ELECTRIC 

FENCING

SERIOUS GRAZIERS

for

U N I T E D S TAT E S D E PARTM E N T O F AGR IC U LT UR E

MISSOURI
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers 3

ELECTRIC 

FENCING

SERIOUS GRAZIERS

for

CONTENTS

Selecting an Energizer 7

Grounding Recommendations 7

Energizer Installation 8

Alternative Grounding System 9

Testing your Grounding System 9

Energizers & Lightning 10

Selecting Wire 12

Temporary Fencing 13

Installing Electric Fence 16

Tools 16

Safety 28

Floodplain Fences 29

Electrical Terms 31

Troubleshooting 33
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers 5

For more information

about getting started 

with electric fencing or

how to improve your 

existing system, contact

the NRCS office serving

your county. Look in the

telephone directory 

under “U.S. Government,

Department of Agriculture,”

or access this website:

http://offices.usda.gov.

tip:

Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

T

he information in this publication is based upon the experiences of NRCS personnel and graziers during the past 

20 years. This is not intended as a detailed how-to manual

about fence building. Those are available from numerous

sources. Graziers should collect manuals from several fence

companies to learn the techniques that could apply to their operations.

Techniques described here are primarily for producers installing

one-wire and two-wire fences and permanent power stations using 

110-volt energizers.

Approach electric fence construction with the same frame of mind

and skills as you would with any other electrical wiring. Getting shocked

by a modern energizer when you get careless won’t kill you. But for a

while, you might wonder!

Graziers should make every attempt to purchase the best quality

products available, which doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive.

For instance, there is little difference in the price for junk insulators 

and the price for quality insulators. People who purchase lower-quality

insulators will probably regret it, especially when the substandard insulators start arcing and causing voltage problems. Purchase quality fence

components that will last for the life of the fence.

Electric Fencing 

for Serious Graziers

Electric Fencing 

for Serious Graziers
6 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

Electric fencing is a cost

effective and easy way to

manage your grazing 

system.

tip:

6

Reasons to Consider 

Electric Fencing

Electric fencing, sometimes called power fencing, is an effective way to control

livestock on most farms. The only places where electric fences should not be used

are in cattle-handling facilities where quick exits might be necessary or near the

milking facilities of dairy operations.

Advantages

Electric fencing offers two major advantages over other types of fencing. One

is cost. The cost to install a four-strand, barbed-wire fence is about $5,000 per

mile. The cost to install a typical, single-wire, electric fence is about $1,600 per

mile. If necessary, additional wires can be added to an electric-fence for about 10

cents per foot. There could be additional costs to install electric fencing in certain

cases. For instance, Missouri law requires that property line fences be at least four

feet tall and have posts at least every 12 feet.

The other big advantage of electric fencing is its ease of construction, which

improves forage management opportunities. Small pastures can greatly enhance

harvest efficiency and increase the amount of forage produced from a grazing system because of the amount of rest that is introduced into the system.
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers 7

Selecting an Energizer

The energizer is the heart of any electric-fence

system, so select it carefully. A good unit will provide years of service if it is properly installed and

maintained. Price should not be the determining

factor. Many operators have started with farmstore specials that ended up crashing.

The cost to purchase two or three

cheap models is as much or more

than the cost of purchasing a good one

initially.

Purchase a lowimpedance energizer

with a minimum 5,000-volt output. It should produce 35-65 pulses per minute with each pulse lasting not more than 0.0003 seconds. Each pulse also

should have an intensity of less than 300 mAmps.

Seek advice about energizers from experienced

graziers, from sales people and from NRCS personnel. NRCS employees cannot recommend specific brands, but they can offer general advice. One

of the best methods is to look at several operations

similar to yours, and find out what those graziers

are using and if they are happy with their units.

Consider the type of livestock to be controlled.

For example, containing sheep, goats or horses may

require special considerations for

charger size and fence construction

to ensure that the animals receive

adequate shocks when they contact

electric fences.

Purchase a larger unit (energizer) than you think you need

because graziers usually expand

their systems as they realize the benefits of modern electric fencing. Also increase the size of the

energizer if you anticipate a high weed load near

the fence.

All energizers should come with manuals that

explain installation and operation. Study the manual carefully. Also refer to Drawing 1, page 8, for

installation instructions.

Grounding Recommendations

1. Use galvanized ground rods when using galvanized wire and clamps for the grounding system. With stainless steel connectors on the

energizer, copper can be used all the way. Use

the same type of metal throughout; do not

mix dissimilar metals.

2. Use good clamps and ground rods with a

diameter of at least one-half inch. A rule of

thumb is to drive at least three feet of rod into

the ground per joule of output. Keep fencing

ground rods at least 65 feet from the ground

rods of any existing utilities. Place rods 10 feet

apart to increase the probability of having

contact with moist soil.

3. Some installers recommend driving ground

rods at 45-degree angles in rocky soils. This

enables the rods to glance off rocks and continue downward. Since the angle decreases

depth, more rods may be necessary.

4. To eliminate the possibility of stray voltage at

dairy operations, keep the energizers and

grounding systems as far as possible from the

milk barns.

