Adviser: Lightning protection for energisers

When buying an electric fence, many aspects must be borne in mind to ensure that it is operational and offers maximum safety. One of these aspects includes correctly connecting, insulating (with connectors and insulators) and grounding the fence. Lightning protection for electric fences is related to the subject of grounding. This should not be forgotten under any circumstances, and a wide range of accessories is available to provide protection against lightning strikes and surge protection.

The secret behind the success of the electric fence

An electric fence combines an ordinary mechanical barrier in the field or paddock with an electric barrier. The deterrent effect created by an electric shock when the fence is touched ensures that animals cannot dig under, jump over, damage or escape through the fence. However, caution should also be exercised, particularly because electricity flows through the fence system. It is extremely important to coordinate the individual components, handle them correctly and make sure that you buy suitable accessories for your electric fence. The secret behind the success of your electric fence depends on its main components, i.e. the energiser, conductors and fence posts. Grounding by the grounding posts is also important as then electricity is not wasted and the fence voltage remains as high as it needs to be. As you are working with electricity and metal parts out in the open, there is also a risk of lightning strikes in a thunderstorm. For this reason, in the ideal scenario, the importance of electric fence lightning protection and accessories should not be underestimated. Electric fence lightning protection is used with energisers as it prevents lightning strikes or excess voltage causing damage or failure.

The right lightning protection for your electric fence

For the use of energisers in an enclosed area, a surge arrester is mandatory in accordance with the German Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies (VDE). Otherwise, lightning protection is optional although it is a requirement of many insurance companies. In any case, you don’t need to spend much time or money to provide protection against lightning and excess voltage. Lightning protection for 230 V devices with mains connection is provided between the energiser’s connection on the electric fence and the fence output on the mains energiser. The compact device ensures that any lightning bolts are conducted into the ground via a spark gap. This may be delivered pre-mounted, or you can integrate it into an existing electric fence system at a later stage. Fastening screws for quick and easy mounting are included in the scope of delivery. In the process, don’t forget that the grounding stake must be at least ten metres away from the building’s grounding in accordance with VDE regulations. Lightning arrester coils and fence switches are one of an electric fence’s key accessories for providing lightning protection. Fence switches are used for switching the fence voltage on and off independently to the energiser and are also suitable for use as surge arresters.