How to Test Electric Fence with Multimeter

Test Electric Fence with Multimeter

 It’s important to ensure that the current is not grounded but properly moving through the fence. So for that, you can test the voltage of the electric fence with your multimeter by following some steps:

1. To test an electric fence, you can set your multimeter to a certain or high range of (Kilo Volts) or V = 20-600V.

2. Secondly, you need to unlock & open the circuit by switching off the main power source through which electricity is coming.

3. Now attach the multimeter leads to the circuit and close it.

4. At last, check out the readings & access the result.

If you want to know more, keep scrolling down further to find out more details regarding “how to test electric fences with multimeters.”

How to test an electric fence with a multimeter

As we’ve discussed earlier, you can test your electric fence with a multimeter easily, but still, you need to follow some steps accurately so that no damage occurs.

You might also damage the device and yourself if you don’t know the right approach to measure the current.

Probably electric fences contain a very high amount of voltage = 1000V. So, you must choose an excellent device to measure very high volts.

  1. Precautions to Take When Testing Electric Fences

Before checking the electric fences, it’s essential to take some precautions first:

  • Remember to cover your hands first with plastic or shockproof gloves.
  • Then switch off the main power source to avoid electric shocks because if you touch the electric fence without turning on its main power, it’s obvious to get severe injuries or even death.
  • Wet the dry areas before testing out the fences, as moisture in the soil helps to carry out much better electricity than dry soil.
  • Keep the children or cattle out of its reach when performing such tests.
  • Check your ground systems regularly to ensure that electric fences get proper voltage.
  • At last, try to protect yourself properly, as a mild electric shock can also cause muscle cramps in the body.
  1. Setting Up Of a MultimeterMultimeter symbols and settings

First, you need to set your multimeter to an appropriate range, i.e. (A, 10A, mA, etc.), as most multimeters hold a maximum capacity of 600V. After that, you should adjust the central selection switch AC voltage setting.

  1. Unlocking the Circuit

To unlock the circuit, you have to turn off its power first, open it, and attach your multimeter to the circuit to do a test.

  1. Connecting Multimeter Leads To Electric Fence

After attaching your multimeter to the circuit, properly connect the leads (Black Red wires) of the multimeter to the live and ground wires.

For example, connect the positive (Red) lead on one wire of the electric fence & the other negative (Black) to the other grounded electric fence wire. (The wire which should be in the ground) and close the circuit.

  1. Check multimeter results

When the voltage supply becomes active, the current in the multimeter will begin to flow & then the multimeter reads it & will show the accurate readings on its display in the form of Ampere’s = 8000V because electric fences usually carry the current between 6000-10,000 Volts.

Note: If you see the current voltage dropping more than 2000V, the current in your electric fence is not carrying much voltage & might not be able to provide you with proper protection service.

Problems while testing electric fences

Some minor problems may arise while testing electric fences due to the following reasons:

● Many electric fence problems occur due to poor grounding. Why? Because if the electric fences are not grounded properly, the current in the wires gets reduced & one may not receive a shock.

● Electric fences can occasionally become weak due to leakage of voltage in any way. Faults are one of the main causes of electric voltage leakage from fences.

For example, when weeds, grass, or hanging branches touch the fence, faults occur & fences become weak.

● Broken insulators also become one of the reasons to cause weaker fences.

● Short circuits in electric fences can also cause them to become weak & will not allow them to perform their function properly.

Electric fence installed at farm

Volt recommendations for electric fence

As we all know, the main usage of Electric Fence Wires is to protect our cattle from wild animals & to keep them safe so they don’t get loose.

Here are some volt recommendations to ensure that the electric fence wires hold the right voltage for your animals to keep them safe without hurting them.

Wild Animals

6000-8000 Volts

Poultry Animals

2000V in summers & 4000V in winters

Sheep & Horses

4000-7000 Volts

Pigs

2000-5000 Volts

Cats

4000 Volts

Dogs

5000 Volts

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Which is better for an electric fence, a Voltmeter or Multimeter?

Both the standard electrician’s voltmeter & multimeter are suitable for testing an electric fence as electric fences contain high voltage, so both gadgets are specifically designed for electric fences to test.

  1. What should be the excellent voltage for an Electric Fence?

It depends. Most sources prefer a minimum of 2000V-4000V for pet or farm animals & 6000-7000V for wildlife.

  1. How Much Amps Should an Electric Fence Have?

An ideal electric fence should contain a high voltage of (7000-8000V) but a minimal amount of amps nearly equal to (120 milliamps) or can, say, zero amps with a high speed.

  1. Is touching a live Fence Wire safe?

No, it’s not safe. Touching a live fence wire without turning off the main power supply can increase the causes of severe injuries to the head, neck & arms.

If the current in an electric fence is of high voltage, it can also lead to death. So try to protect yourselves & do turn off the power supply before touching it.

  1. What should be good reading for Electric Fence?

Good reading for an electric fence on the multimeter should range between 6000-7000V. If you notice a drop in the reading, for example, if the multimeter shows a reading less than 6000V, it might contain a slight fault caused by anything.

  1. Should an Electric Fence be AC or DC?

Energizers are necessary as they help to produce a charge in an electric fence to power them. It generally depends upon the energizers you’re using. It could be AC power, DC power, or Solar power.

  1. How do Electric Fences become Weak?

Well, it happens due to poor grounding. If the electric fence is not grounded properly or the ground rod is not adjusted properly, it can weaken your electric fence.

The ground rod should be 3 feet to obtain good energy from the energizer & to make it stronger enough.

Conclusion

Testing an Electric Fence with a multimeter is a piece of cake only if done properly, attentively & carefully because if not, it can lead to many problems.

So before testing the electric fence, try to check whether the voltage running through it is enough or if it is running properly because if you don’t, it can get a little bit complex.

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