5. Be aware of underground utilities and fuelstorage tanks. Avoid these by the greatest distance practical.
8 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

Drawing 1

Notes:

1. Protect energizer unit from exposure to the

weather.

2. Ground rods should be 1/2 inch in diameter or

larger and galvanized. Use proper galvanized

clamps on rods.

3. As a minimum, install total number of ground

rods as recommended by manufacturer of energizer.

4. Place energizer ground rods at least 65 feet from

any existing metal structures or waterlines and

from any utility company ground points (including building grounds).

5. Drive all ground rods at least 10 feet apart, and

connect with a continuous wire of a minimum

12.5 gauge.

6. Keep tops of ground rods, clamps, and connecting wire above the soil surface. Do NOT bury.

7. Lightning protection grouding should be at least

65 feet from any other grounding system: This

should have at lest one more grounding rod than

the energizer system.
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

promotes a good electrical connection by providing a way to attach a clamp to the sheet.

The clamp is necessary to securely connect the

wire from the energizer. The metal sheet still

needs to be buried deeply. (In the shallow,

rocky soils of Missouri’s Ozarks region, creating an adequate hole probably will require

more than a pick and shovel.)

3. Dig or drill three-inch diameter or larger holes

at least 35 feet apart and at least four feet

deep. Fill the holes with a wet mix of two parts

bentonite to one part coarse rock salt. Insert a

half-inch or larger stainless-steel rod in each

hole. Add water to the holes during dry weather.

4. Plowing in lengths of wire as deep as possible

and connecting them to a common point may

be an alternative in some soil conditions.

Alternative Grounding Systems

Refer to the trouble shooting section on page 33, for more

detailed information on testing your grounding system.

tip:

Here are a few alternatives to using metal rods

or pipe in energizer grounding systems.

1. Burying a large metal object is a desirable option.

A two-foot-by-eight-foot sheet of roofing metal,

for instance, has a surface area of 4,600 square

inches, while a one-half-inch diameter, eightfoot-long ground rod is only 151 square inches. The metal sheet is equal to 30 ground rods.

2. Clean rust and grease from any metal used,

and weld a ground rod to the sheet. The rod

Testing Your Grounding System

Use a digital volt meter to determine the 

adequacy of a grounding system. Here’s how to

properly test a ground field:

• 300 feet from the charger, ground out the

fence to 2,000 volts or less. You might need 

to lay three to six steel posts on the fence to

reduce the volts to this level.

• With the digital volt meter, check the voltage

on the last ground rod in the system (not the

posts used to ground out the fence for this

test). The reading on the last ground rod

should be zero, but most chargers can tolerate

up to 300 volts. If the voltage is more than

300, add additional ground rods until the 

voltage is in the tolerable range. Make every

effort possible to attain a zero reading.

9
10 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

Grounding Errors

Most electric-fence problems are

caused by poor grounding, which

can result from several errors.

1. Not enough ground rods

A grounding system depends

upon the surface area of metal

ground rods contacting moist

soil to complete a circuit. The

grounding system does not

function if too few rods are

used or if the soil is dry.

2. Dry soil

Anticipate a long, dry summer –

the worst possible conditions –

when selecting the grounding

system location.A good location

is on the north side of a building,

under the drip line, with the rod

driven at an angle back under

the floor. Also consider wet areas,

such as lagoons or ponds. The

grounding system does not

have to be located right next to

the energizer. Move several

hundred feet away, if necessary,

to find the best location.

3. Ground rods are not deep

enough

It’s not unusual for landowners

to drive ground rods when the

soil moisture is low, only get 

the rods a few feet deep, and

then get discouraged and cut

the rods off. If the ground is so

dry that rods can’t be driven,

it’s probably dry enough that

the grounding system won’t

function anyway. Either finish

driving the rods into the ground

after the subsoil/fragipan gets

moisture or move to a more

desirable location.Do not cut

the ground rods off.

Protecting Energizers

from Lightning

With all energizer installations, install adequate lightning protection

before constructing the fence.

1. Use a good surge protector on the utility power side of the energizer to

protect it against power fluctuations. Most energizers are damaged

from the power side, not the fence side.

2. Install a lightning choke in the lead-out cable. You can purchase these

or build them (Drawings 2 and 3).

3. Install a lightning arrestor in the lead-out cable that is connected to

the powered fence. Then connect the arrestor to the lightning grounding system.

4. Install the lightning protection grounding system at least 65 feet from 

the energizer grounding system. The lightning protection grounding

system needs to be a more efficient system than the grounding system

for the energizer. Therefore, use at least one more ground rod in the

lightning protection grounding system than is used in the energizer

grounding system. Select sites for lightning protection grounding 

systems with care so that a lightning strike does not go to ground in

the middle of a herd of cattle or where people are congregated.

5. It also helps to install ground rods and arrestors at permanent wet

spots along lengthy fences because wet soil provides an excellent

ground.

6. With multi-wire fences, be sure to connect all of the wires to the 

lightning arrestors. The top wire is the first line of defense against

lightning damage.

Manufactured lightning choke
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers 11

Drawing 2

Notes:

Construct lightning coil of

10 to 12 wraps of insulated

12.5 gauge galvanized wire.

