grounding electric fence

[ugabulldog]

I Have 6 strands of high tensile wire I am about to make 4 strands of hot. Instead of using grounding rods, can I just ground the two strands which are connected directly to the fence posts?

[Seth]

It will work, provided you have steel t-posts, but it will not be nearly as strong as proper ground rods.

[arabian knight]

Originally Posted by Seth

It will work, provided you have steel t-posts, but it will not be nearly as strong as proper ground rods.

And if not steel posts, then the animal will have to touch Both wires to get the jolt. Not the best scenario. The best way is to have ground rods, and put them in the ground the deeper the better.
And even if it is steps posts those may not be down deep enough to keep them in damp ground for a 'good ground'.

[ugabulldog]

Originally Posted by Seth

It will work, provided you have steel t-posts, but it will not be nearly as strong as proper ground rods.

Originally Posted by arabian knight

And if not steel posts, then the animal will have to touch Both wires to get the jolt. Not the best scenario. The best way is to have ground rods, and put them in the ground the deeper the better.
And even if it is steps posts those may not be down deep enough to keep them in damp ground for a 'good ground'.

thanks to both, It is wooden posts.

[idigbeets]

You should ground it properly, 3, 8 foot grounding rods....

[Rectifier]

No, do it properly.

[Murramarang]

The one issue you will always have with an electric fence is getting a good ground. idigbeets is correct...you need multiple long ground rods wired together to get the fence working well. I have found using one rod is almost next to useless...two is so much better and three is like 'wow'....

I have used the 6 foot galvanized rods where we live - but then we are in a wet area and getting the rods into the 'wet zone' is easy for a good ground.

Good luck!....the fencing can be frustrating then it just does not seem to have a good pulse cause its sparking out on weeds, posts etc. Even more frustrating when it does not have a good ground!

[Awnry Abe]

No bueno on wood for grounding. You'd get results with T posts. But I'm assuming that with the # of strands you are trying to contain small ruminants. For those, you need the best ground possible. They're light footprint takes a bit more potential to get the current flowing.

[highlands]

The steel posts even occasionally will help around the perimeter with a ground wire in the setup. Put it as wires #2 and 4. Keep it all tight.

I would also do a good ground at the energizer and good lightning protection. If you can't put grounding rods deep then run out a long wire in a trench. I used a twisted cable of 6 gauge copper to join my grounding rods.

When grounds are in wet spots it is ideal.