EP0374055A1 - Electric fence incorporating a monitoring device - Google Patents

Electric fence incorporating a monitoring device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0374055A1
EP0374055A1 EP89403507A EP89403507A EP0374055A1 EP 0374055 A1 EP0374055 A1 EP 0374055A1 EP 89403507 A EP89403507 A EP 89403507A EP 89403507 A EP89403507 A EP 89403507A EP 0374055 A1 EP0374055 A1 EP 0374055A1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
measurement
primary
fence
transformer
value
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EP89403507A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0374055B1 (en
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Jean-Jacques Hamm
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Lacme SA
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Lacme SA
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05C—ELECTRIC CIRCUITS OR APPARATUS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN EQUIPMENT FOR KILLING, STUNNING, OR GUIDING LIVING BEINGS
    • H05C3/00—Other circuits or apparatus

Definitions

  • Electric fences are well known sending high voltage pulses, at regular intervals, on a connecting wire surrounding or dividing a field where animals graze. It is also known that such electric fences can be used to avoid the intrusion of people into an enclosure.
  • a rudimentary method is to put a hand on the ground and touch the wire with a long grass which absorbs the electric shock.
  • WO-A-82 00 936 describes a system comprising a continuous indication of the state of the fence. This system calculates the values corresponding to several consecutive pulses and makes it possible to follow the average insulation of the fence wire but does not make it possible to detect the relatively random phenomena which one meets when sparks fly, from time to time, along d 'an insulator whose material has degraded, or, when a branch swayed by the wind, causes more or less occasional ignitions.
  • a regular, but low, value of the indication corresponds to many grasses touching the fence wire; the decision to intervene to re-establish isolation, by weeding all along the wire, is then taken by the user according to the level reached, after a slow descent of the indicator observed during the previous days.
  • An irregular value of the indication corresponds to a localized incident for which it is necessary to determine the precise origin to remedy it.
  • Indicators consisting of a voltage divider with resistors, associated with a detector have then been proposed, one end of the resistance point of which is earthed by a small earth rod while the other end is placed on the electrified wire.
  • the detector associated with the resistance point then makes it possible to assess the voltage remaining on the fence wire.
  • these indicators display a peak value of the repetitive voltage as it depends on the repetitiveness of the contact resistance of the stake with the ground and therefore on the manner in which the stake is driven. This peak voltage value also depends on the peak line voltage value reached for a very short time, on the order of a few microseconds.
  • This value is on the one hand not very repetitive and on the other hand not very representative of the main impulse, usually a few hundred microseconds, the only important one with regard to the physiological effects felt by the animals.
  • the present invention seeks to propose an energizer which overcomes the various drawbacks of known devices.
  • the present invention describes an energizer comprising an insulation measurement system integrated into the enclosure of the electric fence and comprising no auxiliary energy source.
  • the energizer described is of the "capacitor discharge” type, but it can also be of the "network alternation injection” type.
  • FIG. 1 A diagram making it possible to better describe the principle of the invention is represented by FIG. 1.
  • the capacitor C is charged by a power supply A connected to a main power source such as the mains, a battery or a battery.
  • the capacitor C is discharged at regular intervals, greater than one second, by means of the switch 1 in the primary of the main transformer T.
  • the role of the transformer T is to raise the voltage of the pulse and to ensure, particularly in the case of a supply by the mains supply, the essential isolation between the energy source and the closing circuit.
  • the displayed value can range from 0 to 99 (or 99.9) and then indicates at any time a sort of percentage of the isolation of the fence.
  • the display can also be done using a bar graph, or a movable needle system; reading is then more intuitive.
  • the measurement module M is supplied by a system of rectifiers D, capacitors C1, C2 ... and resistors R3, R4 ..., all of these components being connected according to a well known voltage rectifier / stabilizer scheme; the assembly then forms a circuit which is connected on the one hand to the "earth" output of the fence, and on the other hand to a point K where an alternating or impulse or direct voltage is generated.
  • the "earth" output of the fence can be connected to one of the battery or battery terminals, and point K to the other battery terminal or stack.
  • FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 relate to a variant of the present invention in which the degree of insulation of the fence is estimated by a measurement made in the part connected to the primary of the main transformer.
  • a voltage divider bridge is connected, consisting of resistors or possibly capacitors.
  • a voltage proportional to the voltage between P and Q appears between points R and Q. This proportional voltage can also be obtained on an intermediate output provided for this purpose during the winding of the transformer primary, or by an additional winding on the transformer T completely separate from primary and secondary.
  • the solid line curve in Figure 4 represents the voltage h (Vp - Vg) when the electric fence wire is well insulated.
  • the dashed curve of the same figure 4 represents the tension h (Vp - Vg) when the fence wire is badly insulated.
  • the time t1 or t2 can be measured advantageously by opening an electronic door when Vm - [h (Vp - Vg) - Vz] becomes positive and by closing this door when Vm returns to zero; the door is then kept closed for a time of the order of 0.3 to 0.5 seconds so as not to take account of any signal bounces.
  • the measurement and display of the door opening time are then an indication of the degree of insulation of the electric fence wire.
  • the advantage of this measurement carried out in the transformer primary circuit is that the measuring block and the display, which are completely separated from the secondary circuit by the insulating barrier existing between the primary and the secondary of the transformer T, can be supplied by a conventional circuit of diodes, resistors and capacitors, itself connected directly to the AC supply from the network.
  • Another method of estimating the insulation of an electric fence is to measure the peak current flowing through it.
  • the primary of transformer T during the pulse this peak current can be analyzed either by measuring the voltage it gives rise across a low value resistor Rs, connected in series with the primary of T ( Figure 5), or by measuring the voltage appearing at the terminals of the secondary of a small T3 annex transformer whose primary, of low self-inductance, is crossed by the current of the main discharge (figure 6).
  • the measurement and display part of the signal characteristic of the insulation of the fence wire is supplied by a circuit connected to the terminals of the AC network without the security be questioned.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Insects & Arthropods (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Fencing (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)

