Proper (or improper) grounding of your energizer is linked directly to the performance of an energizer. Your grounding acts somewhat like the antenna of a radio or TV, normally, the bigger the antenna, the better the reception. Your grounding system is the most important component of any electric fence system. If your system is not properly grounded to earth, it will be much less effective.
Location:
- Place your ground rods at least 33 feet from all other grounds, such as utility grounds, telephone, home or barn grounds.
- Place them away from stock or other traffic that could potentially interfere with its performance and periodic maintenance.
- Place in a place of permanent moisture such as a shaded or swampy area. A drip line of a building works well.
- If no such place exists nearby the energizer, then the grounding may be located farther away. In which case, you will have a little expense to run the lead wire back to the energizer. If this is not possible and you end up installing your ground rods in areas that are expected to become extremely dry, then you may help out by watering your rods during dry drought conditions.
Materials:
- We normally suggest that you use galvanized ground rods. The reason being that the rest of your system is all galvanized and its not a good idea to mix dissimilar metals, causing electrolysis, resulting in corrosion and bad connections. Rods of 5/8? diameter go into the ground better (without bending) compared to 1/2? rods.
- Copper rods are also acceptable. But, if you do use copper rods, then also use copper wire to make your connections all the way back to the energizer.
- Use a good quality ground rod clamp.
- A good choice on your lead out wire is to use 12.5 gauge insulated wire.
Number of Rods and Spacing Requirements:
- Our basic recommendation is that you will need 3 feet of ground rod for each output joule of your charger. For example if you have a 6 joule (output) energizer, then you will need about 18 feet of ground rods buried in the ground, or three 6 foot rods. We recommend that you use rods no less than 6 feet in length, and drive them in with only a couple inches above ground. Leave enough exposed to get your clamp on and still be able to inspect it in the future.
- Space your ground rods at least 10 feet apart. The effective grounding radius is about 5 feet, so 10 foot spacing is ideal. 3. Join all your ground rods together in series and connect to your grounding terminal at the energizer. Again, we recommend using insulated wire for this purpose.
Another Method of Grounding is a Positive / Negative Fence:
- With a positive/negative fence, the wires are alternately connected to the fence connection (positive terminal) and the ground connection (negative terminal) on the energizer. These wires are separated by a distance that is too small for the animal to slip between them without touching both at the same time. When two wires are touched simultaneously, an electric shock is felt. The current flows directly from the fence wire (positive terminal), through the body that is touching both wires to the ground wire (negative terminal).