What is a Ground System?
A grounding system is the most important component of
any electric fence system. If an electric fence is not properly
grounded, it will be much less effective.
How does Ground Work?
For an electric fence to give an animal an electric shock,
electrons must complete a circuit. Electrons travel from
the charger, along the wires, through the animals body,
through the soil to the grounding system, then back up to
the charger. The grounding system consists of a number of
ground rods (ground stakes) that absorb electrons in the
soil. The larger the charger and the longer the fence line,
the more ground rods are required.
What Factors will Affact the Ground System?
Dry, sandy and non-conductive soil types allow electrons
to spread out without being absorbed by the ground rods.
If you have soil that is not well suited to grounding, use
additional ground rods, choose a better location for the
ground system, or use an alternate method of grounding.
Vegetation touching the live fence wires allows electronsto leak, causing the fence to short and voltage to drop.
Check the fence regularly to make sure that long grass and
overhanging branches are not touching the live fence wire.
Using a mixture of metals in the ground system will lead to
electrolysis. This may cause the parts of the ground system
to disintegrate in a short period of time. For example, never
use copper wire with galvanized ground rods.
Ground Systems - All Live An all live ground system is recommended where soil is
conductive (most moist soils are conductive). When an
animal standing on the soil touches the fence, the circuit
is completed and the animal gets a shock.
Ground Systems - Ground Wire Return
A ground wire return system is recommended where soil is
not conductive (most dry or sandy soils are not conductive).
The fence is constructed using both live and ground wires.
When an animal touches a live and a ground wire at the
same time, the circuit is completed and the animal gets a
shock.
Selecting a Site for the Ground System
A suitable place for the ground system is:
At least 30 away from any other ground system
(i.e., telephone, house power line, etc.).
Away from livestock or other traffic that could interfere
with the installation.
Where the system can easily be accessed for
maintenance.
Ideally, where there is damp soil all year round
(i.e., a shaded area or under the drip line of a building).
NOTE: If it is not possible to locate the ground system in
close proximity to the energizer, you may be able to use the
existing fence line to connect to a remote ground system.
In dry weather, it may be necessary to water the ground
system in order to improve soil conductivity.
Ground Rods
The number of ground rods depends on the type of charger
being used to power the fence. Refer to information supplied
with your charger for more information about the correct
number of ground rods to use.
To insert the ground rods:
1. Space the required number of 6 ground rods at least
10 apart.
2. Drive 6 ground rods deeply into the soil, at least 10
apart. Make sure that the ground rods protrude out of
the soil at least 3 so they can be easily connected.
3. Join the ground rods in a series using joint clamps (or
ground clamps) and insulated cable.
Testing the Ground System
1. Turn off the charger.
2. At least 330 away from the charger, heavily short circuit
the fence by laying several steel rods (or lengths of pipe)
against the fence. In dry or sandy soils, drive the rods up
to 12 into the soil.
3. Turn on the charger.
4. Use a digital voltmeter to measure the fence voltage.
It should read 2 kV or less. If not, put more steel rods
against the fence.
5. To check the ground system, insert the voltmeters ground
probe into the soil at the full extent of the lead and attach
the clip to the last ground rod. The voltmeter reading
should be no more than 0.3 kV. If the reading is higher
than this, the ground system is insufficient. See the
grounding checklist, add more ground rods, or find a
better location for your ground system.
Ground Checklist
Check your ground system to make sure:
All wires are joined securely.
Connections to ground rods are secure.
Ground rods are at least 6 long and at least 10 apart.
There are a sufficient number of ground rods.
All parts of the ground system are made of the same
metal.
Ground rods are buried deeply in the soil. |
