What are the different types of energisers?

Amongst the first questions rising, if not the first one, on building an electric fence is, what energiser to choose and what options are available. Despite the great variety of choice, energisers can be divided depending on their power source:

• 9 V dc from a non-rechargeable battery
• 12 V dc from a rechargeable battery
• 12 V dc from a solar module and a rechargeable battery
• 220-230 V ac from the power outlet

As rule of thumb, a 230 V mains energiser is the best option, when such a supply is available, due to its low acquisition and operating cost, optimum power, reduced consumption and ease of operation.

If there is no mains connection available, then the second best alternative is a 12 V rechargeable battery with a solar module. This sort of equipment provides an acceptable amount of power and its cost of maintenance is low. The utilisation of solar modules yields more autonomy, which is particularly useful in case of powerful energisers and/or placed in isolated places./p>

If the area to fence is small and/or we need move the energiser quite often (e.g. rotation pastures on different grounds), our choice should be a 9 V or 12 V battery energiser. These energisers have a rather limited amount of power, since they run on a smaller battery with less autonomy

9 V Battery energisers can have an autonomy of up to 9 to 12 months using a long-life non-rechargeable alkaline battery (1000 W), whereas 12 V battery rechargeable energisers have an operating mode similar to mobile phones (i.e. periodical charges).