Maintaining an electric fence involves regular inspection and testing to ensure adequate voltage, with primary tasks focusing on managing vegetation, checking connections, and verifying the grounding system.

• Initial Period: Check daily for the first week after installation to ensure animals learn to avoid it.
• Routine Checks: Thereafter, a weekly inspection is typically sufficient. 

Key Maintenance Tasks

• Check Voltage: Use a Digital Voltmeter or a Fault Finder to ensure the pulse reads at least 5kV at various points along the fence line and on each wire of multi-wire fences. This is more accurate than feeling a tingle through a blade of grass.
• Manage Vegetation: Vegetation touching the wires is a primary cause of voltage loss (shorts). Clear grass, weeds, and overhanging branches using a strimmer, herbicide or utilise a Weed Barrier.
• Inspect Connections and Wiring:
• Verify secure connections between the energiser and the fence, battery/mains supply, and earth rod.
• Look for broken wires, frayed tape, or loose connections, especially at gates and corners.
• Ensure all electrified wires are connected to each other every 30 meters to improve conductivity.
Examine Insulators and Posts:
• Walk the fence line looking for damaged insulators or signs of "arcing" (charring or a regular clicking sound). A short wave radio can be of great assistance here as the short emits a radio signal which is picked up by the radio - gets stronger the closer you are.
• Replace any broken or poor-quality insulators immediately, as a short to a metal post will ground the system.
• Ensure wires touch only plastic insulators.
Verify Earthing (Grounding):
• Poor earthing causes a large proportion of electric fencing faults.
• Ensure the earth rod is pushed deep into the ground, ideally in moist soil.
• In dry conditions, you may need to water the soil around the earth stake or add additional stakes.
• Never use household wiring or plumbing for earthing.
• Check the Energiser: Periodically test the energiser's output independently of the fence system to confirm it's working correctly.
Seasonal Care:
• In winter, check for snow accumulation on the fence lines, as this can cause a short.
• Protect battery and mains energisers from excessive dampness and harsh elements.
• Keep solar panels clean from debris for efficient charging.
• Charge 12v batteries regularly during colder months, as they discharge faster in the cold. 

By following these maintenance routines, you can ensure the electric fence remains an effective psychological barrier for animals.