Determination Of The Voltage Required To Power Barbed Wire Into Electric Fence

Electrical Electronics Engineering | Engineering

The voltage necessary to energize barbed wire into an electric fence is contingent upon various factors including the length of the fence, desired deterrent effect, and the conductivity of the surrounding environment. Typically, electric fences require a voltage ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 volts to effectively deter livestock or intruders. This voltage, generated by an energizer or charger, is applied intermittently in short pulses to prevent habituation while ensuring a memorable experience for any entity touching the wire. Ensuring optimal voltage levels is critical for the efficacy and safety of the electric fence system, requiring periodic monitoring and adjustment as environmental conditions fluctuate. Efficient deployment of voltage facilitates the establishment of a reliable barrier, enhancing security and containment efforts while minimizing potential harm to both animals and trespassers.

DEDICATION

This project is dedicated to Almighty God for his protection, kindness, strength over my life throughout the period and also to my — for his financial support and moral care towards me.Also to my mentor — for her academic advice she often gives to me. May Almighty God shield them from the peril of this world and bless their entire endeavour Amen.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The successful completion of this project work could not have been a reality without the encouragement of my — and other people. My immensely appreciation goes to my humble and able supervisor Mr. — for his kindness in supervising this project. My warmest gratitude goes to my parents for their moral, spiritual and financial support throughout my study in this institution.
My appreciation goes to some of my lecturers among whom are Mr. —, and Dr. —. I also recognize the support of some of the staff of — among whom are: The General Manager, Deputy General manager, the internal Auditor Mr. — and the —. Finally, my appreciation goes to my elder sister —, my lovely friends mercy —, —, — and many others who were quite helpful.

ABSTRACT

This study is on electric fence. An electric fence is a barrier that uses electric shocks to deter animals from crossing a boundary. In electric fencing system, electricity flows as a result of electrical pressure which is measured in volts (V). Energizer produces brief, high voltage pulses of electricity between the conducting wire and earth when the circuit is closed by animal contact. An animal standing on the ground and touching the electrified wire completes the circuit and receives intermittent but regular shocks to deter it. The pulsed nature of the electricity enables animals to move away from the fence, so preventing electrocution. However, this work is aimed at determining the voltage required to power barbed wire into electric fence.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWELDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
PROBLEM STATEMENT
AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
DEFINITION OF TERMS

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
ELECTRIC FENCE DESIGN AND FUNCTION
USES OF ELECTRIC FENCE

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION MATERIAL RECOMMENDATION
VOLTAGE DETERMINATION
INSTALLATION OF MAINS ENERGISER
INSTALLATION OF BATTERY ENERGIZER
GENERAL ELECTRIC FENCING TIPS

CHAPTER FOUR

FENCE MAINTENANCE
DONT’S OF ELECTRIC FENCING
TROUBLESHOOTING
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION
RECOMMENDATION
REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGEOUND OF THE STUDY

An electric fence is a barrier that uses electric shocks to deter people and other animals from crossing a boundary. The voltage of the shock may have effects ranging from discomfort to death. Most electric fences are used for agricultural fencing and other forms of non-human animal control, although they are also used to protect high-security areas such as military installations or prisons, where potentially-lethal voltages may be used.

An electric fence usually consists of several conductors of bare wire, supported on insulators and connected to a fence energizer which in turn is connected to a power source and earth rod(s). Electric fences were first used in World War I to contain prisoners of war. These fences carried alternating current (a.c.) and were designed to kill anyone coming into contact with them. It was not until the late 1930s that non-lethal fence energizers (also called controllers or fencer units) producing direct current (d.c.) were developed to manage stock or wildlife. Nevertheless, these early energizers were still dangerous, unreliable and easily short circuited. Then, in the late 1930s, better units were developed, making the technique more successful and acceptable.

