Electric fencing is one of the safest and most effective ways to contain livestock in the UK — provided it's set up correctly. The shock is designed to deter, not harm. But there are rules and guidelines you need to follow to make sure your fence is both safe for animals and compliant with UK regulations.
In this guide, we'll explain the key safety rules for electric fences in 2025, and show how choosing quality posts from Gallagher and Hotline helps you meet those requirements with less hassle.
Are Electric Fences Legal in the UK?
Yes. Electric fencing is fully legal in the UK when installed according to standards set by:
- BS EN 60335-2-76 (the UK's adoption of international electric fence standards).
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance.
The key rule is simple: the fence must not pose unnecessary risk to people, animals, or property.
Public Access and Warning Signs
If your electric fence borders a public right of way (footpath, bridleway, road, or track), warning signs are mandatory.
- Signs must be yellow, with a clear lightning bolt symbol.
- Place every 50–100m along the boundary.
- Fix them at eye level (about 1.5m).
- Use signs from trusted brands like Hotline or Gallagher — they're durable, weatherproof, and comply with regulations.
Skipping this step is one of the most common mistakes we see, especially with hobby farmers who assume "everyone knows it's electric". If a member of the public touches your fence without a warning sign, you could face complaints or even liability.
Safe Shock Levels
Electric fence energisers are carefully regulated to deliver a short, sharp pulse of current. In the UK:
- Voltage is usually between 2,000 and 9,000 volts.
- Pulse duration is less than 0.0003 seconds.
- The system is designed to startle, not injure.
Gallagher and Hotline energisers are fully compliant with BS EN standards, giving you peace of mind. By contrast, unbranded energisers bought online may not meet safety requirements and should be avoided.
Post Safety Considerations
Posts themselves don't carry current, but they play a role in keeping fences safe:
- Gallagher plastic posts: Non-conductive with moulded clips, so no risk of grounding.
- Hotline fibreglass posts: Flexible and horse-safe, reducing injury risk if animals come into contact with them.
- Hotline timber posts: Require insulators — use UV-stabilised ones to prevent shorts.
- Gallagher steel posts: Must always be fitted with high-quality insulators.
Cheap posts often have brittle clips or poor-quality insulators, leading to shorts and voltage loss — or worse, sparks that breach safety rules.
Livestock Safety Guidelines
- Horses: Use wide tape on Hotline fibreglass posts for visibility. Horses respect what they can see.
- Cattle: Gallagher TurboLine posts with rope or wire at 60, 90, and 120cm. Strong enough to handle rubbing without breaking.
- Sheep and goats: Multiple lower wires (20–30cm from the ground). Gallagher multi-clip posts make this easier.
- Poultry: Hotline netting posts with electrified poultry netting to deter predators.
Using the right posts prevents sagging and gaps, which is safer for animals and reduces escape risks.
Grounding and Earthing Safety
A safe fence is one with good earthing. Without it, your energiser overworks and delivers inconsistent shocks.
- Drive at least three earth stakes (1m long) into the ground, spaced 3m apart.
- Connect with galvanised wire.
- Gallagher and Hotline both supply high-quality earthing kits designed to UK standards.
If you want to know more then read our complete UK guide to electric fence posts
What About Children and Pets?
Electric fences are safe around children and pets, though the shock can be unpleasant. For safety:
- Always put up warning signs near play areas.
- Use Hotline tall fibreglass posts with wide tape to make fences clearly visible.
- Avoid running fences too close to gardens, yards, or driveways where accidental contact is more likely.
Why Gallagher and Hotline Help Keep You Compliant
- Gallagher posts and accessories are built to international safety standards, with reinforced clips that reduce accidental shorts.
- Hotline posts and kits are designed for UK smallholders and farmers, with proper signage, insulators, and horse-safe fibreglass options.
- Both brands back their products with warranties and documentation — something "cheap imports" rarely provide.
Final Word: Safety Starts with Quality
The rules for electric fencing in the UK aren't complicated — warning signs, proper earthing, and compliant equipment. Where most people slip up is cutting corners with posts or accessories that fail under real-world conditions.
The simplest way to stay safe and compliant? Use Gallagher posts for cattle and mixed farms, and Hotline posts for horses, poultry, and permanent corners. Back them with compliant energisers and proper signage, and you'll have a fence that's safe, legal, and reliable.