Electric fence?

[Morrisman]

Out walking the dog yesterday and we came to a field of young cows. It's on a well used lane, with an old wooden fence along the field. I leant on the fence and reached out to the cows who were nervously gathering near us. My dog wasn't bothered, she was laying down, disinterested in the big beasties.

One brave soul came up and tentatively sniffed my fingers, but as soon as her wet nose touched my fingers there was a sharp belt of electric, cow jumped a mile, so did I.

Along the top of the fence a rusty old wire is stapled, obviously been there a long time, and my bare arm had been leaning on that. I can't imagine it would be an electric fence, there's no signs, no sort of insulation.

Are cows full of static, perchance? It was a fair old belt. That particular cow will probably never trust a human again.

 

[dobbslc]

It could have been a live electric fence but you were somehow insulated from earth (rubber boots)? and didn't get a shock until Gertrude came along with all 4 wet feet in the mud and bam!

 

[Migmac]

There wasn’t a standoff wire on the internal side of the fence? Cow touched that and you at the same time.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Usually 12V, either from a battery or transformer - can give you a belt but not dangerous.

Lesson, don't lean on other folks' property....

 

[R Kraft]

Overhead power lines will electrify a wire, as well as wind stripping electrons off of an exposed metal surface.

 

[dobbslc]

If they run parallel and close enough, we had to ground a wire fence that ran alongside a railway track as it was charging up and the Network Rail boys kept getting shocks.

 

[Bravheart]

What were you wearing?

Static perchance.

 

[brightspark]

thats why you never climb over a fence with a loaded shotgun you can either fall over or get a shock your ass nips and you pull the trigger

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Aren't you supposed to 'break' a shotgun when 'in transit' to avoid such possibilities?

 

[dobbslc]

Why would the trigger be up your ass?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Why would the trigger be up your ass?

I think he means firing the gun by reflex action.....

 

[dobbslc]

I'd have a reflex action with a curled piece of gun metal up my jacksy!

 

[Morrisman]

What were you wearing?

Static perchance.

I get a tiny hit almost every time I get out of my car, off the door, but this cow shock thing was ten times bigger than that.

If they run parallel and close enough, we had to ground a wire fence that ran alongside a railway track as it was charging up and the Network Rail boys kept getting shocks.

There is a railway on the other side of the field, 100+ metres away.

There wasn’t a standoff wire on the internal side of the fence? Cow touched that and you at the same time.

Didn't see anything like that. There actually a small private child care facility a couple of houses away, with a sign asking dog walkers to clear up their mess because children play in this area. So it seems unlike it would be a real electric fence. I shall investigate closer, next time I'm over that way.

 

[brightspark]

Aren't you supposed to 'break' a shotgun when 'in transit' to avoid such possibilities?

yep but a lot dont i used to kick off if they didnt

 

[Morrisman]

Aren't you supposed to 'break' a shotgun when 'in transit' to avoid such possibilities?

And take the cartridges out, so I have heard.

 

[123hotchef]

There wasn’t a standoff wire on the internal side of the fence? Cow touched that and you at the same time.

see that a lot on horsie fields that have stock fencing

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Brora Golf course used be laid out on Common Grazings so had battery operated electric fences round the greens to keep cattle and sheep off, although they have bought the land since then so the fences are no more.

If you were careless enough to let e.g. your club to contact the fence when stepping over, you could get a good 'tinlge'....

 

[rcx132]

Usually 12V, either from a battery or transformer - can give you a belt but not dangerous.

Lesson, don't lean on other folks' property....

12v power feed into the fence energiser but the output is not 12 v.

 

[AVI_8]

My dad was a farmer I was brought up on a farm, my brother and I used to “dare” ourselves who could hold onto an electric fence the longest, the winner didn’t have to do chores and feed the dogs.
My dad when he found out was not too pleased !
Seemed sensible enough in the mind of a 10 year old though, I can confirm it gives you a bit of a jag, though no worse than what you get from touching the metal enclosure at Edinburgh airports baggage retrieval area at the staff security search gate even in this modern elf and security times.