If you have a Digital Voltmeter...

4. Apply the voltmeter to one of your ground rods. Apply the ground pin to a small steel stake (such as a screwdriver) placed in the ground at least 3 ft from any ground rod.

5. The reading on the voltmeter should be 0.3 k volts (300 volts) or less. If it is greater than 300 volts, the ground system is inadequate. You may need more ground rods.

If you have a 5 light tester...

You cannot check the grounding with a 5-light voltmeter because it cannot read less than 1000 volts. The following procedure can be used:

6. Wearing plastic or rubber footwear, place one hand on the last ground rod and, then, with one finger of the other hand, touch the nearest blade of grass. If you feel no tingling sensation, place your hand gently, then firmly on the ground. IF you still feel no tingling, the grounding of you fence is good.

7. If you experience tingling, better grounding is required and you'll need to add additional ground rods.

Trouble Shooting

No Respect: IF you find your horses are showing less respect for their fence than normal, it is very likely something is reducing the voltage on your fence, or the grounding of the fence is not what it should be.

Here are some things you should do:

• Follow the instructions on "Testing you Fence".
• Check all electrical connections to ensure they are secure.
• Check the ground rod clamps are secure and the connector wire is intact.
• Walk the fence line to ensure nothing has happened to cause the fence to short out.
• Are your horses standing on ground that is so dry or frozen that they are insulated and prevented from getting a shock? Is this a general problem, or is it localized?
• If grounding is the problem, take steps to improve grounding.

A Better Way to Fence Your Horse