Electric fence require very little maintenance compared to other types of fence. You do not need to paint or stain the fence and it does not need to be replaced as often as other types of fence. This can save time and money in the long run. Electric fence is an incredibly useful fence system for many farmers and is capable of handling many different tasks. It can make an excellent fence choice for horses, cattle, sheep, goats and chickens.

Before we look at maintenance, let’s understand how an electric fence works. Essentially, it’s a wire fence through which an electric pulse is passed. This pulse, generated by an energiser, converts power from the mains or a battery into a high voltage, low current electrical pulse. (Current is what kills, which is why fences use a low current.) The energiser is connected to the fence and grounded to complete the circuit.

Earthing is arguably the most important component of an electric fence system and most issues with electric fences arise from poor earthing. For the fence to work, the circuit must be completed: when an intruder or animal touches the fence, the circuit is completed through the ground via their body and flows back to the energiser through the earth. To maintain proper earthing, ensure you have enough earth stakes buried in the ground, especially in dry conditions where the grounding of the wires can be weak.Now, let’s address some common issues and the basic maintenance steps you can take:

Danger: turn off the power. Before starting any maintenance work, always turn off the power on the energiser to keep safe.

Inspect the fence wire: Check the fence wire regularly to make sure there are no obstructions such as branches, leaves, weeds, or insects touching the fence and the ground. A constant clicking noise from the electric fence wire is often an indicator that something is touching it. Prune trees and shrubs to prevent foliage from contact with the wires. Also, remove any debris from inside the insulators that could complete the circuit by touching the steel fence dropper.

Check for damage: Examine the wires for damage, breaks or corrosion and also check the insulators that secure the electrified wire to the fence posts.

Tension the wires: Make sure that the wires on your electric fence are properly tensioned, so that they don’t touch each other or the ground. If you need to tighten them, be careful not to over-tighten, as this could harm the wire. Just tighten them enough to remove any slack in the wire.

Battery backup: If your energizer has a battery backup, check the battery regularly to make sure that it’s working. This step is essential for maintaining power during outages.And that’s it – an electric fence is a simple thing to look after and it will keep your property and family safe if you do so.

Allow the wire to touch the fence dropper and complete the circuit. Replace damaged components if needed.