USER MANUAL
Delta Mains Energizer
WARNING: READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
TM
speedrite
by
®
ELECTRIC FENCING FOR THE SERIOUS FARMER
Contents
Electric fencing and your Speedrite energizer ..............................1
Installation.................................................................................. 2
Operation.................................................................................... 2
Building a permanent electric fence ............................................2
Temporary electric fencing.......................................................... 4
Safety considerations.................................................................. 5
Frequently asked questions/Troubleshooting...............................6
Servicing ....................................................................................7
Product specifications ................................................................7
© Tru-Test Limited, 2004. All rights reserved.
Delta, Speedrite and Fault Finder are trademarks of Tru-Test Corporation Limited.
No part of this publication may be photocopied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of TruTest Limited. Product specifications may change without prior notice.
For more information about the Speedrite range of quality products, see
www.speedrite.com.
Tru-Test Limited Postal address:
25 Carbine Road P O Box 51078
Mt Wellington Pakuranga
Auckland 1006 Auckland 1730
New Zealand New Zealand
XED05005 Issue 3 10/04
Electric fencing and your Speedrite energizer
Congratulations on your purchase of a Speedrite mains/line
energizer. This product has been constructed using the latest
technology and construction techniques. It has been
engineered to give superior performance and many years of
service.
It is important to read these instructions carefully and
thoroughly. They contain important safety information and will
assist you in ensuring that your electric fencing system gives
maximum performance and reliability.
Note:
- This product has been designed for use with electric
animal fences.
- Keep this manual in a handy location.
Warning!
- USA and Canada - To reduce the risk of electric shock, the
energizer has a polarised plug (one blade is wider than the
other). This plug will fit in a polarised outlet one way. If the
plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it
still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install the
proper outlet. Do not change the plug in any way.
- Switch the energizer off before installation or performing
any work on the fence.
- Read all the safety considerations carefully. See Safety
Considerations on page 5.
- Check your installation to ensure that it complies with all
local safety regulations.
- The energizer must be located in a shelter, and the cable
must not be handled when the temperature is below 5 °C.
- Do not connect simultaneously to a fence and to any other
device such as a cattle trainer or a poultry trainer.
Otherwise, lightning striking your fence will be conducted
to all other devices.
Symbols that may be on your energizer
To reduce the risk of electric shock, the energizer
should be opened or repaired only by qualified
Speedrite-appointed personnel.
Read full instructions before use.
Indicates that the energizer is of a double-insulated
construction.
How does an electric fence work?
An electric fence system comprises an energizer and an
insulated fence. The energizer puts very short pulses of
electricity onto the fence line. These pulses have a high
voltage, but are of very short duration (less than 3/10,000ths of
a second). However, a shock from an electric fence pulse is
very uncomfortable and animals quickly learn to respect
electric fences. An electric fence is not only a physical barrier,
but is also a strong psychological barrier.
What are the benefits of an electric fence?
An electric fence has many benefits over conventional fencing:
Requires less labour and material to construct than
•
conventional fencing.
•
Flexibility to change or add paddocks when required. The
use of strip grazing techniques can allow temporary
fencing to be quickly and easily erected or removed.
•
Controls a broader range of animals.
•
Minimises damage to expensive livestock when
compared with other fencing mechanisms, for example
barbed wire.
1
Installation
Building a permanent electric
Read all of the safety instructions in this manual carefully
•
before installing the energizer.
•
Mount the energizer indoors, sheltered from wind, rain,
birds, snow etc.
•
Mount the energizer close to a power outlet.
•
Mount the energizer out of reach of children.
•
Use the template at the end of this manual (inside cover)
to locate fixing points.
See the diagram below to install the energizer:
1 Connect the Fence earth terminal to a separate earth
system that is at least 10 m (30') away from other earth
systems.
2 Connect the Fence output terminal to the fence.
fence
Components of an electric fence
An electric fence system comprises the following elements:
An energizer. •
•
An earth system. This comprises a number of metal rods
inserted into the ground, which are connected to the
Fence earth terminal on the energizer.
•
Speedrite insulated underground cables. Used to connect
the energizer to the earth and fence.
•
An insulated fence. Connected to the Fence output
terminal of the energizer. Fences can be made to a variety
of designs (see below).
Other useful components that can be added:
Cut-out switches. Installed at regular intervals, these allow
you to isolate sections of the fence for repair.
Lightning diverter kit. Used to minimise the damage to your
energizer from lightning conducted down the fence line.
