This is a blog post about electric fencing spring checks and our March competition

As we head into Spring, it’s worth taking a little time to check over your electric fence to ensure it’s working as well as it should. 

Here are some things to check and look out for:

Firstly check your power source.

If you are using mains, are all the connections still nice and tight?

If it’s a battery-powered system, is it still charging and, more importantly, is it holding that charge well? Check for rusting on the terminals and inside the croc clip coming from the energiser.

 If you are using a solar panel to assist your battery, is the solar panel still positioned well? Make sure there is no grimy build up on the panel itself - even a fine layer of dirt can affect its performance.

Vegetation is a big factor, and early Spring growth can catch us out, so check along your fence and make sure that the grass or hedge growth is not touching the live wires. Electricity will always find the quickest and easiest route to Earth - don’t let some greenery drain all the power!

Perhaps the most important part of your system, and the most often overlooked, is the earth rod or earth stake. Ensuring it’s still nice and secure and pushed in as far as possible will help your electric fence work well. The complete circuit is the fence, the animal and the earth, so it’s worth ensuring this part of the system is well-maintained. Again, check for rust and secure connections.

As you walk the length of the fence, listen out for the ticking sound that indicates a short. Look out for damage to the wires or tape, and check insulators for cracks caused by ice over the winter. Ensure there’s no debris caught on the fence too. If you find the wires are loose, tighten them from one end, or use a tensioner on the line to make it easy to fix. Good tension not only looks neater, it helps with the longevity of the wires or tape by preventing them from being whipped around in the wind.

Lastly, we suggest you use a fence tester, and we wouldn’t be without our trusty KV10. Not only does it show you at a glance that there is power running through, but the bright LED lights, running from red through amber to green, show you how much voltage you have, up to 10Kv. You’re looking for at least 3Kv, ideally 5 or 6, and if you can reach 10Kv, then it’s a gold star for you!!

 

To celebrate the arrival of the new season and to help you with those Spring checks, we are giving away a Fence Tester and a pack of 50 Ring Insulators.

 

To enter our fabulous competition to win the Fence Tester AND the Ring Insulators, all you need to do is email us the correct answer to the question below:

Why is Spring the ideal time to check your fence?  Because:

  1. Longer, brighter days give you more time to carry out the checks.

  2. Ice can cause cracks in your insulators, along with other damage caused by harsh winter weather.

  3. Electric fences are used all year round, but more so in the Spring.

Please email your correct answer to: [email protected]

 

For more information, why not look at our FAQs page, or for help with troubleshooting please just ask…

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Electric Fencing Direct Competition – Terms & Conditions

By entering this competition, participants agree to the following terms:

  1. Eligibility
    This competition is open to UK residents aged 18 and over. Employees of Electric Fencing Direct and their immediate families are not eligible to enter.

  2. How to Enter
    To enter, follow the instructions outlined in our competition post, newsletter or blog. No purchase is necessary. Entry closes at midnight on Sunday 22nd of March 2026.

  3. Prize Details
    The winner will receive a KV10 Fence Tester and pack of 50 Ring Insulators. The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered.

  4. Winner Selection
    A winner will be chosen at random (or based on the criteria specified in the competition post). The decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

  5. Image Use and Consent After Delivery
    By entering, the winner agrees to provide a photo of themselves with the prize once it has been received.
    This image may be used by Electric Fencing Direct for marketing and promotional purposes, including but not limited to our social media platforms, website, and email newsletters.

By submitting the photo, the winner confirms that:

  • They consent to Electric Fencing Direct using their image in digital marketing

  • They have permission from anyone else appearing in the photo

  • No additional compensation will be provided for image use

  1. Winner Notification
    The winner will be contacted directly via the platform used to enter (e.g. email or social media) within [insert number] days of the competition closing.

  2. Privacy
    We respect your privacy. Your personal data will only be used for administering this competition. 

  3. General
    Electric Fencing Direct reserves the right to cancel or amend this competition and these terms at any time. Any changes will be clearly stated on the competition page or post.