How to Test an Electric Fence with a Multimeter? 3 Steps

Do you have an electric fence? If your answer is yes then it is necessary to test it on a regular basis to verify that it is working correctly because an electric fence depends on its power, it can lightly shock someone or even kill them, so testing is essential. If an electric fence doesn’t provide adequate voltage, you can’t keep animals from going in or out of your farmhouse.

In this post, we’ll go through how to test an electric fence with a multimeter and which type of multimeter to use for the task. We will go through the many types of meters available for testing the fence and some general rules for using one properly.

Electric fences are used to protect livestock from roaming freely and straying into risky areas, such as roads or rivers. They are helpful for keeping pets in your yard without having to keep them on a leash at all times.

How to test Electric fence with Multimeter

Some precautions before testing

• To test the electric fence use a multimeter capable of measuring voltages ranging from 750 to 6000 volts. As most electric fence voltages range between 2000 to 4000 volts or greater. Some residential use fences may have a low voltage level.
• A standard multimeter cannot take such a high amount of voltage in kilo volts, instead heavy duty volts meters such as fluke are required.
• Before making direct contact with a fence to test its voltage, take the required precautions such as donning shockproof gloves and safety shoes.
• Read the instructions for fence energizers and chargers thoroughly so that you may derive a correct result after the test.

You can easily measure the current with the multimeter, but you must pay attention to a few details to avoid damaging your instrument. It would be unfortunate to damage your multimeter because you did not know the proper setting for measuring current. The procedure is as simple as that, but we will describe each step further for proper understanding.

Step 1: Set The Multimeter To The Kilovolts

Due to their applications, electric fences hold a high amount of current measuring thousands of volts. This indicates that, to take reliable measurements, your digital multimeter (voltmeter) must be set to a high Kilovolts range. 

When you see “kV” on the multimeter screen, you know it’s set to kilovolts.

Not all multimeters can now be calibrated in the kilovolt range.

Many digital multimeters found around the house have a maximum range of 600V.

This implies you’ll need to use one designed specifically for sensing extremely high voltages. Depending on the sort of energizer you use, the electric fence may also be holding alternating current (AC voltage) or direct current (DC voltage). You may check the electric fence handbook to see what sort of electricity is flowing through it.

Step 2: Connect the Multimeter Probe to the Electric Fence

The following step is to set your voltmeter leads correctly.

Connect the red (positive) multimeter probe to one electric fence wire and the black (negative) multimeter probe to any nearby metal surface.

This should be a metal surface that has no current flowing through it.

To achieve the best accurate reading, make sure your voltmeter leads are making appropriate contact at their various contact points.

Step 3: Check Multimeter Readings and Results

Once your multimeter probes have been probably positioned your multimeter should generate a reading.

Check your manufacturer’s instructions to see if your electric fence is holding a good level of a volt.

Nonetheless, electric fences often have a voltage range of 6000 and 10000 volts. 8000 volts is the average reading.

However, there is more to be said. It is normal for the voltage in an electric fence to drop by 500V to 2000V.

This voltage loss commonly occurs in the morning when there is moisture on the posts or vegetation around the fence, producing a voltage leak.

Any drop of more than 2000V indicates that your electric fence is not carrying enough volts and may not be serving its job properly. There are several causes for the sharp reduction in current.

Electric fence Voltage recommendations

As previously mentioned, utilizing an electric fence wire is critical for a variety of reasons.

The most common of these is to keep out animals from a property or keep animals within an enclosure so they don’t get escape.

Voltage recommendations vary depending on the animal.

These guidelines ensure that you shock them with enough volt to make them recall without getting hurt.

• Wildlife – 7000V to 8000V
• Poultry (any featured animal) – 7000V
• Sheep – 7000V
• Horses – 4000V / 5000V
• Pigs – 4000V / 5000V
• Pets (Dogs and Cats) – 4000V

A voltage tester may also be used to measure the current flowing through each electric fencing wire. Simply lay the tester’s tip on a fence wire to obtain a reading.

How to avoid low voltage in Electric fences?

The primarily reason of low voltage is an underrated energizer, that is not incapable of providing enough voltage. So re-check your energizer and replace it with one that is appropriate to your needs.

Corps around the fence may also have a role in reduced volatility, especially in winters with a high level of humidity. The Vegetation should be a distance from the fence.

Low voltage might also be caused by a foreign object hitting the fence or a short circuit. Nothing should come into contact with a live fence except its own equipment, such as strainers and insulators.

Other than grounding rods, nothing should come into touch with the fence and affect voltage.

Conclusion 

An electric fence is a psychological barrier that is used for better protection of your garden or for the animals. It may bring pain to animals and even humans, but it does not physically injury because it  just causes “shock” or the pulse.

A multimeter may be used to measure the fence’s electricity. A voltmeter is designed for an electric fence, but because a multimeter can perform the same job, you may use it for your electric fence as well. All you’ll need to do is read carefully and measure correctly.

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