Energisers Tips and Advice

Which energiser? This depends on the length of the fence, amount of vegetation likely to grow on the fence line, type of animal to be contained or excluded, the fence line materials and conductors being proposed, and the power source for the energiser. Mains Energisers Where possible, always use a mains-powered energiser sited inside a building. Running costs are low (unlikely to exceed £20.00pa) but best of all, no batteries to go flat and less likely to be damaged by animals. Dry Battery Energisers – 6v and 9v Dry battery powered energisers are ideal for temporary fencing, particularly strip grazing and short fences. Use an energiser with an internal battery such as ESB15, ESB25, ESB115, ESB120, ESB125, ESB135, ESB145, ESB150. These are lightweight and easy to relocate, require no maintenance and generally the batteries last 1 – 6 months before replacements are needed. These batteries are not rechargeable. Wet Battery Energisers – 12v If the fence is moved infrequently or is semi-permanent and no mains power is available, then select a 12v energiser together with a 12v, 85 Ampere Hour (Ah) leisure battery (Part No. 22-107). The higher the A/h. the longer the period between recharges. Generally these energisers are more powerful than dry battery versions and can operate longer fences. Solar Charged Battery Energisers Solar charged battery powered energisers are ideal for temporary and semi-permanent fencing, particularly strip grazing and short fences. These are lightweight and easy to relocate and require no maintenance.

Species Considerations Fence Energiser Terminology Volts – This is the pressure behind the flow of electricity to push the energy along the conductive fence wire (similar to air pressure). Most energisers produce up to 10,000 volts and about 3,000 volts minimum (measured by a volt meter, Part No. 14-171), is needed at the end of the fence to contain livestock. Ohms – This is the measure of resistance, rather like friction of water running along a hosepipe. Small diameter fence conductors, such as those in poly wires and tape have high resistance and are used for short fences. Large diameter wire such as 2.5mm high tensile have low resistance and can be many kms long. Vegetation growth on a fence line acts like a leak in a water pipe and "shorts" the fence to earth thus reducing its effectiveness. Joules – This is the amount of energy available to be pushed down the conductor by the energiser and is the measure of shock felt by the animal. This is rather like cubic capacity or volume. Higher joules mean longer fences. Amperage – The measurement of electric current and what you feel when you get shocked. The higher the amperage the more intense shock the animal will feel.