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.