Zareba Fence Doctor User Manual

Replacing the Batter

y

The most common cause of problems with the Fence Doctor is dead or low batteries.
If your Fence Doctor fails to operate, shows no readings or shows strange symbols in the
display, check the battery. If you don’t have a battery tester, fit a NEW alkaline battery in
place and see if the problem disappears. To replace battery: Unscrew the 4 large screws
from the back of the Fence Doctor, lift the back carefully (the O-ring may stick). Replace
battery. Be sure to match “+” to “+” and “–” to “–” . The Fence Doctor uses a standard 9­volt alkaline battery.

Limited W

arranty

The Fence Doctor is warranted for one year from the date of sale to be free from defects
of material and workmanship. The warranty does not apply to any defect in the product
caused by improper installation, misuse, tampering, neglect, moisture or any other
reason not related to defects in material or workmanship of the product.

The obligation of Zareba Systems under the limited warranty is only to repair or replace,
at its option, any part of the product that is defective. In no case shall Zareba Systems be
liable for incidental, consequential, special or indirect damages of any kind.

If any covered defect occurs during the warranty, return the Fence Doctor for replacement
or repair, with freight prepaid. Return to Zareba Systems, 906 5th Ave. E., Ellendale, MN

56026. Include dated sales receipt.

For assistance

If you need further assistance in the operation of your Fence Doctor diagnostic tool
please contact our customer service center:

Toll Free: 800-272-9877 (8 am – 5 pm CT)
Write to: Zareba Systems, 906 5th Ave. E., Ellendale, MN 56026
Email: [e-mail]

NOTES:

• The Fence Doctor is to be used for testing agricultural electric fences only.
Attempting to measure other high voltages could be extremely dangerous.

• We recommend use with low impedance fence controllers only.

• The case is moisture resistant, however condensation can appear inside with
large changes in temperature or pressure. Open case and allow to dry.

• To clean outer case, simply wipe with a damp cloth.

• DO NOT OPEN the unit or touch the battery while the Fence Doctor is connected
to an electric fence. You may damage the unit and receive an electrical shock.

• DO NOT leave a dead battery in the Fence Doctor.

zarebasystems.com
Zareba Systems, Ellendale, MN 56026

Introduction

The Fence Doctor diagnostic tool is the most technologically advanced electric
fence short locator available. The Fence Doctor diagnostic tool is able to detect
peak voltage, peak current and direction to the short in all electric fences,
irrespective of energizer* and shorts.

First Use of the Fence Doctor

The Fence Doctor comes complete with a 9-volt battery installed.

1. Press the button marked “Press.” A decimal place should appear on the left
hand side of the display. If no decimal place appears or the battery symbol
(NEED) remains on the display then replace the battery. (see back page)

Specifications

Voltage: 0.2 to 9.9 Kv (peak) +/- 10%
Current: 1-25 Amps (peak)

FENCE DOCTOR

™

Diagnostic Fence
Tool Instructions

*See Notes

Locating A Short (refer to illustration)
Always start close to the energizer (but not within 12 inches) where the non­insulated portion of the lead out wire connects to the fence. This way you will
always start on the energizer side of a short. Check every wire of a multi-wire fence.

1. Place the metal tip over the wire and press the PRESS button. If the voltage is
LOWER than usual and the current is HIGHER than usual, you may have a short
circuit. (see checking your fence). The short direction arrows will light when the
Fence Doctor calculates that the leakage (amps) is higher than normal.

2. Follow the direction arrows toward the short. Check the fence at regular intervals
and at every side fence or intersection, also each side of splices and underground
cable connections.

3. If the Fence Doctor shows shorts in more than one fence line or wire ALWAYS
follow the direction with the highest amp reading.

IMPOR

TANT! After reading these instructions, take the time to “practice” with the

Fence Doctor. Place pretend “shorts” (short the fence wire by letting it touch a metal
post) on your fence and “find” them. The experience will be invaluable when you
come to find “real” shorts. Get to know the “usual” current produced by your fences
and the “usual” voltages around the system. Normal current produced will depend
on length of fence and seasonal conditions such as vegetation and moisture.

T

ypes of Faults

There are two common problems on electric fences:

1. An OPEN CIRCUIT is where the fence wire is broken. In the sections of fence after the
break, there will be NO voltage. These are relatively easy to find by testing the fence for
voltage.

2. A SHORT CIRCUIT is where the fence wire touches ground, a ground wire, or an
insulator breaks. This leads to reduced voltage throughout the system and no (or little)
voltage at and beyond the short. When a SHORT CIRCUIT occurs an increased amount
of current (amps) flows through the fence wires.

Checking Y

our Fence

VOLTAGE: Use the Fence Doctor to measure the voltage on the fence by placing the metal
tip over the fence wire and pressing the PRESS button. The voltage is shown by the two
digits on the left side of the display. If it is LOWER than usual you may have a short
circuit. Depending on the type of animal being contained, an effective barrier should read
higher than 2.0 Kv.

CURRENT (amps): The Fence Doctor will also be measuring current flow in the fence
when the PRESS button is pressed. Current flow is shown on the right side of the display.
A HIGHER than usual reading indicates that you may have a short circuit.

Finding shorts with

the Fence Doctor

™

Electric

Fence Diagnostic Tool

1. At the beginning of the

fence, short is indicated.

Voltage (1.5 kV) is lower than usual
Current (9 amps) is higher than usual

2. At each intersection
check readings in
each direction.

3. Keep following the direction
arrow to the short.

No current and no arrows means not ‘this way’

Arrow says ‘this way’Arrow says ‘this way’