Abstract

Power supply device for electric fences, intended for penning livestock or for avoiding human intrusions into an enclosure, consisting of a box connected to a main power supply source generating high-voltage pulses of more than one second spacing comprising an indicator of isolation of the electric fence line, characterised in that the box contains a system for digitising a characteristic electrical quantity and an isolation indicator consisting of a digital or bar-graph display which displays the degree of isolation on each pulse, the assembly consuming only energy provided directly or indirectly by the said main power supply, and not by an auxiliary power supply source. <IMAGE>

Description

On connaît bien les clôture électriques envoyant des impulsions de fort voltage, à intervalles réguliers, sur un fil conducteur entourant ou divisant un champ où pâturent des animaux. On sait également que de telles clôtures électriques peuvent être utilisées pour éviter l'intrusion de personnes dans une enceinte.Electric fences are well known sending high voltage pulses, at regular intervals, on a connecting wire surrounding or dividing a field where animals graze. It is also known that such electric fences can be used to avoid the intrusion of people into an enclosure.

L'efficacité d'une clôture électrique diminue lorsque des herbes touchent le fil; ces herbes court-circuitent les impulsions qui doivent normalement traverser l'animal ou la personne venant en contact avec le fil.The effectiveness of an electric fence decreases when grasses touch the wire; these herbs bypass the impulses that normally pass through the animal or the person coming into contact with the wire.

Les utilisateurs sont à la recherche de moyens de contrôle pour vérifier l'état de la clôture, c'est-à-dire son isolement par rapport au sol, et être ainsi rassurés sur l'efficacité de la clôture.Users are looking for means of control to check the condition of the fence, that is to say its isolation from the ground, and thus be reassured about the effectiveness of the fence.

Une méthode rudimentaire consiste à mettre une main à terre et à toucher le fil au moyen d'une longue herbe qui amortit le choc électrique.A rudimentary method is to put a hand on the ground and touch the wire with a long grass which absorbs the electric shock.

Il a déjà été proposé par exemple par le brevet français no 2.566.919 des électrificateurs comportant des détecteurs de niveau minimal de l'impulsion délivrée par l'électrificateur en dessous duquel une alarme ou une "sonnette" se déclenche alertant l'utilisateur sur la nécessité d'intervenir, et par exemple, de couper les trop nombreuses herbes touchant le fil de clôture.It has already been proposed for example in French patent No. 2,566,919 energizers having minimum level detectors of the pulse delivered by the energizer below which an alarm or "bell" is triggered alerting the user on the need to intervene, and for example to cut too many grasses touching the fence line.

Ces détecteurs présentent l'inconvénient de ne pas permettre de suivre l'évolution de l'isolement de la clôture, évolution souvent lente et correspondant à la croissance de la végétation.These detectors have the drawback of not making it possible to follow the evolution of the isolation of the fence, an evolution that is often slow and corresponding to the growth of the vegetation.

Lorsque l'alarme se déclenche, il est nécessaire d'intervenir immédiatement à défaut de quoi le gardiennage du bétail n'est plus assuré.When the alarm goes off, it is necessary to intervene immediately, failing which the guarding of the livestock is no longer ensured.

