PERMANENT FENCE LAYOUT
Planning        Energiser location         Use of cut-out switches        Layout example

There is no one way to lay out an electric fence system.
The approach that you take will depend on a range of factors, including:
the geography of your farm
the types of animals you wish to control
whether you are strip grazing [breakfeeding]
your own preferences.
By applying a few basic principles, you can maximise the advantages of installing electric fencing.
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PLANNING
An electric fence system should be planned thoroughly before construction is commenced.
This will enable you to locate faults or shorts quickly and assists with good stock handling and movement.
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ENERGISER LOCATION
Mains power energisers should be located inside a building or shed out of the reach of animals and children.
The position of existing buildings [such as dairy or shearing sheds] on your property will limit the choice of location.
Ideally you should endeavour to place the energiser as close to the fence lines to be electrified as possible.
Battery energisers should be installed as near to the centre of the fence system as can be arranged.
This will ensure that the maximum energy is transferred onto the fence itself.
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USE OF CUT-OUT SWITCHES
Cut-out switches are greatly under-utilised by many farmers.
The installation of well placed switches on fence lines has many advantages, including:
Fault finding.
Sections of fence can be progressively isolated when searching for faults.
Maintenance.
One fence section can be switched off without the need to shut down the energiser.
Paddocks which are not in use can be switched off.
This directs all of the energy from the energiser to sections in use.
Difficult sections of fence to maintain, such as underground cable, can be isolated.
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LAYOUT EXAMPLE The diagram  illustrates some points about fence layout.
Energiser is located in a farm building.
The lead-out feed can take several forms:
one single wire with high conductive characteristics [i.e. 4mm [8g] wire or aluminium wire] or several strands of 2.5mm [12½g] fence wire connected in parallel.
A cut-out switch where the lead-out splits at this point enables half of the fence system to be switched off.

Layout incorporates a central race for ease of stock movement.
Each fence sub-division is connected to the lead-out feeds wire[s] through a cut-out switch.
This enables each section to be isolated for fault finding purposes.
For gates you should note that:
Insulated cable must be used underground.
Cut-out switches are recommended at all gateways for fault finding.
Others Points to Note:
Only one energiser must be connected to a fence line.
The subdivisions of the fence do not have to complete an electrical circuit.
Each subdivision terminates at a strain insulator.
The circuit is completed when an animal touches the fence.

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