LEAD-OUT TO THE FENCE
Some important principles      Insulating lead-outs      Extending a lead-out

SOME IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES
Your lead-out wire is the power output link between the energiser and the fence.
It is important to ensure that the lead-out is correctly installed to minimise loss of voltage.
Lead-out cable - specifically manufactured - should be insulated where there is any risk of contact with the ground or buildings.
STANDARD HOUSEHOLD CABLE MUST NEVER BE USED.
The objective is to transfer energy from the energiser to the fence lines.
Lead-out feeds should, therefore, present the least resistance to the current flow that can be practically achieved.
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INSULATING LEAD-OUTS - Two options are available:

INSULATED CABLE
Galvanised Steel or Aluminium Wire with a bonded polyethylene coating makes an ideal lead-out wire as it is:
easily installed
totally waterproof
tough and durable.

INSULTUBE
If plain galvanised wire is used it should be insulated with Insultube as necessary against ground or building contact.
Insultube is available in a wide range of sizes.
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EXTENDING A LEAD-OUT TO A REMOTE AREA
The resistance of a lead-out wire increases with its length
If an area to be fenced is some distance from the mains power supply source, the following suggestions will help minimise problems with a long lead-out.

Increase wire diameter:
An increase from:
2.5mm [12½g] to 3.15mm [10g] reduces resistance by one third.
2.5mm [12½g] to 4mm [8g] reduces resistance by almost two thirds.

Run lead-out wires in parallel:
Two wires securely connected together will halve the resistance and three will reduce it to one third.
Energising two or more wires on another fence leading to the new area has the same effect.

Change from steel to a lower resistance conductor:
Aluminium wire has one sixth the resistance of galvanised wire.
As aluminium has less strength than steel a minimum diameter of 2.5mm [12½g] is recommended over long distances.

Rearrange the interconnection of fences:
By reconnecting the whole system it may be possible to shorten or eliminate the need for a lead-out.
Circumstances will dictate the maximum length of lead-out that can be successfully run.
Factors will include:
Size of your mains energiser.
Type of land to be crossed. [in areas of heavy foliage for example, lead-outs over 5km may suffer too much leakage to be effective.]
Cost
If your mains system cannot be extended, a battery energiser should be installed in the remote area.

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