Small livestock · grazing paddocks
Electric fence for goats and sheep
Purpose
Contain
Electrified strands
5
Top wire height
97 cm
Measured fence voltage target
7,000 V
Energizer
Size to total fence load
Installation
Moderate
Typical starting configuration
Choose a wire layout
Published example.
Wire layout & construction
| Wire | cm | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | Live |
| 2 | 30 | Live |
| 3 | 46 | Live |
| 4 | 71 | Live |
| 5 | 97 | Live |
Behaviour & design
Wool and hair can reduce electrical contact. Keep low gaps controlled, train stock and check the far-end voltage. Do not assume the same layout suits newborn animals or horned stock without review.
Five-wire example rounded from 6 / 12 / 18 / 28 / 38 inches. The 7,000 V target reflects published sheep guidance, not a universal goat threshold. Review the actual breed and fence conditions.
Conductor
Compare smooth fence conductors by resistance per kilometre and breaking strength. Choose visible, suitable polywire for temporary divisions; verify its resistance before long runs. Never electrify barbed wire.
Posts & corners
Set post spacing for terrain, conductor sag and the manufacturer's tension limits. Brace corners and gates; use suitable insulators and lead-out cable. More posts may be needed on uneven ground.
Choose by fence load, not acreage
Energized wire length ≈ perimeter × live strands. PEMALL's existing estimator also considers vegetation. Its Joule band is a preliminary stored-energy estimate, not a guaranteed operating voltage. Conductor resistance, grounding, animal pressure and expansion must be checked against manufacturer load data.
Calculate & find components →Power options
12 V AC adapter / mains input
For sites with nearby grid power. The energizer runs through a compatible 12 V AC adapter from a standard socket; never connect mains directly to the fence wire.
12 V battery
For compatible DC energizers. Plan charging, inspections and spare capacity before the battery runs low.
Solar + battery
For remote farms. Size from actual energizer consumption, shade and cloudy-day autonomy; protect equipment from flooding and theft.
Grounding & daily checks
Follow the energizer manual for earth rods, separation and earth-return wiring. Rain does not guarantee a good earth system. Test the far end and gates with a fence tester, clear tropical growth, and inspect after storms. Correct leakage and grounding before increasing energizer size.
Build a system for my farm
Estimate wire requirements here, then continue into PEMALL's existing product and quotation flow. Specialist applications remain subject to site review.
Goat/sheep planning starts with 5 wires; choose 3–5 with site review. Two wires are not a standalone default.
Questions before you build
Does this also exclude predators?
This example addresses containment. Predator exclusion needs its own assessment, including digging, climbing and gate gaps.
Can I choose an energizer just from the animal?
No. Two farms with the same animal can have very different wire loads, vegetation, grounding and power needs. Use the planner, then verify the actual fence voltage during commissioning.