Do You Have to Terminate the End of an Electric Fence?

Electric fences can save you money.

Electric fences have alternating wires connected to power and ground. Because there are no complete circuits, the ends of the wires do not need to be terminated. An animal completes the circuit when it touches the fence.

Function

Electrical fences have several strands; more strands are used to contain smaller animals. Wires attached to fence posts are threaded through short sections of insulating tubes. The fences are springy and very hard to break; the shock from the electric current makes it unlikely that an animal will be in contact with the fence for a lengthy period of time.

Time Frame

Electricity is applied to every other wire for a few thousands of a second, with an interval of about 1 second between pulses. The nonpowered wires are connected to ground through long rods driven into the ground. When an animal touches two adjacent strands, power flows through a wire, the animal and the ground wire and then back to the power unit.

Effects

When contacting an electric fence, the animal receives a high-voltage shock through a small part of its skin and immediately moves away from it. There is little damage to the animal or to the fence. Animals usually learn to avoid contact after one exposure.

References

• Sustainable Farming Connection: 17 Mistakes to Avoid With Electric Fencing
• Grit: Electric Fencing Basics
• Beef Magazine: Electric Fencing Basics

Resources

• Living With Wildlife Foundation: Practical Electric Living With Predators Resource Guide