Typical installation
The animal receives a shock when it completes a circuit
between the fence and the earth system. The fence below has
all live wires and requires conductive soils. These fences are
often referred to as 'all-live' or 'earth-return' fences.
Operation
Turn on the power supply.
One of the three output performance indicator lights will flash
with each pulse.
The lights indicate the approximate voltage at the output
terminals.
Recommended
Indicates a load on the energizer. Attention
required to ensure reliable animal control.
Fence is heavily loaded and needs urgent
attention.
2
Alternative installation
For poor conductivity soils (dry or sandy), a 'fence-return' or
'earth-wire-return' system is recommended. On these fences
the Fence earth terminal is connected directly to at least one of
the fence wires. The animal gets maximum shock from
touching a live and earth wire at the same time.
Fence designs
Fences can be constructed to suit the type of livestock and
materials available. Discuss with your Speedrite distributor
which design best suits your needs. Some suggested fence
configurations are below.
Cattle and horses
10-15 m (33-49') spacing, posts only
15-20 m (49-65') spacing with droppers
Wild animals
7 wire, 10 m (33') spacing with droppers
End assemblies
Angle stay
Suitable for field gate, high-tension strainer.
After firmly setting the footed strainer in the ground, dig in the
stay block just below ground level, at a distance to ensure the
angle stay will be held snugly in position. The stay can be
levered into position with a spade.
All-live system
Sheep, goats, cattle and horses
10 m (33') spacing, posts only
15 m (49') spacing with droppers
Earth-return system
3
Horizontal stay
Suitable for field gate, high-tension strainer.
Very simple to erect and most suitable as a high tension
strainer, excellent in areas where the soil gets very wet or
where heavy frost occurs.
Installing and testing an earth system
Select a suitable site for the earth system. Sites need to be:
•
At least 10 m (33') from other earth systems (e.g.
telephone, mains power or the earth system from another
energizer).
•
Away from stock or other traffic that could interfere with
the installation.
•
At a site that can be easily observed for maintenance.
•
Ideally at a site that has damp soil (e.g. a shaded or
swampy location). Note that the earth does not need to be
directly adjacent to the energizer installation.
Drive Speedrite earth rods into the ground. Use high-voltage,
insulated cable and earth clamps to continuously connect the
earth rods and the energizer's Fence earth terminal. Make sure
the insulation is stripped back to ensure good contact between
the wire and the earth rod. The table below specifies the
minimum number of 2 m (6'6") earth rods recommended for an
earthing system:
Energizer
Delta 1 (0.5 J) 1
Delta 2 (1.0 J) 2
Delta 3 (2.5 J) 3
Test the earth system, using the following procedure:
1 Turn off the energizer.
2 At least 100 m (330') away from the energizer, short
circuit the fence by laying several steel rods or lengths of
pipe against the fence. For best results, the fence voltage
should be lowered to 2000 V or less. In dry or sandy
conditions, it may be necessary to drive the rods up to
300 mm (12") into the earth.
Note: It is not acceptable to short-circuit a fence return
system to the earth wire of the fence.
3 Turn the energizer back on.
4
Earth rods
4 Using a Speedrite Digital Voltmeter, ensure that the fence
voltage is below 2 kV.
5 Check your earth system. Insert the voltmeter's earth
probe into the ground at the full extent of the lead, and
hold the hook against the last earth rod. The tester should
not read more than 0.3 kV. Anything higher than this
indicates that better earthing is required. Either add more
earth rods or find a better ground area to drive in the earth
rods.
Note: When earthing energizers located in dairies, earth at
least 20 m (65') away from the dairy using double-insulated
wire to avoid touching the dairy building or equipment.
Temporary electric fencing
Speedrite offers a range of products that allow the farmer to
construct a temporary electric fence. A temporary fence that
can be quickly erected and easily moved allows the farmer to:
Make smaller paddocks (fields) •
•
Keep herds of animals separated
•
Ration feed
Note: Use more wires for smaller animals and wild animals.
Politape should be used when greater visibility is required (e.g.
horses).
An example of a temporary fence is shown below.
Safety considerations
Definition of special terms
Energizer – An appliance that is intended to periodically deliver
voltage impulses to a fence connected to it.
Fence – A barrier for animals or for the purpose of security,
comprising one or more conductors such as metal wires, rods
or rails.
Electric fence – A barrier which includes one or more electric
conductors, insulated from earth, to which electric pulses are
applied by an energizer.
