5.2 Testing Grounding along your Fence Line

First, do the basic fence voltage tests to ensure your fence is properly energized and that your ground system is working properly (see the ElectroBraid™ Installation Manual). Your Digital Volt Meter should read between 5,000 and 10,000 volts throughout these tests and most importantly, read over 5000 volts from the hot strands to the soil itself. Your energizer should be rated for an output of no less than 2 joules.

In most fence installations, grounding conditions are fairly uniform. Soil along the entire length of the fence line is usually similar to the soil around the energizer ground system. Even so, you must verify that the sensitivity of your Fence Minder™ is at the correct levels by testing the soil at different points along your fence line with your Fence Minder Test Probe™.

It helps to have two people: one to test along the fence line while the other remains beside the Fence Minder™ to press the re-set button each time the alarm is triggered.

Select high, dry areas to test. Use the Fence Minder Test Probe™ to connect a "hot" line of your fence to the soil (the Test Probe simulates a horse touching the fence). First, insert the probe end of the Fence Minder Test Probe™ into the ground (this is the end with the right angle bend), then touch the other end of the Test Probe™ to one of the positive (hot) strands of Braid™. - - if the grounding is good, the Minder™ will alarm. Reset the Fence Minder™ and continue testing.

CAUTION: always ground the probe before you touch the "hot" line (instead of touching the "hot" line first), to avoid an accidental shock.

The Minder™ should alarm after three (3) seconds. When the Minder™ alarms, as it should if the ground is good, reset the Minder™ and continue testing along the fence line. Pick any place that has an apparent change in soil conditions or where the soil is higher in elevation than the energizer's ground system.

Make sure the system has been up and running for at least 60 seconds before starting each test (the yellow light will blink in rhythm with the energizer). On each test, apply the Test Probe™ for at least six (6) seconds.