Fencing Management: Protection From Lightning

Table of Contents

1. Protection From Lightning
2. Other Fencing Management Recommendations
   • Electrical Fencing
   • Energizers
   • Posts, Insulators, and Gates
   • Regulations, Predators, and Maintenance
3. Related Links

Protection From Lightning

Clouds build high charges (millions of volts) during a thunderstorm. These charges are neutralized by arcing to another cloud or to the ground.

An energizer can be struck by lightning in 3 different ways:

Well-constructed energizers have built-in protection against power line surges and strikes near the fence line. This type of unit is effective if properly grounded. The energizer however, has no protection against a direct hit on the fence line. For a farm with a very long fence or in a lightning-prone area, consider one of the external protection systems outlined below.

1. Choose a position 300-400 ft from the energizer along the fence line. Construct a separate ground system. Connect a lightning arrester between the fence and the separate ground. Lightning arresters are available from farm supply dealers.

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2. Place the separate ground closer, but not less than 100 ft from the energizer. Install the lightning arrester. Install a lightning diverter coil or choke in the line anywhere between the arrester and the energizer.

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Related Links

... on forages and pastures, visit Forages and Pastures (OMAFRA)
... on weed control, order Publication 75 Guide to Weed Control: Forage Crops
... on agronomy for field crops, order Pub. 811 Agronomy Guide for Field Crops: Chapter 5 Forages
... on field crop protection, order Publication 812, Field Crop Protection Guide
... on livestock, visit Livestock (OMAFRA)

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