Fence circuit – All conductive parts or components within an
energizer that are connected or are intended to be connected,
galvanically, to the output terminals.
Earth electrode – Metal structure that is driven into the ground
near an energizer and connected electrically to the Fence earth
terminal of the energizer, and that is independent of other
earthing arrangements.
Connecting lead – An electric conductor, used to connect the
energizer to the electric fence or the earth electrode.
Electric animal fence – An electric fence used to contain
animals within or exclude animals from a particular area.
Electric security fence – A fence used for security purposes
which comprises an electric fence and a physical barrier
electrically isolated from the electric fence.
Physical barrier – A barrier not less than 1.5 m (5') high
intended to prevent inadvertent contact with the pulsed
conductors of the electric fence. Physical barriers are typically
constructed from vertical sheeting, rigid vertical bars, rigid
mesh, rods or chainwire mesh.
Public access area – Any area where persons are protected
from inadvertent contact with pulsed conductors by a physical
barrier.
Pulsed conductors – Conductors which are subjected to high
voltage pulses by the energizer.
Secure area – The side of an electric security fence where a
person may come into contact with the electric fence, without
the protection of a physical barrier.
Requirements for electric animal fences
Electric animal fences and their ancillary equipment shall be
installed, operated and maintained in a manner that minimises
danger to persons, animals or their surroundings.
This energizer is not intended for use by young children or
infirm persons unless they have been adequately supervised by
a responsible person to ensure that they can use the energizer
safely.
Young children should be supervised to ensure that they do not
play with the energizer.
Electric animal fence constructions that are likely to lead to the
entanglement of animals or persons shall be avoided.
An electric animal fence shall not be supplied from two
separate energizers or from independent fence circuits of the
same energizer.
For any two separate electric animal fences, each supplied
from a separate energizer independently timed, the distance
between the wires of the two electric animal fences shall be at
least 2 m (6'6"). If this gap is to be closed, this shall be
effected by means of electrically non-conductive material or an
isolated metal barrier.
Barbed wire or razor wire shall not be electrified by an
energizer.
A non-electrified fence incorporating barbed wire or razor wire
may be used to support one or more offset electrified wires of
an electric animal fence. The supporting devices for the
electrified wires shall be constructed so as to ensure that these
wires are positioned at a minimum distance of 150 mm (6")
from the vertical plane of the non-electrified wires. The barbed
wire and razor wire shall be earthed at regular intervals.
Follow our recommendations regarding earthing. See Installing
and testing an earth system on page 4.
A distance of at least 10 m (33') shall be maintained between
the energizer earth electrode and any other earthing system
connected parts such as the power supply system protective
earth or the telecommunication system earth.
Connecting leads that are run inside buildings shall be
effectively insulated from the earthed structural parts of the
building. This may be achieved by using insulated high voltage
cable.
Connecting leads that are run underground shall be run in
conduit of insulating material or else insulated high voltage
cable shall be used. Care must be taken to avoid damage to the
connecting leads due to the effects of animal hooves or vehicle
wheels sinking into the ground.
Connecting leads shall not be installed in the same conduit as
the mains supply wiring, communication cables or data cables.
Connecting leads and electric animal fence wires shall not
cross above overhead power or communication lines.
Crossings with overhead power lines shall be avoided wherever
possible. If such a crossing cannot be avoided it shall be made
5
underneath the power line and as nearly as possible at right
angles to it.
If connecting leads and electric animal fence wires are installed
near an overhead power line, the clearances shall not be less
than those shown in the table below.
Minimum clearances from power lines for electric animal
fences
Power line voltage
≤1000 V
>1000 V to ≤33,000 V
>33,000 V 8 m (27')
If connecting leads and electric animal fence wires are installed
near an overhead power line, their height above the ground
shall not exceed 3 m (10'). This height applies to either side of
the orthogonal projection of the outermost conductors of the
power line on the ground surface, for a distance of:
•
2 m (6'6") for power lines operating at a nominal voltage
not exceeding 1000 V.
•
15 m (50') for power lines operating at a nominal voltage
exceeding 1000 V.
Electric animal fences intended for deterring birds, household
pet containment or training animals such as cows need only be
supplied from low output energizers to obtain satisfactory and
safe performance.
In electric animal fences intended for deterring birds from
roosting on buildings, no electric fence wire shall be
connected to the energizer earth electrode. A warning sign
shall be fitted to every point where persons may gain ready
access to the conductors.
