An electric fence is one of the most cost-effective tools on a rural property, whether you are keeping cattle in, foxes out, or splitting a paddock for rotation. Late winter is the perfect time to get one sorted, before spring growth and stock work take over.
Electric fencing can seem a bit mysterious at first, but the idea behind it is simple. Once you understand how the circuit works and what each part does, planning your own fence line becomes surprisingly straightforward. Here is everything a beginner needs to know to get started with confidence.
Quick summary
- An electric fence gives a short, safe shock that teaches animals to respect the line.
- The energiser is the heart of the system, and it needs to be sized to your fence.
- Good earthing is the single most important thing for a fence that actually works.
- A fence tester takes the guesswork out of finding faults.
- Late winter is the ideal time to build, before spring growth arrives.
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How Electric Fencing Actually Works
Before you buy anything, it helps to picture what is going on when an animal touches the wire.
The Circuit in Simple Terms
An electric fence works by completing a circuit. The energiser sends short pulses of power along the live wire. When an animal touches that wire, the current travels through the animal, into the ground, and back to the energiser through the earth stakes, completing the loop and delivering the shock. That is why the earth stakes matter just as much as the wire, because without a good path back to the energiser, there is no circuit and no shock.
Safe but Memorable
An electric fence is a psychological barrier, not a physical one. The pulses are high in voltage, usually somewhere around 5,000 to 8,000 volts on a healthy fence, but each pulse is very short and carries very little energy, so it gives a sharp, memorable jolt without harming a healthy animal. Animals quickly learn to keep their distance. One important safety rule: never electrify barbed or razor wire, as this is not permitted in Australia because of the serious risk of entanglement. It is also worth checking your local council rules before you start, since electric fencing is only allowed in certain zones (NSW Planning Portal).
The Parts You Need
Rather than buying a one-size-fits-all pack, it pays to understand each component and choose what suits your property.
Choosing an Energiser
The energiser, sometimes called the fencer or charger, is the heart of the system. Its power is measured in joules, and you choose the size based on your fence length, the type of animals and how much vegetation you have to power through (Virginia Cooperative Extension). As a rule of thumb, it is better to go a size bigger than you think you need, so you have room to extend later. Energisers run on mains power, battery or solar, so there is an option for every corner of the property.
Wire, Tape and Polywire
What you run between the posts depends on the job. High-tensile steel wire is the workhorse for permanent fences. For portable and temporary set-ups, lightweight polywire and polytape are quick to roll out and pack up. Wide polytape is easier for horses to see, while polywire is ideal for strip grazing that you move often.
Insulators, Standoffs and Gate Handles
The small bits make a big difference. Electric fence insulators stop the current leaking away into your posts, which is exactly what would happen without them. Standoffs hold a live wire out from an existing conventional fence, and insulated gate handles let you open and close a gateway safely.
Setting It Up Right
A fence is only as good as its installation, and two things matter more than anything else.
Getting a Good Earth
Poor earthing is the single most common reason an electric fence underperforms. As a general guide, use at least three earth stakes, or the energiser’s stored joule rating divided by five, whichever is greater. Drive them fully into the ground, keep them at least 10 metres away from other electrical earths, power poles and buried water lines, and position them in moist ground where you can (Virginia Cooperative Extension). The good news is our green coast usually keeps the soil moist enough to earth well.
Testing and Troubleshooting
An electric fence tester is a small investment that saves hours. It tells you the voltage on the line, and a healthy fence should read up in the thousands of volts. If the reading drops, walk the line and look for the usual suspects: vegetation touching the wire, broken wires, cracked insulators and loose connections (University of Maine Extension). Installing cut-off switches along sections makes it much quicker to isolate where a fault is hiding.
Common Jobs Around the Coffs Coast
Once it is set up, an electric fence earns its keep in all sorts of ways.
Strip Grazing and Paddock Rotation
A single portable poly line lets you split a paddock, rest tired pasture and get far more out of your grass. Move the line every few days and your stock always have fresh feed, which is a real bonus through our big growing season.
Protecting the Chook Run and Veggie Patch From Foxes
A couple of offset live wires can keep foxes away from the chooks and wildlife out of the veggie patch. Late winter is the ideal time to get this done, because once spring hits, keeping the fence line trimmed of fast-growing grass and weeds becomes the main maintenance job to keep your voltage up.
How Coffs Harbour Produce Can Help
We stock trusted fencing brands and all the electric fencing components you need, from energisers and wire to insulators and testers. Not sure where to start? Bring in a rough sketch of your fence line and our team will help you plan, measure and choose the right gear. Pop into our Coffs Harbour store or our sister store Valley Rural Supplies in Nambucca Heads, we offer free next-day delivery across the greater Coffs Harbour region (order by 3pm, conditions apply), and we accept returns on unused fencing materials if you end up with more than you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an electric fence work?
The energiser sends pulses of power along the live wire. When an animal touches it, the current passes through the animal into the ground and back to the energiser through the earth stakes, completing the circuit and giving a short, safe shock.
What size electric fence energiser do I need?
It depends on your fence length, the animals you are containing and how much vegetation is on the line. As a rule, choose an energiser rated comfortably above your current fence length so you have room to expand.
Why is my electric fence not working?
Most faults come down to poor earthing or vegetation touching the wire, though broken wires, cracked insulators and loose connections are also common. An electric fence tester helps you track down the problem quickly.
How many earth stakes do I need?
At least three for most energisers, or the stored joule rating divided by five, whichever is greater. Drive them fully into moist ground and keep them well away from other electrical earths.
Can I electrify a barbed wire fence?
No. Electrifying barbed or razor wire is not permitted in Australia because of the serious risk of animals or people becoming entangled on a live, barbed strand.
Ready to Plan Your Fence Line?
With the basics under your belt, a reliable electric fence is well within reach. If you would like a hand planning yours, the team at Coffs Harbour Produce is at 26 June Street, Coffs Harbour, on 02 6652 2599, or you can send an online enquiry. Call, email, or drop in for a chat, and we will help you get it right the first time.
References
- NSW Planning Portal, Fences (exempt development rules), https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/development-and-assessment/planning-approval-pathways/exempt-development/fences
- Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), Electric Fencing: How to Select and Install an Energizer, https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/SPES/spes-689/spes-689.html
- Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), Electric Fencing: How to Install a Grounding System, https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/SPES/spes-691/spes-691.html
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Quick Guide to Troubleshooting Problems with Electric Fences, https://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/pasture-course/lesson-3/quick-guide-to-troubleshooting-problems-with-electric-fences/