Il est de beaucoup préférable d'avoir une indication continue, permettant de suivre quotidiennement le degré d'isolation de la clôture au fur et à mesure de sa dégradation, et de pouvoir ainsi choisir le moment, ou le jour judicieux pour intervenir préventivement, avant que la situation ne soit devenue catastrophique.It is much better to have a continuous indication, allowing daily monitoring of the degree of insulation of the fence as it deteriorates, and thus being able to choose the moment, or the appropriate day to intervene preventively, before that the situation has become catastrophic.

Le brevet WO-A-82 00 936 décrit quant à lui un système comportant une indication continue de l'état de la clôture. Ce système calcule les valeurs correspondant à plusieurs impulsions consécutives et permet de suivre l'isolement moyen du fil de clôture mais ne permet pas de détecter les phénomènes relativement aléatoires que l'on rencontre lorsque des étincelles jaillissent, de temps à autre, le long d'un isolateur dont la matière s'est dégradée, ou, lorsqu'une branche balancée par le vent, provoque des amorçages plus ou moins occasionnels.WO-A-82 00 936 describes a system comprising a continuous indication of the state of the fence. This system calculates the values corresponding to several consecutive pulses and makes it possible to follow the average insulation of the fence wire but does not make it possible to detect the relatively random phenomena which one meets when sparks fly, from time to time, along d 'an insulator whose material has degraded, or, when a branch swayed by the wind, causes more or less occasional ignitions.

Ces phénomènes d'amorçages doivent être éliminés car d'une part, ils remettent en cause la pérennité de l'isolement du fil, et d'autre part, ils sont la source de parasites radioélectriques.These priming phenomena must be eliminated because on the one hand, they call into question the durability of the insulation of the wire, and on the other hand, they are the source of radio interference.

Afin de pouvoir être informé parfaitement de l'état de la clôture, il est nécessaire de connaître les caractéristiques électriques à chaque impulsion.In order to be able to be fully informed of the state of the fence, it is necessary to know the electrical characteristics at each pulse.

Une valeur régulière, mais basse, de l'indication correspond à de nombreuses herbes touchant le fil de clôture; la décision d'intervenir pour rétablir l'isolement, en désherbant tout au long du fil, est alors prise par l'utilisateur suivant le niveau atteint, après une lente descente de l'indicateur observée au cours des jours précédents.A regular, but low, value of the indication corresponds to many grasses touching the fence wire; the decision to intervene to re-establish isolation, by weeding all along the wire, is then taken by the user according to the level reached, after a slow descent of the indicator observed during the previous days.

Une valeur irrégulière de l'indication correspond à un incident localisé dont il est nécessaire de déterminer l'origine précise pour y remédier.An irregular value of the indication corresponds to a localized incident for which it is necessary to determine the precise origin to remedy it.

Des indicateurs (voltmètres numériques) consistant en un diviseur de tension à résistances, associés à un détecteur ont alors éé proposés dont l'une des extrémités du point de résistance est mise à terre par un petit piquet de prise de terre tandis que l'autre extrémité est posée sur le fil électrifié. Le détecteur associé au point de résistances permet alors d'évaluer le voltage restant sur le fil de clôture.Indicators (digital voltmeters) consisting of a voltage divider with resistors, associated with a detector have then been proposed, one end of the resistance point of which is earthed by a small earth rod while the other end is placed on the electrified wire. The detector associated with the resistance point then makes it possible to assess the voltage remaining on the fence wire.

Ces indicateurs donnent alors des renseignements sur chaque impulsion indépendante, mais présentent cependant plusieurs inconvénients.These indicators then give information on each independent pulse, but nevertheless have several drawbacks.

Ils nécessitent d'effectuer des manoeuvres plus ou moins astreignantes qui rebutent l'utilisateur. Celui-ci renonce alors souvent à les faire au dépend de l'efficacité de sa clôture électrique;They require more or less demanding maneuvers which put off the user. The latter then often gives up doing them at the expense of the efficiency of his electric fence;

Ils nécessitent également une alimentation en énergie indépendante telle qu'une pile qui doit être remplacée régulièrement.They also require an independent power supply such as a battery which must be replaced regularly.

Il est impossible de laisser un tel système connecté entre le fil de clôture et la terre en permanence car cela entraînerait une usure rapide de la pile.It is impossible to leave such a system connected between the fence wire and the ground permanently as this would cause rapid wear of the battery.

