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ELECTRIC FENCE GROUND ROD INSTALLATION TIPS
The grounding system is the unsung hero of any electric fence system.
When an animal comes in contact with an electrically charged fence, the animal feels an electrical shock.
This is in part because of the charge created at the fence charger, but equally as important, because of the charge received by your ground rods that is fed back into the charger to close the circuit on your electric fence system.
Almost instantaneously, the charge goes through the ground and reaches the ground rods you have installed and sent up the wire attached to the ground terminal of the charger.
If the ground terminal is not properly connected to rods that make the grounding system, the animal will not feel the shock.
WHAT YOU NEED TO INSTALL GROUND RODS
To properly install your grounding system, you will need the following, all of which can be found at ZarebaSystems.com (see below for links) …
- Three 6-foot grounding rods of either copper or galvanized steel, copper being the most conductive option.
- Ground rod clamps to attach your insulated wires to your ground rods. The clamps should be the same metal as the ground rod you have chosen for each ground rod.
- Insulated hookup wire that is 10 to 14 gauge.
PREPARATION FOR GROUND ROD INSTALLATION
Start by marking out where you want the ground rods to be installed. When possible, choose low laying areas that receive more moisture. Space the grounding rods out 10 feet apart from each other, and at least 50 feet from any other ground systems, utility poles and lines. And keep them near your charger if possible to avoid running long stretches of insulated wire.
For ease of installation, pour water into the entry point where you are placing the ground rods to soften the earth. Before you start driving ground rods in, make sure to put ground rod clamps on first in case mushrooming takes place on the end, making it impossible to slide on closed ground rod clamps.
Also, check local zoning laws for electric fencing guidelines in your area. Also check with local utilities before digging to identify any buried cables or natural gas lines.
DRIVING GROUND RODS INTO THE SOIL
Use a mallet, sledge or post driver to drive the ground rods into the ground. Make sure they are at least 4 feet deep to get below the frost line.
CONNECTING THE GROUND ROD SYSTEM
Once the rods have been driven into the earth at the appropriate distances, connect the rods using a single piece of insulated wire and ground rod clamps. Make sure your charger is unplugged, or turned off, and then run this insulated wire from your ground rods to the ground terminal on your fence charger to complete the installation.
TEST THE ELECTRIC FENCE SYSTEM
After the ground wire has been connected to your terminal and your fence wire connected to your fence terminal, plug your charger in, or turn on your solar- or battery-operated charger to confirm operation.
Using a fence tester, check your fence line at multiple points to verify adequate voltage. Once you’ve confirmed voltage running on your lines at multiple points, you’ve successfully installed your grounding system and fence setup. You’ll want to monitor voltage levels occasionally to get ahead of potential voltage loss on your fence lines from external factors like weed growth, weather-related events, or other objects pulling fence voltage down.
With proper installation and maintenance, you’ll have a safe and successful animal containment solution for years to come…
YOUR ELECTRIC FENCE QUESTIONS
Hopefully this video has cleared up a few questions for your electric fence grounding installation. If you have additional questions, give us a call at 855-592-7322.
