Electric fence energizer.

**theelms66** · 28th February 2020, 08:23 AM

I'm sure there are plenty of members here with electric fences. I have a daken MT15 protecting my 5 Acre property . 2 strands of gal wire . I replace the energizer yesterday with a new unit as the old one said my system was overloading. ( usually because fence has shorted to earth somewhere ) however the new unit says the same thing. I have tripple checked the fence and cut every blade of grass away from the wire. Still no joy. Question ? Can the ceramic insulators and or plastic insulators be dusty enough to track to earth. Mind you there are no signs or sounds of shorting. Ideas?

**theelms66** · 28th February 2020, 08:27 AM

Pics are aways nice.

**Hogarthde** · 28th February 2020, 10:48 AM

The most important segment of the fence is the EARTH.

Tight connections ,heavy gauge wire , and steel standard driven 1800mm into the damp sub soil, if dry land, then two standards 2000mm apart.
yes the insulators can earth, even a spider web can do it , but as you said , normally a clicking
can be heard.
Try disconnecting the live wire from the energiser and just measure the volts

dave

**JDNSW** · 28th February 2020, 11:05 AM

Ceramic insulators can crack, and plastic insulators can distort and short.

But you probably need an electric fence tester - this allows you to trace the fault by seeing where the voltage changes. (No, you can't use an ordinary multimeter!)

**cjc_td5** · 28th February 2020, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Ceramic insulators can crack, and plastic insulators can distort and short.

But you probably need an electric fence tester - this allows you to trace the fault by seeing where the voltage changes. (No, you can't use an ordinary multimeter!)

Just use your finger! Hahahaha... Said with the benefit of experience........

**scarry** · 28th February 2020, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by cjc_td5

Just use your finger! Hahahaha... Said with the benefit of experience........

Nah,a long blade of grass is the go.Only gives a light punch🤣

Gees dogs have a fantastic memory when it comes to those fences....

**JDNSW** · 28th February 2020, 02:23 PM

An electric fence tester shows the peak voltage. With the symptoms described, I expect that you will find that the voltage decreases as you move away from the energiser, and reaches zero at the fault.

The other thing you really need is to divide up the fence into a number of convenient sections with switches, and the faulty section is easily found by switching these off, and then switch on as you move away from the energiser. Again, you really need a tester.

See Top 7 list of electric fence testers and testing methods | Gallagher Electric Fencing | Valley Farm Supply Superstore

My experience is with #3

**TheEntertainer** · 28th February 2020, 02:32 PM

Best way to test them is to play mr earth. I’ve got a tester from evil bay but find a couple of quick sideways swipes is faster and you certainly know it’s on.

**Tombie** · 28th February 2020, 02:50 PM

DO (Don't actually) something like our HV team do to find shorts they cant physically locate.

Energise the circuit and pump a minimum of 33kv down it... You'll soon find the fault path.

Even easier at night time.

**theelms66** · 28th February 2020, 07:02 PM

Thanks All. I have started to separate my lines so I can isolate my fault,but I think I will head to the store tomorrow and buy 2 more earth stakes as I only have one. Mind you its been travelling ok for some years on one but top of property is a bit dry.

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