Horizontal stay
Suitable for field gate, high-tension strainer.
Very simple to erect and most suitable as a high tension
strainer, excellent in areas where the soil gets very wet or
where heavy frost occurs.
Installing and testing an earth
system
Select a suitable site for the earth system. Sites need to be:
At least 10 m (33') from other earth systems (e.g.
•
telephone, mains power or the earth system of another
energizer).
Away from stock or other traffic that could interfere with
•
the installation.
At a site that can be easily observed for maintenance.
•
Ideally at a site that has damp soil (e.g. a shaded or
•
swampy location). Note that the earth does not need to be
directly adjacent to the energizer installation.
Drive four 2 m (6'6") earth rods into the ground. Use high-
voltage, insulated cable and earth clamps to continuously
connect the earth rods and the energizer's Fence earth
terminal. Make sure the insulation is stripped back to ensure
good contact between the wire and the earth rod.
Test the earth system, using the following procedure:
1
Turn off the energizer.
2
At least 100 m (330') away from the energizer, short
circuit the fence by laying several steel rods or lengths of
pipe against the fence. In dry or sandy conditions, it may
be necessary to drive the rods up to 300 mm (12") into the
earth.
Note:
It is not acceptable to short-circuit a fence return
system to the earth wire of the fence.
3
Turn the energizer back on.
4
Using an electric fence voltmeter, ensure that the fence
voltage is below 2 kV.
Check your earth system.
5
into the ground at the full extent of the lead, and clip the
other lead to the last earth rod. The voltmeter should not
read more than 0.8 kV. Anything higher than this indicates
Insert the voltmeter's earth probe
that better earthing is required. Either add more earth rods
or find a better ground area to drive in the earth rods.
Note:
When earthing energizers located in dairies, earth at
least 20 m (65') away from the dairy using double-insulated
lead-out wire to avoid touching the dairy building or
equipment.
Temporary electric fencing
A temporary fence can be quickly erected and easily moved
allowing the farmer to:
Make smaller paddocks (fields)
•
Keep herds of animals separated
•
Ration feed
•
Note:
Use more wires for smaller animals and wild animals.
Politape should be used when greater visibility is required (e.g.
horses).
An example of a temporary fence is shown below.
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