USER’S MANUAL For Electric Fence Energizers, Chargers, Controllers, Fencers manufactured by Woodstream Corporation Part I: Fence Energizer Installation Before You Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fence Energizer Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fence Energizer Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3 p. 5 p. 12 Part II: Electric Fencing Basics Electric Fencing Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 13 Grounding System . . . .
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OPTIMAL RESULTS, WE RECOMMEND YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING: 1. Electric Fence Tester 2. Three 6-8’ Ground Rods 3. Battery Tester (For DC and Solar) WARNING: THE FOLLOWING CAN RESULT IN DECREASED FENCE PERFORMANCE 1. Brush, weed, and plant growth around the base of your fence. 2. Improper grounding. 3. Snow. 4. Cracked or broken insulators. 5. Fence wires that are less than 4” apart. 6. Dry, rocky or sandy soils. 7. Insufficiently charged battery.
Before You Start Woodstream manufactured pulse-type AC electric fence energizers meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards for safety . WARNING: Read ALL these instructions. Only use electric fence energizer products for the purpose intended as defined in this manual. WARNING: Never run more than one fence energizer on the same fence line at one time. The pulse time between the fence energizers will be too close together and could be hazardous to animals and people .
WARNING: Any alteration of this containment system from the way that it comes from the factory will not only void the warranty but will likely create a safety hazard, as well . WARNING: Never simultaneously connect the energizer in this system with any other device such as a cattle trainer or poultry trainer . In the event that lighting strikes your fence it will be conducted to the other devices. WARNING: Never install an electric fence under a high-voltage transmission line.
Fence Energizer Installation Overview of Installed Fence Energizer Fence connection Power Source Ground connection SOLAR Power Source Fence connection Ground connection -5-
STEP 1: Mount Fence Energizer IMPORTANT: Mount inside or in a waterproof enclosure Power Source Source Plastic/PVC pipe To fence To ground Inside installation Outdoor sheltered installation Single screw mounting Double screw mounting -6-
STEP 2: Connect Ground and Fence Terminals Your fence energizer will have one of three types of terminals – strip wire and connect as shown below 1½ “ 20KV hook-up wire – or – – or – Connect hook-up wire to GROUND terminal Connect hook-up wire to FENCE terminal -7-
STEP 3: Connect to Ground System Hook-up wire from fence energizer Ground rod clamp Ground rod NOTE: Connect additional ground rods with hook-up wire and ground rod clamps Hook-up wire from fence energizer Ground rod clamp Hook-up wire to other ground rods Ground rod Check ground system reliability • IMPROPER GROUNDING WILL AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR FENCE ENERGIZER! See page 14 for more information about proper grounding.
STEP 4: Connect to Fence Line Aluminum/Steel/Poly wire connection Galvanized line clamp Poly tape connection Poly tape connector clamp Poly rope/braid connection Poly rope splicer Check fence system reliability • IMPROPER CONNECTION POINTS WILL AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR FENCE ENERGIZER! • Make sure splices and insulators are sound and secure.
STEP 5: Power Fence Energizer NOTE: Fence energizer will be outputting voltage at this point – to avoid shock do not touch fence terminal or fence wire. To reduce the risk of electric shock, the AC-powered energizers have a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). This plug will fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the proper outlet.
STEP 5: Power Solar Energizer Locations of energizer batteries. IMPORTANT: You must attach the battery to the energizer and place in the sun with the energizer turned off for three days before use in order to ensure that the battery has a sufficient charge to power your fence. Failure to charge for three days will result in decreased performance.
Fence Energizer Operation Fence OK* • flashes when voltage is on fence line *not available on all models Ground terminal connect to ground rod Fence terminal connect to fence line - 12 -
Electric Fencing Basics Electric fencing is an easy-to-install system for containing animals or keeping them out. A short, safe pulse of electricity creates a psychological barrier that trains animals to avoid the fence. In order for the animal to feel a shock, the voltage produced by the fence energizer must penetrate the animal’s hair, hide and hoof. How Electric Fencing Works energizer The system works when an animal provides an electrical path by touching the fence wire and the earth simultaneously.
Grounding System Overview of Grounding System An effective ground system consists of: • (3) 6’ to 8’ ground rods • (3) ground rod clamps • 20 KV insulated hook-up wire Fence energizer Electric Fence Controlle r 20 KV insulated hook-up wire Ground rod clamps 6' to 8’ 10 ' First ground rod must be driven within 20’ of fence energizer . 10 ' Copper or galvanized metal ground rods driven 6’ to 8’ deep, spaced 10’ apart. See page 7 for detail on connecting ground system.
Grounding in Dry or Frozen Ground Fence energizer Animal makes contact with BOTH hot and ground wire to receive shock Hot fence wire Ground return wire Hot fence wire Standard ground system Additional ground rod ever y 1 ,300’ In dry, sandy or frozen soil a typical grounding system is insufficient because electricity cannot flow back to the fence energizer. To compensate, create a ground wire return system with one fence wire carrying electricity back to the fence energizer’s ground terminal.
