BASIC ELECTRIC FENCE COURSE FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES ONLY
BASIC ELECTRIC FENCE COURSE FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES ONLY Please note: This course does not qualify you to issue an: Electric fence System Certificate Of Compliance.
What is the purpose of an Electric Fence? To keep unwanted people out. and Wanted animals in.
Energizers Types of energizers. 1) Non monitored earth energizer. (If the earth wire is cut the energizer will not give an alarm) Has only one earth connection on the energizer, Earth out. Will have two live connections on the energizer, Live out & Live return. 2) Monitored earth energizer. (If the earth wire is cut the energizer will give an alarm) Has two earth connections on the energizer, Earth out & Earth return. Will have two live connections on the energizer, Live out & Live return. (A monitored earth energizer can also be used as a non-monitored energizer by bridging the earth out to the earth return). Energizer Why different size of energizers in terms of joules are used. EG: 2 J, 4 J, 5 J, 8 J, Etc. Joules does not give you more voltage, it allows for greater distances. The thickness and type of wire will also determine what distances can be obtained from a energizer. Example Solid & Stranded (Braided) Galv. 1. 1 mm 2 mm to 2. 24 mm Opt. Max. KM KM 4 J 5 J 8 J 3 8 10 5 18 25 4 16 20 10 35 50 S/S 304 & 316 Alu. 1 mm 1. 2 mm 1. 6 mm 2 mm Opt. Max. Live RETURN Earth RETURN KM KM 0. 6 0. 7 0. 9 1 0. 7 1 1 1. 3 Earth OUT Live 0. 8 OUT 1. 1 2. 4 3. 3 3. 9 8 32 40 16 60 80 NOTE: Maximum voltage for domestic purposes on the live wire according to law is 10’ 000 Volts. HT cable must always be used to connect the energizer to the fence. KM = Total length of LIVE wire. (Length of fence x quantity of LIVE wire only)
How to calculate what size energizer to use. You take the length of the electric fence in meters, multiply that by the amount of live wire on the fence, that will give the live wire distance in meters, divide that by 1000 and that gives you the distance in KM. Now go to the chart and find the wire you are using and select the energizer that relates to the distance you calculated. EG: Your fence has a distance of 1900 meters with 3 live wires = 5700 meters divided by 1000 = 5, 7 KM. using 1. 1 mm braided wire, you would need a 5 Joule energizer. Resetable and non resetable ALARM feature. Resetable means that when the energizer goes into an alarm, the siren will go off for a pre-set time and then stop. It will then reset the energizer automatically so that when there is another alarm, the siren will go off again. Keep in mind that the fence will always remain live. The strobe, if connected will always carry on flashing until the energizer is manually reset. Non resetable means that when the energizer goes into an alarm, the siren will go off for a pre-set time as above. If the energizer is then not manually reset, the siren will not go off again when there is another alarm, unlike above, but the fence, as above will always remain live. (The DTS Megashock 5 energizer will continue to go ON & OFF according to the pre-set time until manually reset, the auto reset is done on dipswitch number 3. OFF = Manual & ON = Auto reset) The strobe, if connected will always carry on flashing until the energizer is manually reset as above. Note: The DTS Megashock 5 energizer’s siren time output can be set on dipswitch number 6. OFF = 3 minutes. ON = 8 minutes.
Non Monitored Earth X = Approximately 1. 2 Meters Knock in all Earth spikes at least 1. 2 meters deep. Energizer The first 3 x earth spikes must be as close to the energizer as possible. (Inline or in a triangle) Knock in all Earth spikes at least 1. 2 meters deep. Earth spike Ground level Should be at least 1. 2 meters deep Earth Live IN X Live OUT X
Monitored Earth Qty of earth spikes are determined by Length of fence and or poor soil. X Earth spike Live OUT Live IN IN Earth Knock in all Earth spikes at least 1. 2 meters deep. Earth OUT X = Approximately 1. 2 Meters Energizer The first 3 x earth spikes must be as close to the energizer as possible. Plus one earth spike per every 30 meters of fence. Ground level Should be at least 1. 2 meter deep X
Fence wire in Parallel (Non monitored earth) Fence 1 Fence 2 Knock in all Earth spikes at least 1. 2 m deep. IN Energizer The first 3 earth spikes must be as close to the energizer as possible. Ground level Should be at least 1. 2 meter deep Live Earth Live OUT Earth spike
Fence wired in Series (Looped) (Non monitored earth) Fence 1 Fence 2 Energizer The first 3 earth spikes must be as close to the energizer as possible. Earth spike Ground level Should be at least 1. 2 meter deep IN Live Earth Live OUT Knock in all Earth spikes at least 1. 2 m deep.
