Installing an Electric Fence
An electric fence is an affordable, safe and reliable way to stop livestock and other animals from wandering astray. The fence can also be effective at stopping wild animals from intruding and feasting on crops. Unlike barbed wire, which may severely injure an animal, an electric fence administers a small shock that startles the animal and causes it to retreat. Thus, in time, the animal will learn to avoid the fence and remain within the confines of the pasture. Fortunately, the installation of an electric fence is a fairly straightforward affair. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Fence controller
- 6-foot copper/galvanized rod
- Sledgehammer
- Ground rod clamp
- 10-14 gauge insulated wire (insulated up to 20,000 volts)
- Electric fence posts
- Hammer
- Electric fence insulators
- 1 or more spools of electric fence
Instructions
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1
Install the fence controller. Situate the controller in a location that is shielded from the weather, such as below an overhanging roof or inside a shed or barn. You can also purchase a metal box designed to contain the controller and protect it from the weather. Of course, the fence controller will need to be installed near a 120-volt electrical outlet.
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2
Drive a 6-foot copper or galvanized rod into the ground approximately 20 feet away from the controller. Also ensure the ground rod is at least 50 feet away from any buried telephone, utility or water lines. Use a sledgehammer to drive the rod into the ground.
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3
Attach a ground rod clamp to the top of the ground rod. Run ground wire from the fence controller to the ground rods and connect the wire to the clamp. The ground wire must be 10 to 14 gauge and insulated for 600V to 20,000V.
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4
Install the electric fence posts into the ground along the perimeter of the area you wish to fence in. Simply use a hammer to drive the posts into the ground far enough so that the post is stable.
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5
Attach the fence insulators to each of the fence posts. Most electric fence insulators are designed so that you slip them over the post and tighten them by turning a plastic ring clockwise.
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6
Connect the electric fence to the insulators on the fence posts. Unravel the wire as you go and slip the wire through the slots on the insulators. If one spool of wire does not reach around the entire fence, you'll need to splice together two wires. You can buy actual splicers to connect the two wires or tie a knot. Use either a reef knot or figure-eight knot to splice the wires together.
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7
Connect the lead-out wire from the fence controller to the electric fence. This is the wire that runs from the hot fence terminal on the controller to the fence itself. Use a 10-14 gauge wire that is insulated for up to 20,000 volts. Only use a lead-out wire designed specifically for electric fencing. Do not use standard household electrical wire.
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Plug the fence controller into the 120V electrical outlet. An indicator light should appear on the controller letting you know that the fence is fully charged.
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References
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