Electric Fencing Manual - Thunderbird

Temporary Electric Fencing.
Wind up Reels,
36 std reel 36a Large std reel
36g geared reel 36ga Large geared
16
40b 200 mt hot tape 40c 400 mt hot tape
40s 200 mt super tape 40sa 400 mt super tape
40e 200 mt polywire 40d 500 mt polywire
42 200 mt super wire 42a 400 mt super wire
32 std gate handle
32b compression gate handle
37 10mm steel pigtail post
38 Multi wire s/s post
39 6mm steel pigtail post
38h Tall Multi wire tread in
THUNDERBIRD
Electric Fence Systems.
Electric
Fencing
Manual.
Hot tape and polywire can be used upto 500 metres effectively.
Super polytape and polywire can be used for runs up to 1500 metres.
For longer runs use gal fencing wire. Helpful fencing hints.

Contents.
PAGE
2 Contents & contacts
3 & 4 Types of energisers
5 Wire straining & insulation.
6 Energiser installation
7 Earthing
8 & 9 Fence component usage.
10 How electric fencing works.
11 Fence layout.
12 Fence design.
13 Upgrading existing fences.
14
15 Fence Testing / Fault Finding
16 Temporary electric fencing.
Contacts. PHONE FAX
N.S.W. 02 63723600 02 63722597
VIC 03 97962319 03 97075389
QLD 07 32855711 07 32852554
TAS 0417 554024 03 63393669
Fence Testing / Fault Finding.
Go to the first cut out
switch, disconnect and
test to that point.
Is voltage normal ?
YES
NO
Test voltage at the energiser.
If voltage is low disconnect energiser
From fence and test separately.
Is voltage normal ?
Fault is between energiser
and first test point
Go to the next cut out switch
disconnect, test voltage.
Continue until section of fence
Has been found to be faulty.
TEST PROCEEDURE.
NO
YES
Test earth system -
Is voltage more than
300 volts
YES
NO
Fence is OK.
Earth is inadequate -
Improve earth stake system.
Fault locator shows
Voltage, Amps &
Direction of short.
No 5 Fault locator
No 8 Digital Volt Meter
No 9 Lite Volt Tester
15

Safety Regulations.
Only one energiser is to be used on an electric fence system.
There must be a minimum of 2 mteres between any 2 electric fence
systems.
If an electric fence wire is to be attached to an existing fence incorporating
barbed wire or razor wire, the electrified wire must be offset a minimum of
150mm from the non electrified wires. The barb wire is to be earthed at
regular intervals.
The electric fence earth electrode shall be a minimum of 10 metres from any
other earthing system.
Electric fence leads are not to be installed in the same conduit as mains
wiring.
If an electric fence is to cross overhead power lines, it shall be made
underneath and as nearly as possible to right angles to it.
If an electric fence is installed near an overhead power line, the minimum
clearances are; 3m for line voltages less than 1,000 V, 4m for line voltages
1,000V— 33,000V, and 8m for line voltages greater than 33,000V.
The electric fence height shall not exceed 3m if it is within 2m of the
orthogonal projection of the outermost wire of an overhead power line less
than 1,000V or if it is within 15m of the orthogonal projection of the
outermost wire of an overhead power line greater than 1,000V.
Electric fences running parallel to power lines should be avoided wherever
possible.
If any part of an electric fence is to be installed along a public road or
pathway, warning signs must be securely fastened to the fence at regular
intervals
These signs must be a least 100mm x 200mm and have a yellow background.
Note : additional safety regulations exist. Read full instructions
supplied with the energiser when installing.
Energisers.
Medium 240 volt Energisers.
M-50 powers up to 5 km
M-100 powers up to 10 km
M-200 powers up to 20 km
Large 240 volt Energisers.
M-400 powers up to 40 km
M-800 powers up to 70 km
M-1200 powers up to 95 km
M-1800 powers up to 140 km
Strip grazers.
B-12 powers up to 2 km—12 volt battery
B-6/12 powers up to 2 km - 4 x d cells or
12 volt battery
Medium 12 volt Energisers
B-40 powers up to 5 km
B-70 powers up to 10 km
B-150 powers up to 20 km
Large 12 volt Energisers
B-300 powers up to 35 km
B-500 powers up to 70 km
B-1000 powers up to 100 km
3