How to fit Lightning arrestors (Without inductor) Fence 1 Earth Live IN Live OUT Lightning arrestors Energizer 5 loops of approximately 500 mm in Diameter NOTE: The Energizer and the Lightning arrestors must be fitted at least 1500 mm above ground.
How to fit Lightning arrestors (With inductor) Fence 1 Earth Live IN Live OUT Lightning arrestors Energizer NOTE: The Energizer and the Lightning arrestors must be fitted at least 1500 mm above ground.
Connecting Lightning arrestors with inductor to a Electric Fence. Energizer Rest of E/F Earthing to be done as per E/F law specification. Lighting arrestors Live Out Earth wire Live Out Live Return Fence
Live IN, Live OUT wire. The wire from live OUT back to live IN must be one continuous wire with no break in the wire. The wire must not make any contact or short to any other wires or conductive products. The insulators (bobbins) must be of good quality, without any cracks that could lead to the live wire arching to the insulator holder (poles). Earth wire. Non Monitored earth. This is also a continuous wire from the earth OUT to the end of the fence. This wire must not make contact with the live wire, but can make contact to other conductive products. This wire should have sufficient earth spikes connected to avoid false alarms. If there is a brake or cut on this wire it will NOT cause the energizer to go into alarm. Monitored earth. This is also a continuous wire from the earth OUT but will end at the earth IN on the energizer. This wire must not make contact with the live wire, but can make contact to other conductive products. IN Live Earth OUT Live OUT This wire should have sufficient earth spikes connected to avoid false alarms. If there is a brake or cut in this wire it WILL cause the energizer to go into alarm. Live OUT Live IN IN Earth OUT Energizer
Earth Spikes In both occasions, monitored and non monitored earth, the main (first) 3 earth spikes should be planted as close to the energizer as possible. Earth spike All earth spikes should be at least 1. 2 meter deep. Should be at least Not 1. 2 deep enough meter deep For non monitored energizers, earth spikes should be. Ground fitted atlevel the beginning, middle, the end and every 30 meters of the fence. For monitored energizers, earth spikes should be fitted as waslevel shown in the diagram, Ground or as per the next diagram. HT cables must always be used to connect the fence earth wires to the earth spikes. Never run any HT cable in the same conduit as 220 Volt power. Note: If an electric gate motor has been installed on the property and the electric fence runs close by it, it is recommended that an earth spike is connected on the fence within 1 meter of the gate motor to avoid false triggering of that motor. Warning Signs Qty ofsigns earth must spikesbe are Warning a determined minimum size of 200 mm in width x 100 mm in height. by Length of fence and or poor soil. It must be in writing on YELLOW back ground. 3 x. BLACK Close to energizer X X Must be fitted on every face of a fence. End of Must be fitted on every gate that is fitted with an electric fence Must be fitted between 1. 5 & 2 meters above ground level. Situated 200 mm from 1. 2 any Corner, Bend, Straight length or any Access area. X = Approximately Meter Live OUT Live IN IN Earth OUT Situated every 10 meters apart in urban area’s. Must be situated in a visible position. Earth Situated every 100 meters apart in rural area’s. Energizer Middle of fence
Poles The following poles can be used. Wall top Flat bar, Straight or angle. Round bar, Straight. Square tube, Straight or angle. The above poles can be obtained in the following: White, Black or Galvanized. 5 line 6 line 8 line or 10 line Note: The height of the wall for wall top fencing should be at least 1. 5 meters. Y-Standard If free standing Y-standard poles are used against an existing wall, then the gap between the wall and the electric fence must by LAW be smaller than 200 mm or greater 1 meter. Wall Electric Fence Smaller than 200 mm or Greater than 1 meter Note: If the electric fence is connected to the existing fence, known as piggy back fence, then the distance must be smaller than 200 mm but not less than 100 mm.
Tensioning of wires. Tensioning distance should never exceed 30 meters on an electric fence. Tensioning should always be done at all corners of an electric fence. Tensioning should always be done at the end of an electric fence. Distance should not exceed 30 meters. Bobbins Fence wire 6 mm Ferrules Tension Spring Bobbins Spring hook Line Tensioner. The following line tensioners can be used (For braided wire only) Various types of spring tensioners - Spring without limiter - Spring with limiter - Nemtek tensioner, spring nylon - Nemtek tensioner, combo Hybrid (For all other and or braided wire) Nemtek tensioner, mini nylon Hybrid Nemtek tensioner, Hybrid H/Duty Mini donza Donald tensioner Note: Never use Stainless Steel wire with Galvanized tensioners. (The S/S wire will rust)
Stays must be fitted on Start and end of a fence. Both ends of a corner. Both ends of a gate. Every 30 meters, both sides of the pole where spring tensioning takes place. Wire Tension pole The following wire can be used. 30 meters Resistance in Ohm’s/1000 m 175 100 Braided wire 1. 1 mm 1. 6 mm M/kg 138 120 Stainless Steel 1. 0 mm 1. 2 mm 1. 6 mm 157 109 69 1000 700 390 Steel / Galv. 2. 24 mm 33 50 Aluminium 1. 6 mm 172 27 Note: The above values to each wire thickness are estimated values only.