Each coil should be 8”-12”

across.

Drawing 3
12 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

Selecting Wire

Use at least 12.5 gauge, high-tensile wire with type III galvanizing for

permanent and semi-permanent fences. Avoid wire rated at 200,000 p.s.i

or more, however, because it’s very stiff and hard to handle. Wire that is

smaller than 12.5 gauge has a high resistance to current movement, and

on a longer run might necessitate the use of a larger, more expensive

energizer. The following chart illustrates this point:

Gauge OHMS/Mile

8 22.5

10 35.4

12.5 56.4

14 87.0

16 136.9

In other words, 16-gauge wire is 2.5 times as resistant to current

movement as 12.5-gauge wire. Aluminum is four to six times as efficient

as steel wire, but solid aluminum wire is soft and easily broken.

12
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers 13

Polywire is a very useful product that most landowners can utilize for paddock divisions, strip grazing, etc. But the fine, metal conductors in polywire and

polytape products create a very high resistance to current flow. Therefore, don’t

depend on it for long runs.

Use six-strand and nine-strand polywire with stainless steel conductors for

temporary fencing. Six-strand polywire has a resistance of 9,700 ohms per mile,

and three-strand polywire has a resistance of 16,000 ohms per mile.

Examples of 

temporary fencing wire 

Temporary Fencing

A one-sixteenth-inch

cable makes an excellent

temporary fence. It is

cheaper and more

durable than polywire.

The cable is also more

effective than polywire at

controlling deer traffic.

tip:

Aluminum-coated steel wire is available, and is a

viable alternative. Aluminum is only 60 percent as

efficient as copper, but the price of copper or copper-coated wire would be prohibitive.

Never electrify barbed wire because – in addition to being more costly – the barbs on the wire

greatly increase the resistance of the wire, the wire

is not galvanized adequately to prevent rust, and it

is more likely for a person or animal to become

entangled in it. Safety is of the utmost importance.

Plastic-coated horse wire (left)

and 12.5 gauge high-tensile,

galvanized wire are examples of

permanent fencing wire.

Plastic-coated horse wire is

more visible and less likely to

cut a horse that may run into it.
14 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

Graziers need temporary fencing to fine tune

all grazing systems so that they get the most benefit

from their forage. This is especially true in the

spring, when forage plants are growing the fastest,

and in the winter, when graziers are trying to stretch

their forage the farthest.

Here are some temporaryfencing tips to make the job

quick and easy:

1. Use polywire that has

at least six strands.

2. If you will be moving

fences frequently, use

treadin posts. Select

posts that have smalldiameter spikes and

wide tread plates

because they will be easier to get in the ground.

Polywire is light, so

large, sturdy posts are

not necessary. A post every 40-60 feet will usually maintain the desired wire height.

3. When grazing stockpiled forage, start on the

end closest to water. Don’t worry about constructing a back fence to protect areas that

have already been grazed because the grass

won’t grow again until the next spring.

4. Steel posts without braces are more than adequate for corners and gates. Polywire is not

strong enough to pull over a “T” post.

5. Use the same end insulators and gate handles

that you would use for high-tensile fencing.

Treadin posts and fiberglass posts will not

require additional insulators, but the appropriate clips are necessary for attaching polywire to fiberglass posts.

Temporary fence posts

Example of a temporary

fence post and wire
tip: Use at least three wires

for sheep or goats.

15 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

When making permanent connections in electrical fences, make sure that the joins make good

electrical connections. One loose connection can

equal a resistance of 500 ohms, and a few loose

connections can cause a significant voltage drop.

Use good-quality crimp sleeves, crimped with

the proper crimping tool, to make electrical connections. A round, hard material such as high-tensile

wire does not make a good electrical connection

when wrapped back around itself. Therefore, avoid

knots and wraps unless the person constructing

the system has the ability to make tight wraps.

Wire Splices and Joins

Too many graziers depend upon their energizers

being able to punch their way through loose wraps

instead of taking a little more time to do it right.

Wrapping wire properly requires practice. Keep 

in mind that a person’s wrist gets fatigued after

performing several hand wraps, which causes 

subsequent wraps to get increasingly looser.

Knots in high-tensile wire reduce the wire’s

effective strength by about 30 percent.

Make joins in polywire by twisting the metal

conductors together separately rather than simply

tying a knot with the plastic strands included.
16 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

The wire height should

be about two-thirds the

height of the animal. In most

situations, one wire will be

adequate for cattle. However,

two or three wires might be

needed along lanes and crop

fields. You also might need

multiple wires to accommodate certain management

practices, such as weaning

across the fence. Use at least

three wires for goats and

sheep.

With multi-wire fences,

consider using a current limiter or a flood-control switch

on the lower wires if you

anticipate a heavy weed load.

Electric fences do not

need to be straight; they are flexible enough to be

installed on soil boundaries or woodland edges.

People installing electric fences often make the

mistake of pulling the wire too tight. Pulling the

wire tight requires big corner posts and braces that

are overkill for one-wire and two-wire fences.

Only tighten wires enough to take most of the sag

out of them.

Along woodlands where trees or branches

might fall on fences, it is a good idea to include

tension springs to add some “give” to the fences.

