Fish & prawn farms · facility perimeters
Electric fence for otter protection
Purpose
Keep out
Electrified strands
4
Top wire height
43 cm
Measured fence voltage target
Confirm on site
Energizer
Size to total fence load
Installation
Advanced · specialist review
Typical starting configuration
Behaviour & design
Low access routes and water connections need attention. A supplemental electric line cannot fix an open drain or a displaced physical fence. Keep maintenance access clear without creating a gap.
Four live strands: an approximately 10 cm bottom wire and 11 cm gaps, within the cited 4–5-inch spacing. This North American otter guidance is a starting point for specialist review, preferably supplementing a physical facility boundary. No species-specific voltage is asserted.
Specialist review required before selecting an energizer or buying a kit.
Wire layout & construction
| Wire | cm | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | Live |
| 2 | 21 | Live |
| 3 | 32 | Live |
| 4 | 43 | Live |
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
AC / mains
For reliable power nearby. Use an approved mains-input energizer and weather-protected installation.
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.
Questions before you build
Should each pond have an electric fence?
Not necessarily. A maintained physical facility perimeter with a suitable electric supplement may be more practical. Consider flooding, drains and service access first.
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.
Sources & scope
These sources describe particular species and sites. They support starting guidance, not a certified design for your farm. Numeric gaps are intentional where evidence is insufficient.