Fence Posts Fence posts fall into two categories: corner/gate posts, which must withstand tension; and line posts, which simply support the fence line between corner/gate posts. Post material varies and should be selected by fence type. Electric fencing will usually use fewer posts than conventional barbed or woven-wire fencing, making it less expensive and easier to install. Most posts are spaced 12–20 feet apart depending on terrain and animal being controlled.
Post Selection Guide Post Type: Wood Post Plastic Step-in Post Steel T-post, U-post, Y-post Fiberglass T-post/ Rod Post Metal Rod Post X X X X X X Used for: Corner Posts X Line Posts X X X (limited) X Use With Fence Type: Portable X SemiPermanent X Equine X Permanent High Tensile X X X X X - 17 -
Fence Wire Electric fence wire carries the electrical current from the fence energizer around the perimeter of the fence. Galvanized steel and aluminum wire carry electricity best. Poly wire, tape and rope have strands of conductive wire twisted or woven into the fabric and are ideal for electric fencing because of its ease-of-use, light weight and visibility. Tip :For equine enthusiasts, we recommend using ElectroBraid® Fence or poly tape systems.
To maximize power on the fence, good electrical connections and splices are critical. Splicing Techniques Metal Wir e Step 1 Never use loose or single-wrap splices Step 2 Poly Wire Tie any simple knot such as a square knot. Strip back and cut poly strands leaving two inches of conductive wires exposed. Tw ist or “pigtail” wires together . Poly Rope/Braid Stagger ends of poly rope in a figure 8 and tightly secure using poly rope splicer. Poly Ta pe Step 1 Step 2 Make one- foot loop.
Insulators Insulators isolate the electric fence wire(s) to prevent shorting and electric current leakage, while also keeping the wires properly spaced. Select your insulators to fit the type of post and fence wire you are using. These insulators are available with various front ends to accom modate your selection of steel or poly wire, poly tape, poly rope or braid. - Tip : To prevent energy drain, routinely check to ensure insulators are clear of cobwebs and that electrified wires do not touch posts.
Lightning/Surge Protection Lightning is one of the main causes of fence energizer failure. If a storm is forecast, disconnect your fence energizer from the fence in advance, and unplug if it is an AC-powered unit. Using a Cut-Off Switch is a simple way to quickly disconnect your fence energizer. If you are in an area with frequent electrical storms, be sure to keep a spare fence energizer for backup. WARNING: Never disconnect a fence energizer or approach an electric fence during a lightning storm.
Spring Gate Kit – Spring coil helps to dissipate lightning surges. AC Surge Suppressor – Protects AC-powered fence controllers from power surges up to 6,000 volts. Tip : While lightning protection devices can reduce damage by up to 75%, no device provides 100% protection from lightning.
Electric Fence Design Design Your Fence Now that you understand how each component works in your fence, sketch your fence layout to get a count of materials you’ll need, including number of posts, wires, insulators, gate openings, etc.
Estimate Your Electric Fence Supplies Use the chart below to get a rough idea of what you’ll need for different size enclosures.
Fence Configurations By Species Tip : Electric fence systems can be built in any configuration as needed by the end user. Recommended wire spacing to safely contain different species is shown below.
Gate Openings Gate openings can be installed a variety of ways. Typically the same fence wire is used across the opening. If a metal gate or spring gate is used, 20 KV insulated hook-up wire should be used to carry the electrical current under the gate opening. NOTE: Refer to page 9 for information on how to make fence line connections.
Testing/Troubleshooting Test fence line voltage regularly with a fence tester at the furthest point on the fence from the fence energizer to ensure voltage is adequate for the animal being controlled.
Regular testing and maintenance of your electric fence system is important to assure performance. Tip : Testing voltage by touching the fence line with your hand or a weed is not recommended. In addition, if you do this wearing rubber-soled shoes you may NOT feel a shock. STEP 1: Test the Fence Line Check for adequate voltage at the furthest end of the fence line from the fence energizer.
STEP 3: Test Ground System To fence energizer (FENCE terminal ) 100 yard s Push probe into ground Short the fence using a metal bar or wire To fence energizer (GROUND terminal ) Touch ground rod with tester . If reading is over 400 volts, grounding is inadequate. Add additional ground rods 10 feet apart connected by hook-up wire until reading is under 400 volts.
Fence Energizer Warranty 30-DAY FULL WARRANTY Woodstream guarantees your satisfaction. You can return product with its receipt to the place of purchase within 30 days for a full refund. Proof of purchase is required for a full refund.
SERIAL NUMBER INFORMATION The serial number for all Woodstream Corp. fence energizers will go to a 12 digit serial number. The format for the 12 digit serial number is as follows: EC Category XX Year XX Month XX Day XXXX Serial number If no sales receipt is provided with the return, we will use the date of manufacture shown in the serial number. Please contact Woodstream Corp. for all warranty claims or returns: Woodstream Corp.
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