There are a number of reasons for reduced voltage on the fence line.

• Vegetation growth
• Broken wires
• Corrosion
• Poor earthing
• Bad connections
• Poor insulation
• Increasing the length of fence

TOOLS REQUIRED

The most important piece of equipment required to check for faults is the Stafix Digital Voltmeter . With the Stafix Voltmeter you can pinpoint faults accurately.

• Wire strainers
• Pliers
• Adjustable wrench
• Joint clamps

FAULTS TO LOOK OUT FOR

• Is the Energiser switched on?
• Is the leadout wire connected to the Energiser and the fence line?
• Is there a break in the leadout?
• Is the earth wire connected to the Energiser and earth rods?
• Is there a break in the earth wire?
• Are all the cutout switches turned on?
• Is there a dead short on the fence line?
• Are there any faulty or broken insulators?

Use the fault finding chart to help you locate faults.

Always Check the Voltage at the Energiser First.

To check if the energiser is faulty, disconnect both the leadout and the earth wires and test the energiser without any load. If the energiser is reading below the manufacturer's specification there could be a fault with the energiser.

If the energiser is reading normal then:

Check the Earth System before checking the Fence line.

If no fault is discovered with either the energiser or the earth system, then check the fence line.

The use of Stafix Cut Out Switches makes the job of finding faults easier as different sections of the fence can be isolated. When the area of fence which is at fault is switched off, the voltage on the remainder of the fence will rise.

Once you have isolated the section of fence at fault, move along the fence line and take voltage readings every 100m (330ft).

The readings will continue to drop until you reach, or pass the fault. After the fault, the readings should remain constant. (Remember there may be more than one fault)

INDUCTION

A phenomenon known as induction is common with electric fences. This is the transfer of electricity from an electrified wire to a non electrified wire without the wires physically touching each other. This is often mistakenly blamed on insulator leakage. This phenomenon is also more common in areas where the air is damp such as in conditions of fog.

As this phenomenon is a quirk of nature it cannot be stopped from occurring However, to avoid receiving shocks cause by induction on non electrified fences an gates etc. you can "earth out" the offending fence by connecting an "earth" wire to all wires on the non electrified fence. Push the end of this wire into the ground as far as possible and this will send all the offending voltage into the ground See diagram below.

NOTE: Induction has very little effect on the voltage on the electrified fence.

RADIO INTERFERENCE

All Stafix Cyclic Wave™ energisers comply with the usual regulations, but problems can occur for various reasons, particularly in areas with poor radio reception. These are usually noticed when an audible "click" is heard on the radio and coincides with the pulsing of the energiser.

To reduce or eliminate the problem, look for faults in the following areas:

• The energiser earth must be very good and should be at least 10m (33ft) away from any other earth. No part of the energiser earth system should come into contact with any buildings.
• Avoid having any leadout wires or fence lines running parallel to telephone or power wires.
• Check for any fence faults such as:
  • broken insulators
  • poor connections and joints
  • any shorting caused by broken wires etc.
  • Also check that cut out switches are not arcing.
• Check that no underground cable has been damaged and is shorting out.

Walking the fence lines with a portable radio tuned off the station and on high volume is a quick and easy way to locate any electrical leakage.

All mains operated energisers must comply with various local standards. These standards vary but the following regulations are common in most countries.

• Always use insulated cable when connecting an earth system to the energiser to ensure that no wires come into contact with sheds etc. This is particularly important with milking sheds as cows are very sensitive to even very low voltages in this environment.
• An electric fence earth system should not be connected to any plumbing system, including disused water pipes or old bore casings, nor should it be connected to any other earthing device.
• An electric fence earth system should be at least 10m (33ft) away from any other electrical earth system or telephone earth system.
• Each energiser should be connected to its own earth system and this should not be connected to any other earth system.
• Do not connect two or more energisers to the same electric fence.
• Never connect any fence energiser to barbed wire of any description.
• Do not attach an energiser or electrified wires to any post of any overhead power line unless authorised to do so.
• Try to avoid erecting a fence which runs parallel to or runs under power lines. Where this is unavoidable the crossing should be underneath the power lines and as near as possible at right angles to the lines.

  Where a fence is in the vicinity of over head power lines, no fence wire should be higher than 2m (6'6") above the ground.

• Try to avoid running a fence line parallel to telephone or telegraph lines or near any radio aerial.
• When an electric fence is installed where it might reasonably be expected to be touched by the public then warning signs must be attached.

  The warning sign must be at least 200mm x 100mm (8" x 4") in size and should be affixed to the fence at intervals not exceeding 90m (295ft).

  The sign should also display the words ELECTRIC FENCE or show the symbol depicted.

  

  Any lettering should be indelible, at least 25mm (1") high and it is recommended that the colour of the sign be yellow with black inscription.

• In areas prone to bush fires, power the fence line from the 1/2 voltage terminal or turn the energiser off on days of extreme fire danger.
• Where the energiser is used to supply a system of conductors used for deterring birds from roosting on buildings, no conductor should be connected to earth. A switch should be installed to provide a means of isolating the energiser from all poles of the supply and clear warning notices should be fitted at every point where persons may have ready access to the conductors. The notice should bear the words "LIVE WIRES" in block letters not less than 13mm (1/2") high. The letters should be red on a white background and the size of the notice should not be less than 62mm x 50mm (2 1/2" x 2") overall.
• Do not connect an energiser simultaneously to a fence and to any other device such as a Cattle Trainer or Poultry Trainer, otherwise, lightning striking your fence will be conducted to all other devices.
• If in doubt check the regulations with your local authority.