All About Grounding

If the ground system is insufficient, electricity cannot find a path back to the fencer and little or no shock is given. An animal provides this path when it touches the fence wire and the earth simultaneously.

The electricity then passes through the animal into the soil and back to the ground rods, which are connected to the ground terminal of the fence charger. Only then is the circuit completed and the animal receives an electrical shock.

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Proper Grounding

One or Two Wires

Expert Tips

FAQs

Expert Tips

Follow the instructions in the owners manual, they will guide you through the process. One terminal of the charger will connect to the fence while the other terminal will connect to earth ground wire. Click on image at right to enlarge.

Sandy, dry and rocky soils may require a ground-wire return system or "Two Wire System".

Make sure you have connected the grounding rod properly: It must go to the ground terminal on the charger. Do not make the mistake of connecting it to the fence wire or fence terminal!

Longer fences or areas where the soil is dry rocky or sandy may require more grounding rods. Multiple rods should be 10 feet apart and 50 feet from any other grounding system. Each rod will then need to be connected using insulated wire.

Grounding rods may be copper or galvanized. The benefit of copper is that it transports the electrical charge more efficiently than the galvanized rod; however, it is more expensive than a galvanized rod.

Zareba® electric fence systems will help contain livestock and pets when properly grounded.

zareba electric fence systems