Consider using tension springs where deer traffic

is heavy. Springs could prevent some damages to

fences and also save the inconvenience of having

livestock escape before the damaged fences are discovered and repaired. Also, by driving posts on

alternate sides of the wire, only one insulator will

likely be damaged if a deer runs into the wire.

Spacing for posts and stays may vary from 40

to 150 feet, depending on the terrain. The posts

need to be closer on steep or uneven terrain. With

spacing at 150 feet, install stays to maintain the

proper wire height. The stays can be small fiberglass posts, three-eighths-inch diameter or larger,

placed about 50 feet apart.

Installing switches in fencing

systems can save time 

because they can be used to

isolate areas. They also allow 

a grazier to shut off one sectio

of a fence to make repairs,

instead of having to go back

to the energizer and shuttin

down the whole system.

tip:

Installing Electric Fences

A spinner or reel

for high-tensile wire is

definitely necessary.

12.5-gauge, high-tensile

wire is packaged in

tight coils, and cutting

the last tie without

having the coil on a

spinner will result in

something that resembles a 2,000-foot or 4,000-

foot Slinky®. These spinners can be home-built,

Drawing 4, or commercial, but they should be

constructed with spring brakes to prevent wire

from over running.

Spinner

You will need a crimper to make good electrical connections. The crimper should make a round

crimp. Crimpers for splicing barbed wire make flat

crimps that are not adequate on round, high-tensile

wire (Drawing 5).

Necessary Tools

Crimper
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers 17

Components

Insulators

Insulators may be made of glass, porcelain, or

plastic.

Very few glass insulators are produced, and

white porcelain insulators are cheap and do not

stand up to the sun or today’s high-powered

chargers. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays

causes minute cracks to develop in porcelain 

insulators. The cracks then collect moisture that

causes arcing.

Plastic insulators are most often used. Some

plastic insulators are junk, while others are very

good quality. Use only insulators made from highdensity polypropylene or polyethylene. Black insulators appear to last the longest.

Before purchasing insulators, check the warHome-Built Spinner

Home-Built Spinner Notes:

1. May be built out of typical

scrap pile.

2. Use square tubing, angle

iron.

3. No measurement is critical

– needs to fit a roll of

high-tensile wire and

pivot freely.

4. Use bolt and pipe, old hub,

etc.,for pivot.

5. Base can be plywood, metal, or old tire with concrete. Bolted down

or free standing can also be constructed to be operated vertically

Drawing 4 Drawing 5

A digital volt meter makes it easier to test

grounding systems and to troubleshoot problems.

Testers that have fault finders can greatly aid in locating subtle shorts.

Reels save time and increase the life of polywire.

Purchase fence reels or use electrical extension-cord

reels. Some fence reels hook on steel posts or over

hot wire. Some

reels have gears

that make it

much easier to roll

up wire.

Shop

around and find the

reel that will best fit your

particular need.
18 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

not compatible with galvanized high-tensile wire

because the dissimilar metals cause electrolysis.

Never use insulated wire intended for normal

110-volt or 220-volt installation because it will be

either copper or aluminum. Connecting the copper or aluminum to the galvanized wire will cause

electrolysis. In addition, the insulation on these

types of wires is not designed for the high voltage

of a fencing system.

Insulated wire should run through a non-metal

conduit where it is underground to prevent the

wire from getting punctured by rocks (Drawing 7).

Using three-quarter-inch gray electrical conduit

and sweep elbows provides a good, water-tight

passage for underground cable.

Lightning Arrestors

Lightning arrestors have air gaps wide

enough to keep fence voltage from jumping but

narrow enough for lightning strikes to pass.

Purchasing adjustable arrestors (see below) or

making your own – using Drawing 6 as a guide –

are preferable choices.

Surge Protectors

Install surge protectors at the same time as

energizers. Many quality surge protectors are

available. Some of the more expensive protectors

even warranty the items they are protecting.

ranties. Only insulators with at least 10-year warranties are of sufficient quality. Many different

configurations are available (end insulators, snap

on, nail on, etc.). Steel “T” posts vary in size, so

test snap-on insulators to make sure that they fit

the posts in your fencing system before you purchase a large quantity of them.

Avoid the temptation to save money by using

garden hose or discarded hydraulic hose as insulators. Some of these hoses conduct electricity, and

most of them will break down from exposure to

sunlight.

Insulated Wire (Underground Cable)

Insulated wire is normally used where wire is

buried under gates and as leads from the energizer

to the fence. It also can be used to construct a

lightning coil. When purchasing insulated wire,

look for double-insulated, 12.5-gauge wire. Some

suppliers sell 16-gauge wire, which is not recommended because it restricts the flow of current.

Insulated wire is available as high-tensile or

soft steel. In most situations where insulated wire

is used there is no tension on the wire, so the softsteel wire is quite adequate. It’s also easier to handle.

Aluminum insulated wire is also available, but

it is prone to break where the insulation is cut. It’s

Insulators

Double- insulated underground cable

Lightning Arrestors
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers 19

Ground Rods

Most grounding systems for modern electric

fences use rods. But clean, galvanized-steel pipe can

be substituted. Rods as small as one-half inch in

diameter can be used, but larger sizes may be easier

to drive into the ground.

