17
Gallagher 3E1164 Power Fence Systems User Manual
Installing a Permanent Power Fence
TM
(reference earth) installed close to the
energizer with a separate wire or cable
connected back to the energizer earth
monitor terminal. This enables the
energizer to continuously monitor the
performance of the earth system.
Location of the earth system
The most effective place for the earth
system is in continuously damp, high
mineral soil.
• At least 10m (33ft) from an electrical or
telephone earth (the further away the
better)
• At least 10m (33ft) from metal pipes
carrying domestic or stock water
• At least 20m (66ft) from any dairy shed
pipework
• Not connected to, or touching steel or
iron clad buildings
• Protected from machinery and stock
damage
• Away from fertiliser, animal urine and
manure (corrosion)
If the earth system has to be some
distance from a high powered energizer
the connecting wire must be highly
conductive e.g. 250 m (820 ft) away use
1 x aluminium coated wire (G9290), 500
m 1640 ft) away use 2 x G9290 wires in
parallel.
4.3
Installing the Energizer
4.3.1 Install the earthing
(grounding) system
Why does the energizer need an earth
system?
The earth is half the circuit of your fencing
system. Electrons travel from the energizer,
along the fence wires and back through
the ground to the energizer to complete
the circuit. Like a radio antenna collects
sound waves, the earth system collects the
electrons. The earth must be as conductive
as possible for the fence to give the animal
an effective shock. A simple guide is one
earth stake for every five joules of stored
energy with a minimum of three earth
stakes e.g. M1200 (12 joules) - three stakes
, MR5000 (50 joules) - ten stakes. In
sandy or pumice soils more stakes will be
required.
Energizer Size
Earth stakes
required
Up to 15 J
3 Stakes minimum
Up to 25 J
5 Stakes minimum
Up to 35 J
7 Stakes minimum
Figure 4.7 - Earth stakes required
It is important to follow the
recommendation above to get the
maximum benefit. The number of earth
stakes will vary depending on the power
of the energizer and the soil type: high
powered energizers need more stakes than
low powered energizers, dry soils need
more stakes than wet soils.
4-3-2-1 Rule for Earth stakes :
4
Metres between earth stakes
3
Earth stakes minimum required
2
Metres min. length of earth stake
1
Wire connecting all earth stakes
Note:
Some modern energizers with earth
monitors, e.g. SmartPower energizers,
require a small independent earth stake
WARNING
:
Use galvanised earth stakes. Rusty or
corroded stakes will not work.
Do not allow bare wires to touch an iron
clad building - use double insulated cable.
HANDY HINT
