• Electric fencing is used to keep livestock such as cattle in pasture.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Electric fences are commonly used in agriculture. Nonelectrified fences are built as a physical barrier to keep animals in or out, but electric fences provide a psychological barrier as well, giving you added security by sending an electric shock through the fence that repels animals, making them less likely to try the fence again. You have three options for electric fencing: permanent, offset and temporary. If power isn't available, electric fences can use solar power.
  
  

Permanent Electric Fencing

• Permanent electric fences provide security against predators, keeping livestock safe.Highlander cattle image by Allatilla from Fotolia.com
  
  Permanent electric fences are a long-term fencing solution. Permanent electric fencing is ideal if you aren't moving the animals around to different pastures. When installing a permanent fence, the best configuration has the top wire continually hot in order to prevent animals from pushing against the fence. If your fence is also intended to keep predators out, you'll want one hot wire at the bottom as well. The top wire should always be shoulder height of the animals inside.
  
  

Offset Electric Fencing

• Offset electric fencing provides a cheaper alternative that is used with existing fences.sheep image by Carol Tomalty from Fotolia.com
  
  Offset electric fences provide protection to conventional (nonelectrical) fences or extend the life of a new fence. Offset fences are constructed using offset brackets which prevent the animals from rubbing against the nonelectrified portion of fencing. Typically, offset fences are used as additional control and security providing an effective fencing solution to a nonelectric fence design at a lower cost.
  
  

Temporary or Portable Electric Fencing

• Temporary or portable electric fences allow you to have flexibility in their placement. In agricultural applications, temporary fencing is used for short-term animal control or to allow for moving the livestock to different pastures, which is useful in times of drought. Temporary fencing should include a reel with at least six wires to carry enough power. These fences are easy to move, construct and maintain and are an effective solution for a variety of animals and situations.
  
  

Solar Power

• Solar power is a cost-effective option allowing you to use electric fencing in remote areas.solar cells image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
  
  When fencing in a remote area where electrical power is not available, solar panels are an option. Make sure the solar panel is installed correctly (facing the sun at high noon). If it's properly installed, you can place a pencil on its end on the panel at midday and see no shadow. Correct placement allows the sun to hit the panel most effectively; the solar panel in turn charges the battery that provides power to your fence. If you already have a solar pumping system for water, the energizer for your fence can be hooked into that system.
  
  

Tips

• Volt meters test your fence for faults.multimeter image by Aleksey Bakaleev from Fotolia.com
  
  Install a minimum of three grounding rods, 6 to 8 feet long, placed at least 6 feet away from the energizer and 10 feet from each other. Use 12½ gauge galvanized high tensile wire for electric fencing. Train animals to avoid the fence. Have them approach and be shocked by the fence at least once to ensure they learn not to go near it again. Check the voltage running through your fence regularly with a volt meter or a fault finder. Walk the fence line each spring to check the insulators and make sure the wire is tight. Remove debris which can lower the amount of power running through the fence.
  
  

Warnings

• Barbed wire should not be used with any part of an electric fence, including gates.Barbed wire image by ArniLia from Fotolia.com
  
  Barbed wire should not be used with any electric fencing. Copper wire to connect ground rods is not recommended because copper will corrode.