Groudning a fence system is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of building an electric fence. This is possibly because the terminology is similar tot that of household electric and implies safety role rather than an integralpart of fence operation.

The fence line is only one half of the circuit – the ground is the other. The two together form an open circuit which is completed, like a switch, when the animal touches both. The fence line operates efficiently as the electricity is carried through highly conductive filaments but on return the pulse is carried through the ground itself. This is a very variable medium which is affected by weather conditions, geology and the extend of the earth system installed. In dry conditions the ground conducts poorly so it is always recommended to at least install the ground stake(s) in damp soil.