Use galvanized rods if high-tensile, 12.5-gauge

wire is attached to the charger. In that case, clamps

should also be galvanized. Copper wire, clamps and

rods may be used if the energizer terminals are stainless steel. But do not mix dissimilar metals.

*Adjusting Gap with a Volt Meter

1. Set energizer to highest setting.

2. Secure lead from fence.

3. Leave lead to ground loose enough to slide.

4. Leaving lead to ground unattached at grounding

end, clip volt meter to ground system then to 

end of lead.

5. Slide lead at arrestor apart until voltage is no 

longer read on volt meter.

6. Tighten lead on arrestor and then secure to 

grounding system (after removing volt meter).

Another method is to slide leads apart until arcing

no longer occurs, then check with volt meter.

Home-Built Lightning Arrestors

Drawing 6

Ground rod
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers 20

Drawing 7

Crimp Sleeves

Sleeves and taps should be

good quality, galvanized or stainless steel. Avoid the cheaper “goldplated” sleeves because they rust quickly. The rust

ruins the coating on the wire and causes the system to fail. To ensure a good electrical connection,

be sure to purchase crimp sleeves that fit 12.5-

gauge wire.

Line Taps

Line taps can be either the

crimp type, which make a permanent connection, or the type that

connect with a split bolt. Split-bolt line taps (pictured below) are recommended for gates and other

areas that may need to be changed out occasionally. Galvanized components seem to be more resistant to rust than hot-dipped components.
Drawing 8a

Current Limiters

Current limiters are used for situations where

high water, excess weed load, etc., could cause

shorts. Current limiters shut down those portions

of fences when shorts occur.

Posts

Many different types, configurations and brands

of posts may be used with modern electric fences.

1. Steel T posts are used somewhere in most systems,

and they work well if quality insulators are used.

21 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

2. Fiberglass T posts are fairly expensive, and

they don’t appear to last long.

3. Wooden posts of many different sizes and

shapes can be used with quality insulators.

4. Round fiberglass posts with diameters of at

least five-eighths inch are very satisfactory.

The less expensive posts have an exterior coating that deteriorates after about a year. The

deterioration makes it necessary to wear

leather gloves when working with the posts,

but the posts will still function fine. Clips for

attaching wire to the posts are available for

most sizes of posts.
Drawing 8b

5. Self-insulating plastic and fiberglass treadin

posts are available for “quickie” temporary

fences. Some have a very small treadplate

and/or a large spike that makes them difficult

to install during dry weather.

6. Several different installation methods for

corner posts, gate posts and pull posts are

illustrated in drawings 8a, 8b and 8c. With

one-wire and two-wire fences, the minimum

sizes for corner, gate and pull posts are four

inches for wood, and two inches for steel pipe

and fiberglass.

Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers 22

7. Here are several things to consider when it is

necessary to use trees as posts:

• Wire should not be tied directly around a tree

because the tree will grow around the wire,

which will cause the tree to die prematurely;

• Insulators nailed directly to trees will pop

off as the trees grow;

• Do not use screw-in insulators because 

they will cause shorting problems as the

trees grow;

• When using trees as corner posts, end posts

or gate posts, screw 3/8 x 8” galvanized eyes

into the trees to the depth of the threads,

and fasten an end insulator to each screw eye;
Drawing 8c

• If a tree is used as a line post, use galvanized

screws to attach a short section of treated 

2 x 4 or 2 x 6 between the insulator and 

the tree.

Stays

Since a stay’s only function is to remove sag

from a wire, a three-eighths-inch or one-half-inch

round, fiberglass post works very well. Stays should

be spaced about 50 feet or closer, depending on

the lay of the land and the desired wire height.

23 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

Gates

Gates should be wired so that they are dead when

unhooked. Use double-insulated underground wire

(placed in a pipe for protection) to run power under

the gate. Seal ends or turn ends of conduit down

to prevent moisture from collecting. Install the

gate with an insulator, and power the gate through

the gate handle. Use one-sixteenth-inch or oneeighth-inch galvanized cable for the gate because it

is much more flexible than high-tensile wire. Use

12.5-gauge crimps for one-sixteenth-inch cable

and 9-gauge crimps for one-eighth-inch cable.

Gate construction is shown in Drawing 7 (page 20).
24

Gate Handles

Finding quality gate handles is a real problem.

Some of the higher priced, name-brand handles

don’t appear to hold up any better than inexpensive

ones. All steel

components in the

handles should be

stainless steel or

have a Class III

galvanization rating. Some gate

handles have compression springs in

them. They sell for about the same price as stretch

springs, but seem to be more durable.

Lightning Chokes

These may be purchased or homemade. A coil

of insulated wire is compact, inexpensive, and very

satisfactory. Choke construction is illustrated in

Drawing 2 (page 11).

Standoffs (Offsets)

Standoffs are very useful components which

attach to permanent barbed or woven wire fences

and allow “hot” wires to be installed along the permanent fences. Installing electric wires around

24

property lines or field borders

increases the life of the older, permanent

fences because the electric wires keep cattle

from pushing against the permanent fences.

