Adviser: Grounding the electric fence

Electric fences consist of various components to ensure that they operate correctly and really do offer optimum safety. One such component which should not be forgotten is the grounding system for the electric fence. This helps to ensure the effectiveness of the mechanical and electric barrier.

This is how electric fences work:

An electric fence is made up of three main components with which all the other parts are inextricably linked. These are, on the one hand, the fence posts, available in various materials such as wood, metal, plastic and fibreglass. The conducting material, which is attached to the posts. The conductor can take the form of electric fence tape, polywire, rope / cord or wire. They are connected to the fence posts in horizontal rows arranged one above the other. Connectors and insulators, adapted to the conducting material, are required for this purpose. Electricity flows through the conductor. It is transmitted by the energiser. Powered by a battery pack, battery set or the mains power, the energiser supplies the complete fence system with electricity. The supply of electricity should be equally strong throughout the fence system and power should not be lost anywhere otherwise this would create a weak point through which the animals could escape. The electric fence grounding device plays an important role in this regard. It is regulated by grounding posts for the electric fence and should not be taken lightly.

Grounding is often the reason why the fence does not operate to an optimum.

Grounding for the electric fence

The way in which an electric fence operates is unbelievably simple and effective: If an animal on the inside or outside comes into contact with the conducting material such as wide tape containing bundled conductors in combination with plastic fibre, it will receive an electric shock. This shock is quick, neither too weak or too strong, and harmless to the animal’s health. Electricity flows through the animal into the ground and is then transmitted by the grounding post back to the energiser. This closes the electric circuit. The animal thus becomes the contactor on the fence, enabling the electricity to flow into the device. This shows that grounding for the electric fence basically helps to ensure the smooth operation of the safety fence. The grounding system for the electric fence is particularly important for powerful energisers and on long fences which use a large quantity of conducting material.

Grounding posts for electric fences

Suitably named grounding posts or stakes are available for grounding electric fences. A grounding stake consists of a special post made of metal such as hot-dipped galvanised steel which is connected to the electric fence via a lead out cable. Ideally, the grounding stake is driven into the ground in an area which is sufficiently damp. If the ground is dry, or if there is dense vegetation, stones or difficult terrain, it can be beneficial to use more than one grounding rod. Also, in the case of extremely long electric fences and particularly powerful energisers, it is advisable to use several grounding posts as this helps the electricity to reach the device. With a high-quality electric fence, we recommend the use of special grounding posts with an angle profile or circular profile and crossbar to help pull it out of the ground (for mobile electric fences).