If properly installed, an electric Fence can be a safe, effective alternative to traditional fencing. However, it can also be dangerous for livestock, pets and humans if not used appropriately.

FenceFast  most common type of electric fence is a high-tensile wire system. These fences are designed to be long-lasting, easy to maintain and offer effective animal control. They work by using pulses of electricity to’shock’ animals that touch them. These pulses are controlled by an energizer, which takes in electrical energy through its positive fence terminal and pushes out short bursts of electricity (as much as 200 amps or more, which would burn a welder!) through the conductors of the fence to create the shock.

Electric Fences 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Installation, Maintenance, and Safety

Different species of animals and birds have different internal resistances to electricity. In general, larger bodied animals require a higher voltage to be deterred from entering the fence. The soil in which the fence is located affects how much voltage is needed as well. Moist soil is a better conductor than dry, sandy or pumice soil. The location of the fence and whether it is a single or multiple wire system are also important factors when considering which voltage is needed for an electric Fence to be effective.

If the voltage is too high, it will not only cause pain to animals touching the fence but may also spooke them and start a stampede. In addition, if people or other animals get entangled with the lines of an electric Fence they could receive a lethal shock. Local zoning laws typically require warning signs on an electric fence and limit how close to other electrical systems grounded in the earth (such as phone or cable lines) it can be placed.