Dont understand electric fence

[polk county]

From what I gather electricity flows through the fence wire and is grounded to the soil. The soil is the return path. Current runs through the soil into a buried galvanized rod and then back up to the power energizer. My question is, "Why doesn?t the soil create resistance?" You would think that dry sandy soil would drop the voltage so much that it would diminish the effect of the shock. Also, is the current constantly flowing through the circuit or only when someone touches it? I wonder what effect the inground current will have on the plants Im trying to protect.
I?m using a 120 volt AC 60 HZ with intermittent output
Thanks

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Dont understand electric fence

I might be wrong on this, but I don't think so.

Electricity always follows the path of least resistance. When it's going to ground, it has one path and so, well...not much choice on where it's going to go. It just so happens that the human body (or any living animal) has less resistance to current flow than the ground so you become the ground wire and get popped.

I think that's how they work.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Dont understand electric fence

The ?hot? wire is completely insulated from ground. Anything even coming close to the hot wire completes the circuit and it gets nailed.

Yes, Dry ground does affect the "shock". When the ground is wet our fences test out around 60,000 volts. In the summer when the ground dries out your looking at "only" 40,000 volts. Want to touch it?

Fencers are pulsed. You can hear a good hot fence. Our horses can hear the pulse and will avoid the fences when on even if you try to lead them thru a gate in the fence.

As for your weeds, if they come in contact the "hot" wire it will burn and kill them.

 

[Pascal]

Re: Dont understand electric fence

The ?hot? wire is completely insulated from ground. Anything even coming close to the hot wire completes the circuit and it gets nailed.

Yes, Dry ground does affect the "shock". When the ground is wet our fences test out around 60,000 volts. In the summer when the ground dries out your looking at "only" 40,000 volts. Want to touch it?

Fencers are pulsed. You can hear a good hot fence. Our horse can hear the pulse and will avoid the fences when on even if you try to lead them thru a gate in the fence.

As for your weeds, if they come in contact the "hot" wire it will burn and kill them.

If you are conserned about the effect of the electric fence just consider the overhead power lines that carry thousands of volts and high amperage from the power generating plants to supply your town and residence. You are walking on the return part of the circuit back to the Gen station for that.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Dont understand electric fence

Thats so weird to hear the electricity whether it be in a fence wire or the high tension overhead lines which really hum.
We always had to cut the weeds along the fence because they grounded the fence out.

 

[rbh]

Re: Dont understand electric fence

I learned about electric fences at a young age, "DONT PEE ON ONE"
they are basically a capacitor discharge system, I think, its called piezzio electric discharge, (or not).

 

[DianneB]

Re: Dont understand electric fence

We always had to cut the weeds along the fence because they grounded the fence out.

Modern fencers are "low impedance" and stay live despite the weeds. My fence runs 10KV regardless of wet or dry, weeds or winter. It keeps my mountain goat of a dog from climbing the fence!

 

[avenger79]

Re: Dont understand electric fence

I learned about electric fences at a young age, "DONT PEE ON ONE"
they are basically a capacitor discharge system, I think, its called piezzio electric discharge, (or not).

man you ruined it. LOL I was going to suggest he test it for elec coductivity that way. LOL

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Dont understand electric fence

Some folks don't do well with ideas......They do however sometimes learn from experience.......