While electric fences offer robust security and containment for livestock, pets, or property, they’re also susceptible to the dangers of lightning strikes. These devices serve as a protective shield by diverting the electric current from dangerous lightning strikes away from your fence and controller. Ideally, it’s recommended to install a lightning arrester between the fence and the controller, ensuring effective protection throughout the entire system. However, it’s essential to maintain a distance of at least 50 feet between the energizer and these devices. Additionally, to provide an extra layer of defense, consider adding a Storm Guard to your 1 joule or higher charger. By following these installation guidelines, you can rest assured that your electric fence will be equipped to handle any potential lightning strikes and continue to provide reliable security and containment.
What Happens if Lightning Strikes Electric Fence?
In order to prevent potential damage caused by lightning strikes on your electric fence, it’s advisable to install a lightning arrestor. When lightning strikes directly on your fence, there’s a high possibility that your fence charger will fail, regardless of any precautions you may have taken. This is mainly due to the immense energy carried by the lightning bolt, which can overwhelm the system.
While physical damage to the rest of the fence is generally rare, there’s still a potential risk if the energy arcs unexpectedly from the fence to another object. This can lead to damage to the surrounding structures or equipment connected to the fence.
Firstly, you need to select a suitable location for the arrestor. It should be installed on a fence post higher than the surrounding fence wire, to ensure maximum effectiveness. Then, establish a secure electrical connection between the arrestor and the fence, using copper or aluminum wire. This connection serves as a bypass route for the lightning energy.
Next, it’s essential to ground the lightning arrestor to effectively dissipate the excess energy. This can be achieved by connecting a ground rod to the arrestor and ensuring a solid connection between them. The ground rod should be hammered into the earth, preferably in an area with moist soil, to enhance conductivity.
However, it’s important to regularly inspect and maintain the arrestor and it’s connections to ensure optimal performance. If any damage or wear is detected, prompt repair or replacement should be carried out to maintain the effectiveness of the system.
Keep in mind, though, that no system can guarantee complete protection against lightning, and additional safety measures are always advisable.
Methods to Protect Other Electrical Equipment From Lightning Strikes
- Use surge protectors with built-in lightning protection
- Install lightning rods on buildings
- Disconnect electrical equipment during storms
- Ground all electrical equipment and wiring
- Install transient voltage surge suppressors
- Ensure proper earthing and bonding
- Use metal enclosures for sensitive equipment
- Strategically place surge protectors near equipment
- Utilize isolation transformers
- Implement proper shielding for cables and data lines
It’s important to understand that the lethality of an electric fence isn’t determined by the voltage alone, but also by the current or amps. While a 220-volt shock may be painful, the danger lies in the amperage. Electric fence energisers typically produce high voltage, around 8,000 volts, but the current is significantly low, measuring approximately 120 milliamps, or 120-thousands of an amp.
How Many Volts Is a Lethal Electric Fence?
When it comes to electric fences, the voltage isn’t the primary factor that determines their lethality. While a 220-volt shock and a 10,000-volt shock may deliver a similar level of pain, it’s the current or amps that ultimately pose a greater risk. The amperage is what can potentially be fatal.
Electric fence energisers are designed to deliver high voltage output, typically around 8,000 volts. However, the amperage or current that accompanies this voltage is exceptionally low, measuring around 120 milliamps. This translates to 120-thousands of an amp, which is significantly low and generally considered safe.
The combination of high voltage and low current in electric fences is intentional. The high voltage is necessary to create an effective deterrent for animals, while the low current ensures that the impulse delivered isn’t lethal. Animals, including humans, might experience a momentary shock or discomfort, but it poses no serious risk to their lives.
An electric fence lightning arrestor plays a vital role in protecting the electric fence from lightning strikes. Lightning can induce extremely high voltage surges that can damage the fence energiser and other components. Installing an arrestor helps divert these surges, safeguarding the fence system.
To install an electric fence lightning arrestor, start by identifying an appropriate location for installation. Choose a spot that’s close to the fence energiser and where the electric fence wires can easily be connected to the arrestor.
Connect one end of the ground wire to the arrestor and the other end to a suitable grounding rod. This will redirect any excess voltage into the ground, preventing damage to the energiser.
The Importance of Grounding in Electric Fences
Grounding is a crucial aspect of installing an electric fence lightning arrestor. When an electric fence is properly grounded, it ensures that any excess electrical energy created during a power surge or lightning strike is safely redirected to the ground. Without proper grounding, this excess energy can cause serious damage to the fence, the surrounding structures, and even harm humans or animals that come into contact with it. By installing a lightning arrestor, which is essentially a specialized grounding device, you provide a direct path for the electrical energy to dissipate harmlessly into the ground.
Source: How many volts/ ampere/use electric fence for cattle?..
Conclusion
Additionally, incorporating a Storm Guard with a charger of 1 joule or higher can provide an extra layer of protection by absorbing any residual lightning energy.