A well-installed earth system is absolutely essential for your electric fence energiser to work as it should. We hear from farmers all the time how a proper ground setup can make a world of difference. Poor grounding can result in your fence not delivering the right voltage, which means it won’t have the desired deterrent effect on livestock or pests. In fact, over 80% of grounding systems are insufficient, which is a big issue because it reduces the efficiency of the energiser, leading to a weak or ineffective shock. This can cause livestock to get used to the fence, or even worse, escape, or pests like rabbits and foxes to continue getting through.
That’s why it’s so important to check your earth system regularly—a well-maintained system will keep your fence performing at its best, providing a reliable and consistent shock to keep everything safely contained.
Choosing the Right Earth Rods
Start by using galvanised or stainless steel earth rods that are the right length. Typically, the minimum length should be 1 metre, though for best results, 1.5 to 2 metres is recommended, depending on the soil conditions. For smaller energisers, a 0.5-metre rod is often enough.
As a general rule, here’s what you can aim for:
Top Tip: You can always check the product details of your energiser for specific rod requirements. It’ll help you get the right setup for your needs!
Choosing the Best Location
To get the best grounding, place the rods in moist, mineral-rich soil. We’ve heard from farmers that the moister the ground, the better the performance, especially in areas like clay soils. Avoid dry, sandy, or rocky ground, as it doesn’t conduct electricity as well. If your soil isn’t ideal, consider using Bentonite Super Earthing Mix – this can dramatically improve grounding, even in tough soil conditions.
Also, make sure to plan for a minimum of 10 metres distance from other grounding systems (e.g., house wiring, lightning rods, or water pipes). This keeps your system performing optimally.
Installing the Earth Rods
Now it’s time to get your hands dirty! Using a heavy hammer, drive the earth rod(s) vertically into the ground. Leave no more than 10cm of the rod above the surface. If you need more than one rod, space them out at least 3 metres apart and connect them using a high-quality grounding cable.
Connecting Your Energiser
Next, connect the grounding cable to the green terminal on your energiser and to the first earth rod. Be sure to use stainless steel connectors, like crocodile clips, to ensure a secure and stable connection.
Top Tip: The green terminal often has the grounding symbol: ⏚ right under or on top of it.
If you're using multiple rods, connect them using thick, double-insulated grounding wire (at least 1.6mm, preferably 2.5mm). Turn your energiser back on and check your grounding as described below.
To check the grounding further, insert the voltmeter’s earth rod about 1 metre away from the last earth rod and hold the test probe on the rod. The reading should be under 1 kV. The lower the reading, the better your grounding. If it’s higher, simply add more earth rods.
Top Tip: Use a digital voltmeter or a special fence tester from our range for more accurate readings.
Having a proper earth system is the key to a safe and effective electric fence. We often hear from farmers who say that good grounding has helped their fence perform better, keep animals in, and keep pests out. Make sure to invest a little time and effort into this process—it’s definitely worth it for the long-term success of your fence system.