DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi.

I'm looking at carrying out an installation on an electric fence and noticed the earth from the energizer is a 1mm Unsheathed, galvanised wire with a twisted connection. It looks very dodgy!!

I have been through a few suppliers and asked them recommended earth sizes but no-one seems to have an idea of the CSA used.

For me, I would treat this as a TT system and go with the 16mm. But that may be a decision that is over engineered for safety.

Could anyone enlighten me on the CSA used for the earth rod arrangement?

The distance between the Rods has to be 3m intervals, so All together about 13m of earthing.

The energiser is connected to the main system and connedted to earth.

Manufacturers specify earth rods for additional earth.

Guidence always appreciated.

Rather specialised. Much depends on the fence. In the Falklands we used New Zealand fences which could run for 5 miles. In UK that would be very rare. Unlike the earth for normal uses if the earth fails it fails safe. So even 1mm cable is OK if it works. Even with 5 miles of twin wire fence the earth was only a 2 meter rod with a short length of 2.5mm cable. If it does not work then you add extra. However I will admit I never got hold of the fence to test it! Seem to remember there was a tester which came with fence to see if all was well or not.

Hi these things run on something like a car HT coil, ie quite high voltage but VERY low current, the proverbial pice of'wet string' will be good enough for the reference earth.