Over the last 30 years, improvements in energizer technology have continued to be made so that now, in the early 2000s, a large range of energizers can be purchased. They are powered either from a mains electricity supply or, where this is not available, by battery. In remote areas, wind and solar power can be used to charge batteries. Energizers of varying power output, ranging from less than 1 joule to over 20 joules, can be purchased. (A joule (J) is the unit of energy used by manufacturers to specify the energy level of pulses produced by their products).

Electric fencing, to be effective, must have its conducting wires totally insulated and effectively isolated from the ground. The fence structure must be of sufficient strength and capacity to deliver an electric shock sensation to an animal when touched.

If an animal is to receive an effective shock upon contact with the bare electrified fence wire, current must be able to flow through its body to the ground. This can only happen by establishing a very sound earthing area system which must be connected directly to the energizer. The degree of shock sensation experienced is directly related to the level of the current which can pass through the animal’s body and the time it takes to do so: the higher the current and the longer it takes to pass through, the greater the shock sensation. Current level is regulated by electrical resistance or supply voltage which opposes the flow of current: the higher the resistance the lower the current and the less the shock sensation experienced. A good earthing system will help to minimise resistance, but current flow will still be affected by the resistance between those parts of the animal’s body which come in contact with the fence and with the ground and by the resistance of the ground itself. A higher level of voltage produced by the energiser will help to overcome a high resistance path through the body, but will be of little consequence if the earthing system is not soundly constructed.

The centre of any electric fence system is the energiser. There are two types: mains operated and battery operated. The energiser converts a.c. or d.c. voltage, respectively, into repetitive high voltage pulses of d.c. voltage which are delivered along the entire length of a fence connected to it. Each pulse lasts for a very short time (approximately 500 microseconds) and is produced at one second intervals. Thus, fence energisers are constantly switching on and off, and it is this characteristic which is responsible for preventing a fatality under normal operating conditions. The voltage peak of each consecutive pulse can rise to a limit of 10,000 V; values exceeding this limit are considered unsafe by present international safety standards.

Voltage is not the only aspect to be taken into consideration where safety is concerned. Each pulse will contain a potential quantity of electrical energy. This quantity of electrical energy is measured in joules (J). This study determines the voltage required to be used in an electric fence.

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Electricity flows as a result of electrical pressure which is measured in volts (V). Energisers produce brief, high voltage pulses of electricity between the conducting wire and earth when the circuit is closed by animal contact. An animal standing on the ground and touching the electrified wire completes the circuit and receives intermittent but regular shocks to deter it. The pulsed nature of the electricity enables animals to move away from the fence, so preventing electrocution, although lethal fences still have a limited use in the Far East for control of rodents.

Determining the voltage is a way of using the cable safely and efficiently. This work was carried out to determine of the voltage required to power barbed wire into electric fence.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of this work is to introduce fence builder to determine the voltage required to power barbed wire into electric fence which are used in perhaps the most important part of any electric fence system, the energizer. The objectives of this study are:

To understand the safety level of an electric fence.
To study the supply voltage required to power barbed wire in electric fence

To study uses and application of electric fence.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This work shall serve as means of learning how to install and calculate the parameters used in electric fencing. The study will also benefit all users of electric wire by letting them understand the safety state of their fence.

1.5 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Dropper: A rigid vertical component used to keep line wires apart.

Electric fence: A barrier which includes 1 or more electric conductors, insulated from earth, to which electric pulses are applied by an energizer.

Electric animal fence: An electric fence used to contain animals within or exclude animals from a particular area.

Insulator: A non-conductive material or a device made with the intention of preventing current flow.

Leakage: A small energy loss from the fence line to earth.

Line wire: A single fence wire, which may be either single strand or multi-strand.

Polythene wire (Polywire): Polypropylene or Polyethylene twine incorporating one or more stainless steel or tinned copper strand(s).

Polythene tape (Polytape): Polypropylene or Polyethylene woven tape incorporating stainless steel or tinned copper strands.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

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