Gate contacts Various methods of connecting the electric fence to the gate. 1) Parallel methods. Chain - Connecting a chain link from the main electric fence to the gate. Single pole - Connecting one wire from the electric fence to one part of the gate contactor and one wire from the gate to the other part of the gate contactor. 2) Series methods. Double pole - Connecting two wires from the electric fence to the two points on the one part of the gate contactor and two wires from the gate to the other part of the gate contactors two connections. These connections from the fence and the gate should be in such a way that a loop is always created. From energizer 2 Pin inline - The connections for this gate contact is the same as for the Double pole gate contactor. Back to energizer If the Ifgate isisopen, closed, Overhead power line clearances continuity is here is there If leads and electric fence wires are installed near an overhead power line, the clearances shall not be less Than the following: energizer Clearance Power line From voltage M V Back to energizer 1000 3 1000 but 33000 4 8
Warning signs 1) The size of a warning must not be smaller than 200 mm in width and 100 mm in height, and the lettering and symbols shall be in compliance with SANS 60335 -2 -76. 2) Must be black writing on yellow back ground. 3) The writing must in in one European and one African language. 4) Must be fitted at least - 1 per face, 1 per gate and 1 no more than 10/100 meters apart. (10 meters in high density population areas & 100 meters in low density population areas). 5) No more than 2 meters from a corner & between 1. 5 and 2 meters above ground level. 6) No more than 500 mm on either side of an access area on which an electric fence is erected. 7) Shall be placed in clearly visible positions. (EG: not behind a tree)
Basic things to know The height of an existing wall for wall top fencing must be at least 1. 5 meters high. The same applies for a free standing Electric fence next to an existing wall. Barbed and or Razor wire shall NOT be allowed to be electrified, by law. The voltage at the end of your electric fence should not measure less than half of what you measure at the beginning of your electric fence. EG: 9000 volt at the beginning then 4500 must be the least you should get at the end. If the return voltage is less than half, your energizer is to small for that installation or your energizer is faulty. If your return voltage is higher than your input voltage you are getting inductive voltage from somewhere. Preferable, never join a wire between poles. Rather replace the wire from start to tension points. Wall top electric fence 1. 5 meters 9000 volt Free standing electric fence At least 9500 3000 4500 volt Existing wall
Fitting a receiver to an Energizer There DTS Megashock 5 is two ways energizer of connecting is equipped a receiver with a connection to fit a DTS two channel receiver. Two wires from PCB to key switch With this DTSonly twothe channel receiver connected you can switch the energizer ON and OFF via the 1) Utilizing Receiver Magnetic switch or Receiver Disconnect thethe wires from the ON/OFF key switch. Com When. Connect activating or de-activating the energizer via the receiver, the energizers siren (if connect) will buzz to them to the Receiver. N/O indicate that the is ON or OFF. ON/OFF key switch/ Connect theenergizer 12 volt Aux. output to the Receiver. Important: Ensure that the Receiver is in latch mode. The energizer can only be switch ON or OFF via the Receiver Magnetic switch + Energizer as the key switch is now entirely eliminated. Aux. 12 volt output + 2) Utilizing the Receiver in conjunction with the key switch Cut one wire coming from the PCB to the key switch. Two wires from PCB to key switch Connect the open wires to the Receiver. Connect the 12 volt Aux. output to the Receiver. Important: Ensure that the Receiver is in latch mode. Receiver Com N/O If either the Receiver or the key switch is not active, the energizer will be OFF. ON/OFF key switch/ + Magnetic switch Energizer Both the Receiver and the key switch must be ON for the energizer to be ON. + Never bridge the negative and the common on the receiver when connecting to an energizer. Aux. 12 volt output
Connecting a gate close switch N/O to the PCB. Fit part 1 of gate close switch N/O to the wall. Fit part 2 to the gate. Connect the gate close switch N/O to the energizers PCB. Part 1 Part 2 One connection to CMN. The other connection to GSW. With magnet in it. The gate alarm delay can be set on the DTS Megashock 5 energizer on dipswitch number 4. OFF = 1 minute. ON = 3 minutes.