De plus, ces indicateurs affichent une valeur de crête du voltage peu répétitive car dépendant de la répétitivité de la résistance de contact du piquet avec le sol et donc de la manière dont le piquet est enfoncé. Cette valeur de crête du voltage dépend également de la valeur de crête du voltage de la ligne atteinte pendant un temps très bref, de l'ordre de quelques microsecondes.In addition, these indicators display a peak value of the repetitive voltage as it depends on the repetitiveness of the contact resistance of the stake with the ground and therefore on the manner in which the stake is driven. This peak voltage value also depends on the peak line voltage value reached for a very short time, on the order of a few microseconds.

Cette valeur est d'une part peu répétitive et d'autre part peu représentative de l'impulsion principale, usuellement de quelques centaines de microsecondes, seule importante en ce qui concerne les effets physiologiques ressentis par les animaux.This value is on the one hand not very repetitive and on the other hand not very representative of the main impulse, usually a few hundred microseconds, the only important one with regard to the physiological effects felt by the animals.

La présente invention tend à proposer un électrificateur palliant les différents inconvénients des dispositifs connus.The present invention seeks to propose an energizer which overcomes the various drawbacks of known devices.

A cet effet, la présente invention décrit un électrificateur comportant un système de mesure d'isolement intégré au boîtier de la clôture électrique et ne comportant aucune source d'énergie auxiliaire.To this end, the present invention describes an energizer comprising an insulation measurement system integrated into the enclosure of the electric fence and comprising no auxiliary energy source.

L'électrificateur décrit est du type "à décharge de condensateur", mais il peut être également du type "à injection d'alternances du réseau".The energizer described is of the "capacitor discharge" type, but it can also be of the "network alternation injection" type.

Un schéma permettant de mieux décrire le principe de l'invention est représenté par la figure 1.A diagram making it possible to better describe the principle of the invention is represented by FIG. 1.

Le condensateur C est chargé par un bloc d'alimentation A connecté à une source d'alimentation principale telle que le secteur, un accu ou une pile. Le condensateur C est déchargé à intervalles réguliers, supérieurs à une seconde, au moyen de l'interrupteur 1 dans le primaire du transformateur principale T.The capacitor C is charged by a power supply A connected to a main power source such as the mains, a battery or a battery. The capacitor C is discharged at regular intervals, greater than one second, by means of the switch 1 in the primary of the main transformer T.

Le transformateur T a pour rôle d'élever la tension de l'impulsion et d'assurer, particulièrement dans le cas d'une alimentation par le réseau secteur, l'isolement indispensable entre la source d'énergie et le circuit de clôture.The role of the transformer T is to raise the voltage of the pulse and to ensure, particularly in the case of a supply by the mains supply, the essential isolation between the energy source and the closing circuit.

Un diviseur de tension R1-R2 est composé de plusieurs résistances mises en série afin d'éviter les claquages dus à la haute tension. La tension de sortie de l'impulsion, associée à une certaine notion de durée de l'impulsion, détermine l'énergie restant sur la ligne pour donner une décharge douloureuse à l'animal ou à l'homme touchant le fil. Cette énergie décroît quand l'isolement du fil de clôture par rapport à la terre est dégradé par des végétaux touchant le fil ou par des isolateurs défectueux. L'impulsion, divisée par le pont de résistances, est envoyée dans un système de mesure M qui a pour rôle :

  • a- d'intégrer l'impulsion avec une constante de temps suffisante pour éliminer les pics de tension dont la durée est trop brève pour être significative au plan de la douleur ressentie par l'animal touchant le fil;
  • b- de détecter la valeur crête de la tension ainsi intégrée et de la numériser;
  • c- d'attaquer un cadran numérique qui affiche à chaque impulsion une valeur proportionnelle à la tension crête détectée.
A voltage divider R1-R2 is composed of several resistors put in series in order to avoid breakdowns due to the high voltage. The output voltage of the pulse, associated with a certain notion of duration of the pulse, determines the energy remaining on the line to give a painful discharge to the animal or to the man touching the wire. This energy decreases when the insulation of the fence wire from the earth is degraded by plants touching the wire or by defective insulators. The pulse, divided by the resistance bridge, is sent to a measurement system M which has the role:
  • a- to integrate the pulse with a time constant sufficient to eliminate the voltage peaks whose duration is too short to be significant in terms of the pain felt by the animal touching the wire;
  • b- to detect the peak value of the voltage thus integrated and to digitize it;
  • c- to attack a digital dial which displays at each pulse a value proportional to the detected peak voltage.

