Powerfields Virtual Catalog

Powerfields.com | 1-800-843-3702 47 A proper grounding system is possibly the most important part of an electric fence system, unless you are using one of our Posi-Neg electric nets. Improper grounding is cause for 90% of the problems experienced with an electric fence. What is a Ground System? Think of your ground as an underground antenna, the more electricity it is capable of collecting, the greater the shock sensation the animal will recognize. The system consists of ground rods (to pass the electric current from soil to energizer), the ground (soil), and a connection the energizer. The larger the energizer or the longer the fence line, the more ground rods required. How does the system work? Follow the simple diagram to the right to see how the energy is transferred. It is a complete, closed circuit starting with the energizer. When the animal touches the fence, the current flows from the energizer, through the animal’s body and into the soil to the ground system, and finally back to the energizer. Factors affecting a good ground The soil has a lot to do with how well the ground system will work. Areas where the soil is dry and sandy will have limited conductiv- ity from the soil. In this situation, more ground rods are required. It is also a good idea to “water” your ground bed to moisten the soil, increasing the conductivity. Shorts along the fence line such as heavy vegetation, tree limb, or fence wire touching a metal or wooden post will cause the current to leak off the fence line. This can be identified through a drop in voltage when using a volt meter to test your fence. Mixing metal types in your ground bed is another source of problems. The mixture of metals will lead to electrolysis. This could lead to damage to parts of the ground system. Never mix metal types (copper wire with a galvanized ground rod.) Recommendations We recommend 3-6 foot of ground rods spaced 10 feet apart for proper grounding. This will ensure you have maximum fence effi- ciency. Be sure to use high voltage insulated wire to connect fence strands to protect from possible shorts of arcing from fence to post. Top of ground rods 4”-6” below ground level Negative lead from ground system Positive Proper grounding is a critical component of your electric fence system Dry soil conditions significantly reduce connection Energizer 6ft 10ft Ground System 10’ Ground Return Ground System 10’ EARTH/GROUND RETURN Ground Return Recommended where soil is conductive. This system is suitable for most moist soils. Current flows through the animal and the ground back to the ground rods. Recommended where soil is not conductive. If the soil is dry or sandy it is usually not very conductive. The fence is constructed using both live and ground wires. If the animal touches the live wire the current flows through the animal and the ground back to the ground rods. If the animal touches the live wire and the ground wire the current flows through the ground and fence ground wire to the ground rods. ELECTRIC FENCE Installation STEP 6: THE GROUNDING SYSTEM TYPE 1: ALL LIVE TYPE 2: EARTH/GROUND