Electric Fencing Problems

Electric fencing is an affordable alternative to barbed wire.

Ranchers sometimes use electric fencing instead of barbed wire in order to pen their livestock. Kennel owners and farm hobbyists also utilize electrical fencing on a smaller scale. This type of fencing uses an outlet or battery-powered electrical box, which sends out a current through steel wire, in order to shock animals that touch the fence. A number of problems can cause electrical fencing to short out.

Features

Electric fencing problems can entail weak current or no current. In both circumstances, the electrical charge is insufficient to keep animals penned in, letting them break the fence or run through it. With no charge, the electrical circuit may be broken, while improper grounding may cause a weak charge. According to the University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension, poor grounding causes 80 percent of all electric fence problems.

Grounding

You must discharge the charged pulse sent out by the electrical box, or else the fence will not conduct electricity. This process is as grounding. Electric fences use a steel grounding rod driven into the earth, which attaches to the electrical box. Insufficient grounding can cause a weak current, with large fences needing more grounding rods pounded deeper into the earth.

Considerations

Check fences regularly to ensure that there are no broken wires or grass touching the lines. A broken wire touching the earth will lead to a weak current. Organic materials touching the fence will steal small amounts of current, which can add up if enough plants are touching the wires. Placing the bottom row of electrical wire at least 10 inches above the ground will allow livestock to eat grass underneath the fence without shocking themselves.

Spacing

Unlike barbed wire, which you must string tightly, electrical wire requires some elasticity. This means that you should space posts at least 50 feet apart, compared to 8 feet for barbed wire. Inadequate spacing can result in cattle snapping electrical clips off the posts or breaking wires if they hit the fence too hard. Electrical fencing provides a deterrent to livestock, but it cannot withstand large forces.

Types

Alternating current systems plug into an electrical outlet, while direct current systems use a combination of solar cells and batteries. DC electric fencing systems can face a number of problems that impact power output. Inadequate sunlight during the winter can produce a weak current. Battery systems, as well as solar cells, hold less of a charge over time, and you should replace them if they are weak. For a larger fence suffering from a weak current, it may be necessary to upgrade the battery size.

References

• Pasture Management: 21 Mistakes to Avoid With Electric Fencing
• University of Minnesota Extension Service: Fencing Systems
• Gallagher USA: Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Fencing