Sentinel
Fence calculator
- Wires
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- Heights
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- Voltage
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- Power
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Your kit
Install
How to install it
Plan
Mark the line, corners, gates and the energizer spot, near an outlet or in full sun.
Grounding
Drive the rods in moist soil, 3 m apart, joined by one cable and a clamp per rod.
Posts
Corners, ends and gates first, braced; then the line posts.
Insulators
Fit insulators at the heights in the drawing: corners and ends, then the line.
Wire
Run out, tension with one strainer per wire, leave tails at the ends.
Join the wires
Join the live wires together at the start, the end and every 400 m.
Gates
Handles and anchors; double-insulated cable buried under the gate, never through it.
Connect and test
Cable to the fence, lightning diverter, energizer. Read the voltage at the far end of the fence.
Sequence from the Gallagher Power Fence Systems manual.
Reference
Electric fence wire heights by animal
| Animal | Wires | Heights from the ground | Minimum voltage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cattle | 3 | 46, 76, 107 cm | 2,000 V |
| Cows and calves | 5 | 25, 51, 76, 102, 127 cm | 2,000 V |
| Horses | 5 | 46, 69, 91, 114, 137 cm | 2,000 V |
| Sheep | 5 | 15, 30, 45, 65, 90 cm | 2,000 V |
| Goats | 5 | 15, 30, 46, 71, 97 cm | 3,000 V |
| Pigs | 3 | 20, 46, 66 cm | 2,000 V |
| Deer (garden) | 2 | 46, 91 cm | 5,000 V |
| Raccoons | 2 | 15, 30 cm | 5,000 V |
Sources
Heights: Virginia Cooperative Extension SPES-688 (cattle, horses, goats), USDA NRCS Iowa job sheet 382 (cows and calves), Gallagher Electric Fencing 101 (pigs), AHDB (sheep), University of Missouri Extension (deer, raccoons). Voltages: Parmak manual, USDA NRCS Iowa, University of Missouri. For horses and pigs, the Parmak manual gives 1,000 V for animals trained to electric fencing; the calculator aims for 2,000 V, as for cattle. A strip-grazing wire for cattle sits at 66 cm or higher (USDA NRCS Vermont). Other wire counts: the calculator uses the published table for that count, or says the heights are to be set on site.
Safety
- One energizer per fence.
- Never electrify barbed wire.
- Along a public road or path: yellow warning signs of at least 100 x 200 mm, at regular intervals.
- Keep the energizer ground at least 10 m from any other ground system.
- Near a residential lot, check your municipality’s by-law.
Sources: IEC 60335-2-76 installation annex (Gallagher S20 manual), Gallagher Electric Fencing 101.
Questions
Electric fence questions
Which energizer does my fence need?
Compare energizers on output joules, never stored joules. A good guideline is one output joule per mile (1.6 km) of fence, as long as the live wires are joined at the start and end of each run. The calculator recommends the lowest-priced unit in stock that meets that, plus one stronger unit for tall grass, winter or a fence you will extend.
How high do the wires go?
About two thirds of the animal’s height, with one live wire for each size of animal in the field. The table above gives published heights for each animal; the calculator draws them for your choice.
How many ground rods?
At least three galvanized rods of 1.8 m (6 ft), 3 m apart, joined by one cable, for energizers up to 15 stored joules. A low-output portable battery or solar unit needs one ground stake driven at least 60 cm; any energizer on an outlet gets the fixed rods, even on a temporary fence.
Do you ship anywhere in Québec?
Yes. Energizers, wire rolls, insulators, rods, step-in posts and all other parts ship by carrier. T-posts, wood posts and round posts do not ship by carrier: in our local delivery area our truck brings them with the rest; elsewhere, buy them near you. The exact shipping cost shows in the cart, before you pay. Enter your postal code next to the price for the answer at your address.
Can I return a part?
Yes, within 30 days of receipt, unused, in store or by mail: write to us first and we send you the return instructions. Return policy
Do I need a warning sign?
Along a public road or path, yes: yellow signs of at least 100 x 200 mm, at regular intervals (IEC 60335-2-76 installation annex). Check your municipality’s by-law near a residential lot.
Still have a question?
An F.G. Edwards brand
Sentinel, the F.G. Edwards fencing line
F.G. Edwards has served the Eastern Townships since 1928, a family business for four generations, with two stores, in West Brome and Bedford, and local delivery.
Sentinel is our house brand for fencing: electric wire and tape for livestock, welded mesh for gardens, pens and pools, hardware cloth and farm fence. A question about the right format or the installation? Write to us or stop by the store in Bedford or West Brome.