Wondering Why Electric Fence Wire is Heating Up? An electric fence charger is a piece of equipment that generates an electric current that provides power to the electric fence. The electric current runs through two or more wires. The purpose is to energize the fence wire to prevent animals from crossing the barrier.
Electric fence chargers have been used since the early 1900s when first introduced electric fencing.
The ground wire is a critical part of electric fencing.
It is responsible for carrying the electric current from the fence charger to the fence post and then onto the fence wire. The ground wire must be properly installed and it must be made of a good quality material that can carry electric current.
The electric current that flows into the ground wire is then transferred to the earth, which completes the electric fence circuit.
If an animal or person touches the electric fence, they will be shocked by the electric fence electric current that flows from the electric fence wire, through them and is grounded to the earth.
The electric fence’s electric current needs to continue flowing even if something touches it in order for it to be effective. When electric fence electric current travels to the ground wire and completes a circuit, electric fence electric current can continue to flow.
Relying on an electric fence electric current from the electric wire to only travel through the animal, when it touches a part of their body is not reliable enough. An electric fence ground wire allows electric fence electric current that is trying to complete a circuit with the ground.
This electric current running through the electric fence wire does not pose any danger to people or animals; however, if there is an improper connection between the ground wire and the electric fence charger, some of this electric current can flow back up the ground wire and cause the ground wire to become hot.
Electric fence electric current mustn’t travel into the electric fence ground wire.
If electric fence electric current starts to travel through electric fence ground wires, it can cause electric fence electric current to flow in places where it shouldn’t be going.
Some people tend to think that an electric fence ground wire is a piece of metal buried in the ground, which somehow makes it safe for an electric fence electric current to travel through it or complete a circuit.
It needs to be understood that electric fence electric current can be very dangerous and if electric fence electric current is allowed to travel where it isn’t supposed to go, there could be serious consequences.
Current Leakage May Cause Fence Heating
One of the most common ways electric fence electric current can leak out of electric fence electric wires is when electric fence electric current travels through electric fence electric wires that are in contact with the ground.
In order to prevent electric fence electric current from traveling along or through electric fence electric wire that is touching the ground, the electric wire should either be buried at least six inches below the surface of the ground or kept off of the ground by the electric fence electric posts.
Suppose electric wires are on top of electric fence electric posts. In that case, the electric wire can harmlessly travel into the electric fence electric post and then exit out another hole in the electric fence electric post without ever traveling through the electric fence electric wire.
This is why it is important to properly connect the ground wire to the electric fence charger and make sure that the ground wire is made of good quality material. If the ground wire becomes hot, it can damage the electric fence charger or create a fire hazard.
Keeping the electric fence charger in a dry location is also important, as moisture can create a dangerous electrical hazard.
Summary
The ground wire gets hot on electric fences because it carries electric current from the fence charger to the fence posts. If there is an improper connection between the ground wire and the electric fence charger, the electric current can flow back up the ground wire and cause the ground wire to become hot.
It is also important to make sure that the ground wire is made of good quality material, as it can carry electric current safely. If the ground wire becomes hot, it can damage the electric fence charger or create a fire hazard.
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