Best electric fence tester: Definitive Guide

Electric Fence Tester

Buying Guide for Best Electric Fence Tester

Speedrite maintains the highest standards and has earned the name of being among the most trusted providers of electric fencing. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that efforts have been put into creating the Speedrite Digital Fence Finder to assist you in your problem-solving.

This tester has the biggest display of our picks and quick reaction time. The digital readout indicates accurate voltage counts. With a watertight, insulated housing, and a belt clip, this tester has all you need to keep your data as easy and quick as you can.

All in all, this appears to be a superbly constructed electric fence tester that will provide you with long-lasting satisfaction. Well for its cost it appears to have all you could ask for in a tester, and it’s nice to realize that you will likely not outgrow it, despite the fact that your electric fence may require modification. The increased cost also appears to be reasonable with regard to lifespan and total quality.

Features:

• Can be used with all energizers
• Audible power indicator

Although the new EM555 fence tester is slightly heavier than other devices in the same category, it has a large LCD that is easy to read in all lighting conditions. The length of the wire is approximately 57 inches, which means it is long enough to test comfortably in hard-to-reach areas.

It is powered by a standard 9V battery, not included, and consumes minimal current to provide accurate readings. Thanks to the Smart Power feature, the tester switches on when a pulse is recognized and shuts off immediately after 4 seconds if it does not recognize a pulse.

It will also help you save battery power and make certain that the unit is turned off every time the device is not in operation. It is supplied with a protective bag and should be stored indoors in a cool and dry place at temperatures between 68 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Features:

• The lightweight construction allows you to carry it in any purse and keep it in tiny spaces when not in use.
• It features a full-size LCD screen that allows you to easily view volt test results so that you always see whether your fences are functioning properly or not.
• The wire length is approximately 57 inches, enabling you to check fence lines even in inaccessible places.
• Smart Power technology is designed to help you save battery life and make sure the device is switched off when you’re not working.

• Great Time Saver – Using the Gallagher Digital Volt Meter, you’ll save hours diagnosing shorts and faults. The volt meter reads the voltage for battery energizers even when the energizers are in Battery Save Mode.
• Displays Voltage From 10kv to 12kv – The Gallagher Digital Volt Meter displays fence voltage from 10kV to 12kV in 1,000-volt increments and shows fence voltage in 100V increments under 10kV.
• Ground Rod And Fence Stud Included – Each device includes a ground rod for ease of ground connection as well as a fence stud for quick, no-fuss contact with the fence.
• Auto Turn-on Indication – This tough, water-resistant device has improved temperature stability features including; Auto turn-on indication and display to show low battery conditions.
• 6-12 Month Life 9v Battery – The Digital Volt Meter comes with a 6-12 month lifespan replaceable 9V battery (battery included – GLR61 9 V). This Gallagher Volt Meter hosts innovative microcomputer technology.

If you would like to find out how this device gained the favor of thousands of clients worldwide, continue reading this electric fence tester review. Developed and produced in South Korea, SmartCheck is a low-cost and precise peak voltage and electricity tester. In contrast to other products in this class, that need a ground wire, this item is characterized by its extremely delicate construction.

It is supplied with a built-in user-friendly motion detector, which enables you to identify the most common issues with electric fences and switches the device on only when a pulse is recognized. The automatically adjustable brightness-controlled 3-digit LCD screen ensures excellent viewing in all environments, allowing you to operate the unit in the dark or at night.

It is fitted with a beeper and a blinking LED to show a high-voltage pulse, whereas the genuine high-voltage sensor assists you in avoiding the danger of electric shock. The fence tester is supplied with a protective bag to keep the unit protected from debris and contamination.

Features:

• It has a built-in motion sensor for a user-friendly interface and a low battery indicator that tells you when to replace the battery.
• It is light and compact, similar in shape to a ballpoint pen, so it fits easily in any pocket. The case is made of a polycarbonate and aluminum alloy to withstand shock and harsh weather conditions and provide accurate results in temperatures ranging from 14 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The product has a 3-digit LCD that is easy to read in all environments, a flashing LED, and a beeper that alerts when it detects a high voltage pulse.
• The automatic on/off button ensures longer battery life. And, by the way, the tester works with 3 normal AA batteries, which are included in the delivery.

The device is offered in two different versions and can help you to detect voltages from 600 to 7000V or from 2000 to 9000V. We recommend that you choose the second option, as the device does not indicate high voltage threats above 7000V, especially if your electric fence can handle a higher voltage.

The device has been specially designed for error detection on fence lines and is both portable and user-friendly. The device is extremely light, making it very portable and easy to carry in your pocket. Although it is not equipped with an LCD, it is equipped with LED neon lights that indicate voltage levels from 0.6 kV to 7kv (600 Volts to 7000 Volt) or 2kv to 9kv, depending on the characteristics of the device.

The housing of the tester is made of ABS, which means it is rugged and shock and water-resistant, so you can use the tester accurately even when it rains outside, provided the temperature does not drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or rise above 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Features:

• Weighing only 2 ounces, the product is small and lightweight, making it easy to carry and store in your pocket at all times.
• The total length of the wire is approximately 60 inches, which is sufficient to accurately test the fence line in hard-to-reach areas.
• The ABS case is shockproof, dirt, dust, and water-resistant, which means you can use the tester in different environments and under different weather conditions, from early spring to late autumn.
• It is designed for standard fence control and low impedance.

