Most models include a handheld meter with a digital readout and a metal prong on the top, and an attached metal probe at the end of a wire.
Refer to the owner’s manual or signage on the charger to determine the correct voltage range for your fence. Depending on the type of animals they are meant to control, electric fence voltages typically range from 2,000 to 10,000 volts.
Keep your hand on the plastic or rubber section of the probe, not the metal tip. Otherwise, your body (instead of the meter) will test the electric fence when you touch the other probe end to it! Some types of fencing ground directly into the earth instead of using a ground wire. [4] X Research source If necessary, contact the fence manufacturer or an electrician so you can identify the ground wire properly in the future. It’s also good to have an expert make sure your ground wire is connected properly, as poor grounding is a major cause of electric fence malfunctions. [5] X Research source
Stick as much of the metal tip of the probe into the ground as you can. Make sure you’re not touching the metal tip with your fingers when you do the test, though! All single wire fences ground directly into the soil, but some multi-wire fences also lack a grounding wire.
Repeat the test on each fence wire. The readouts are often in thousands, in which case a reading of 5. 0 indicates 5000 volts. If the reading is above or below the recommended range for your fence, there is a problem with it and it should be serviced. [8] X Research source If you don’t get any reading, make sure you turned the voltmeter on! If the meter is on, that means the fence has no charge.
Just walk along the fence and, every 100 ft (30 m) or so, quickly repeat the test again.
As the name indicates, you don’t need to touch a wire to check for voltage with this product. This makes them a safe and very useful tool for a variety of purposes. You can probably buy a non-contact voltmeter for less than $20 USD.
Non-contact voltmeters are very simple tools, but you should always read the product instructions before using one for the first time.
If you get within a few inches/centimeters of the fence wire(s) and the meter still doesn’t light up and beep, you can be confident that there isn’t voltage in the area. Keep in mind that non-contact voltmeters don’t give you any information about the amount of voltage, they only reveal if there is or isn’t any voltage coursing through the fence. Use an electric fence voltmeter if you want specific voltage readings.
If you get the “on” indicator (lights and beeping) in some sections of fence and “off” in other sections, follow up with an electric fence voltmeter (if you have one) to see if you get variable voltage readings along the fence. If you do get variable readings, or if you don’t have an electric fence voltmeter, call an electrician or electric fence installer.
Hook up the indicator lights according to the product instructions. Contact an electrician or electric fence installer if you need assistance. You should also buy and install clear warning signs (available at electric fence retailers) at regular intervals.
For the best results, hold the compass near each wire for 10-30 seconds. Most electric fence chargers send pulses in 10-30 second increments, and these will have a more noticeable effect on your compass.
Not hearing anything, however, doesn’t guarantee that the fence is off. You may simply be unable to hear any sounds caused by the pulses. A fence that buzzes, hums, or crackles noticeably likely has a short somewhere in the system. Have a qualified repair person inspect the fence. [15] X Research source
Shop light fluorescent tubes that are around 3–4 ft (0. 91–1. 22 m) long work best for this job.
If you don’t notice any arcing immediately, run the screwdriver back and forth over the wire for 10-30 seconds. If there’s still no arcing, the wire most likely has no charge. Test each wire on the fence with the screwdriver.
Never grasp the wire with your hand. Clenching of the hands is one of the body’s natural reflexes during an electric shock, and if this happens you may not be able to let go of the fence. This could lead to serious burns or other injuries.
