pclendenen
Member
Can anyone direct me to the code that deals with grounding electric fences, and if grounding to water supply lines is prohibited?
grounding electric fences
- Thread starter pclendenen
- Start date
- Status
Re: grounding electric fences
If you ground an electric fence, won't that cancel the intent of the fence?
All kidding aside, I would say, though, to install it according to manufacturer's installation instructions, like any other piece of electrical equipment. 110.3
But, because there are exposed electrical parts, 422.4, seems to prohibit their installation in any structure, and a structure is defined as that which is built, including a fence post. Maybe they cannot be installed to code at all.
If you ground an electric fence, won't that cancel the intent of the fence?
All kidding aside, I would say, though, to install it according to manufacturer's installation instructions, like any other piece of electrical equipment. 110.3
But, because there are exposed electrical parts, 422.4, seems to prohibit their installation in any structure, and a structure is defined as that which is built, including a fence post. Maybe they cannot be installed to code at all.
G
Guest
Guest
Re: grounding electric fences
I did a keyword search for "electric fence" in the 2002 NEC Handbook and came up with goose eggs.
There is mention that voltage over 601 volts cannot be near a fence. Do a keyword for "fence", "fences", "fenced", or "fencing" (without the quotes) and you'll find a lot of references to fences & voltage.
I'd bet a dollar to a donut that there are state or local codes plus the mfg. installation suggestions for specifics regarding installing electric fences properly. A bad job could be quite shocking
I did a keyword search for "electric fence" in the 2002 NEC Handbook and came up with goose eggs.
There is mention that voltage over 601 volts cannot be near a fence. Do a keyword for "fence", "fences", "fenced", or "fencing" (without the quotes) and you'll find a lot of references to fences & voltage.
I'd bet a dollar to a donut that there are state or local codes plus the mfg. installation suggestions for specifics regarding installing electric fences properly. A bad job could be quite shocking
Re: grounding electric fences
Karl, take note. Being a Oklahoma Redneck, raising a couple of heads of cattle, a train driver (engineer), I have installed a couple of electric fences in my time. Honestly I have never dealt with a code issue when it come to electric fences. The whole point of them is to knock the $h!+ out of you. Never needed a permit to install one. As a youngster I just learned never to pee on one.
Seriously, what makes it work is a reference to ground. I cannot see any danger to your home wiring system if you connect it to a water pipe. IMO the better the ground electrode, the better the fence works. So a metallic water pipe should suffice. Sorry, this is the first time I have ever heard of a code issue question in regards to a electric fence.
IMHO it is a cord and plug unit which is governed by UL rather than NEC
[ October 27, 2003, 10:32 PM: Message edited by: dereckbc ]
Karl, take note. Being a Oklahoma Redneck, raising a couple of heads of cattle, a train driver (engineer), I have installed a couple of electric fences in my time. Honestly I have never dealt with a code issue when it come to electric fences. The whole point of them is to knock the $h!+ out of you. Never needed a permit to install one. As a youngster I just learned never to pee on one.
Seriously, what makes it work is a reference to ground. I cannot see any danger to your home wiring system if you connect it to a water pipe. IMO the better the ground electrode, the better the fence works. So a metallic water pipe should suffice. Sorry, this is the first time I have ever heard of a code issue question in regards to a electric fence.
IMHO it is a cord and plug unit which is governed by UL rather than NEC
[ October 27, 2003, 10:32 PM: Message edited by: dereckbc ]
G
Guest
Guest
Re: grounding electric fences
I heard you're only an engineer because you are a lousy conductor
At least you'll survive a lightning strike! Woo!Woo!
I heard you're only an engineer because you are a lousy conductor
At least you'll survive a lightning strike! Woo!Woo!
B
bthielen
Guest
Re: grounding electric fences
A little tid-bit.
I recently had a visit from my homeowner's insurance company ispector. One of the items he pointed out was that our electric fencer was installed in one of my buildings and he asked that I move it outside, a minimum of 10' away from any structure. His reasoning was that there is a potential for the fence to experience a lightning strike and with the fencer inside the building, and part of the circuit, a fire could result from an exploded fencer.
Bob
A little tid-bit.
I recently had a visit from my homeowner's insurance company ispector. One of the items he pointed out was that our electric fencer was installed in one of my buildings and he asked that I move it outside, a minimum of 10' away from any structure. His reasoning was that there is a potential for the fence to experience a lightning strike and with the fencer inside the building, and part of the circuit, a fire could result from an exploded fencer.
Bob
pclendenen
Member
Re: grounding electric fences
OK Gentlemen?, I have enjoyed your humor but here is the situation. I have an electric fence surrounding a bio-secure area. To enter the area you are required to take a complete hair and body shower. The fence is feeding back through the water pipes and raising a few hairs among other things when someone touches the taps.
I believe that the fence does indeed need to be grounded. When you then touch the fence you complete the circut. Am I correct?
OK Gentlemen?, I have enjoyed your humor but here is the situation. I have an electric fence surrounding a bio-secure area. To enter the area you are required to take a complete hair and body shower. The fence is feeding back through the water pipes and raising a few hairs among other things when someone touches the taps.
I believe that the fence does indeed need to be grounded. When you then touch the fence you complete the circut. Am I correct?
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: grounding electric fences
An electric fence charger is a plug in type device and not regulated by the NEC. The charger would be installed and used per its listing instructions, and UL will have a listing that it is tested to. I would check at the UL web site and do a search, if you look at the charger (hopefully) there will be a ul listing category, and you can search for that.
An electric fence charger is a plug in type device and not regulated by the NEC. The charger would be installed and used per its listing instructions, and UL will have a listing that it is tested to. I would check at the UL web site and do a search, if you look at the charger (hopefully) there will be a ul listing category, and you can search for that.
- Status