La valeur affichée peut aller de 0 à 99 (ou 99,9) et indique alors à tout instant une sorte de pourcentage de l'isolement de la clôture.The displayed value can range from 0 to 99 (or 99.9) and then indicates at any time a sort of percentage of the isolation of the fence.

L'affichage peut également se faire en utilisant un barre-­graphe, ou un système a aiguille mobile ; la lecture est alors plus intuitive.The display can also be done using a bar graph, or a movable needle system; reading is then more intuitive.

Le module de mesure M est alimenté par un système de redresseurs D, de condensateurs C1, C2... et de résistances R3, R4..., tous ces composants étant connectés suivant un schéma redresseur/stabilisateur de tension bien connu ; l'ensemble forme alors un circuit qui est relié d'une part à la sortie "terre" de la clôture, et d'autre part à un point K où l'on génère une tension alternative ou impulsionnelle ou continue.The measurement module M is supplied by a system of rectifiers D, capacitors C1, C2 ... and resistors R3, R4 ..., all of these components being connected according to a well known voltage rectifier / stabilizer scheme; the assembly then forms a circuit which is connected on the one hand to the "earth" output of the fence, and on the other hand to a point K where an alternating or impulse or direct voltage is generated.

Pour les électrificateurs alimentés par un accu ou une pile, la sortie "terre" de la clôture peut être reliée à l'une de bornes de l'accu ou de la pile, et le point K à l'autre borne de l'accu ou de la pile.For energizers powered by a battery or a battery, the "earth" output of the fence can be connected to one of the battery or battery terminals, and point K to the other battery terminal or stack.

Pour les électrificateurs alimentés par le réseau, il est indispensable d'isoler galvaniquement le circuit "terre" + "clôture" du circuit du primaire du transformateur principal qui est lui-même relié au réseau. Le point K ne peut donc être directement relié à l'alimentation principale.For energizers supplied by the network, it is essential to galvanically isolate the "earth" + "fence" circuit from the primary circuit of the main transformer which is itself connected to the network. Point K cannot therefore be directly connected to the main power supply.

L'isolement peut être obtenu de deux manières différentes:

  • a- Le point K est alimenté par un transformateur T2 comme représenté sur la figure 2. Le primaire du transformateur T2 est relié au réseau alternatif ; le secondaire est connecté entre la sortie "terre" et ie point K. L'isolement entre le primaire et le secondaire de T2 doit être particulièrement soigné afin de garantir une complète séparation entre le réseau et le circuit "terre" + "clôture", ce dernier étant soumis à des impulsions à haute tension pouvant atteindre 10.000 volts.
  • b- Le point K est relié à une sortie spéciale du secondaire du transformateur principal T suivant le schéma électrique de la figure 1. Le circuit M travaillant sous basse tension (quelques volts), on ne sélectionne que quelques tours entre la sortie "terre" de T et la sortie spéciale où est connecté K. Ces quelques tours permettent de recharger les condensateurs C1 et C2 à chaque décharge électrique, sans consommer beaucoup d'énergie. Un second avantage de cette méthode d'alimentation du module M est de ne nécessiter qu'un seul transformateur très fortement isolé : le transformateur principal T.
Isolation can be achieved in two different ways:
  • a- Point K is supplied by a transformer T2 as shown in Figure 2. The primary of transformer T2 is connected to the AC network; the secondary is connected between the "earth" output and point K. The isolation between the primary and secondary of T2 must be particularly careful in order to guarantee complete separation between the network and the "earth" + "fence" circuit, the latter being subjected to high voltage pulses of up to 10,000 volts.
  • b- The point K is connected to a special output of the secondary of the main transformer T according to the electrical diagram of figure 1. The circuit M working under low voltage (a few volts), one selects only a few turns between the output "earth" of T and the special output where K. is connected. These few turns allow the capacitors C1 and C2 to be recharged at each electrical discharge, without consuming much energy. A second advantage of this method of supplying the module M is that it requires only one very highly isolated transformer: the main transformer T.

La figure 3 et la figure 4 se rapportent à une variante de la présente invention où l'on estime le degré d'isolement de la clôture par une mesure faite dans la partie raccordée au primaire du transformateur principal.FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 relate to a variant of the present invention in which the degree of insulation of the fence is estimated by a measurement made in the part connected to the primary of the main transformer.

