Commercial, manufacturing, and industrial properties are often targeted by criminals looking to steal valuable equipment, cargo, or components. Between 2022 and 2023, the total loss across all property theft reports reached nearly $700 million, with the average cost per theft increasing 67% over the year before. As a compounding factor, property crime rates have risen in recent years.
Property theft of any kind can have serious consequences for businesses and their communities, from financial loss to a decreased sense of safety. The good news is that organizations can implement cost-effective, proven security solutions, like electric fence systems, to deter intruders and protect their assets 24/7.
What Is an Electric Security Fence?
An electric security fence is a perimeter barrier designed to detect and deter criminal activity by displaying clear warning signs and delivering a safe but memorable shock to anyone attempting a breach. Electric security fences deliver pulsed electricity, which is safer than a continuous current because it allows the person to pull away quickly from a brief shock. AMAROK’s electric fence solutions deliver 7,000 volts of pulsed electricity every 1.3 seconds, resulting in a safe but memorable shock for potential intruders.
Electric fences also serve as effective visual deterrents because they are marked with universally acknowledged warning signs, letting criminals know they’ll experience a shock if they contact the fence.
How Does an Electric Fence Work?
Electrical currents require a closed circuit to flow properly, so an electric security fence consists of parts including an energizer, conductive wire, and a grounding system, as well as posts to maintain wire tension and provide a physical barrier. The energized wire and grounding system create a closed electrical circuit when a person touches the fence, causing it to deliver a pulsed shock that is safe but memorable.
Legally, electric security fences must be marked as such with ample signage, which gives criminals the opportunity to think twice and turn away. However, if a person were to touch an electric fence, they would experience a safe but memorable shock.
Electric Security Fence Applications
Electric security fences are used across a vast range of industries to deter intruders from trespassing, theft, and other criminal activities. They can be installed around the entire perimeter of a commercial, manufacturing, or industrial property.
An electric fence may be paired with remote monitoring options, video surveillance solutions, alarm-based lighting systems, or other enhancements to create a multilayered approach to security and maximize effectiveness. That said, a professionally installed electric fence can be a powerful deterrent as a stand-alone solution.
Electric fences are commonly used to protect properties holding assets like heavy equipment, vehicles, materials, cargo, or valuable components like catalytic converters. These properties include but are not limited to:
The Benefits of Electric Fencing for Security
If you’re tired of trying security solutions without results, it’s worth considering an electrified security fence. Here’s why:
Effectively and Safely Deters Intruders to Stop Theft
When criminals spot an electrified security fence’s yellow warning signs, they will likely decide to move on to an easier target. Electric safety fences are highly effective visual deterrents and dramatically decrease external theft by preventing unauthorized entry. The Electric Guard Dog™ Fence is a proven perimeter security solution that stops 99% of external theft after installation.
Saves Time and Promotes Business Growth
With an electrified security fence protecting your property, your team no longer has to spend hours unloading inventory from outdoor equipment and bringing it inside before closing time. Instead, your team can focus on work activities that promote business growth, knowing that externally stored equipment and products are protected from thieves.
Integrates Easily With Other Security Devices
The Electric Guard Dog™ Fence seamlessly integrates with other AMAROK security products, allowing you to easily make your property’s perimeter security more robust. For example, you might add video surveillance cameras, lighting, and alarm systems, and 24/7 remote monitoring capabilities to enhance security and capture evidence of criminal activity before it happens.
Adapts to Your Needs
Each property has unique security, layout, aesthetic, and compliance needs. For example, businesses in California must comply with Civil Code Section 835, which states that electric security fence warning signs must be placed at intervals of no more than 30 feet apart. Some states and individual municipalities may have their own standards as well.
A reputable security solutions provider considers all of the above factors, including jurisdictional compliance. They’ll recommend a solution that offers the greatest security for your budget and needs.
Serves as a Cost-Effective Solution to Crime
An electric security fence system is a cost-effective method of protecting your company’s assets. First, it can eliminate the need for security guards. Considering that the average security guard salary in the United States is around $40,500, your business could save thousands of dollars annually by installing an electric security fence rather than hiring guards.
With an electric security fence, you’ll also prevent external theft, saving your business the time and money related to filing insurance claims.
Brings Peace of Mind
An electric security fence increases your property’s security and safety by preventing criminals from crossing the line. You, your employees, and welcomed visitors can feel reassured knowing the property has 24/7 physical protection.
Common Terms in Electric Security Fencing
As you consider installing an electric security fence, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the following terms:
-
- Volts: Units of measurement describing the fence’s potential electrical pressure. The higher the voltage, the greater the pressure.
- Pulse rate: Measures the quantity of electrical pulses per minute. Most electric fences have a pulse rate of about one pulse every 1 to 2 seconds.
- Energizer: The device that converts an electrical current from a power source, such as a battery, into a safe but memorable shock.
- Grounding system: Metal rods are installed in the ground to help complete the electrical circuit and ensure excess voltage dissipates safely.
- Conductive wire: Metal wire that allows electricity to flow through easily. Electric security fences typically consist of steel or copper wire, though they can be designed with other conductive materials.
- Insulator: Components attached to the fencing system made of nonconductive materials, such as plastic, to help designers concentrate the flow of energy to a specific area. Insulators prevent electricity from leaking into the fence posts or ground.
Electric Security Fence Installation Considerations
Electric security fence installation is a job best left to professionals to ensure the results are safe, compliant, and effective. That said, there are ways to prepare your property for installation:
-
- Check your perimeter fence: The International Electrotechnical Commission requires every electric security fence installation to be externally separated from the public by a perimeter fence at least 5 feet in height. Check your perimeter fence, clear the surrounding vegetation, and ensure the area is in good shape before having an electric system installed inside your existing perimeter barrier.
- Clear perimeter vegetation: You’ll want to clear any vegetation along your fence before installation to ensure it will function optimally.
- Move equipment away from the fence: Plan to move outdoor equipment and other assets at least 5 feet from the fence line before installation. That way, fence installers have adequate room to work.
At AMAROK, we make the installation process as seamless as possible for our customers. No matter your property’s characteristics, we’ll find a way to overcome any challenges that may be present so you can have the security you need.
Contact AMAROK for Cutting-Edge Perimeter Security
An electric security fence is a highly effective, cost-efficient security solution that brings peace of mind. At AMAROK, we’re dedicated to ensuring you have an electric security fence system that fully meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
As an industry leader in security-as-a-service, we can handle all of your perimeter security needs within a manageable monthly subscription fee. Our partnerships begin by understanding your unique risks and compliance requirements so we can design the most effective solution for your needs.
Whether you’re tired of dealing with external theft or want to proactively protect your assets, turn to AMAROK as Your Trusted Perimeter Security Partner. Find an AMAROK representative near you and secure your property once and for all.
