Wall-top or free-standing?
Wall-top fences use brackets fixed along the top of an existing perimeter wall and are the usual choice for houses, apartments and offices. Free-standing fences use their own posts and suit farms, plots, warehouses and sites without a wall.
Energizer, earth and alarm
The energizer sets the strength of the pulse and must match the length of fence. The earth system, made of earth spikes driven into the ground, matters as much as the energizer: a fence with poor earthing gives a weak shock, especially in dry soil. Most energizers include an alarm output for a siren or for linking to the house alarm, so you know if the fence is cut or shorted by plants.
Safety and maintenance
Electric fences should carry clearly visible warning signs at regular intervals and at every gate; this is a requirement of the international electric-fence safety standard. Keep plants and creepers trimmed away from the wires, check the voltage regularly and test the backup battery.
Frequently asked questions
Does an electric fence work when TANESCO power goes off?
Yes, if the energizer has a backup battery or solar charging. Without backup, the fence stops working during the outage.
How many strands should a wall-top fence have?
Common wall-top installations use 4 to 6 strands; higher walls or higher-risk sites may use more. The installer chooses based on wall height and the level of protection needed.