Fear of getting killed by an electric fence prods farmers not to use it to contain their livestock. There are misconceptions about an electric fence that discourage you from installing it. What if you accidentally touched the fence and got an electric shock that led to your death? An electric fence cannot kill you but leaves an indescribable sensation in your body, particularly the area where it touches you. Some farmers often describe the discomfort as something memorable and annoying.
How Dangerous Are Electric Fences?
Suppose you happen to touch an electric fence once in your lifetime; you are pretty sure you will never handle it again. The painful sensation has left an indelible mark in your memory, which has traumatized you until these days. The thought of getting electrocuted by a slight touch keeps haunting you.
Many people exposed to electric shock from the fence swear not to use it as fencing material. According to research, that severe injury from electric fences accounts for less than one case annually throughout the world. Deaths and serious injuries are prevalent in exposure to shotguns, tractors, ladders, mowers, knives, skid loaders, and road accidents compared to electric fences.
If there is risk in electric fences, it is a small amount compared to other causes of injuries. The fence owner is liable for any damage, but this is a rare case scenario.
How Strong Does an Electric Fence Voltage?
The voltage emitted from electric fences cannot kill humans and animals but leaves unforgettable pain. The electric fence has very low amplification or current, which can kill, but seldom happens.
An electric fence has amperage that can hurt you and not its voltage. A 110 or 220-volt shock can harm you up to 10 000-volt shocks, provided the amps or current are of the same intensity. The electrical current maintains 13 to 20 amps, enough to run machinery. If you get in contact with 120 or 220 volts on a grounded area, the voltage does not release from the electric fence, but your muscles get locked up and electrocuted.
A typical electric fence has high voltage, low impedance, and low amperage, which means it, cannot kill you but leaves discomfort in your muscle. An animal who tries to escape through an electric fence experiences a short-lived bite instead of constant shock due to the electrical pulses of your fence line that uses a low-impedance energizer.
An electric fence usually has a 3,000 to 9000-volt static shock compared to the 5,000-volt static shock when you touch it. A requirement of electrical shock is a good combination of voltage and amperage, which is not present in electric fences.
Manufacturers ensure that the fence energizers yield high voltage and low amperage so that animals and humans will be out of danger. Depending on the manufacturer, electric fence energizers emit high voltage, about 8,000 volts, which can inflict pain on the animal.
Still, the low amperage of 120 milliamps cannot even kill a rat or squirrel. The low amperage equals 120,000 of an amp, where the average main electricity is thirteen amps.
How Does the Static Shock Work in Electric Fences?
The electrical output in electric fences works in two safe ways. It releases the electron flows in constant pulses from the capacitor of 1 over 300th per second. The electrical charge of the amperage is decreased to figures within the ranges of 15 to 500 milliamps.
Most electrical units run within the range of 100 to 150 milliamps. But the primary electricity with 220 volts working at 13 amps can kill people and animals if they trip on electrical wires plugged into 110 or 220 volts. The static electricity leaves a discomfort sensation in your muscles after touching a door knob with 30000 volts with point five milliamps for one over 1000th per second.
To safeguard the lives of people and animals, fence manufacturers ensure that the energizers employ low-impedance circuitry (solid state circuit charges the capacitor).
If you happen to touch the fence, you don’t get killed as the thyristor releases the charge. The thyristor acts as an automatic switch to control the voltage, leaving a short-lived shock pulse for milliseconds only, which delivers electricity pulses once every second (1 over 300th of a second) down the fence line.
The pulsating current allows humans or animals who touch the fence to automatically remove from the wire, leaving a muscle cramp, but not death. The continuous electrical currents can cause severe injury that can lead to death because the animal or person has no more time to release from the current source.
The unpleasant sensation from a pulsating current of electric fences will discourage the animal from escaping or entering the farm. Suppose manufacturers do not employ pulsating current to the electric fence; the electric shock to the person or animal continues until the electrical power goes out and fries the victim’s body. The explanation above guarantees that electric fences are safe due to the pulsating current and low amps.
Hair driers, oven toasters, radios, air fryers, etc., are unsafe due to the constant electrical connection and charges. Electrical fences are dangerous when the dog or cow gets trapped and cannot get out from the electric fence without human intervention.
Safety Tips to Prevent Accidents from Electric Fencing
Safety should come first before and after the installation of electric fences. It pays to be safety conscious even if electric fences cannot kill animals or people. An electric fencing system has three components: the energizer, the ground wire, and the fence wire.
The electric current comes from the energizer by traveling through the electrical wires. Some electric fences are battery-operated or use alternating current plugins. The design and size of electric fences determine the joules of the energizer.
Shop for an energizer fit for the fence’s joule rating, and do not plug multiple energizers into the electric outlet. Installing the electric fence is not to injure or kill animals or people. The electric shock creates discomfort and mild pain on them once they come into contact with the hot wire, but it does not kill them. Installation of the fence requires three grounding rods at least ten feet from each other.
A good grounding performance depends on the equipment capacity, topography, and fence line length. Copper wiring may be an excellent electricity conductor. Still, it does not work effectively compared to stainless steel when exposed to the elements—poor grounding results in accidental misuse and injury. Install a danger sign and cut-off switches at every entry and exit point of your farm as preventive measures.
Tips to Prevent Accidents in Your Daily Work Dealing With Electric Fence in Farm
Accidents are avoidable if you take things for granted. Some farm workers would take the shortcut when feeding the animals by not using the gate. They duck the fence wires and injure their body. Direct contact with the live wire in your fence can kill you.
Protect your back, neck, head, and extremities from getting in touch with live strands. Accidents may occur when there is a short circuit or malfunctioning of the electric circuit. High visibility markers and signboards along the property lines and roads can help people from leaning against the electric fence. The head and neck, especially if wet hair, can get you electrocuted.
Let a professional electrician check the voltage or fix the electric fence, particularly high-tech ones, as it can cost your life. Inform your farm workers, neighbors, and children not to touch the fence. Displaying a warning sign at the front gate and fifty meters intervals can avoid accidents and liabilities as a farm owner when someone gets hurt.
Fencing Options
Many fencing alternatives can give you peace of mind, primarily when you confine your livestock in their shelters. You can install inexpensive yet durable fencing materials like woven wire field fences. Strengthen the fence with electric wire to drive predators away and confine your livestock.
If you choose this type of fence, let a professional do the job because of its expertise in installing safe circuits. There are risks involved in electric fences, even if it is a safe option. Tell your workers and visitors to follow safety precautions when inside the farm.
Another option is to combine wooden and electric fences because it discourages horses from gritting the barriers and hitting the rails. The electric fence should be higher than the tallest wooden rail. The electric wire or tape deters the cattle and horses from leaping over the fence. Your livestock cannot escape from the farm even if the electric fence malfunctions.
