Specific Design Solutions

 

SPECIFIC DESIGN SOLUTIONS

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Typical High Voltage Array Hookup and Installation

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This is a 4 strand extension above a standard concrete wall. The bottom strand is stretched about 3 inches (7.5 cm) above the wall. The other strands have approximate 6 inches (15 cm) spacing from each other.

In this design the top strand is a grounded to provide a measure of “false alarm” protection, from falling foliage.

All strands are mounted on insulators so that the grounded wires cannot be distinguished from the high voltage, charged wires.

The grounded strands are connected together in a common parallel fashion. The common ground includes three 8 foot grounding rods driven at least 7 feet into the earth-ground. A minimum of 2 grounding rods are always recommended to provide a good ground over the length of your fence.

Also connected to this common ground are the output (ground) terminals of the charger 220/110 VAC to 12 VDC, and the Fence Hawk Plus voltage monitor.

NOTE: One must be careful to use a battery charger that can be continuously connected to the battery without overcharging and damaging the battery.

The high voltage strand is thus connected in such a manner that the high voltage can only travel in one direction. Charger, through the array, and back to the charger, as one contiguous electric circuit.

The bottom high voltage strand is spliced or connected to the above high voltage wire at the far end end of the fence installation, and the voltage is looped. It travels back to the far left, which is the other end of the array. It then connects to the next high voltage strand, then back to the start for a connection with the high voltage monitor.

Instead of being an electric fence, we’ve now built a high voltage array.

The voltage leaves the fence charger – travels around the fence – connects to the next strand – travels to the far end of the installation – and then back to the beginning.

It DOESN’T, however, connect back to the charger, but instead, connects to the Fence Hawk Plus voltage monitor, as shown. This makes the high voltage a single loop originating from the charger, traveling around, and back to the voltage monitor.

This type of loop connection of the high voltage strands ensure that if the high voltage is cut, shorted or lost in any manner, the Fence Hawk Plus high voltage monitor will provide an alarm.

A sophisticated high voltage monitor like the Fence Hawk Plus with Weed Alert will give a separate alarm when grass, weeds, or brush partially provide a path for the high voltage. That’s when it’s time to maintain your and clear your array.

It’s a good idea to power the monitor and alarm siren with a separate battery or 12VDC power source. It is also a good idea (but not necessary) to connect the monitor to a separate earth ground.

This is the most common installation, and this design accounts for probably 80% of all installations.

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Beachfront Installation– designed to NOT block the view

We were faced with the problem of intruders on a beachfront property. There were constant intrusions from the beach side of the property.

They did not want to block their view of the ocean, but needed the protection.

This is a seven strand extension above a 3-foot concrete sea wall. The concrete portion is not high enough to obstruct the view of the ocean, but high enough to keep the beach from encroaching into the yard.

The short wall also keeps intruders from burrowing under the fence. It also minimizes foliage growth which would short out the high voltage.

There are an even number of high voltage strands so that the high voltage can be looped – made into a continuous circuit where a single cut or short will register on the Fence Hawk Plus voltage monitor.

All wires are insulated at the posts for that “lethal look,” and are spaced approximately 6 inches (15 cm) apart. The bottom high voltage strand is stretched at 3 inches (7.5 cm) above the concrete wall.

To further camouflage the fence from the eye and hide it from view, painting the posts flat black makes them less noticeable.

This style of installation is very successful in eliminating traffic onto private property from the beach or water, and is hardly visible when viewing the ocean or the beach.

Extreme High Security Installation – addition to chain-link fence

This is a complete, separate array added to a chain-link fence. The chain-link fence, even with barbed wire at the top, is easily climbed.

The intruder can easily cut the links of the chain-link fence if climbing is not feasible, especially to carry away large stolen items like AC units, TV’s, even refrigerators – items that would be hard to take over the top of the fence.

This type of installation usually consists of 15 to 20 strands of electric wire to comprise the array.

The array support poles are usually tied to the supporting posts of the chain-link fence.

A concrete footer or base is highly recommended, to keep intruders from digging under the fence. This small footer will also keep grass and weeds from growing, shorting the lower high voltage strands.

The wiring is done the same as the above installations. The number of high voltage strands has to be an even number, to allow looping of the high voltage circuit for effective high voltage monitoring by the Fence Hawk Plus.

Securing a Building – when the roof has easy access from the ground

This type of arrangement will secure any wall from climbers. The top strand is above the top of the roof or wall so that a ladder, or a length of bamboo, will conduct the high voltage pulse, and will either shock the climber or sound the alarm through the Fence Hawk monitor – or both.

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Installation with a Corner Connection

This system operates on a very simple principle: Electricity will only travel through a closed circuit.

The perimeter security array wire, Fence Hawk Plus high voltage monitor and ground rods are three parts of a circuit waiting to be closed; when an intruders touches the wire he closes the gap, and a pulse of high energy – high voltage – will travel through the intruder to close the circuit and administer a painful shock.

Once the circuit is closed, the intruder will feel a shock that is guaranteed to discourage them from touching the fence again.

About High Voltage Array and Electric Fence Energizers

Electric fences and arrays are designed to create an electrical network when touched by a person or animal. A component called a power energizer converts power into a brief high-voltage pulse. One terminal of the power energizer releases the electrical pulse along a connected bare wire about once per second. Another terminal is connected to a metal rod implanted in the earth, called a ground rod.

A person or animal (which are mostly water, and thus quite conductive) touching the wire and the earth (or wall) completes an electrical circuit and will conduct the pulse, causing an extremely painful electric shock.

The effects of the electrical shock depend upon the voltage and electrical current used, and can range from barely noticeable, to painful, to lethal.

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ADDITIONAL HELPFUL INFORMATION

This Sketch in PDF format shows the Grounding Rod Details (click here – open in new window)

Interconnection of the ground rods – the Earth Ground Network – sketch in PDF (click here – open in new window)

Wiring a gate into the electric perimeter system – sketch #1 in PDF (click here – open in new window)

Wiring a gate into the electric perimeter system – sketch #2 in PDF (click here – open in new window)

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