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 electric 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 |
| |
|
|
|
AC-powered |
Battery-powered |
Solar-powered |
| Pets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dogs |
Protect gardens and properties, keep out intruding animals. |
700 volts |
0.14-1.0 joules |
DE-80***
SS-5***
HS-100***
DE-300
FM-2 |
Yellow Jacket***
EM-200***
DS-140***
DSX-140***
MAG-12-UO
DS-300
DS-400 |
SS-440
Solar Pak 6
FGS-025 |
| Cats |
Protect gardens and properties in combination with barrier fence. |
700 volts |
0.14-0.35 joules |
DE-80***
SS-5***
HS-100*** |
Yellow Jacket***
EM-200***
DS-140***
DSX-140*** |
SS-440
Solar Pak 6
FGS-025 |
| Small wild animals: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Squirrels, rabbits, woodchucks, raccoons, oppossums |
Protect gardens, crops, other targeted areas. |
700 volts |
0.14-0.75 joules |
DE-80***
SS-5***
HS-100***
DE-300
FM-2 |
Yellow Jacket***
EM-200***
DS-140***
DSX-140***
MAG-12-UO
DS-300 |
SS-440 Solar Pak 6
FGS-025 |
| Livestock: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pigs |
Containment |
2000 volts |
0.5-3.0 joules |
DE-300
FM-2
FGM-100
MK-7
DE-600
FGM-200
SE-4
DE-1200 |
DS-400
DS-800 |
FGS-025
Solar Pak 12
DS-200 |
| Horses |
Containment within portable corral or other small area with limited running room |
2000 volts |
0.2-0.75 joules |
DE-80***
SS-5***
HS-100***
FM-2
DE-300 |
Yellow Jacket***
EM-200***
DS-140***
DSX-140***
MAG-12-UO
DS-300 |
Solar Pak 6
FGS-025 |
| Horses |
Containment in larger enclosures (small to large pastures). |
2000 volts |
0.5-3.0 joules |
FM-2
DE-300
FGM-100
MK-7
DE-600
SE-4
FGM-200
DE-1200
RM-1 |
MAG-12-UO
DS-300
DS-400
DS-800 |
Solar Pak 6
FGS-025
Solar Pak 12
DS-200 |
| Cattle |
Containment in small to medium pastures (less than 0.5 mile perimeter). |
2000 volts |
0.5-3.0 joules |
DE-300
FM-2
FGM-100
MK-7
DE-600
SE-4
FGM-200
DE-1200 |
MAG-12-UO
DS-300
DS-400
DS-800 |
FGS-025
Solar Pak 12
DS-200 |
| Cattle |
Containment in large pastures (over 0.5 mile perimeter). |
2000 volts |
0.5-10+ joules |
DE-1200
RM-1
DE-2400
FGM-900
DE-4000
FGM-180 |
DS-400
DS-800 |
Solar Pak 12
DS-200 |
| Sheep, goats |
Containment |
4000 volts |
0.5-3.5 joules |
FGM-100
MK-7
DE-600
FGM-200
SE-4
DE-1200
RM-1 |
MAG-12-UO
DS-300
DS-400
DS-800 |
FGS-025
Solar Pak 12
DS-200 |
| Large wild animals: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Javelinas and feral pigs |
Protect temporary campsites** |
2000 volts |
0.25-0.75 joules |
|
Yellow Jacket***
DS-140***
DSX-140***
DS300 |
|
| Javelinas and feral pigs |
Protect gardens and properties |
2000 volts |
0.5-3.0 joules |
FGM-100
MK-7
DE-600
FGM-200
SE-4
DE-1200 |
DS-400
DS-800 |
Solar Pak 12
DS-200 |
| Deer (baited fence) |
Protect gardens, crops, properties |
2500 volts |
0.25-6.0 joules |
FM-2
DE-300
FGM-100
MK-7
DE-600
SE-4
FGM-200
DE-1200
RM-1
DE-2400 |
MAG-12-UO
DS-300
DS-400
DS-800 |
FGS-025
Solar Pak 12
DS-200 |
| Deer (unbaited fence) |
Protect gardens, crops, yards, and estates |
4000 volts |
0.25-6.0 joules |
FGM-100
MK-7
DE-600
SE-4
FGM-200
DE-1200
RM-1
DE-2400 |
DS-300
DS-800 |
FGS-025
Solar Pak 12
DS-200 |
| Wolves, coyotes, and foxes |
Protect temporary campsites** |
1000 volts |
0.25-0.75 joules |
|
Yellow Jacket***
DS-140***
DSX-140***
DS300 |
|
| Wolves, coyotes, and foxes |
Protect livestock and properties |
1000 volts |
0.5-10+ joules |
FGM-100
MK-7
DE-600
FGM-200
SE-4
DE-1200
RM-1
DE-2400
FGM-900
DE-4000
FGM-180 |
DS-400
DS-800 |
Solar Pak 12
DS-200 |
| Bears, bison |
Protect temporary campsites** |
4000 volts |
0.35-0.75 joules |
|
DS-140***
DSX-140***
DS-300 |
|
| Bears, bison |
Protect commercial beehives, crops, livestock, properties |
4000 volts |
0.5-10+ joules |
FGM-200
SE-4
DE-1200
RM-1
DE-2400
FGM-900
DE-4000
FGM-180 |
DS-800 |
Solar Pak 12
DS-200 |
*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 dog weighing, say, 30 pounds, will not be exposed to a shock exceeding 3 joules.
**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.
