\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. We will go through the many types of meters available for testing the fence and some general rules for using one properly. Firstly, take off both of the multimeters leads from the fence. Just walk along the fence and, every 100ft (30m) or so, quickly repeat the test again. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. How to test an electric fence - YouTube Electric fences are designed to keep animals and other pests away from a designated area by delivering a shock to any creature that touches it. One of the best ways to test an electric fence is by using a multimeter. Use high-quality materials: Always use high-quality materials when building or repairing your electric fence. This entails running a live wire beneath each gate. Low voltage might also be caused by a foreign object hitting the fence or a short circuit. Place the positive probe on one of the electric fence wires to begin your voltage measurement. How to Properly Test Electric Fence for Problems - YouTube If the reading is too low, try increasing the length of your earth stake or checking for a broken wire. Electric fencing is one that some people choose for its effectiveness in keeping animals in or out. Due to their applications, electric fences hold a high amount of current measuring thousands of volts. The electricity used by electric fences can be dangerous, and as such, it is important to understand the basics of how they work. Over time, environmental factors such as weather, vegetation, and wildlife can cause damage or wear and tear to your fence. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer. When the voltage drops, youve identified the section with the problem.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'dreamoutdoorliving_com-leader-3','ezslot_18',888,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-dreamoutdoorliving_com-leader-3-0'); If you have a fence with multiple wires, it helps to use a digital voltmeter to measure the fence. Checking Electric Fence with Multimeter.. - Just Commodores Most models include a handheld meter with a digital readout and a metal prong on the top, and an attached metal probe at the end of a wire. Hook up the indicator lights according to the product instructions. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If grounding isn't the problem with your fence, contact the fence manufacturer or an electrician for assistance. You should see a reading indicating the voltage output of the electric fence.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'dreamoutdoorliving_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',877,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-dreamoutdoorliving_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); But dont stop there its also important to check the resistance levels of the electric fence. Once an animal makes contact with the fence and earth at the same time, it gets zapped with high volt. Testing an electric fence with a multimeter is the best way to ensure its functioning properly. Other than grounding rods, nothing should come into touch with the fence and affect voltage. Not hearing anything, however, doesn't guarantee that the fence is off. This will give you a reading of the resistance, which should be within the recommended range for your fence system. Whether to keep out coyotes and other wild animals, or keep in your farm animals so they dont escape, electric fences may be deployed for a lot of reasons. Sometimes, the zoo management primarily installs it to avoid letting the animals inside cross the boundary. Only use other methodslike a compass or a blade of grassif absolutely necessary. Step #1: Set the appropriate measurement range The first step in electric fence troubleshooting is to determine your measuring range. You will want to avoid damaging the meter and possibly hurting yourself. Finally, check for resistance of the wires by turning off all power sources and connecting one lead of a multimeter to each wire end separately. If you have a voltmeter specifically designed for electric fences, you can use this instead of a multimeter for more accurate readings. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 82,170 times. References(1) earthing https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265077/(2) earth https://www.britannica.com/place/Earth. Depending on the type of animals they are meant to control, electric fence voltages typically range from 2,000 to 10,000 volts. To begin testing, insert one of the probes into the appropriate terminal located on the fence controller. A standard multimeter is likely to be much more fragile than one that is designed for testing electric fences. When testing your electric fence, you should look for voltage drops that could indicate problems with the fence. This tool will measure voltage without actually touching any wires or terminals. It is also important to remember to use the multimeter in AC mode and measure from the fence to the ground. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. To test and check for the continuity of the wires along the fence, use a non-contact voltmeter. You want to make sure you choose a voltage setting on the multimeter that is higher than the rated voltage of your battery, to avoid damage to the multimeter. Nonetheless, electric fences often have a voltage range of 6000 and 10000 volts. The average volt for electric fences stands at 8000V. Note down the current reading from multimeter. Electric fences are generally made up of three components. It's also good to have an expert make sure your ground wire is connected properly, as poor grounding is a major cause of electric fence malfunctions. Never urinate on an electric fence as the current can travel up the stream of urine and shock you. A poorly functioning electric fence may lead to escaped animals or an increased risk of predator attacks, resulting in costly damages and lost profits. The volt depends on the supply from the energizer and may either cause uncomfortable shocks, very painful zaps, or even death. By following the steps above, you can have a better understanding of your electric fences performance and take the necessary steps to address any issues. With a multimeter, you can measure current, voltage, resistance, and many more to check for the continuity of the wires, the resistance of the wires, short circuits, and other issues that might arise when installing or maintaining an electric fence. However, regular checking of resistance levels ensures that you keep your fence in optimal condition.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'dreamoutdoorliving_com-netboard-1','ezslot_24',886,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-dreamoutdoorliving_com-netboard-1-0'); Remember, using a multimeter for resistance testing is easy, but it requires accuracy and care. By identifying and addressing issues early on, you can prevent these financial losses.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'dreamoutdoorliving_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',872,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-dreamoutdoorliving_com-banner-1-0'); Overall, testing your electric fence is crucial to ensuring its safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. By using our site, you agree to our. How To Test Electric Fence With Multimeter - Electro University By following these additional tips, you can ensure that your electric fence remains efficient and effective in keeping your animals safe and secure. Remember to set your multimeter to the correct setting for kilo-volts (kV). Additionally, keep all flammable materials away from the area of testing, as electric sparks can ignite them. When an animal touches the fence, it completes a circuit and the current is transferred to the animal, either stunning it or repelling it away from the fence. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. An electric fence may either be powered by AC voltage, DC voltage, or solar power. Here's a step-by-step guide on testing your electric fence with a multimeter. You can find this in your fences manual. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Before making direct contact with a fence to test its voltage, take the required precautions such as donning shockproof gloves and safety shoes. It is important to note that since electric fences operate with high voltages, there is a risk of electric shock, and should only be done by qualified personnel. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Test-an-Electric-Fence-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Test-an-Electric-Fence-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Test-an-Electric-Fence-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid10785309-v4-728px-Test-an-Electric-Fence-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"