Entre les sorties P et Q du primaire du transformateur, est branché un pont diviseur de tension, constitué de résistances ou éventuellement de condensateurs. Une tension proportionnelle à la tension entre P et Q apparaît entre les points R et Q. Cette tension proportionnelle peut également être obtenue sur une sortie intermédiaire prévue à cet effet lors du bobinage du primaire du transformateur, ou encore par un bobinage supplémentaire sur le transformateur T entièrement séparé du primaire et du secondaire.Between the P and Q outputs of the transformer primary, a voltage divider bridge is connected, consisting of resistors or possibly capacitors. A voltage proportional to the voltage between P and Q appears between points R and Q. This proportional voltage can also be obtained on an intermediate output provided for this purpose during the winding of the transformer primary, or by an additional winding on the transformer T completely separate from primary and secondary.

La diode Zener Z et a résistance Rz de charge de Z permettent d'obtenir, entre les points S et Q, une tension Vm= [h(Vp - Vq) - Vz], où Vp et Vq sont les tensions apparaissant aux bornes du primaire, h le rapport de proportionnalité du diviseur de tension choisi, et Vz la tension de la diode Zener.The Zener diode Z and a load resistance Rz of Z make it possible to obtain, between the points S and Q, a voltage Vm = [h (Vp - Vq) - Vz], where Vp and Vq are the voltages appearing at the terminals of the primary, am the ratio of proportionality of the voltage divider chosen, and Vz the voltage of the Zener diode.

La courbe en trait plein de la figure 4 représente la tension h(Vp - Vg) lorsque le fil de clôture électrique est bien isolé. La courbe en tirets de la même figure 4 représente la tension h(Vp - Vg) lorsque le fil de clôture est mal isolé. Ces deux courbes sont coupées par la droite -en pointillé- de la tension de la diode Zener Vz. On constate que la durée de la première alternance pendant laquelle h(Vp - Vg) dépasse Vz dépend très largement du degré d'isolement du fil de clôture électrique : t1 est beaucoup plus petit que t2. La mesure et l'affichage de cette durée sont donc un moyen d'informer l'utilisateur sur l'état de sa clôture électrique.The solid line curve in Figure 4 represents the voltage h (Vp - Vg) when the electric fence wire is well insulated. The dashed curve of the same figure 4 represents the tension h (Vp - Vg) when the fence wire is badly insulated. These two curves are cut by the straight line - in dotted lines - of the voltage of the Zener Vz diode. We note that the duration of the first half-wave during which h (Vp - Vg) exceeds Vz very largely depends on the degree of insulation of the electric fence wire: t1 is much smaller than t2. Measuring and displaying this duration is therefore a means of informing the user about the state of his electric fence.

La mesure des temps t1 ou t2 peut se faire avantageusement en ouvrant une porte électronique lorsque Vm - [h(Vp - Vg) - Vz] devient positif et en refermant cette porte lorsque Vm repasse par zéro; on maintient alors la porte fermée pendant un temps de l'ordre de 0,3 à 0,5 seconde pour ne pas prendre en compte les rebonds éventuels du signal. La mesure et l'affichage du temps d'ouverture de la porte sont alors une indication du degré d'isolement du fil de clôture électrique.The time t1 or t2 can be measured advantageously by opening an electronic door when Vm - [h (Vp - Vg) - Vz] becomes positive and by closing this door when Vm returns to zero; the door is then kept closed for a time of the order of 0.3 to 0.5 seconds so as not to take account of any signal bounces. The measurement and display of the door opening time are then an indication of the degree of insulation of the electric fence wire.

L'avantage de cette mesure effectuée dans le circuit du primaire du transformateur, tient en ce que le bloc de mesure et l'afficheur, qui sont complètement séparés du circuit secondaire par la barrière isolante existant entre le primaire et le secondaire du transformateur T, peuvent être alimentés par un circuit classique de diodes, résistances et condensateurs, lui-même branché en direct sur l'alimentation alternative du réseau.The advantage of this measurement carried out in the transformer primary circuit is that the measuring block and the display, which are completely separated from the secondary circuit by the insulating barrier existing between the primary and the secondary of the transformer T, can be supplied by a conventional circuit of diodes, resistors and capacitors, itself connected directly to the AC supply from the network.

On peut également utiliser un transformateur pouvant être à faible isolement.It is also possible to use a transformer which may be of low insulation.