Solar Energisers.
Self Contained Solar Systems
Solar 2000 - powers up to 2 km
Solar 5000 - powers up to 5 km
Systems include solar panel, energiser,
battery and mounting frame.
Large Solar Energisers
B-300 powers up to 35 km
B-500 powers up to 60 km
B-1000 powers up to 100 km
Battery not included.
Energisers Selection
Medium Solar Energisers.
B-40 powers up to 5 km
B-70 powers up to 10 km
B-150 powers up to 20 km
Battery not included.
Cattle, Horses, Pets, pigs - all models suitable.
Ferral animals, goats, sheep - over 20 km model is
required
4
Upgrading Existing Fences.
22
Testing energiser’s earth system.
Short the fence out 100 metres away from the energiser’s earth stakes., make
sure voltage is around 1500 volts. Drive a stake 100mm into the ground
around 1 metre away from the last earth stake. Test voltage between the test
stake and the energisers earth.
Voltage should be less than 300 –600 volts. If voltage is higher additional earth
stakes are required.
THUNDERBIRD’S Super bentonite earth kits may be required in poor earth
situations.
THUNDERBIRD’S Fault Locator is an ideal test instrument.
13

Fence Design
Recommended wire
Spacings for different
animals.
Requirements may
vary a little in some
Conditions.
Posts spacing
recommendations
are for flat country (max).
Reduce distance according to
type of terrain.
Steel or wooden posts reuire
Insulators, or use fibreglass
Posts with clips.
12
Wire Straining.
Electric fencing wires should be strained to around 90 kg (200 lb)
High tensile galvanised wire is best as it will not stretch like soft wire
and short out.
Ratchet strainers are ideal for short wire strains.
No 33 No 33a No 34
Plastic ratchet strainer porcelain ratchet strainer Non insulated
Insulators.
Good insulation of live wires is extremely important - the use of
non recommended insulation may result in failure.
20 steel post 18 steel post 16 large end strainer 25 porcelain end
tape insulator pinlock 16w super end strainer strainer
19 wood post 18c steel post claw 23 steel post cap 26 porcelain reel
pinlock
5

Energiser Installation.
6
Installing Energisers
Thunderbird energiser are supplied with a full set of instructions - please read
these instructions at the time of installation.
Install mains energisers indoors, cover permanently installed battery energisers
from weather where practical. Strip grazer energisers do not require
covering.
Install energisers in a dry well ventilated position, out of the reach of children.
Use THUNDERBIRD double insulated cable from energisers terminals to earth
system and live wire, terminate with wire joint clamps.
Solar and battery energisers should be installed in the middle of the fence line.
Solar energisers need to face the equator (face north if in the southern hemisphere)
A correct earth is essential, read and follow earthing instructions for best
results.
Double insulated
Cable - 2.5mm
Wire joint clamp
Caution : young children and
infirm persons should not be
left un supervised in the
vicinity of an operating
energiser.
Fence Layout.
Gateways
Use THUNDERBIRD double insulated underground cable buried to a depth
of 300 mm, inside poly pipe for protection. Bend down ends to avoid rain
water entering. This is done for both live and earth wires, using joint clamps
on all connections. Cut out switches can be positioned at gateways to
isolate fence runs.
14
11
32

10
How an electric fence works !
Using different earth systems !
Earthing.
Most problems with electric fencing are associated with POOR
earthing !!
The fence will not be effective if the earth is unsatisfactory.
A electric fence
Earth system
should
Be 10 metres
away from other
earth systems.
Use THUNDERBIRD
Super Earth Kits in
dry soil areas.
(bentonite type)
Drive 3 stakes into the ground 1.5 metres. Place stakes 5 metres apart. Use
galvanised steel or stainless steel stakes. - DO NOT USE COPPER.
Position in a moist area if possible. Connect to double insulated cable
clamp connection tight using bolts or wire joint clamps.
Drive additional earth stakes into the ground every 1 km of fence run,
connect with wire joint clamps to non electrified wires in the fence.
7

8 9