By Kingsley Adegboye

One can never be over protected in a country like Nigeria where the crime rate is on the increase with each passing day. This is why an electric fence in homes is an option when it comes to selecting your home security system and protecting your possessions and loved ones.

Chief Executive Officer, Positive Security Systems, a Lagos-based security firm, Mr. Emeka Kalu told Vanguard Homes & Property that an electric fence is a basic system that consists of wires fitted on insulators and powered by an energizer.

The energizer is a transformer which converts low-voltage current to a higher-voltage current, delivering a substantial and most uncomfortable shock to the person touching the wires.

He stated that although the energizer will not kill the person touching the wire, the person will pulsate on and off continuously until people come to his/her aid.

“In simple terms, the energizer is a transformer that can convert low power to a huge quantity of power to the person touching the wires” he said, stressing that the energizer used for this purpose will not allow anyone to be killed as the unit is designed to allow the power to pulsate on and off on a continuous basis.

A fence with with security light fittings

Unlike the power in the house where a possibility exists that one could die if the person experiences a shock, the electric fence power switches on and off momentarily.

Enumerating the advantages of the system, he said there are three main advantages of an electric fence installation which include the visual appearance, the shock capacity and the alarm given.

The visual according to him, serves as a definite deterrent to movement around the home. When correctly wired and the right size energizer installed, the shock experienced will be of such a magnitude that it would deter a normal person from trying to enter the premises.

If wired correctly, the electric fence will trigger an alarm when the wire is cut or distorted.

“‘The electric fence would have served its purpose as an early warning device should this occur.

Although house alarms are of importance, the advantage of a correctly installed electric fence is that the electric fence can be linked to your existing security device provider.

By installing a correctly fitted electric fence, the chances of the criminal gaining access to your premises is very remote. Similarly, the chances of a quick escape are very much minimised.

Therefore, your property is at a distinct advantage over a property not fitted with electric fence’’, he noted.