Electric Fencing - Spring Checks

As we head into Spring, it’s worth taking a little time to check over your electric fence to ensure it’s working as well as it should. 

Here are some things to check and look out for:

Firstly check your power source.

If you are using mains, are all the connections still nice and tight?

If it’s a battery-powered system, is it still charging and, more importantly, is it holding that charge well? Check for rusting on the terminals and inside the croc clip coming from the energiser.

 If you are using a solar panel to assist your battery, is the solar panel still positioned well? Make sure there is no build up on the panel itself - even a fine layer of dirt can affect its performance.

Vegetation is a big factor, and early Spring growth can catch us out, so check along your fence and make sure that the grass or hedge growth is not touching the live wires. Electricity will always find the quickest and easiest route to Earth - don’t let some greenery drain all the power!

Perhaps the most important part of your system, and the most often overlooked, is the earth rod or earth stake. Ensuring it’s still nice and secure and pushed in as far as possible will help your electric fence work well. The complete circuit is the fence, the animal and the earth, so it’s worth ensuring this part of the system is well-maintained. Again, check for rust and secure connections.

As you walk the length of the fence, listen out for the ticking sound that indicates a short. Look out for damage to the wires or tape - fraying and breaks, and check insulators for cracks. Ensure there’s no debris caught on the fence too. If you find the wires are loose, tighten them from one end, or use a tensioner on the line to make it easy to fix. Good tension not only looks neater, it helps with the longevity of the wires or tape by preventing them from being whipped around in the wind.

Lastly, we suggest you use a fence tester, and we wouldn’t be without our trusty KV10. Not only does it show you at a glance that there is power running through, but the bright LED lights, running from red through amber to green, show you how much voltage you have up to 10Kv. You’re looking for at least 3Kv, ideally 5 or 6, and if you can reach 10Kv, then it’s a gold star for you!!

For more information, why not look at our FAQs page, or for help with troubleshooting please just ask…

• call: 01620 497050 or

• email: [email protected]

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