Une autre méthode d'estimation de l'isolement de la clôture électrique consiste à mesurer le courant crête traversant le primaire du transformateur T lors de l'impulsion; ce courant crête peut être analysé soit par la mesure de la tension qu'il fait naître aux bornes d'une résistance Rs, de faible valeur, connectée en série avec le primaire de T (figure 5), soit par la mesure de la tension apparaissant aux bornes du secondaire d'un petit transformateur annexe T3 dont le primaire, de faible self inductance, est traversé par le courant de la décharge principale (figure 6). De manière identique à la variante de l'invention décrite précédemment (figures 3 et 4) la partie mesure et affichage du signal caractéristique de l'isolement du fil de clôture est alimentée par un circuit branché aux bornes du réseau de courant alternatif sans que la sécurité soit remise en cause.Another method of estimating the insulation of an electric fence is to measure the peak current flowing through it. the primary of transformer T during the pulse; this peak current can be analyzed either by measuring the voltage it gives rise across a low value resistor Rs, connected in series with the primary of T (Figure 5), or by measuring the voltage appearing at the terminals of the secondary of a small T3 annex transformer whose primary, of low self-inductance, is crossed by the current of the main discharge (figure 6). In the same way as the variant of the invention described above (FIGS. 3 and 4), the measurement and display part of the signal characteristic of the insulation of the fence wire is supplied by a circuit connected to the terminals of the AC network without the security be questioned.

Claims (13)

1. - Dispositif d'alimentation de clôtures électriques, destiné à parquer le bétail ou à éviter des intrusions humaines dans une enceinte, consistant en un boitier relié à une source d'alimentation principale générant des impulsions de haute tension espacées de plus de une seconde comportant un indicateur d'isolement de la ligne de clôture électrique, caractérisé en ce que le boîtier contient un système de numérisation d'une grandeur électrique caractéristique et un indicateur d'isolement consistant en un afficheur numérique ou à barre-graphe qui affiche le degré d'isolement à chaque impulsion, l'ensemble consommant uniquement de l'énergie fournie directement ou indirectement par ladite alimentation principale, et non par une source d'alimentation auxiliaire.1. - Power supply device for electric fences, intended to park cattle or to avoid human intrusions in an enclosure, consisting of a box connected to a main power source generating high voltage pulses spaced more than one second comprising an insulation indicator of the electric fence line, characterized in that the housing contains a system for digitizing a characteristic electrical quantity and an insulation indicator consisting of a digital or bar graph display which displays the degree isolation at each pulse, the assembly consuming only energy supplied directly or indirectly by said main power supply, and not by an auxiliary power source. 2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le circuit de commande de l'afficheur mesure une valeur caractéristique de l'impulsion de décharge et la numérise, après qu'il ait procédé à une légère intégration sur le temps pour en éliminer les pics ou oscillations dont la trop courte durée les rend non significatifs au plan physiologique.2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control circuit of the display measures a characteristic value of the discharge pulse and digitizes it, after having carried out a slight integration over time to eliminate it peaks or oscillations whose too short duration makes them not significant physiologically. 3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le système de mesure de l'isolement de la clôture mesure la valeur crête d'une grandeur électrique de la décharge.3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the system for measuring the insulation of the fence measures the peak value of an electrical quantity of the discharge. 4. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le système de mesure de l'isolement de clôture mesure la durée pendant laquelle une valeur électrique de la décharge reste supérieure à une certaine valeur déterminée.4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fence insulation measurement system measures the duration during which an electrical value of the discharge remains greater than a certain determined value. 5. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que la durée de la valeur électrique n'est mesurée que pendant la première oscillation de la décharge.5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the duration of the electrical value is measured only during the first oscillation of the discharge. 6. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications à 5, caractérisé en ce que la mesure se fait sur un pont diviseur connecté aux bornes de la clôture électrique.6. Device according to any one of claims to 5, characterized in that the measurement is made on a divider bridge connected to the terminals of the electric fence. 7. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que la mesure se fait aux bornes d'un enroulement auxiliaire bobiné sur le transformateur principal.7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the measurement is made at the terminals of an auxiliary winding wound on the main transformer. 8. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que la mesure se fait aux bornes du secondaire d'un transformateur de mesure dont le primaire, de faible self-inductance, est connecté en série avec le primaire du transformateur principal.8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the measurement is made at the terminals of the secondary of a measurement transformer whose primary, of low self-inductance, is connected in series with the primary of main transformer. 9. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que la mesure se fait aux bornes d'une résistance de faible valeur connectée en série avec le primaire du transformateur principal.9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the measurement is made at the terminals of a low value resistor connected in series with the primary of the main transformer. 10. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que la mesure se fait au moyen d'un pont diviseur composé de résistances et/ou de condensateurs connecté en parallèle du primaire du transformateur principal.10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the measurement is made by means of a divider bridge composed of resistors and / or capacitors connected in parallel with the primary of the main transformer. 11. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisé en ce que l'alimentation du système de traitement et d'affichage est fournie par une partie de l'enroulement secondaire qui récupère une petite partie de l'énergie de l'impulsion de décharge et l'envoie dans un circuit d'alimentation redresseur-stabiliseur, découplé galvaniquement du primaire du transformateur principal.11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the supply of the processing and display system is supplied by a part of the secondary winding which recovers a small part of the energy of the discharge pulse and sends it to a rectifier-stabilizer supply circuit, galvanically decoupled from the primary of the main transformer. 12. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisé en ce que le système de mesure et d'affichage peut être alimenté, pour des électrificateurs connectés au réseau de distribution de courant alternatif, par un transformateur abaisseur de tension branché sur le réseau.12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the measurement and display system can be supplied, for energizers connected to the AC distribution network, by a step-down transformer connected to the network. 13. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisé en ce que le système de mesure et d'affichage peut être alimenté, pour des électrificateurs connectés à un accumulateur ou à une pile, directement par l'alimentation principale.13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the measurement and display system can be supplied, for energizers connected to an accumulator or to a battery, directly by the main supply.
EP89403507A 1988-12-16 1989-12-15 Electric fence incorporating a monitoring device Expired - Lifetime EP0374055B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT89403507T ATE103459T1 (en) 1988-12-16 1989-12-15 ELECTRIC FENCE WITH BUILT-IN MONITORING DEVICE.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8816958 1988-12-16
FR8816958A FR2640845B1 (en) 1988-12-16 1988-12-16 ELECTRIC FENCE WITH BUILT-IN CONTROLLER

