages In The Fence. Fault in the power supply. Faulty lead out wire. Fault in the ground system. No voltage in the fence wires. If your electric fence is giving you some trouble, you can probably fix the problem by yourself without calling in the experts to fix it.
How to check for short circuits on fence wire?
Isolate and disconnect the other wire levels and only check one level at a time. Check for short circuits on the fence wire by using an AM radio. If interference occurs with the radio signal, check the part of the fence that is closest to you for damages.
What does it mean to keep an electric fence in running order?
Keeping your electric fence in running order does mean regular maintenance. If you cannot perform the required maintenance and repairs yourself, then be sure to call out a qualified maintenance man to get the job done.
What to do if your voltage is defective?
If the voltage is defective, check the ground rods to see if any water has leaked into the ground system. This procedure is hazardous and could require extra training if you are going to repair the fault yourself. If you are not experienced with electricity, it is best to consult an electrician for assistance. 5.
How to extend electric fence?
Start with a long blade of grass (at least 6 inches long). Hold one end, and lay the other end on your electric fence. You probably won’t be able to feel anything at max extension.
How to get rid of a green fence?
Pluck a long stem of green grass (ideally 10 inches or longer), and hold one end of it. Dangle the other end against your electric fence. Normally you won’t feel anything at this point. Slowly push the stem toward the fence so that there is less distance between your hand and the fence.
What happens if an electric fence connects to a ground wire?
If your electric fence connects to a ground wire, your charger reading will suddenly drop to 0.
Why do electric fences fail?
Over years, your insulators may fail. The metal staples used to attach insulators to wooden posts are the main reason for insulator failure.
How far away from a fence should I put a lightning arrester?
Install a lightning arrester on your fence about 50-100 feet before it connects to the charger. Use a surge protector between your electrical outlet and the fence charger. I use a Zareba Lightning Arrester. You connect one side to your electric wire, and one side to the ground.
What does it mean when an electric fence wire falls?
Look for cables that fall and touch either the ground or a non-insulated wire. This means that you have an excellent conductor (such as a metal wire) connecting directly from your electric fence to the ground. Or part of your electric fence has fallen to the ground.
What does it mean when your electric voltage drops?
Fix electric fence – stuff is touching your wires! When your voltage slowly drops, it means that you have lousy conductors touching your electric fence. A small amount of your voltage is traveling through these conductors to the ground, and is lost. Long grass is the most common.
Step 1: Test for Discharge along the Fence Line
Walk along your electric fence and check if there are any visible damages or discharges. These can be caused by:
Step 2: Check the Fence Energizer
If no external influences are obvious, check the fence energizer. For this, you disconnect the fence connection from the turned-off energizer, but not the ground connection! Switch on the device and check with the help of a fence tester whether the output voltage of the fence energizer is over 6,000V.
Step 3: Inspection of the Supply Line
If the cause of the fault is not found in the fence energizer, check the supply line to the fence. For this, you measure the fence voltage at the end of the supply line. You should be able to measure at least 6,000 Volt here as well. If this is the case, the supply line is also intact and you continue with step 4.
Step 4: Check of the grounding
For testing the earthing, you must first short-circuit the fence wire at a distance of about 10 m from the grounding with the help of iron rods. Then, you can check the voltage directly at the grounding post using a digital voltmeter. If the voltage is above 1,000 volts, improve the grounding and pay attention to these points:
What does it mean when your fence is grounded?
If the voltage is lower than 400 volts, your electric fence system is grounded properly. If it is higher than 400 volts, that means your ground rod is leaking too much voltage. In this case, you’ll need to either make the ground rods deeper or install additional ground rods.
What happens if your energizer is over 2000 volts?
If your energizer is putting out a voltage of over 2000 volts, then it is operating properly. 3.
What is the line that connects your energizer to your fence?
The line that connects your energizer’s positive terminal to your electric fence is the hook-up wire. There is also a second hook-up wire that runs from your energizer’s negative terminal to your first ground rod. For both of these wires, conductivity needs to be fully established.
Why isn't my electric fence working?
These are the power source, the terminals, the ground system, the hook-up wire, and the length of the fence. In most cases, it’s possible to troubleshoot and diagnose any issues with your electric fence yourself. When troubleshooting and repairing your ...
Can you repair an electric fence yourself?
In most cases, it’s possible to troubleshoot and diagnose any issues with your electric fence yourself. When troubleshooting and repairing your electric fence, always exercise caution. The shock you may receive from an electric fence isn’t likely to cause significant injuries. Still, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Can a DC fence charger drain battery?
If you use a battery-operated DC fence charger to power your electric fence, check your battery. If it’s not delivering enough of a charge, it’s possible it’s been drained by a short. Keep in mind that if animals frequently test the fence, that can also drain the battery.
Can you put an electric fence on a road?
In almost every state, fencing must be completely on your property. It can’t exist on any public road or fence line. Unless the electric fence runs along a highway or frontage road, it will usually be allowed in most rural areas.
