Grounding is a critical aspect of properly installing and operating an electric fence. In this article, we’ll explore what grounding is, why it’s important, How do you Ground an Electric Fence, and whether it requires maintenance over time. Learn everything you need to know to ensure your electric fence works optimally.
Grounding an Electric Fence
Electric fences consist of various elements to facilitate correct and safe operation. One of the elements that should not be forgotten is the grounding, which is important for effectiveness of mechanical and electrical barrier of the electric fence.
How an Electric Fence Works
Electric fence is made up of some main elements such as the energizer that provides the fence with electricity, it can be either mains or battery operated, posts available in various materials such as wood, metal, plastic and fiberglass.
Then there is conductive material such as tape, rope, polywire and cable that is connected to posts via insulators in horizontal rows one above the other. To stabilize and tighten conductive material, you need to use connectors and tensioners.
Electrical voltage must be distributed equally in all points of the fence otherwise weak points will be created in fence where animals could escape. Earthing of the electric fence plays an important role in this regard and is regulated through the use of earthing posts. Poor grounding is often cause of electric fence malfunction.
What is Grounding for an Electric Fence?
Grounding for an electric fence is system that allows excess electrical current to be dissipated into the ground. It consists of installing ground electrodes connected to the electric fence energizer. The ground electrode acts as a “drain” for the current, preventing damage to animals and ensuring that the current is directed correctly.
Why is Grounding Important for an Electric Fence?
Grounding is essential to ensure effectiveness and safety of electric fences. To have total discharge of current by energizer, it is necessary to ground it by inserting 3 galvanized stakes of 1 MT into the ground. Grounding allows the excess current to be discharged into the ground, preventing any damage and ensuring stable operation of fence.
How Should Grounding be Done for an Electric Fence?
Grounding must be done properly to ensure optimal operation of electric fence. Here are some points to consider:
- Ground Electrode Selection: Ground electrode can be galvanized stake or water pipe for example. It is important to use a conductive and corrosion-resistant material to ensure good conduction and durability.
- Ground Electrode Depth: Ground electrode must be installed at an adequate depth to ensure sufficient contact with the ground. In general, it is recommended to insert the ground electrode at least 80 cm into the ground.
- Connecting to Energizer: The ground electrode must be connected to the electric fence energizer using ground cable (yellow-green). It is important to ensure a solid and secure connection to avoid current leakage.

Grounding for an Electric Fence
Operation of electric fences is simple and effective: if animal inside or outside fence comes into contact with conductive material, such as tape that is made of bundle of conductors woven into plastic fiber, it will receive shock. This shock is intense but short and therefore harmless to health of animal.
Electricity flows through animal’s body and discharges to ground and returns to energizer via grounding post. This process closes circuit and animal becomes fence contactor that allows electricity to flow into device. This shows that grounding of fence is important for correct functioning of the fence. Grounding system is essential especially when using very powerful energizers and long fences.
Grounding Posts (Rods) for Electric Fence
Grounding posts commonly called grounding rods are used to ground an electric fence. Grounding post is usually hot-dip galvanized metal post into which the high voltage cable is connected. Ideally, grounding post should be inserted into soil that is sufficiently moist. If soil is dry, has thick vegetation, is stony or hard, it is advisable to use more than one grounding post.
The same applies if you are using powerful energizer or have long fence. For very efficient fences, we recommend investing in special grounding posts with an angled profile that are easy to remove from ground, therefore also useful in portable fences.
Do you need to build your own electric fence from scratch?
Here’s what you need:
First you need to select an electric fence energizer, which sends pulses of current to the fence wires. There are several models, each made according to specific needs:
- 220V electric fence energizer with perfect functioning for fences up to 5km
- 220V electric fence energizer with perfect functioning for fences up to 8km
- 12V/220V battery-powered energizer with perfect operation for fences up to 5km and 6J
- 12V/220V battery-powered energizer equipped with 2 batteries with perfect operation for fences up to 5km and 6J
- 12V/220V battery- powered energizer with solar panel with perfect operation for fences up to 5km
Then you will need conductors: For example, electric fence wire, ideal if you want to contain large animals or fence your land to protect it from invasions of wild animals such as wild boars and roe deer. Finally you will need the Insulators to screw to the poles. Depending on the material of the latter there are the appropriate insulators:
- Insulators for wooden poles
- Insulators for iron poles
- Iron pole insulators with nut
- Double hook insulator
- Screw and unscrew mandrel for insulators
Does grounding for an electric fence need maintenance over time?
No. During periods of severe drought, for the soil to function properly, it is advisable to moisten the soil with a little water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Electric fencing for animals is not dangerous for People or Animals. As with everything, there is standard for electric fences that establishes values to be respected. Fence energizer is product that emits intermittent pulses with low amperage.
To create an electric fence for animals you will need: PK Solar Power – 100% Made in Pakistan – fence energizer that brings electricity to the fence, an electrified fence wire and electric fence insulators screwed onto the posts to hold the wire.
With current model we provide: grounding cable and cable with clip that is connected to the fence. With dual power model, we provide 220 power supply, cables for connections to car battery (positive and negative), grounding cable and a cable with clip to connect to the fence.
Grounding is essential for the functionality of the electric fence for animals, so it is recommended to do it correctly. To have the total discharge of current from the energizer, you need to do the grounding by inserting 31m galvanized stakes into the ground.
They must be positioned 3m apart, 80cm into the ground (wet) and 20cm out, and then connect them with the yellow cable. Together with electric fence, we only provide 1 m of cable that must be connected to the first stake. It is recommended to do it where there is vegetation, therefore on damp ground.
Arid ground is not conductive. According to tests done, placing 3 stakes in any type of ground, you will not have any problems with the functionality. If you place only one stake, the power of the current felt will be lower than its capacity and the animals will be able to get past the fence.
For a B12 energizer, it is sufficient to use 12V 40Ah car battery. The autonomy, if there is no dispersion in the electric fence, is about 10/12 days. Otherwise it lasts less.
Without making a dead loop to the electric fence insulator, otherwise it creates leakage. PK Solar Power electric fence insulators have been designed with this purpose.
To check if there is power on the electric fence for animals, simply bring the tip of an insulated screwdriver a few mm away from the fence wire. When you hear a clicking sound, it means that there is power on the electric fence.
The alternating flashing indicator lights on the electric fence energizer indicate that the device is functioning correctly.
An energizer cannot be left outside. It must be kept indoors to prevent it from being damaged by the elements.
Conclusion!
Grounding an electric fence is crucial to its proper functioning and safety of animals and people involved. By following the guidelines described above, you can ensure that your electric fence will function efficiently and for long time. Do not underestimate the importance of grounding and be sure to follow the recommendations to ensure that your electric fence functions properly.