How to Properly Ground Electric Netting: A Comprehensive Guide

Grounding electric netting is essential for ensuring its effectiveness and safety, particularly when it's used for livestock fencing or other agricultural purposes. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to properly ground electric netting.

Introduction to Electric Netting

Starkline Electric Netting is a prefabricated electric fence system that provides reliable protection and containment for pets & livestock, as well as areas under threat by invasive animals. When ground-based animals contact the netting they feel a short, high-voltage pulse of electricity. Animals quickly learn to avoid contact, and thus the netting acts as a mental barrier as well as a physical barrier. We offer solutions to contain chickens, sheep, goats, horses, household pets, or livestock; as well as exclusion options to protect crops, gardens, beehives, and other plots from nuisance animals.

So, why is grounding Important? Grounding is crucial because it completes the electrical circuit, allowing the electric current to flow through the netting and deliver a shock when an animal or intruder contacts the fence. Proper grounding ensures effective shock delivery, safety for animals and humans, longevity, and reliability of the electric netting system.

Materials Needed

1. Ground Rods: Typically made of galvanized steel or copper, at least 3 to 8 feet in length. Starkline mounting grounding rod is the perfect fit for all your grounding rod needs.

2. Ground Wire: Heavy-gauge wire (12-gauge or thicker) to connect the netting to the ground rods.

3. Electric Fence Tester: To check the voltage and ensure proper grounding.

Steps to Ground Electric Netting

1. Select Ground Rod Locations:

   - Choose locations where the soil remains moist, as dry soil is a poor conductor of electricity.

   - Avoid areas with rocky or sandy soil if possible.

2. Drive Ground Rods into the Ground:

   - Use a hammer or post driver to drive at least three ground rods into the soil, spaced 10 feet apart.

   - Ensure that the rods are driven at least 6 feet deep for effective grounding.

3. Connect Ground Rods:

   - Use heavy-gauge wire to connect the ground rods in a series. Attach the wire to the top of each ground rod.

   - Ensure all connections are tight and secure.

4. Connect Netting to Ground System:

   - Identify the ground terminal on your electric netting energizer (power source).

   - Connect a heavy-gauge ground wire from the ground terminal on the energizer to the nearest ground rod. Ensure the connection is secure.

5. Test the System:

   - Use an electric fence tester to check the voltage along the netting and at the ground rods.

Here’s a link to our “How to Use Your Electric Fence Tester” video!

Tips for Effective Grounding

- Moist Soil: Ensure the soil around the ground rods is moist for better conductivity. You can water the area around the rods during dry periods.

- Multiple Ground Rods: Use more ground rods if your electric netting covers a large area or if the soil conditions are less than ideal.

Here’s a how-to video on connecting multiple grounding rods!

- Regular Maintenance: Periodically check the ground system and connections for corrosion, damage, or loose connections.

- Avoid Interference: Keep the ground system away from other grounding systems (e.g., buildings or other electrical systems) to avoid interference.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

- Low Voltage: If the voltage is too low, check all connections for tightness and ensure the ground rods are properly driven into the ground.

- Dry Soil Conditions: In very dry soil, you may need to install additional ground rods or water the soil around the existing rods.

- Check Connections: Make sure your ground wire is still intact. If you’ve had your netting for a while it might be time to switch out your ground wire.

Properly grounding your electric netting is critical for its effectiveness and safety. By following the steps outlined above and conducting regular maintenance checks, you can ensure that your electric netting system functions optimally, providing reliable containment and protection for your livestock or property.