How to test an electric fence without tools

In this video I show you how to test and see if an electric fence is hot without tools and without getting shocked. I spent a few afternoons this week working on an electric fence that is meant to separate some of my bulls from some cows. Had I just tested my fence to start with I would have known I had a problem with my charger. It would have saved me a lot of time.

[Andrew-jmtp]

Great trick. Saved me a lot of time. Thanks

[scottcombs]

Unless you have rubber soled shoes. I did the grass test…nothing. Touched it…nothing. Was on my knee trying to figure it out…touched it again. ZAP! 🤣

[robertbob]

I have a pet kennel with a smaller charger that I can literally walk right up to the fence and grab it on a dry day while wearing well insulated shoes and just barely feel it. The backyard is actually fenced with a cattle charger that is much stronger (rated for 30 miles of fence) to contain the dogs and also protect them from bears, etc. For that one, I only test it by checking to see if it will arc to a metal shovel that is brought into contact with a metal post and brought close to the fence. If there is a visible arc, it's good.

[nhlredwingsfan]

Thanks for the tip... I kept on testing it with pure finger and scared like crazy...

[Riqrob]

I used my mother in law. More or less of a one-time use, though.

[dijasom]

Great tip, was worried I needed a tool.

[j.r.]

Ive watched alot of Jackass and thought he was gonna walk up to it and grab it

[nalley]

I just added onto my fence. I’m only running a single strand. I’ve got a 15 mile box that runs off a car battery. I have 2 electric gates. The last gate has the longest strand of wire. If I leave the last gate unhooked I touch the tip of a grass blade and it almost hurts…. I hook the spring gate back up and the fence is dead. I don’t understand. I’ve walked it and it’s not grounding out on anything. Any ideas here? Trying to get these cows moved so I can stop feeding hay for a couple weeks! Irritating to say the least. Keep in mind this fence is about 1 mile long or less. Not really sure what to do. I’ve been running a small patch of electric since March and never had any problems so I’m not quite sure what the steps to correct it would be

[dominicbeckler]

What about 7000 volts? I have to shut on off for new job but I don't trust alarm power box I'm a janitor? Same way to test ?

[frommilan]

can the blade of grass be a dried out one?

[bananapatch]

Tried that...can’t feel anything...brand new charger just put in for my dogs....