Installation of electric security fences in Kenya is governed or follows certain protocols during installation and operation of the electric fence. These protocols ensure that the fence is operated in a safe environment and that no injuries occur during the operations. Indeed, the safety of all installers should be guaranteed at all times during the installation process. After installation, the users and other members of the public should be assured that no injury will occur when walking near an electric fence or during their day-to-day work.
At Electric Fences, Kenya will provide qualified electric fence installers in all our installation sites.
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Installation of Electric Fences in Kenya
Electric security fences and their ancillary equipment shall be installed, operated, and maintained in a manner that minimizes danger to persons and reduces the risk to persons
receiving an electric shock unless they attempt to penetrate the physical barrier, or are in a secure area without authority.
Electric security fence constructions that are likely to lead to the entanglement of persons shall be avoided.
Gates in electric security fences shall be capable of being opened without the person receiving an electric shock.
An electric security fence shall not be supplied from two separate energizers or from independent fence circuits of the same energizer.
For any two separate electric security fences, each supplied from a separate energizer independently timed. The distance between the wires of the two electric security fences shall be at least 2.5 m. If this gap is to be closed, this shall be effected by means of an electrically non-conductive material or an isolated metal barrier.
Indeed, barbed wire or razor wire shall not be electrified by an energizer.
Follow the energizer manufacturer’s recommendations regarding earthing, for instance, Stafix recommendations here.
The distance between any electric security fence earth electrode and other earth systems shall be not less than 2 m, except when associated with a graded earth mat.
It is worth noting that, Where possible the distance between any electric security fence earth electrode and other earth systems should preferably be at least 10 m.
Earthing and installation of electric fences in Kenya, the do’s and don’t
Exposed conductive parts of the physical barrier shall be effectively earthed.
Where an electric security fence passes below bare power line conductors, the highest metallic element shall be effectively earthed for a distance of not less than 5 m on either side of the crossing point.
Connecting leads that are run inside buildings shall be effectively insulated from the earthed structural parts of the building. This may be achieved by using an insulated high-voltage cable.
Connecting leads that are run underground shall be run in a conduit of insulating material or else insulated high-voltage cable shall be used. Care must be taken to avoid damage to
the connecting leads due to the effects of vehicle wheels sinking into the ground.
Connecting leads shall not be installed in the same conduit as the main supply wiring, communication cables or data cables.
Connecting leads and electric security fence wires shall not cross above overhead power or communication lines.
Crossings with overhead power lines shall be avoided wherever possible. If such a crossing cannot be avoided it shall be made underneath the power line and as nearly as possible at right angles to it.
Electric Fence clearances from other high-voltage power sources
If connecting leads and electric security fence wires are installed near an overhead power line; the clearances shall not be less than those shown in Table 2 here below.
| less than 1,000 volts | 3 Meters |
| 1 000 and ≤33 000 volts | 4 meters |
| 33 000 volts | 8 meters |
Whereas, If connecting leads and electric security fence wires are installed near an overhead power line, their height above the ground shall not exceed 3 m
This height applies to either side of the orthogonal projection of the outermost conductors of the power line on the ground surface. For instance, for distances of 2 m for power lines operating at a nominal voltage not exceeding 1 000 V and 15 m for power lines operating at a nominal voltage exceeding 1 000 V.
Electric Fence installation on other installed electric fences and energizer machines
A spacing of 2.5 m shall be maintained between uninsulated electric security fence conductors or uninsulated connecting leads supplied from separate energizers. This spacing may be less where conductors or connecting leads are covered by insulating sleeving or consist of insulated cables rated to at least 10 kV.
This requirement need not apply where the separately energized conductors are separated by a physical barrier that does not have any openings greater than 50 mm.
A vertical separation of not less than 2 m shall be maintained between pulsed conductors fed from separate energizers.
Placement of Danger or Hatari Warning Signs on an Electric Fence
Electric security fences shall be identified by prominently placed warning signs.
The warning signs shall be legible from the secure area and the public access area.
Each side of the electric security fence shall have at least one warning sign.
Therefore, the warning signs shall be placed:
- at each gate;
- at each access point;
- at intervals not exceeding 10 m;
- adjacent to each sign relating to chemical hazards for information on the emergency services.
Electric Fences to the public
Any part of an electric security fence that is installed along a public road or pathway shall
be identified at frequent intervals by warning signs securely fastened to the fence posts or
firmly clamped to the fence wires.
The size of the warning sign shall be at least 100 mm × 200 mm.
The background color of both sides of the warning sign shall be yellow. The inscription on the sign shall be black. They shall be either: the symbol of Figure 1, or the substance of “CAUTION: Electric Fence” or ‘HATARI: Electric Fence‘
In summary, the inscription shall be indelible, inscribed on both sides of the warning sign. The signs should have a height of at least 25 mm.