The electric wires also provide access to

electricity for temporary or semi-temporary fences that can divide pastures into

smaller units.

Only use galvanized steel wire with

quality pin-lock insulators, and place the

standoffs beside existing steel T posts in the permanent fences so that the standoffs will not sag.

The wires should extend at least 10 inches from

the existing fences, with standoffs spaced as close

as necessary to maintain the desired wire height.

Water Gaps (Flood Gates)

Electric water gaps work very well. Use a 

main fence power wire that is high enough to

be protected from water and debris with a secondary line feeding off

of it. Install metal

streamers that hang

down to just above the

permanent water level.

Protect this part of the system with a current limiter.

Drawing 9 illustrates how to construct a water gap.

Gate handle assemblies

Flood gate controller
Above expected high water

25 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

Drawing 9

Miscellaneous

Many other fence components are being produced by fencing companies. The right components for about every situation can usually be

found with some searching.

Producers should be innovative; there’s nothing wrong with using a product intended for some

other use as long as the quality and longevity is

adequate. Examples of being innovative could

include the electric cattle guard, floating electrical

fence (Drawing 11) and the homemade spinner

(Drawing 4) and crimper (Drawing 5).
26 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

Drawing 10
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers us Graziers 27

Floating Electric Fence

Drawing 11

Notes:

“T”s may be replaced with caps.

Drill 3/16” holes below caps to

run 12 1/2 gauge wire through for

fence. This will keep water from

entering pipe and eliminate the

need to plug “T”s.

Materials:

56’- 2”schedule 40 PVC pipe

60’ - 12.5 gauge high-tensile wire

12 - 2”schedule 40 PVC “T”s

2 - Steel “T” posts

3 cu. yards - 1” to 1 1/2” gravel 

2 - 3’ stakes to hold fence in place

2 - 2” 90 degree elbows

2” PVC caps

3”-6”gravel

All connections need to be watertight.
28 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

tip:

All types of wire

may break and

recoil when

stretched. Always

use hand and eye

protection when

handling hightensile wire.

Here are some safety considerations to follow

when installing electric fencing:

1. Only connect one energizer to a fence;

2. Under unusual fault conditions electric

fences can produce sparks. Therefore, keep

fences away from combustible materials. When

droughts and other conditions create a high risk

of wildfires, operate energizers on low power if

they are equipped with that option, or simply

turn energizers off.

3. Grounds for energizers should be at least 65

feet from utility grounding fields;

4. Avoid running fences parallel to power lines,

and try to install fences so that they cross

power lines at right angles. If you can’t avoid

parallel electric fences and power lines, offset

the fences at least 30 feet from the power lines,

and make sure the top fence wires are no more

than six feet high.

5. Do not attach fence wires to utility poles.

6. Landowners are responsible for preventing

audible interference with telephone lines.

Therefore, try to avoid installing electric

fences under telephone wires, and minimize

the distance that electric fence wires run parallel to underground telephone cables.

7. Keep electric fences as far away from radio

antennas as possible.

8. Don’t touch fences with your head or mouth.

People with pacemakers or other heart problems also should consult their doctors before

working with or near electric fences. No

humans or animals have died from electric,

grazing-system fences without becoming

entangled in them. However, some precautions are necessary.

9. Never use barbed wire for electric fence wire

because people or animals could more easily

become entangled in it.

10. Post warning signs at least every 300 feet

where the public has access to electric fences,

such as along roads.

Keep young children away from electric fences.

Electric Fence Safety
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers 29

Assuming that fences along streams will eventually wash out or collect debris

and become useless, most landowners simply don’t build fences in floodplains.

However, since there are several programs that provide cost-share funds to install

fencing systems that exclude livestock from streams, it is necessary to address

methods for constructing floodplain fences.

Modern, one-wire electric fences designed to break at selected locations, if

necessary, seem to be working satisfactorily (Drawing 12).

With floodplain fencing systems, select sites where very sturdy, wooden, pull

posts can be set deep. At least half the length of each post should be underground.

Select higher points along streams, avoiding obvious areas where streams flow during high water. If possible, these posts should be 300-400 feet apart. Do not use

braces, other than knee braces, since they tend to collect debris.

Between these pull posts, use lighter posts, such as metal or fiberglass “T”

posts, round fiberglass posts, etc.

Use only 12.5-gauge, high-tensile wire to construct each section between the pull

posts. Place the wire 28-30 inches above the ground for average-sized animals.

Begin placing wire by running it around a heavy-duty, wrap-around insulator

at the upstream pull post. Since maximum strength is needed at this point, use

double-crimp sleeves. Leave a short, loose “jumper” section of wire that will be

needed later to connect the power.

You will end this section of fence with a weaker connection at the closest

downstream pull post. While leaving some sag in the high-tensile wire, pull an end

insulator to the downstream pull post with 14-gauge soft wire. That’s where the

fence should break if a floating tree or other debris hits this section of fence during

Floodplain Fences

As with any electric fence,

maintenance is important.

Therefore, check for limbs,

debris and any broken sections of fence after each

flood. If possible, set the

fence far enough from the

bank, trees, etc., so you can

pass a bush hog on the

stream side of the fence.

