• An electric fence is only as good as its charger or fence. No matter what type of electric fence charger is in place, it must have enough power to stop whatever type of livestock is in the pen. The animals must also be aware that there is an electric fence in use. To do that they must experience the "bite" put out by the electric fence charger so that they learn to stay away from the fence line.
  
  

Plug In

• The most reliable type of electric fence charger is one that plugs into an AC electrical line. With this type of electric fence, the owner knows that a steady rate of charge is going out on the electric fence wire at all times. The only exception is during a power outage. With any electric fence, it should have enough voltage to stop animals from leaving their fenced area. For cattle, this amount is 1,600 to 2,000 volts. Sheep and goats need a minimum of 3,000 volts to keep them in with electric netting and between 4,000 and 7,000 volts to pen them with high tensile wire. The major disadvantage of an AC electric fence charger is that it needs to be close to a source of electricity.
  
  

Battery Operated

• When an electrical source is not readily available, a battery operated fence charger is a good option. These units operate on 6, 9 or 12-volt batteries and can provide the same voltage on the fence line as plug-in models. Some models operate on batteries similar to car and boat batteries. The lifespan of the battery depends primarily on the amount of grounding the fence experiences. If there are tall weeds touching the fence or if the animals are still touching the fence wires during training, this grounding takes a bigger draw on the battery's power. Some AC fences come with a battery backup system.
  
  

Solar Powered

• For maintenance-free operation away from an electrical outlet, a solar powered charger is another choice. The solar electric fence must have at least four to six hours of sunlight on its solar collection panel in order to operate. The solar unit gathers solar energy and stores it in a battery. This allows the unit to provide electrical shock to the fence during the nighttime hours as well as during periods of rainy weather. When the battery has a full charge, it can operate the fencer for up to two weeks without additional sunshine. For best results, the solar panel needs adjustment monthly to receive optimal benefit from the seasonal movement of the sun.