Mains fencer question

Blowheads

Evening,
I have a mains fencer in the shed, two shielded cables to run it outside. One of these is connected to the earth rod. The problem is I don't know which one in earthed and which is for the fence

Is it a major issue to mix them up or to test either or with a fence tester? Am just thinking that the fence could also be earthng against something so you could have 2 earths...

Anyone any ideas or suggestions before I've to get a sparky out?

Thanks

Say my name

I know the issue you have is that probably the cables are the same colour.

But can you not start at where the earth wire is connected to the earth and chase the wire back?
Even if the two wires go through a wall together. Put a bit of coloured tape on the wire and have a second person push and pull that wire through the wall and then you can see inside which wire is moving.
And then you'll know the earth wire.

patsy_mccabe

Are they 2 seperate wires, if not they should be. When you run them outside from the fencer, they should be kept well away from each other too.
An easy way to tell which is which, is to disconnect the earth at the fencer. Run a temporary earth then to ground, with another wire. Check both wires then outside to see which one is sparking when placed near the earth. If that makes sense.

Blowheads

Thanks guys,
Both cables, the same color, come out through the wall and run about 3 meters underground. Is have to go digging and rather avoid that caused I'll surely damage the cable.
I like the idea to run a new earth out but don't quiet follow the spark bit? Could you elaborate more?

patsy_mccabe

Blowheads wrote: »

Thanks guys,
Both cables, the same color, come out through the wall and run about 3 meters underground. Is have to go digging and rather avoid that caused I'll surely damage the cable.
I like the idea to run a new earth out but don't quiet follow the spark bit? Could you elaborate more?

Well, the one that sparks when you hold the exposed tip near the ground has to be the one still connected to the fencer live (+). The other one then, is the one you disconnected from the earth at the fencer (-).

Blowheads

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Well, the one that sparks when you hold the exposed tip near the ground has to be the one still connected to the fencer live (+). The other one then, is the one you disconnected from the earth at the fencer (-).

Got it, great idea, very thanks

patsy_mccabe

You don't have to run an earth out of the shed either. A short wire clamped onto the metal in the shed with a vicegrip will be enough to test it.
Just make sure you disconnect it after testing as this type of earth is not recommended.

Blowheads

you mean to a storage cabinet or metal shelving rack?
I'll surely electrocute myself... lol

patsy_mccabe

The steel girders in the shed would be best as they go down into the ground.