Mow this strip seasonally, at

times friendly to wildlife, to

keep weeds and brush out

of the hot wire.

tip:
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers 30

Drawing 12

high water flow. If the fence breaks at the downstream end rather than somewhere in the middle,

it should be simple to salvage the wire and line

posts.

To complete the fence, use split-sleeves and

insultube to connect the wire to the loose jumpers

left at the upstream end of each section. Split

sleeves ensure good electrical connections and are

physically weak, so they turn loose when a section

of fence breaks.

To protect the system from lightning strikes,

use an arrestor. The moisture and types of soils in

floodplains make them good places to install 

lightning arrestors. And, if you expect that a fence

will be subjected often to floodwaters, consider

using a current limiter.

As with any electric fence, maintenance is

important. Therefore, check for limbs, debris and

any broken sections of fence after each flood. If

possible, set the fence far enough from the bank,

trees, etc., so you can pass a bush hog on the

stream side of the fence. Mow this strip seasonally,

at times friendly to wildlife, to keep weeds and

brush out of the hot wire.
Electrical Terms

Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers 31

Resistor: An electrical component which, due to

its material or shape, offers resistance or

restriction to the flow of electricity. The degree

of restriction is measured in electrical units

called ohms. The amount of resistance that

will limit the flow to 1 amp when a pressure of

1 volt is applied equals 1 ohm.

Volts/amps = ohms.

Conductor: A substance that allows electrons to

flow freely. The less resistance a conductor

offers, the better the conductor. The unit of

conductance is called Mho (ohm spelled backwards). This unit is the reciprocal of the ohm.

Amps/volts = Mhos.

Insulator: A substance that will not allow any

electron flow, and is used to stop electricity

from leaking. Most insulating materials have a

critical pressure for given thickness. If the critical pressure is exceeded, the insulating material suddenly punctures.

Leak: A low-conductance (high-resistance) path

from the fence line back to the energizer earth

terminal. Leaks are caused by cracked insulators, foliage entangled in the live wire, a length

of live wire on the ground, or animals touching the live wire.

Shorts: High-conductance (low-resistance) paths

between the live wire and either dead wires or

earth-return wires. These are commonly

known as wire-to-wire shorts. This condition

constitutes the largest threat to the reliability

and effectiveness of an electric fence line.

Volts: Units of electrical pressure (similar to how

pounds per square inch are units of physical

pressure). One volt is the force necessary to

cause a current of 1 amp to flow through a

resistance of 1 ohm.

Ohms x amps = volts.

Amps: Units of electrical rate of flow (similar to

how gallons per hour are units of rate of physical flow). One amp is a flow rate of 6.28 x 10

to the 18th power electrons per second.

One amp is the rate of electron flow that

results when a pressure of 1 volt is applied

across a resistance of 1 ohm.

Volts/ohms = amps.

mAmps: Units of electrical flow equal to 1/1000 of

an amp (a “milli” amp).

Ohms: Units of electrical resistance or restriction

to the flow of electrons (similar to how a long,

thin pipe causes physical resistance or friction

to the flow of water through it). One ohm is the

amount of resistance that will limit the flow rate

to 1 amp when a pressure of 1 volt is applied.

Volts/amps = ohms.

Coulombs: Units of electrical quantity (similar to

how one gallon is a specific quantity). One

coulomb is 6.28 x 10 to the 18th power electrons, a flow rate of 1 amp for 1 second.

Amps x seconds = coulombs.
32 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

Watts: Units of electrical rate of doing work (similar to how horsepower is a physical rate of

doing work). One horsepower can lift 1 pound

vertically at the rate of 550 feet per second, or

heat 1 pound of water at the rate of 0.7

degrees Fahrenheit (0.39 degrees C) per second.

46 watts equals 1 horsepower. Therefore, 746

watts can lift 1 pound at the rate of 550 feet

per second, or heat 1 pound of water at the

rate of 0.7 degrees Fahrenheit per second. A

flow rate of 1 amp at a pressure of 1 volt produces 1 watt.

Amps x volts = watts.

Joules: Units of electrical energy [similar to how

550 foot pounds (which is equal to 1 horsepower for one second) is a specific amount of

physical energy]. 746 joules equals 550 foot

pounds. One joule is the amount of energy

required to do approximately 0.74 foot

pounds of work. One joule is the energy

required to produce 1 watt for 1 second.

Watts x seconds = joules.

Energy: The capacity or ability to complete a particular amount of work (see joules). It is largely the quantity of joules released by an energizer during each pulse that determines the

energizer’s effective power.

3,600,000 joules = 1 kilowatt-hour.

Capacitor: An electrical component capable of

storing and releasing electrical energy and

approximating a reservoir, the volume of

which is stated in electrical units called farads

(micro farads). If 1 amp flows into a capacitor

for one second and this causes a rise in pressure

of 1 volt, then the volume of the capacitor

equals 1 farad.

Amps x seconds/volts rise = farads.