Basic calculation for equipment to be used on an Electric Fence Poles - Distance of fence divided by 3 = quantity of poles required. - Add 2 poles per gate. - Add 1 pole per slope drop if drop is more than 90 mm. - Add 1 pole per corner. Stays - 1 at start of fence. - 1 at end of fence. - 2 per corner. - 2 per gate. - 2 at every 30 meters were the fence should be tensioned off. Stay lugs - 1 per stay. Stay clamps - 1 per stay. (Only for round bar poles) Nail in Anchors - 2 per Flat bar or Square tube pole. - 1 per stay lug. Ferrules - 2 per length of wire. (100/box) - 1 per HT cable from energizer. - 1 per HT cable per earth spike. - Always add 10% to total figure calculated. Spring hooks - 1 per length of wire + 10% spare. Springs – 1 per length of wire + 10% spare. Earth spikes - 6 + 1 per 30 meters of fence. HT Cable - 4 or 5 x Distance from energizer to fence, approximately 2 meters per earth spike + 10%. Line clamps - 10 per fence plus. (For safety if you forgot to put on ferrules) Gate contacts - 1 per gate. (if and when required) Siren - 1 per fence. (if and when required) Strobe - 1 per fence. (if and when required) Warning signs - At least - 1 per face, 1 per gate and 1 every 10/100 meters. (No more than 2 meters from a corner & between 1. 5 and 2 meters above ground level) Wire - Length of fence x quantity of lines = Meters required.
Basic equipment required for a Domestic Electric Fence Energizer. Poles. Wire. Stays. Stay lugs. Stay clamps (for round bar poles). Nail in Anchors. Ferrules. Line clamps. Tensioning springs. Spring hooks. Earth spikes. HT cable. Gate contacts. Siren. Strobe. Warning signs. Optional equipment Fence scope. Fence light.
New rules that are applicable from approx. 1/12/2016 (Date to be confirmed) 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) Conduit pipes should not exceed 50 mm in diameter. Furthest point of fence shall mean, most distance from energizer. Warning sign 2 meter from a bend being greater than 25 deg. A barrier fence can be reduced to 1. 2 meter if the barrier fence is 1. 5 meter from the EF. A energizer shall not exceed 8 J in a high density populated area. (Domestic) The earth of the lightning arrestors can be connected to the 3 earth spikes closest to the energizer. All vegetation shall be cut back on both sides of a EF by 200 mm. There shall be no vegetation below a free standing EF. a) Overhead communication lines (OCL) – An EF shall be installed at an angle of greater than 45 degrees. b) If installed parallel, then the distance between OCL & highest live EF wire shall be 1 meter if the EF is a maximum of 100 meters. c) If the EF is greater than 100 meters, then the distance between must be 2. 5 meters. d) These distances must hold during hot or cold weather conditions. 10) A simulated wire cut and a fence short test shall be done on the furthest point before issuing a EF COC. Adequate earthing 1) Disconnect the siren, connect a earth spike furthest point of energizer to a live wire, disconnect the 3 rd earth spike from the 3 earth spikes closest to the energizer. Take a voltage reading between the earth connected to the live and a earth wire. The reading should not exceed 2000 Volt. 2) Also, take a voltage reading between disconnected 3 rd earth spike & another earth spike. The reading should not exceed 300 Volt.
Fault finding Always check the fuses first. The second thing to do if the fuses are OK is to determine what is faulty, the energizer or the fence. Switch OFF the energizer. Remove the fence wires LIVE and EARTH from the energizer. Bridge LIVE out with LIVE return. Bridge EARTH out with EARTH return. (in the case of a monitored EARTH) Now switch on the energizer again. If the energizer is still not functional, the energizer is faulty, return to Supplier for repair or Warrantee claim. If the energizer however is now functional, do the following steps. (Always switch OFF the energizer first) Replace the EARTH wires, switch ON the energizer and check again. Replace the LIVE wires, switch ON the energizer and check again. If the energizer is not functional on replacement of the EARTH wires, the problem is with the EARTH. In most cases the fence is then not sufficiently earthed or there is a break in the wire in a monitored earth fence. If the energizer is not functional on replacement of the LIVE wires, the problem is with the LIVE wires. There is either a break in the wire, or the LIVE wire is shorting out on the EARTH wire. Always also check the continuity on the HT cables from the energizer to the fence, LIVE and EARTH. A Fence Scope is a useful tool to find faults on the fence.
Re-cap of legal issues. 1) 2) 3) 4) Maximum voltage on electric fence. Placement and size of warning signs. Height of existing walls. Space between electric fence and existing walls.
End of training presentation Thank you for attending.
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