Invisible Fence - Break Detection

I have an Invisible Fence to keep my dog from bolting. The control unit is
now beeping, indicating a break in the underground wire. Short of ripping
it all up, is there any way to detect the beak and repair it locally?

Thanks,

Ian

Ian Stock (remove the \"antispam\") <ianstock"antispam"@sympatico.ca> wrote:


Time domain reflectometry? :-) Hook one end of the loop to a fence charger
ground terminal and the other to the hot terminal and listen for underground
sparks?

Nick

Walk the line with the dog's collar in hand. Walk close enough to the line
to trip the "beeping' in the collar; when the beeps stop, you're at the
break.


"Ian Stock (remove the "antispam")" <ianstock"antispam"@sympatico.ca> wrote
in message news:LEtgc.476$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
is

Ian Stock (remove the "antispam") wrote:


Try this first: try walking the fence line with a portable radio,
-detuned- from a broadcasting station. Set it on AM, tape it to a
stick so you can keep it nice and low to the ground. If it "acts
up" at any one point (and only 1 point), that could be your break
(It's likely radiating some RF energy) If AM doesn't get you
anywhere, try it on FM. If no results...

Don't know enough about your troubleshooting skills or the
Invisible Fence, for that matter, but --

Assuming:

You know how to measure/checl continuity? And you would be able
to rig up some long runs of wire to your multimeter? (You would
essentially be making your test leads -very- long)

The Invisible fence buried wires are accessible at some point
after they exit the ground, you can literally "check the loop"
for continuity?

If both assumptions are true -- oops, one more: When you find
the break you will be able to fix it? -- if all true, then start
at a point in the middle of the run...

1) dig a small hole to let you get your test leads on the wire.
Testing continuity back to both origination points, your next
hole to dig will either be left or right of your previous one,
depending on which way tested "open".

2) Repeat step 1 as needed, breaking the distance in half for
each dig.

Eventually you'll either hit the break with your test hole or say
"well, I'm down to X' left, enough holes, time to dig up this
small stretch and find it."

Good luck.

--
TP / Network Man __________________________________
If u want the races for free,
somebody has to pay for it. ($1 Earl)

from checking they do make a nifty break checker
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

it is 60.00 but depending on things it may be worthwhile.
it uses 2 tones and a ground rod.

I would thing a small electric fencer would be a good idea you should be
able to locate it by the static. however the unit they sell since it uses 2
tone will let you find the break very close to where the break actually is!

Have you checked any spots where the wire is vulnerable or have you mowed or
aerated the lawn recently?
The house that I have the people had an invisible fence and they left the
wire pretty much just laying on the ground?

Wayne


"Ian Stock (remove the "antispam")" <ianstock"antispam"@sympatico.ca> wrote
in message news:LEtgc.476$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
is

Have an Invisible Fence and the "radio method" described is exactly
how the installers do it. The issue you will have when you find the
break is fixing it. Your best bet is to talk to the Invisible Fence
people and get a splice, which you can probably crimp on yourself.
Should save you the service call fee.

Theo

I-zheet M'drurz wrote:

On a real invisible fence, the radio method is pretty easy; I have found two
breaks that way. A third break i couldn't find because the radio did not
behave like the instructions said. Turns out it was a short in the twisted
wires out to the loop! I paid the professionals to find it, and then made
my landscaper (who cut and reattached the wires improperly) reimburse me.

If it is not a real invisible fence, the radio method will not work. I have
not tried it, but the directions talk about adding a cheap part from Radio
Shack.

"Ian Stock (remove the "antispam")" <ianstock"antispam"@sympatico.ca> wrote
in message news:LEtgc.476$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
is

Visual inspection is the only option but I have always been able to find
breaks by looking for places where there has been some disturbance. In one
case it was where I was digging, in another case it was where my smaller dog
(who doesn't need a collar) was digging for a mouse.

I used a current detector. When the current detector failed to beep, I
started checking the line. I've found all my breaks that way.
Although, sometimes it was off a few feet depending on the terrain.


@charter.net (hlherron)