With an electric fence tester, you measure how much voltage is on your fence without getting a shock yourself. We have the Gobel fence tester with LED display and the ZoneGuard Multilight, which shows a level with six lights. There are also the parts for good earthing here: 1 m galvanised earth rods, wire clamps and copper earth cable.
Display or lights?
A tester with a display shows a number. That is handy if you want to compare, for example close to the energiser and at the furthest point of your field, or before and after mowing. A light tester such as the Multilight shows with the number of lights whether the voltage is low, fair or good. It is simple to use and quick to read as you walk the line.
How to find a leak
- First measure directly at the energiser. If the reading is already low there, the problem is in the energiser, the power source or the earthing.
- Walk the line and measure every few posts. Where the voltage suddenly drops, there is a leak: grass against the wire, a broken insulator or a poor connection.
- If in doubt, check the earthing: moist ground, enough rods and properly tightened clamps.
Earthing: the underrated part
Current has to return to the energiser through the soil. In dry sandy or peat soil that is difficult, and then an animal notices little of the fence. Several earth rods, connected to each other with copper earth cable, improve the circuit. Preferably place them somewhere that does not dry out. Other parts such as connectors and switches are in fencing accessories; gate handles are in gate handles. Look for the energiser itself in electric fence energisers.
Frequently asked questions
What voltage should be on the line?
That differs per species and coat. Check your energiser's manual for the recommended minimum and measure at the furthest point of your fence.
How many earth rods do I need?
That depends on the energiser and the soil type. Powerful energisers and dry ground need more rods; your energiser's manual gives a guideline.
Can I also test the energiser with a tester?
Yes, by measuring directly at the output. If the reading is good there and poor further along, the problem is in the line.