Electric fencing is a very popular, versatile and effective form of fencing and can be used in both
temporary and permanent fencing situations. This information guide will give you the customer
a better understanding of electric fencing and an insight in to how the products are used.
An electric fence works in the following way:
The energiser puts out a high voltage, low current pulse,
approximately once per second, through a special
conductive fence line. This may be stranded wire,
electric fencing poly wire, electro tape or electro rope.
The fence line must be totally insulated from the ground
so that there is no leakage of current to the earth. This
is why good quality insulators are an extremely
important part of the system. This enables the maximum
voltage difference between the earth and the fence line
to be achieved.
When the animal touches the live fence line, it will
complete the electric circuit and will feel a shock as the
current flows through its body, into the ground and back
to the energiser via the earth stake. The animal will
remember the shock so the electric fence then becomes
a psychological barrier and the animal learns to stay
away.
The energiser - An energiser is the unit that creates
the high voltage pulse shock on an electric fence. There
are many different types of energisers. Each is
differentiated by the following.
Power Source - Battery (dry disposable or 12 volt wet rechargeable), depending on model.
Mains and solar systems are available.
Voltage - The amount of shock on the fence line under different loads created by such things
as vegetation and very long lengths of fence.
Joules - This determines the distance of fence line that can be satisfactorily electrified. The
higher the joules, the longer the fence can be and the higher the shock produced.
Earth Stake - The best possible earth is essential and is often the part of the fencing sale that
is overlooked. A good earth is required to allow the current to flow from the energiser, along the
fence line, through the animal into the ground and back to the energiser via the earth stake,
thus completing a circuit. If an insufficient earth is used, then too low a fence line voltage may
be achieved to give a large enough shock to the animal. In dry or sandy ground conditions, the
current flows less easily than in damp conditions so you may need more than one earth stake.
Basic Fence Types
Portable / Temporary Semi – Permanent/Permanent (Mains
(Battery)
and Battery)
Expected
fence use
Short term, frequent
1-20 years.
moves.
Ease of
installation
Simple, fast.
Easy to moderate.
Animals
controlled
Cattle, horses, pets,
lawn and garden
pests.
Cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats,
exotics, deer and predators.
Best suited
for
Temporary fencing,
managed intensive
grazing.
Pastures, cross fences.
Post type
Step-in posts, steel
and rod posts.
Round wire posts, plastic posts and
wooden posts.
Wire type
Poly wire, poly tape,
poly rope
Poly wire, poly tape, poly rope and
steel wire.
Features
Lightweight, reusable, Workable with any configuration of
easy to move.
posts and conductive wire.
Species Considerations
Animal
Minimum
Recommendations and
recommended voltage
Characteristics
on fence line
Horse
3,000 volts
Use high visibility products such as
poly tape or poly rope.
Cattle
3,000 volts
If docile with plenty of pasture 1-3
strands adequate.
Bulls
4,000 volts
Extra shock needed to control a
determined bull, 4 strands
recommended.
Sheep and
Goats
3,000 - 5,000 volts
Difficult to confine (Goats jump,
thick coats require higher voltage),
4-6 strands.
Nuisance
pests and
vermin
3,000 volts
Smaller animals require closer wire
spacing.
Pigs
3,000 volts
To deter from rooting, use 3-4
wires starting 15cm from ground
level.
Foxes and
Predators
4,000volts
Multi-wires spaced 13-20cm apart
from ground level.
Deer
4,000 volts
Multi-wire fence 1.8 - 2.5m high
using high visibility tape or rope.
Pets
1,000 - 2,000 volts
3-4 wires, starting 15cm from
ground.
How to Determine the Field Perimeter Length
Field size in acres
Fencing length required in metres
¼ acre
127 metres
½ acre
180 metres
¾ acre
220 metres
1 acre
255 metres
2 acres
360 metres
3 acres
441 metres
4 acres
509 metres
5 acres
569 metres
10 acres
805 metres
20 acres
1,141 metres
40 acres
1,609 metres
Approximate Energizer Distances
Energiser Distance in metres
ESB 15
Up to 150 mtrs = 12 mm tape (no vegetation on line)
ESB 25
Up to 250 mtrs = 12/20 mm tape (no vegetation on line)
ESB 55
Up to 400 mtrs = 20 mm tape
Up to 800 mtrs = 40 mm tape
Up to 500 mtrs = Rope/super white poly wire
ESB 200
Up
Up
Up
Up
Up
ESM 400
Up to 250 mtrs = 20 mm tape
Up to 250 mtrs = Super white poly wire
ESM 400+
Up to 1,000 mtrs = 20/40 mm tape, rope and super white poly
wire
to
to
to
to
to
3,000 mtrs = 40mm tape
1,250 mtrs = 20mm tape
500 mtrs = 12mm tape
2,000 mtrs = Maxi poly wire
1500 mtrs = Super white poly wire
ESM 600+ Up to 3,000 mtrs = 40 mm tape/maxi rope
Up to 2,000 mtrs = 20 mm tape/maxi wire/rope
Up to 1,500 mtrs = Super white poly wire
Up to 4,000 mtrs = 40 mm tape
ESM 1100 Up to 3,000 mtrs = Maxi wire/Maxi rope
Up to 2,000 mtrs = 20 mm tape/Maxi wire/Electro rope
There are several variables that will affect the distance that an energizer will perform to. The
following need to be taken into consideration:
Age and state of battery
Connections
Tape
Rope
Wire
Overgrown foliage and the EARTH.
To achieve distances the tape/wire/rope need to be in good order, with good connections, and
with no vegetation touching the fence line. You will also need a good enough earth for the
system and for the unit to be as close to the fence line centre as possible.
Battery charging is also essential. To recharge a 12 volt 85 amp battery use a 12 volt 12 amp
charger for a minimum of 24hrs (not just overnight) A 12 volt 6 amp charger will take 48hrs.
Disclaimer
The information in this publication is meant as a brief and general guide only and is not intended to be
specific advice, or an exhaustive treatment of the subject. Countrywide Farmers plc advises that you
should always consult a professional, as it is possible that the information in this guide may not relate to
your particular situation. Whilst Countrywide Farmers plc endeavours to keep this publication up to date
and correct we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the
completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability of the guide. Any decisions based on information contained
in the guide are the reader’s sole responsibility. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law
Countrywide Farmers plc accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage as a result of any reliance placed
upon information given in this guide by the reader or anyone to who such information is communicated.