Electric Fence Calculator
Work out the live wire, insulators and rolls for your electric fence, and the energiser size to start looking at.
This gives a materials and energiser starting estimate only. Everything is worked out in your browser. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
1. The fence line
Choose a rectangle paddock, or enter the total length if your fence line is a different shape.
All the way round, or the length of an open line.
How many live wires or tapes run along the fence.
Distance between posts carrying insulators. Use your plan or the maker's guide.
For ties, gate leads, joins and sag.
2. Rolls and energiser
Energisers are rated by the maker in kilometres of fence and in joules. Weeds and long grass touching the wire drain the pulse, so real fences need far more energiser than a clean test fence.
Check the roll label.
A rough rule of thumb only. Common rules range from about 3 km per joule with heavy weeds to about 10 km with a clean fence.
Extra so the fence still bites with weeds, dry ground or future extensions.
Results
How it was worked out
Before you rely on it
- This is a planning estimate only. Choose the energiser from the maker's ratings for your fence, stock and conditions, not from this figure alone.
- Earthing matters as much as the energiser. Follow the maker's earthing instructions for the number, length and spacing of earth stakes, especially in dry or sandy ground.
- Electric fences must use an approved energiser, carry warning signs where the public may come near (such as along roads and walkways), and follow your state's rules. Never use barbed wire as a live wire.
- Mains-powered energisers plug into a standard 240V AC outlet. Any new 240V AC wiring or outdoor outlets for them must be done by a licensed electrician.