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0374055A1 true EP0374055A1 (en) 1990-06-20
EP0374055B1 EP0374055B1 (en) 1994-03-23

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EP89403507A Expired - Lifetime EP0374055B1 (en) 1988-12-16 1989-12-15 Electric fence incorporating a monitoring device

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EP (1) EP0374055B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE103459T1 (en)
DE (1) DE68914116T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2640845B1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0651594A1 (en) * 1993-10-27 1995-05-03 Valéry Hamm Feeding and monitoring device for electric fence
US5514919A (en) * 1991-11-18 1996-05-07 Gallagher Electronics Limited Electric fence energizer having a continuously varying range of output pulse voltages

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4140628C2 (en) * 1991-12-10 1996-08-22 Ako Ismet Elektrogeraete Gmbh Energizer
DE19953460B4 (en) * 1999-11-05 2008-04-10 Ako-Agrartechnik Gmbh & Co. Kg Electric fence
FR2817443B1 (en) * 2000-11-30 2003-02-21 Lacme DEVICE FOR MONITORING THE EFFICIENCY OF AN ELECTRIC FENCE
FR2966007B1 (en) 2010-10-12 2012-10-12 Lacme Holding DIGITAL DISPLAY ELECTRICAL FENCE ELECTRIFICATOR

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1982000936A1 (en) * 1980-08-29 1982-03-18 Begg G Alarm system for electric fences
FR2566916A1 (en) * 1984-06-28 1986-01-03 Santerne Sa Method for detecting insulation faults in at least one wire in an installation making use of it
US4725825A (en) * 1986-03-17 1988-02-16 Amco Partnership Electric fence voltage indicator light

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1982000936A1 (en) * 1980-08-29 1982-03-18 Begg G Alarm system for electric fences
FR2566916A1 (en) * 1984-06-28 1986-01-03 Santerne Sa Method for detecting insulation faults in at least one wire in an installation making use of it
US4725825A (en) * 1986-03-17 1988-02-16 Amco Partnership Electric fence voltage indicator light

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5514919A (en) * 1991-11-18 1996-05-07 Gallagher Electronics Limited Electric fence energizer having a continuously varying range of output pulse voltages
EP0651594A1 (en) * 1993-10-27 1995-05-03 Valéry Hamm Feeding and monitoring device for electric fence
FR2711885A1 (en) * 1993-10-27 1995-05-05 Hamm Valery Power supply and monitoring device for an electric fence.
US5550530A (en) * 1993-10-27 1996-08-27 Hamm; Valery Device for supplying power to and monitoring an electric fence
AU682536B2 (en) * 1993-10-27 1997-10-09 Valery Hamm Device for supplying power to and monitoring an electric fence

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE68914116D1 (en) 1994-04-28
FR2640845A1 (en) 1990-06-22
EP0374055B1 (en) 1994-03-23
FR2640845B1 (en) 1996-09-27
ATE103459T1 (en) 1994-04-15
DE68914116T2 (en) 1994-11-17

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