Q & A    

Is electric fencing safe?

Absolutely safe. The energizer converts the electricity into a format that is safe -high Volts, low Amps and delivered in sort pulses every second. When shocked, the immediate reaction is to pull away.

Will electric fencing hurt my pets?

Electric fencing is designed to be safe for people (including children) and most animals will not receive any long lasting injuries. Cats and monkeys can detect the electrical pulse and they avoid the fence. Dogs, unfortunately, learn the hard way (cat vs. dog debate starts here!!). Small animals such as snakes and small birds may be killed by the electrical pulse.

Can the system be connected to armed response?

Yes. The system is normally linked to your alarm system’s radio transmitter. Alternatively, your security provider can install a dedicated transmitter to the energizer. Please note that your security provider is responsible for this connection.

What maintenance is required?

Cutting vegetation away from the fence is very important and is the only real maintenance required. Legislation dictates that the fence line needs to be clear of vegetation 1m above and 200mm/20cm on the sides as well as below the lowest live strand (walltop fencing). Besides cutting back vegetation, the fence should be serviced once a year by a qualified technician.

What are the running costs?

The average fence (in use 24/7) uses well below R20.00 of electricity per month. Electric fencing is only turned off for maintenance or for repairs.

A family member’s electric fence gave endless trouble and was a waste of money. Why should I believe that your system is any different?

We see this scenario playing out almost daily. Undoubtedly, that system was flawed from day one for two reasons. Firstly, poor quality hardware/equipment and secondly, an installation that was sub-standard. Also, old systems (8-10 years old) are not as advanced as the newer systems. Ultimately, customers should only deal with reputable companies that have been on the market for many years. Questions that should be asked include: How big is the company (is it a “bakkie brigade”). Do they have a dedicated installation division as well as maintenance/repairs division? Do they have an operational base with offices, workshop, warehouse etc? Can they honour their guarantees and what are their response times in the event of an urgent repair? Where do they advertise? Will they still be around in 10 years time?

Can a criminal use a blanket thrown over the fence to gain access?

This is an urban legend we often hear from our customers. No blanket can insulate a person from an electric shock and the fence will go to alarm if a blanket is placed on top of it.

Are square tube brackets the best option?

They are the only option! Flat bar and round bar brackets can be bent by hand and are easy for criminals to manipulate.

Are ring insulator bobbins really any better than standard bobbins?

In coastal climates they are far better. They are less prone to the buildup of salt where the wire touches the bobbin and thus result in a more efficient fence.

How long does the average electric fence last?

Our fences last approximately 10 years.

Is stainless steel wire the best wire for walltop fences and why?

Stainless steel has advantages and disadvantages. It’s a very hard metal and it takes a considerable force to break a wire. This means the fence is stronger and less likely to break if a small branch or palm leaf drops on it. Stainless steel is far more durable in salty, humid climates and does not rust. The downside is that it is not a great conductor of electricity. However, this is easily overcome by simply using an appropriate energizer. Stainless steel is not recommended by some companies (especially those based inland where rust is not such an issue) but generally the motivation is wanting to use a tiny energizer to power a very long fence (therefore offering a cheaper system). The reality is the other options can’t handle coastal conditions and the wire breaks far more easily. Freestanding fences require an abundance of wire and this is where we opt for thicker galvanized steel wire (2.24mm) with a lower resistance.

What happens during a power failure?

The energizer has a battery back-up that will allow the fence to work at full capacity for approximately 8 hours. This happens seamlessly with no human intervention required.