FAULT FINDING

6.1 Fence tools and testers

Smartfix is Gallagher’s voltmeter, current meter and fault finder in one. It saves hours checking fence lines for faults.
Digital Volt Meter DVM3 and DVM2 – a tool for monitoring fence voltage and helping trace fence line faults. Neon tester – a simple tool for testing whether there is sufficient power on the fence. Livelite – tells you in a flash whether
your fence is operating.

6.2 Troubleshooting

Monitor the fence voltage using either a Digital Volt Meter (DVM) (G5030) or a Smartfix (G5090) in voltage mode
If your fence has less than the recommended 3000V (3kV) minimum, check that:

1. The energizer earth is O. K.
2. The energizer is powerful enough
3. There are no shorts on the fence line
4. The fence is correctly constructed
5. Vegetation growth is not causing power loss
6. The leadout wire is adequate.

To trace a fault using a DVM travel along the fence line and check the voltage about every 100m (330ft). If the short is serious, the voltage will continue to fall until the fault is reached. If the fault is passed the voltage will remain fairly constant. You should then backtrack to find it. At fence junctions isolate different fences with a Cut Out Switch (G6076 and G6087).To trace a fault using a Smartfix (G5090) place it on the fence with the wire in the measurement slot and
making good contact with the contact plate. The arrow on the LCD display will indicate which direction the current is flowing. Progress as above. If the current reading drops significantly the fault is back towards your previous reading.

6.3 Induction

Induction is the transfer of voltage from a live wire to a neutral wire by electromagnetic not physical contact. If you are getting a small shock from“non-live” wires or steel gates this is likely to be caused by induction. Neutral wires (neither live nor earth) can be charged from live wires (usually leadout or offset wires), running parallel. It is not a short and will not reduce fence voltage. To remove the problem, earth / ground out the offending wires by pushing a heavy gauge galvanised wire as far as possible into the ground next to the strain post and staple it across the offending wires. This will not reduce the voltage on the insulated powered wires.