Electric fences use a component called a power energizer that converts current into a brief high-voltage pulse. The pulse is released along a connected bare wire and connected to a metal rod implanted in the ground (called a “ground” or “earth” rod).
If an animal touches both the bare wire and the earth during a pulse they will complete an electrical circuit and experience an unpleasant or potentially lethal shock.
Safety
As property owners and commercial operators seek to protect their valuable assets, they often turn to fences. These fences provide a number of security benefits, and they offer several different features that can increase their effectiveness in protecting against theft. These security enhancements include locking gates, a secure foundation, and a variety of other features that can help to deter thieves. By taking the time to carefully select a fence, you can be sure that it will not only meet your current needs but also stand up to future threats.
Thieves have many methods they can use to evade detection and sell their stolen goods. For example, they can disassemble stolen items and sell them as parts, which makes it harder for authorities to track down the seller. Alternatively, they can store the items for some time before selling them in order to decrease the risk of being caught by police. In addition, some thieves may choose to purchase stolen goods from a known thief-taker, as this can reduce the risk of being caught and arrested by law enforcement.
The level of culpability on the part of these middlemen varies widely. At one end of the spectrum, there are gangs of thieves operating in organized crime syndicates and engaging in sophisticated theft and sales operations that are well hidden from law enforcement. At the other end of the spectrum are e-fence platforms that engage in blatantly illegal activities, but do so with a degree of impunity and a lack of transparency that is not seen in traditional pawnshops.
Safety fencing can protect workers from accidents and prevent theft of equipment. These systems can be configured to unlock only after a worker has finished his or her task and has exited the safety fence. They can also be designed to prevent rolling machinery from starting while a worker is inside the fence.
Safety fences can also be constructed with a non-conductive material, which is useful for the energy, air, and marine transportation industries. These systems can be installed as new construction or retrofitted into existing structures. In order to ensure that the system is non-conductive, it is essential to verify that all materials and installation methods are in accordance with the requirements of the project’s grounding engineer.
Durability
A standard fence is designed to last for a long time, especially when it’s properly maintained. This type of fencing is an excellent choice for home use, as well as commercial and industrial applications. If a proper maintenance schedule is followed, wood, steel and vinyl fences can last up to 15 years. The type of wood used can play a big role in how long the fence will last, with cedar being the most popular option for homeowners in Kansas because it resists rot and insect damage better than other types of wood.
Wood fences can also be stained to add color and protect the wood from sun damage. This helps to extend the life of a wood fence and makes it easier to keep clean. Staining can also help to protect the fence from water damage and rot. A stain applied to a wooden fence should be reapplied every two years to maintain its color and durability.
In addition to regular staining, metal fences should be repainted at least once per year. This will help to keep the metal looking new and protected from the elements. In addition to paint, most metal fences can be treated with a galvanizing coating, which will help extend their lifespan even further.
Vinyl fences can also last for decades, and are a great choice for homes with children or pets. This material doesn’t rust, splinter or chip and is resistant to UV rays. If a vinyl fence isn’t properly installed, it can start to deteriorate within a few years. This is why it’s important to hire a professional to install your fence.
Steel and iron fences are incredibly durable and can last for many years without needing repairs or replacing. This type of fence is a good choice for commercial and industrial applications, as it can be made to meet specific height requirements and can be designed with gates that can be opened or closed quickly to provide security for property or people.
For additional protection, some businesses need a crash-rated fence to prevent vehicle collisions with the building or other structures. These types of fences are designed to withstand the impact of a 15,000-pound car. This level of protection is shown by a crash rating that is based on the amount of force required to penetrate the fence, as well as how much it can withstand.
Reliability
An electric fence system is a reliable way to prevent theft. It uses a component called an energizer, which converts power into a brief high-voltage pulse that runs along connected bare wires on the fence. Another terminal connects to a metal rod implanted in the ground called a ground or earth rod. When an animal touches both the energizer terminal and the ground rod, the electric current completes a circuit through the conductive wires and gives the animal a shock. The strength of the shock depends on the voltage and energy of the pulse, the degree of contact between the recipient and the fence and ground and the route the current takes through the body; it can range from barely noticeable to painful or lethal.
In addition to preventing physical harm to animals, electrical fencing also deters theft by making it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen goods. Because most thieves are concerned about attracting the attention of police, they often take measures to reduce the risk of being caught after a theft. One way to do this is to disassemble the stolen good and sell it in parts, which can be much harder to detect than a whole product.
Lastly, electric fences can provide extra protection against theft by allowing authorities to identify the location of suspicious activity. For example, if an electric fence has sensors that are designed to detect movement, it can send a signal to a remote monitoring station when something unusual happens. This allows personnel to monitor the situation and dispatch appropriate resources to respond to the threat.
Another benefit of an electric fence is that it can protect against birds and insects that may infiltrate an electrical substation. Bird incursions have caused significant problems in the past by disrupting electricity production and causing outages and cleanup costs from corrosive bird droppings. An electric fence is an effective barrier against birds and insects because it can keep them from entering a substation through an air vent. For added protection, some electric fence systems use intelligent lighting and built-in accelerometers to detect attempts to cut, climb or break through the fence.
Affordability
A standard fence is a very affordable way to protect your property and livestock from theft. In fact, a standard fence is often less expensive than an upscale, high-quality ornamental metal or wrought iron fencing system. The key to keeping costs down is to keep your design simple and avoid costly features that add little to your fence’s security or appearance.
The most expensive element of a standard fence is the post, which can cost up to $2 per foot. Choose the highest quality posts you can afford, which will increase durability and longevity. If you want a more attractive post, consider redwood, which has a beautiful natural color and is tolerant to damp or moist climates.
Fence insulators are another important component of your fence, and they come in various price ranges. It is also a good idea to buy a digital voltmeter that is specifically designed for electric fences to check voltage regularly.
Electric fences are not only effective against unauthorized entry by humans, but they can prevent animals and pests from attempting to scale your fence. Whether you are looking to keep out squirrels, raccoons, opossums, iguanas or snakes, an electric fence can help.
An energizer is the electrical charger that is used to power an electric fence. It is the heart of the system, and it is critical to your fence’s success. A low-quality energizer can damage your fence or cause it to malfunction. However, a high-quality energizer can provide years of trouble-free service with very few repairs.
Early AC fence chargers relied on a mechanical switch to generate the pulses of electricity. These systems could be prone to failure and had no control over the voltage pulse width or duration. Later alternating current fence chargers replaced the switch with a solid-state circuit, which greatly improved durability and performance. The most advanced energizers now use a technology called thyristor to produce low impedance circuitry with very short, controlled voltage pulses to destroy weeds and pests.
In addition to reducing theft, an electric fence can deter illegal entry from people, cars, and trucks by blocking access or causing them to back up. Some petty thieves will even try to disassemble stolen goods and sell them as individual parts, which can make it more difficult for law enforcement agencies and pawnshops to track down the thief.