How to Connect a Fence Terminal to a Fence Wire
How you connect a fence terminal to a fence wire determines whether your electric fence will operative effectively. In order for an electric fence to work, the individual electric fence wires must connect directly to the fence terminal on a fence energizer or charger. This allows the fence energizer to send high-voltage, low-amperage charges of electricity to the strands of electric fence through connecting wires. Make sure the insulated cable you use as the connecting wire between the fence terminal and the fence wires can handle the high voltage charges of electricity. Look for cable made specifically for use with electric fences that can withstand up to 20,000 volts of electricity.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Locate the fence terminal on your fence energizer. Visually inspect the fence energizer to identify the two knobs or clamps that constitute the fence terminal and the ground terminal. Depending upon the type of energizer, these clamps may be located on the front, side, top or bottom of the main energizer box. Compare the two clamps to identify the positively charged fence terminal; that terminal is typically red and marked with a plus sign, while the negatively charged ground terminal is usually black and has a minus sign.
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2
Unroll and cut a strip of insulated cable long enough to reach easily between the top strand of wire in the electric fence and the positively charged fence terminal on the fence energizer. Remove the last 2 inches of insulation from both ends of the insulated cable strip to expose the bare cable ends.
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3
Wrap one end of the exposed cable wire around the metal base of the positively charged fence terminal. Tighten the clamp on the fence terminal slowly, rotating it until it makes direct contact with the cable wire and holds it firmly in place against the terminal's metal base.
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4
Walk to the nearest portion of the electric fence with the other end of the insulated cable in your hand. Wrap the exposed cable wire around the top strand of electric fence completely two to three times to ensure that it remains in place; this connects the fence terminal to one fence wire.
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5
Measure out a short strip of insulated cable long enough to reach between the top and second-from-the-top strands of electric fence. Remove the last couple of inches of insulation from both cable ends. Twist one end of the cable around the top strand of electric wire and twist the second end of the cable around the second-from-the-top strand of electric wire. Repeat this process with extra pieces of insulated cable to connect each electric wire to the one directly beneath it. Inspect all the connections to ensure that they're solid before turning on the energizer unit.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Accidental electrical shock could occur. Always leave the energizer turned off and unplugged when working on your electric fence. Post warning signs along the fence to alert passersby of the potential danger.