Where an electric animal fence crosses a public pathway, a
non-electrified gate shall be incorporated in the electric animal
fence at that point or a crossing by means of stiles shall be
provided. At any such crossing, the adjacent electrified wires
shall carry warning signs.
Any part of an electric animal fence that is installed along a
public road or pathway shall be identified at frequent intervals
by warning signs securely fastened to the fence posts or firmly
clamped to the fence wires.
•
The size of the warning sign shall be at least
100x200 mm (4x8").
Clearance
3 m (10')
4 m (13')
•
The background colour of both sides of the warning sign
shall be yellow. The inscription on the sign shall be black
and shall be either:
or the substance of "CAUTION: Electric animal fence".
The inscription shall be indelible, inscribed on both sides
•
of the warning sign and have a height of at least
25 mm (1").
Ensure that all mains-operated, ancillary equipment connected
to the electric animal fence circuit provides a degree of
isolation between the fence circuit and the supply mains
equivalent to that provided by the energizer.
Protection from the weather shall be provided for the ancillary
equipment unless this equipment is certified by the
manufacturer as being suitable for use outdoors, and is of a
type with a minimum degree of protection IPX4.
Frequently asked questions/Troubleshooting
What voltage is required to control animals?
4 kV is widely accepted as the recommended minimum voltage
to control animals. However, you also require a well
constructed fence system to ensure that animals cannot push
through electrified wires.
The fence voltage is below 4 kV. How do I increase the
voltage?
Check the energizer. Disconnect the energizer from the fence
and earth system. Measure the voltage across the energizer
terminals with a Speedrite Fault Finder, DVM or Lite Tester. If
the voltage is less than 6 kV, request your Speedrite service
agent to check the energizer.
Check the energizer earthing. Use the procedure described in
Installing and testing an earth system on page 4.
Check your fence system for faults. The most common source
of low voltage is faults on the fence line.
If the fence, earth and energizer are in good condition and the
voltage is still below 4 kV, talk to your Speedrite distributor.
They will help you identify whether recent extensions to your
fence, a poor fence layout, or soil conditions may be causing
inadequate voltage.
6
How do I locate faults?
The recommended tool for locating faults is the Speedrite Fault
Finder. This combined voltage and current meter allows you to
rapidly locate sources of current leakage. Alternatively, use a
Speedrite DVM or Lite Tester. Use cut-out switches to turn off
the power to different sections of the farm. If the voltage on the
fence increases when a section of the farm is turned off, then
investigate that section for possible faults.
There are no lights flashing on the energizer.
Check the power supply. Ensure that the power is switched on.
If the energizer still does not operate, request your Speedrite
service agent to check the energizer.
Product specifications
Servicing
This energizer contains no user serviceable parts. It must be
returned to a Speedrite-appointed service agent for repair. If the
supply cord is damaged it must only be replaced by a
Speedrite-appointed service agent, as a special cord is
required.
This energizer uses Double Insulation, where two systems of
insulation are provided instead of grounding. No equipment
grounding means is provided in the supply cord of a doubleinsulated energizer, nor should a means for equipment
grounding be added to the energizer. Servicing a doubleinsulated energizer requires extreme care and knowledge of the
system and should only be done by qualified service
personnel. Replacement parts for a double-insulated energizer
must be identical to the parts they replace. A double-insulated
energizer is marked with the words DOUBLE INSULATION or
DOUBLE INSULATED and/or the symbol below.
Power Supply 115 V Models 110-120 V, 60 Hz 110-120 V, 60 Hz 110-120 V, 60 Hz
Power Supply 230 V Models 220-240 V, 50 Hz 220-240 V, 50 Hz 220-240 V, 50 Hz
Power Consumption 1.8 W 2.6 W 4.4 W
Maximum Output Voltage 7.9 kV 8.4 kV 8.4 kV
Maximum Output Energy
Stored Energy 0.8 J 1.7 J 4.1 J
Dimensions (WxHxD) 240x200x118 mm
Weight 1.4 kg
Delta 1
0.5 J @ 700 Ω 1.0 J @ 400 Ω 2.5 J @ 200 Ω
(9½x8x4¾")
(3 lb)
Delta 2 Delta 3
240x200x118 mm
(9½x8x4¾")
1.4 kg
(3 lb)
240x200x118 mm
(9½x8x4¾")
1.4 kg
(3 lb)
7
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