How Safe is Agricultural Electric Fencing? The Shocking Truth (That’s Not So Shocking!)
Electric fencing often gets a bit of a bad reputation—cue dramatic music and worried faces from people picturing sparks flying and livestock leaping. But is agricultural electric fencing really dangerous? Spoiler alert: not at all. In fact, when installed correctly and used responsibly, it’s one of the safest, most humane, and most effective ways to contain animals and protect crops.
So let’s zap away those myths and dive into the facts.
What Is Agricultural Electric Fencing, Really?
An electric fence isn’t about pain or punishment—it’s about creating a psychological barrier. When an animal touches the wire, it receives a short, sharp but harmless pulse of electricity. It’s more of a surprise than a shock—it is certainly not nice and a bit stronger than touching a doorknob after walking on carpet (but a similar idea).
The goal? To teach animals to avoid the fence without causing them harm. Once they learn, they tend to respect the boundary. No wrestling with heavy gates. No chasing escapees across the field.
Is It Safe for Animals?
Yes—very much so.
Electric fencing is designed specifically for animals. Here’s why it’s safe:
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Low amperage, high voltage – It’s not the voltage that stings, it’s the amperage that does. Electric fences use very low current (amperage), so they’re non-lethal.
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Short duration pulses – Each pulse comes every second and lasts just a fraction of a second—enough to deter, but not to damage.
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Regulated standards – All modern energisers must comply with international safety standards, such as IEC 60335-2-76, which limits pulse energy and spacing.
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No physical harm – There’s no bruising, no cuts, no stress when the system is used correctly.
Animals learn incredibly fast—most need only one or two encounters with the fence before they keep a respectful distance.
But What About Humans and Pets?
No worries there either. If a person or pet touches the fence, they’ll get a jolt—but it’s startling, uncomfortable, not harmful. It might be a bit of a wake-up call, but it won’t cause injury in healthy individuals. Still, we always advise:
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Keep young children away from live fences
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Place warning signs along public paths or rights of way - every 10m
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Turn off the fence before doing maintenance or repairs
And for dog owners—yes, electric fencing can be used safely to keep your pets secure too, with specific pet-safe systems.
Why Choose Electric Fencing Over Traditional Fencing?
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Fewer escapes – Animals respect it more than plain wire or post-and-rail.
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Lower cost and maintenance – Especially over large areas.
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Flexible and adaptable – Move it, expand it, tweak it—it’s a fencing system that grows with your needs.
Top Tips for Electric Fence Safety:
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Use a good quality energiser (and size it correctly for your fence length).
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Earth your fence properly – Poor earthing or grounding means poor performance and unreliable zaps.
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Check your fence regularly for wear, overgrown vegetation, or damage.
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Educate everyone who uses your land, from family to farmhands, about the safety and purpose of the fence.
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Choose products that meet British and European safety standards – like the ones we sell at www.electricfencing.co.uk.
In Conclusion: Electric Fencing is Safe, Smart, and Humane
Whether you’re keeping livestock in or predators out, electric fencing is a time-tested solution trusted by farmers, smallholders, and animal lovers worldwide. With the right setup and a bit of know-how, it’s absolutely safe for animals, people, and pets.
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