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Common F
enc
e P
roblems
© JVA Technologies. www.jva-fence.com
ST035 User Manual
8
COMMON FENCE PROBLEMS
The most common problem with electric fences is low voltage on the live
wires caused by
•
Insufficient ‘earth’
•
Shorts on the fence
For tips on fence construction please see an Electric Fencing Manual.
8.1 TESTING THE ‘EARTH’
The ‘earth’ is essential to all electric fence systems. Larger energisers re-
quire more earth rods. Additionally, all energisers require a low resistance
wired connection from the energiser earth terminal to the earth rod.
Short the end of your fence to earth by hammering a metal stake into the
soil and connecting this to the live fence wire. Using an electric fence volt
meter or a JVA Electric Fence Fault Finder (do not use a standard multi-
meter) check what the voltage is at the earth terminal of the energiser. In
general you should see a reading less than 300 volts (0.3kV).
8.2 TESTING THE FENCE, FINDING SHORTS
To test the performance of the fence or find faults on the fence an electric
fence voltmeter is essential and a JVA Electric Fence Fault Finder is even
better. An effective fence will have more than 2 kV (2000 volts).
