The table below specifies the minimum number of 1m (3'3") earth stakes recommended for an
earthing system. Often, especially with bad conducting or dry soil more respectively longer
earth stakes are necessary.
Energiser
P20 / 0.14 J:
P40 / 0.21 J:
P60 / 0.28 J:
Test the earth system, using the following procedure:
1. Turn off the energiser.
2. At least 100 m (330') away from the energiser, short circuit the fence by laying several
steel stakes or lengths of pipe against the fence. For best results, the fence voltage should
be lowered to 2,000 V or less. In dry or sandy conditions, it may be necessary to drive the
stakes up to 300 mm (12") into the earth.
3. Turn the energiser back on.
4. Using a PATURA digital voltmeter, ensure that the fence voltage is below 2 kV.
5. Check your earth system. Insert the voltmeter's earth probe into the ground at the full extent
of the lead, and hold the hook against the last earth stake. The tester should not read more
than 0.5 kV. Anything higher than this indicates that better earthing is required. Either add
more earth stakes or find a better ground area to drive in the earth stakes. A voltage of
below 0.2 kV would be best.
short circuit
live
live
Safety Considerations
Safety considerations according to European Security Standard EN 60335-2-76
Definition of special terms
Energiser – An appliance that is intended to periodically deliver voltage impulses to a fence
connected to it.
Fence – A barrier for animals or for the purpose of security, comprising one or more conduc-
tors such as metal wires, rods or rails.
Electric fence – A barrier which includes one or more electric conductors, insulated from earth,
to which electric pulses are applied by an energiser.
Earth stake
at least 1 x 0.25 m
at least 1 x 0.65 m
at least 1 x 0.65 m
Energiser
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Energiser
Earth
DVM
Earth