Invisible Fence Wire Break

[NoTrespassing]

Hey All, we installed an invisible fence about 8 years ago. We've had one wire break and were able to repair it several years ago. It seems we have another break now but we're having difficulty locating it. We have a locator kit which includes a very cheap AM radio with horrible tuner. It's difficult to hear the two tones with radio stations bleeding over the entire frequency range. We're looking for advice to help find the underground break.

The main unit is functioning properly as is the collar. We set up a short loop to test them.

Thanks in advance,
Kevin

 

[CobyRupert]

How do invisible fencers work? Do they pulse like an electric fencer? If so, maybe try a circuit ticker tester; those pen shaped testers for testing AC receptacle outlets. They work by detecting changing magnetic fields around pulsing or AC currents. Also notice they work when you move them back and forth from a piece of metal, as it detects the magnetic field changing with your movements.

 

[Industrial Toys]

You pretty much need some decent locating equipment. If the ground is damp and any signal you put on the wire leaks into the ground, it could be a real challenge to find the break.

 

[Dftodd]

0

How do invisible fencers work? Do they pulse like an electric fencer? If so, maybe try a circuit ticker tester; those pen shaped testers for testing AC receptacle outlets. They work by detecting changing magnetic fields around pulsing or AC currents. Also notice they work when you move them back and forth from a piece of metal, as it detects the magnetic field changing with your movements.

It uses a wire that makes a loop around the protected area. It emits a certain frequency that is set to trigger the collar.

 

[oosik]

Many years ago my friend had the same situation. Invisible wire fence with a break. Actually it was two breaks. He had three very active Alaskan Huskies.

He came and borrowed my Whites metal detector. Said it made finding the breaks easy - ??

 

[lennyzx11]

An electrical tuner probe kit for wire tracing may work.
I have a Klein.
It connects the transmitter to one end which sends a signal. Then working the probe along the path till the sound stops shows a break.
Two tricks are to connect one lead to good earth ground.
And connect another battery (s) in parallel (this maintains voltage to same) along with a new fresh battery to the sender to maintain the strongest signal being sent longer.
I’ve heard of overdriving by using a larger volt battery like a 9 volt but I think smoke may come out of the sender so have never tried that.

 

[Frankenkubota]

I'm stuck in the dark ages.

For whatever reason, I had the wire break a bunch of times over 5 or so years.

I finally bought a 500 ft roll of wire, split the underground wire circle in 1/2, tested both sides, ID the bad side, split it in 1/2, keep doing it.

I did have a real good idea where the wire was buried. I use that roll of wire every so often, nice to have 500 ft.

 

[Industrial Toys]

If I did it, I would certainly put it in a 1/2" pvc pipe.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I'm stuck in the dark ages.

For whatever reason, I had the wire break a bunch of times over 5 or so years.

I finally bought a 500 ft roll of wire, split the underground wire circle in 1/2, tested both sides, ID the bad side, split it in 1/2, keep doing it.

I did have a real good idea where the wire was buried. I use that roll of wire every so often, nice to have 500 ft.

We worked on it again today. Didn't have continuity in one of wires in the twisted pair leading to the circle. We replaced that but it didn't fix the loop problem. I plan to do as you mentioned next.

We have between 3 and 4 thousand feet of buried wire. I can't imagine putting the entire length in pvc. I did put it through a piece of garden hose where it goes under the driveway.

Kevin

 

[Industrial Toys]

Agree. That is a lot to stick in pipe. Just the work to get the wire in the pipe/hose.

I have this probably ten thousand foot roll of really thin plastic pipe, maybe 5/8 ID, that looks more like heatshrink and was used to install post tensioning strand in concrete structures. But I often struggled to pull low voltage cable in that. Finally blew a mouse and string in it, which beat fish tapes.

 

[grsthegreat]

Contact an underground locator service. They locate lots of breaks for me over the years

 

[Industrial Toys]

Might be cheaper to buy some used commercial gear off E-Bay.

 

[grsthegreat]

Last job only cost mr $90.
I have a wire locator myself, but I have not had luck locating exact break location. The guy I hire has always located exact break area within 1 foot. More than worth it

 

[ning]

Mine isn't buried except where it crosses gates, and instead is zip-tied to a fence for the most part. When I had a break to find, I hooked it up to 120v and used a current tester (whatever you call it - it beeps near a hot wire) and went for a walk and quickly found it.

 

[ray66v]

I bought a used underground locator kit on E-bay for like $30. It makes finding buried wires pretty easy.

If you own an invisible fence and intend to do your own maintenance, you should have a locator, as well as some splice kits in stock.

You should see what it looks like when they get hit by lightning.

 

[CobyRupert]

Can’t you put the dog collar on and walk around your property? Seems like you’d find where it does and doesn’t work pretty quick.

 

[CobyRupert]

0It uses a wire that makes a loop around the protected area. It emits a certain frequency that is set to trigger the collar.

An electro-magnetic field I assume, thus I ask does a circuit ticker detect it? Depends on how strong the EMF is.

 

[grsthegreat]

Now, I really like this idea. Where’s my wife when I need her.
I once asked my wife to touch the electric horse fence to check it..

as I didn’t want to walk all the way to the barn to get the tester. She didn’t fall for that

 

[PCABE5]

Can’t you put the dog collar on and walk around your property? Seems like you’d find where it does and doesn’t work pretty quick.

No but you can hold it up to your ear and listen to the tone.

I used one of these last year to find my break.

Amazon.com

 

[Dftodd]

Betya dog can find broke part fast.
Maybe you just borrow collar off de dog and walk along wire wid it. Probably best you keep hand clear of de zapper part.

If there is a break in the line, the whole system is down and the collar won't work.

It has to have the complete loop in order to generate the signal.

I had to install a surge protector for our controller. Came home one day and found the controller in pieces with the cover for the transformer on the other side of the garage. Lightening got it.

Replaced the unit. Was in the house during a lightening storm several months later.

Lightening struck an oak in the back yard. Heard a buzz and pop out in the garage. Went out and checked the controller. It was smoking