Glossary Of Electric Fencing Terms
Alternating current (AC)
Type of electricity as found coming from 110V or 220V outlets. This type of electricity cannot be stored. Some chargers produce and deliver alternating current to the fence, these are called continuous current chargers.
Amperage
The measurement of electric current. Amperage is what you feel when you are shocked. The higher the amperage the more intense shock you feel.
Battery Charger
A charger powered by a battery, usually 6V or 12V. Used in remote areas where there is no access to a 110V outlet. Can be used with solar panels that recharge the battery for added convenience.
Capacitive discharge
Describes chargers that store direct current (DC) in an output capacitor prior to discharging to the fence. Most chargers are capacitive discharge.
Controlled Grazing
The management of forage with grazing animals. Usually involves dividing pastures into smaller paddocks with electric fencing and moving the livestock frequently.
Direct current (DC)
Type of electricity that is produced by batteries and can be stored (as in a capacitor). Most fencers produce direct current.
Energizer
Another name for a fence charger.
Fencer, Fence Charger, Fence Controller
An electrical device that produces electrical energy and delivers it to a fence for the control of animals.
Ground rod
Metal stake driven into the soil that picks up electricity moving through the earth from the charger.
Ground rod clamp
Device used to connect the ground wire from the charger to the ground rod.
Ground System
The electrical path back to the charger. Usually an earth-ground system using ground rods in the soil.
High tensile
An affordable, long lasting electrified fence system that is an excellent choice for perimeter fences, providing a barrier to contain or exclude animals. These sturdy, permanent fences require braced corner and end posts in wood along with special insulators, hardware, and tools that maintain constant high tension on metal wire.
Hook-up Wire
Insulated wire rated at 20,000 volts (or more) used to make electric fence connections without voltage loss.
Insulator
Device used to keep an electrified fence wire from coming in contact with posts or anything else that would interrupt the flow of the current through the fence line. Usually made from plastic or porcelain.
Joule
The measurement of energy used to rate low impedance fencers. 1 joule = 1 watt of power for 1 second of time
Line posts
A post used to support electric or non-electric fence wire. Line posts support the fence line, and have far less tension put on it than corner posts. As a result, they can be made from a variety of materials, including metal, wood, plastic and fiberglass.
Low-impedance
A type of electric charger that can increase its output energy as fence load increases. Delivers high amperage shocks in very short pulses.
Ohms
Ohms are used to measure resistance to the flow of an electric current. A high ohms reading indicates a light fence load, while a low ohms reading indicates a heavy fence load.
Permanent Fence
A multi-strand, well-braced fence traditionally made from barbed wire and/or woven wire and now made from electrified high tensile wire.
Portable Fence
An electric fence that is easily moved. Also known as a temporary fence.
Rotational grazing
A system for allowing livestock to graze, using internal temporary enclosures (within a boundary fence) to control the particular areas where the animals can graze. This allows the vegetation in the previous enclosures to grow back. Usually is 1-strand of wire at 40" or at animal's nose level.
Solid state
Solid-state fence chargers deliver a medium amperage shock in pulses of medium duration. They are best used to control shorthaired livestock, small animals, and pets where light weed conditions exist.
Splicer
A device that joins separate strands of fence wire without breaking the fence's electrical circuit.
Tensioner
A component used to tighten fence wires, typically polytape, to increase tension on a section of the fence line.
Voltage
Measurement of electrical pressure. Voltage “pushes” amperage down the fence wire. The higher the voltage the more amperage it can push.
Watt
Measure of electrical power. Voltage x Amperage = Watts. Watts x Time = Joules.