How Many Volts Does an Electric Fencing Have?

Electric fencing in farms normally uses high voltage to make them work correctly. The average voltage that is seen in the fence is 8000 Volts. An electric fencer puts the target out from a specific area and is majorly seen in animal farms, family farms, etc. This article gives you detailed information about the fence and how it works.

Table of Contents

What is Electric fencing?

Electric fencing is a barrier installed in a specific area to protect the animals on the farm and stop the other animals from entering the farm. These fences are for animals and other landscapes like family gardens, farms, etc.

This fence doesn’t allow animals from grazing on farms or going outside specific areas. An electric fencer combines components like a fence energizer, conductor, posts, insulators, wires, and earthing.

Many people prefer this because it is easy to install, helps to control livestock, and is economical.

How does Electric fencing work?

Electric fencing works psychologically more than physically. After the fence installation, allow the power to the fence.

The animals on the farm reach the fence and come into contact with them. If the animals touch the fence, they can feel electricity passing them to the earth’s ground.

The electricity passing through this fence is not harmful to animals but keeps them away from the fence.

This also helps to keep the wild animals from entering the farms. But it is always advisable to check the fence regularly.

A fence has different components that can absorb animals, snow, and wind pressure. The charger through which the entire fence gets power is called Energizer.

It converts the power from the battery into a high-voltage pulse. Then this pulse is released to the fence every second, which creates a ‘Shock’ in the fence, and the ground current should be properly installed.

Always make sure to keep shrubs, grass, nails, or any conductive objects away from the fence because this may lead to reducing the incredible power of the fence.

Benefits of using Electric fencing:

There are some benefits to using Electric fencing. they are,

It can install at a low cost.
The electric fencer is easily constructed and has fewer components.
The life of these fences is long.
These fences are simple and flexible.
You can use them with low maintenance.
It doesn’t damage the stock.

What is the ideal voltage for Electric fencing?

The voltage in the electric fencing depends on the type of animals you protect. Some animals need high voltages because of their strength, and some need low voltages.

So, decide the voltage capacity based on the animals. The voltages below are ideal for the following animals.

Beef Cattle: The ideal voltage is 3,500 because the bulls are strong and need high voltage to stop them.

Diary cattle: With 3000 volts, you can keep calves and cows away from the fence.

Horses: Horses need 2,500 voltas to stop them from leaving the farm. Horses are intelligent and easy to control, so use the fence with polytope, wire, or rope.

Llams: Llams need 6000 Volts which is a high voltage because of their thick layer.

Sheep: You can stop sheep from leaving the form with 6,000 volts as the wool insulates the voltage.

Pigs: Pigs only need nose level height fence with 3000 volts.

Goats: Goats need high voltage, i.e., 6000 volts, to stop them from leaving the farm.

Pets: As pets are friendly animals, you only need 750 volts to stop them from touching the fence.

The above animals are domestic animals, and they easily understand the fence shock. They can stop them from leaving the fence.

The electric fencers are also helpful in stopping wild animals from entering the farms. The ideal voltage to stop the wild animals is,

Wolves: Wolves need 6000 volts to keep them away from the fence as they are thick-layered.

Wild hogs: Wild hogs are aggressive and need 6000 volts.

Bears: Bears commonly walk into the fence, and to keep them away, the fence needs 6000 volts.

Small animals: To stop the small nuisance animals, it needs 2000 volts and a fence with wires close to the ground.

Factors affecting Electric fences:

Some factors affect the performance of Electric fencing, and they are,

Energizer: Always use a good Energizer for your fence because it is a long-term project and a high investment. With a good energizer, the fence works for a long time without any trouble.

Wires: The wires used in the fence must be flexible so it can help to make the fence work properly.

Grounding: Poor grounding is the common fault you see while troubleshooting the fence. The Energizer cannot operate up to its maximum potential with poor grounding.

Insulator: Always consider using good insulators because they might affect the function of the fence. They must be able to absorb climate change.

Tall grass: Don’t let the tall grass on the farm touch the fence. Once they fall on the fence, they might slow down their function and reduce the shock.

How to measure Electric fencing voltage?

You can measure the voltage in Electric fencing using a Voltmeter and Multimeter.

With Voltmeter:

Take the voltmeter.
Hold the plastic robe.
Carefully keep the metal tip in the ground where the fence is installed.

Once you let that device touch, you can see the voltage reading on the voltmeter.

Using Multimeter: Put the Multimeter in your hand and put the positive prob on the fence and the negative one on the metal surface. On the Multimeter, you can see the voltage reading on the LED display.

Safety tips to follow:

Electric fencing constantly has electricity passing through the wires and causes shock. You must follow safety tips while installing and going near the fence. They are,

Do not touch the fence wire with bare hands or wet hands.
It is important to connect one Energizer to the fence.
Keep the fence wires away from radio antennas.
Maintain at least 300 feet from people with easy access to the fence-like roadways.
Avoid contact with the fence with the head, neck, or back.
Put warning signs near the fence.

Conclusion:

Electric fencing is installed in farms to stop the animals from leaving the area. These electric fences are also to stop wild animals from entering the farm. This is mainly to protect the animals. Animals stop leaving the farm or going near the fence once they feel the shock from the ground. The average voltage used in the fence is 8000 volts, and the voltage varies from animal to animal. The capacity depends on the animal’s strength. Always make sure not to touch the fence wires.