Table of Electric Fence Chargers to Fit Specific Needs
This table shows which electric fence chargers are suitable for dealing with particular animals and situations. The first column shows the animal(s) to be controlled, the next describes the fence’s purpose, the next indicates the minimum voltage needed to shock the target animals, the next shows an appropriate joule range for these animals and applications, and the last three show appropriate chargers for dealing with the animals and situations listed.
Animals to be controlled |
Fence uses |
Minimum line voltage* |
Joule range* |
Suitable chargers |
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AC-powered |
Battery-powered |
Solar-powered |
Pets: |
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Dogs |
Protect gardens and properties, keep out intruding animals. |
700 volts |
0.14-1.0 joules |
DE-80 |
Yellow |
SS-440 Solar Pak 6 |
Cats |
Protect gardens and properties in combination with barrier fence. |
700 volts |
0.14-0.5 joules |
DE-80 |
Yellow |
SS-440 |
Small wild animals: |
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Squirrels, rabbits, woodchucks, raccoons, oppossums |
Protect gardens, crops, other targeted areas. |
700 volts |
0.14-1.0 joules |
DE-80 |
Yellow |
SS-440 Solar Pak 6 |
Livestock: |
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Pigs |
Containment |
2000 volts |
1.4-3.0 joules |
DE-600 |
DS800 |
Solar Pak 6 |
Horses |
Containment within portable corral or other small area with limited running room |
2000 volts |
0.25-0.75 joules |
DE-80 |
Yellow |
SS-440 |
Horses |
Containment in larger enclosures (small to large pastures). |
2000 volts |
1.0-3.0 joules |
DE-600 |
DS800 |
Solar Pak 6 Solar Pak 12 |
Cattle |
Containment in small to medium pastures (less than 0.5 mile perimeter). |
2000 volts |
2-3 joules |
DE-1200 |
MAG-12-UO |
Solar Pak 12 |
Cattle |
Containment in large pastures (over 0.5 mile perimeter). |
2000 volts |
2.0-4.5 joules |
DE-1200 |
MAG-12-UO |
Solar Pak 12 |
Sheep, goats |
Containment |
4000 volts |
0.75-2.0 joules |
DE-300 |
MAG-12-UO |
Solar Pak 12 |
Large wild animals: |
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Javelinas and feral pigs |
Protect temporary campsites** |
2000 volts |
0.25-1.0 joules |
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Yellow |
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Javelinas and feral pigs |
Protect gardens and properties |
2000 volts |
1.0-3.0 joules |
DE-600 |
MAG-12-UO |
Solar Pak 12 |
Deer (baited fence) |
Protect gardens, crops (baited fence). For deer-targeted chargers see www.electric-deer-fence.com |
2500 volts |
1.5-6.0 joules |
DE-600 |
MAG-12-UO |
Solar Pak 6, Solar Pak 12 |
Deer (unbaited fence) |
Protect gardens, crops, yards, and estates (unbaited fence). For deer-targeted chargers see www.electric-deer-fence.com |
4000 volts |
1.5-6.0 joules |
DE-600 |
MAG-12-UO |
Solar Pak 12 |
Wolves, coyotes, and foxes |
Protect temporary campsites** |
1000 volts |
0.25-1.0 joules |
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Yellow |
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Wolves, coyotes, and foxes |
Protect livestock and properties |
1000 volts |
1.5-6.0 joules |
DE-600 |
MAG-12-UO |
Solar Pak 12 |
Bears, bison |
Protect temporary campsites** |
4000 volts |
0.25-1.5 joules |
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Yellow |
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Bears, bison |
Protect commercial beehives, crops, livestock, properties |
4,000 volts |
2-6 joules |
DE600 |
MAG-12-UO |
Solar Pak 12 |
*The voltage determines whether an animal will get a shock, while joules determine the power of the jolt received. There is no hard and fast rule, but it seems wise to keep the charger’s maximum joule rating in line with the weight of the smallest child or desirable animal likely to come in contact with the fence—using a ratio of not over 1 joule per 10 pounds of weight, so that a tiny dog weighing, say, 5 pounds, will not be exposed to a shock exceeding half a joule.
**Animals do not understand electricity, so there is a reasonable chance they will be frightened off by even a very weak shock if they run into it for the first time. That’s why campers seeking to keep away javelinas, wolves, and bears commonly carry light chargers powered by a few flashlight batteries that put out plenty of volts but as little as a quarter of a joule of shocking power. Such a charge is no sure-fire deterrent; but even so, where weight is at a premium the arrangement beats packing in a heavy battery. This situation contrasts with the circumstances prevailing at a permanent fence site, where there is no downside to using a strong charger clearly able to repel large predators and discourage their return by administering a powerful shock they will remember.