Quick Reference

Ohms = Volts/amps

Mhos = Amps/volts

Volts = Ohms x amps

Amps = Volts/ohms

mAmps = 1/1000 of an amp 

Coulombs = Amps x seconds

1 horsepower = 46 watts

Watts = Amps x volts

Joules = Watts x seconds

1 kilowatt-hour = 3,600,000 joules

Farads = Amps x seconds/volts rise

746 joules = 550 foot pounds

1 amp = flow rate of 6.28 x 10 to the 18th 

power electrons per 1 second.

1 coulomb = 6.28 x 10 to the 18th power 

electrons, a flow rate of 1 amp for 

1 second

• One horsepower can lift 1 pound vertically

at the rate of 550 feet per second

• One horsepower can heat 1 pound of 

water at the rate of 0.7 degrees Fahrenheit

(0.39° C) per second.

• 746 watts can lift 1 pound at the rate of 

550 feet per second

• 746 watts can heat 1 pound of water at the

rate of 0.7 ° F per second.
Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers 33

Problem 1

Energizer is not on or there is no voltmeter reading across the energizer output terminals with the

energizer disconnected from the fence.

1A. Probable Cause: Mainline power outage or

blown fuse on input circuit

Solution: Restore power or replace blown fuse

1B. Probable Cause: Energizer is switched off

Solution: Check energizer “on-off” switch.

1C. Probable Cause: Dry cell batteries are dead;

wet cell batteries are discharged

Solution: Recharge or replace batteries

1D. Probable Cause: Battery terminals are corroded

Solution: Clean terminals

1E. Probable Cause: Energizer is faulty

Solution: Have energizer serviced

Problem 2

Energizer is on, but voltmeter reading is low across

the energizer output terminals when disconnected

from fence.

2A. Probable Cause: Energizer is switched to

“low” setting

Solution: Check energizer output switch

2B. Probable Cause: Weak batteries

Solution: Recharge or replace batteries

2C. Probable Cause: Battery terminals are corroded

Solution: Clean battery terminals

Troubleshooting

Problem 3

Energizer is operating, but there is no voltmeter

reading on the fence with the energizer connected

3A. Probable Cause: Ground-return wire is disconnected or broken

Solution: Connect or repair ground-return wire

3B. Probable Cause: Feed-wire terminals are corroded, disconnected or broken

Solution: Connect or repair feed wire terminals

3C. Probable Cause: Broken, corroded or disconnected live wire or ground-return on fence

Solution: Connect or repair live wire or

ground-return on fence

3D. Probable Cause: Soil is dried out

Solution: Install ground-return wire

Problem 4

Low voltmeter readings at several locations on fence

4A. Probable Cause: Energizer is on low setting or

is inadequate for length of fence

Solution: Switch energizer to high setting;

install more powerful unit

4B. Probable Cause: Weak batteries

Solution: Recharge or replace batteries

4C. Probable Cause: Terminals corroded

Solution: Clean terminals

4D. Probable Cause: Ground system is inadequate

or deteriorated

Solution: Repair or replace ground system
34 Electric Fencing for Serious Graziers

5A. Probable Cause: Broken or disconnected fence

wire, jumper wire or ground wire

Solution: Connect or repair wire; remove

cause of short; replace jumper connection

5A. Probable Cause: Broken or faulty insulators

Solution: Replace faulty insulators

5A. Probable Cause: Ground connection rod deteriorated

Solution: Replace ground connection rod

Problem 7

Radio, TV or telephone interference

5A. Probable Cause: Ground system inadequate

Solution: Increase grounding capacity

5A. Probable Cause: Antenna too close to fence

Solution: Relocate antenna or telephone wires

5A. Probable Cause: Fence is parallel with antenna wires or telephone lines

Solution: De-electrify or relocate segment of

fence that is parallel to or too close to antenna

or wires

4E. Probable Cause: Soil is dried out

Solution: Install ground-return wire

Problem 5

No voltmeter readings at several locations on fence

5A. Probable Cause: Broken or disconnected fence

wire, jumper wire or ground wire

Solution: Connect or repair wire; remove

cause of short; replace jumper connection

5B. Probable Cause: Broken or faulty insulators

Solution: Replace faulty insulators

5C. Probable Cause: Ground connection rod deteriorated

Solution: Replace ground connection rod

Problem 6

Voltmeter reading on one wire is higher than on

another wire, or there is no reading from one live

wire to ground-return or soil

Improper installation of an electric fencing system

can cause a number of problems.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits

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the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability,

and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial

status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s

income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who

require alternative means for communication of program information

(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET

Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400

Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call

(800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal

opportunity provider and employer.

This publication was produced and printed by:

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

601 Business Loop 70 West, Suite 250

Columbia, MO 65203

http://www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov

Thanks to:

Ian Kurtz, NRCS grassland specialist, Ozark, Mo., and Paul

Frey, NRCS district conservationist (retired), Buffalo, Mo., who

wrote and produced the original version of Electric Fencing

for Serious Graziers. Special thanks to Ian Kurtz for his efforts

in producing this updated version;

The NRCS grassland committee serving southwestern

Missouri, and Mark Kennedy, NRCS state grassland specialist,

for providing technical assistance;

The Missouri NRCS Public Information and Marketing Staff

for assistance with editing, photography, artwork, layout and

design.

September 2005
Helping People Help the Land

in Missouri