Why You Can Touch an Electric Fence Without Getting Shocked – Even When It’s On
Most people who see a sign that says a fence is electrified will try to avoid touching it, and that’s usually a good idea. Even though most electric fences these days are non-lethal, they can still deliver a nasty shock, and if you happen to have a pacemaker, they could potentially be dangerous.
However, there are also many people who have accidentally touched an electric fence and were surprised when they were not shocked. Here’s why you can touch an electric fence without getting shocked, even if it’s on.
Pulsed Current
You can touch an electric fence without getting shocked, even when it’s on because electric fences usually use pulsed current.
That’s exactly what it sounds like. Instead of supplying a steady, constant stream of electricity that’s always the same voltage and amperage like the power that comes out of your wall socket or outlet, electric fences create current that effectively turns on and off in what you might call waves.
In simple terms, it’s very possible that the split second you touch the electric fence is the same time the fence is off – or between pulses.
If Electric Fences Have Pulsed Current, Do They Still Work?
Of course, anyone or anything trying to climb over or get through an electric fence will touch it for more than a split second.
Anything longer than that would definitely not fall within the very short period between pulses, and whoever touches the electric fence when the next pulse starts will feel it!
So you can rest assured that even though you might not feel a shock every time you briefly touch a pulsed electric fence if they are in good repair and working order, they will get the job done.
Always Touch Electric Fences with the Back Of Your Hand
While it is very possible to accidentally touch an electric fence between pulses and avoid getting a shock, most people aren’t that lucky.
The good news about electric fence pulses is that they make it possible for anyone who does accidentally touch them and get a shock to remove their hand, and it’s that tiny break between pulses that makes that possible.
When we get an electric shock – whether it’s from an electric fence, live wires, or something else, our muscles naturally contract. This is why so many people who get electric shocks seem “stuck” until the power is turned off. Their muscles have contracted, and their hands have clamped shut, and their muscles will stay contracted until the current stops.
Because electric fences have pulsed current, you should be able to pull your hand away between pulses, preventing this from happening.
However, if you have the choice and you need to touch an electric fence for whatever reason, always use the back of your hand. Even if it clenches, you won’t clamp down on the wire, and you’ll be able to pull away.
A Better Way to Check If Your Electric Fence Is On
Most electric fences today are non-lethal. They have high volts but low amps and use pulsed current, so you can still pull away if you need to.
However, even though an electric fence probably won’t kill you, being shocked by one will still feel a lot like getting punched, and no one wants that.
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If you need to find out if an electric fence is on, there are electric fence monitors that can tell you exactly what’s happening with the fence completely safely. If you don’t have one of those, find a large screwdriver with a rubber handle, and head to the nearest metal fence post. Touch the shaft of the screwdriver on a fence wire and then on the post while holding the rubber handle. If you see and/or feel a spark when the fence pulses, you know it’s on, and you should stay far away from the wires. Better yet, even though we know that most modern electric fences won’t kill you and that you might even be able to touch them without getting a shock, it’s best to leave electric fence installation, maintenance and repairs to the professionals. |
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