A quality electric fence installation provides the security you need while minimizing ongoing maintenance costs. However, the upfront cost of an electric fence may be higher than a traditional fence. This is because you’ll likely need to pay for electrical wires, a charger, and other related accessories. Ultimately, your choice of whether to go for DIY or professional installation will depend on your technical expertise, available time, and preferred level of quality. In general, DIY installation will save you money but can also increase your risk of costly mistakes during the project.
The overall price of an electric fence will vary based on the size, length, and power source of the system. The amount of wire needed will also affect the final price, as will whether you choose to run the wires through posts or use a metal wire tensioner that attaches to existing fence gates. Moreover, you’ll need to consider the number of gates and whether you want to incorporate additional features into your system.
For example, integrating your electric fence with a CCTV surveillance system can provide additional security by giving you real-time information on any attempts to breach the perimeter. In addition, an integrated alarm can alert you to any activity that may be suspicious. This way, you’ll be able to take immediate action and prevent any potential threats from taking place on your property.
Other features that can increase your fencing’s functionality include a dual-zone activation system, which can separate the activation zone of your fence into two different zones. This allows you to control the voltage of each zone and protect your livestock or pets from potentially harmful shocks.
In terms of ongoing maintenance, you’ll need to regularly inspect your fence for any damage or wear. A regular inspection can help you catch issues that could potentially turn into more serious problems down the road. In particular, you’ll need to make sure the charger is working properly and that the wires are not damaged or overgrown.
Other common maintenance tasks that you’ll need to perform are repairing or replacing insulators and rewiring the system. You’ll need to splice the conductor wires together carefully, as simply wrapping the wires loosely can cause corrosion at the splice and reduce the strength of the fence. It’s also important to maintain the splice connections with connectors and wire clamps. Lastly, you’ll need to replace the battery in your electric fence charger if it’s overdue for replacement.