If you are concerned about your fleet operation and are willing to keep it safe, the Zareba DEFT fence tester is the best choice for you. The product is equipped with a three-digit reading function to give you accurate results. The readings range from 0.5 to 19.9 kV, which means that as a digital electrical tester you can get readings in both metrics. We have also found that it includes a backlit display. So even if you are testing in the dark, you do not need to worry about the readings being visible. That looked pretty impressive to us.
Zareba DEFT fence tester has a pocket-sized design. It also has a lightweight, so the device is quite easy to handle. Besides that, we discovered that the digital fence tester is made of highly durable ABS plastic. This implies that the device is delivered with a shock-resistant case. This means that if there is a short circuit in the fence, the fence tester remains fully functional. Our best feature of the product is the feature that it is operated with a 9V battery, which provides maximum performance for 1-2 years.

Features:

• Easy to transport
• Battery included
• No ground probe required

How to use an electric fence tester

An electric fence tester is a tool often used by fence owners. It helps to check the faults that occur with electric fences. It also locates any inconsistencies in the current flowing through the wires. This works in the same way as a voltmeter but is specially designed for electric fences. Buying a standard voltmeter will not do the job for you.

Step 1 – Panel testing

You must begin testing both sides by immediately contacting the control board with your Electric Fence Tester to ensure that the unit is effectively sending power from its input and output terminals. These are the locks that go into the control box itself. Make sure that both of them show a reasonable reading to ensure that your control box does not cause any problems, including voltage loss on your fence.

Step 2 – Spot tests

Walk around the perimeter of your fence line using your electric fence tester and run a line check every 10 to 20 meters. This will ensure that your fence does not have a power failure. If you determine that an area 10 to 20 meters away is not displaying a valid measurement, continue and test once more. If you find no issues as you continue, you will need to go back to the final main reading. And check your lines all the more in total to identify the source of your worry.

BUYER’S GUIDE

Voltage

To keep things simple, tension is a form of electromotive energy between two points, and tension is basically how much of this energy and how much of this energy is emitted by your fence wires.

How important are accurate voltage measurements?

It is very important to have an accurate fence tester to ensure that you have the right voltage level for your needs. For example, if you use your fence to keep animals away from your garden, you do not want the voltage to be so high that you kill or damage the animal.

NOTE

An output voltage of 10,000 volts is the maximum voltage permitted by international regulations, so there is no need to buy a fence tester that claims to measure a higher voltage. If your fence tester measurement visually reaches the maximum value at 10,000 volts, this is a warning signal that you are likely to exceed the legal limit and pose a risk to your environment.

Top 5 voltage test points before buying an electric fence tester

• Always check the output voltage of your electric fence before you buy a fence tester.
• Make sure that the fence tester is capable of measuring a sufficiently high voltage that matches the voltage of your fence.
• If it is within your budget, buy a fence tester that measures up to 10,000 volts, even if your fence is only 7,000 volts. This will ensure that you get accurate voltage readings even if you have a surge that exceeds the highest average peak of your fence.
• A second reason to purchase a fence tester that measures up to 10,000 volts is that some fence testers only measure a range of 600-7000 volts. So if your fence measures over 7000 volts, you will not know if there is a voltage drop unless it is significant enough to fall below 7000 volts.
• It is ideal to purchase a digital fence tester because it can provide you with more specific incremental voltage readings. The display is also easier to read.

How does a good fault locator or tester for electric fences work?

• Easy screen readings

The display should preferably be wide and bright, making it easy for the eye to see the measurements produced by the tester. Some displays are harder to see than others, some are more difficult to read on very sunny days, and some do not feature a backlight that enables you to see the display in poor lighting environments. See the manufacturer’s page for the display dimensions and specifications of every model, or watch a review of each one to get a clearer picture.

• Great usability

A tool must be convenient and easy to use, particularly if you need to climb mile-long fences. The device must also be able to keep your hand well away from the electric fence when checking for errors.

• Battery life and easy replacement

Each model has a different battery, some last longer than others. Most troubleshooters you will encounter on the market have replaceable batteries, but some are actually quite difficult to remove and replace. For some models, there are entire videos dedicated to battery replacement. This is not ideal, especially if you do regular tests on your fence. The battery life that each model has can be found on the manufacturer’s site, although it is best to check real user reports to see how long the batteries have actually lasted.

• Weatherproof case

All the models we have examined have waterproof housing and can easily withstand a little splashing water, but it should be noted that none of these troubleshooters is designed for use underwater or in extreme conditions. One thing you should also pay attention to is a case that, while declaring itself waterproof, creates condensation inside, which makes it much more difficult to read errors on the screen.

Conclusion

These little tools for finding faults on your electric fence are designed to save you time and ultimately help you to identify any existing errors as soon as possible in order to correct them. Although they are costly to purchase and a lot of people are naturally scared off by them, when you have mile-long electric fences on your property, grazing, or ranch, you cannot afford half a live fence. You do not need to take us at our word and purchase any of our top fault-finders, but spare yourself the time and effort and buy one of these devices, you won’t be frustrated!