Why they matter

A good energizer makes pulses; a great fence does not fail you when it matters. Most fence failures are caused by vegetation contact, poor earthing, corroded connectors, broken insulators or mechanical damage. Management tools let you:

  • measure fence voltage and current,

  • locate the direction of a short or leak,

  • test fence continuity and polarity,

  • remotely switch or test energizers, and

  • document fence health for maintenance planning.

Using the right tool saves hours of walking and guessing — and stops stock loss, crop-raiding or perimeter breaches before they happen.

1) Stafix Management Tools

Stafix (part of the Datamars/Tru-Test family) provides a focussed set of management tools designed for fence servicing and quick field use. Their Management Tools page lists the main categories: Remote with Fault Finder, Fault Finder, Digital Voltmeter, Fence Alert™, and Light Tester. These products are designed for straightforward operation, rugged use and long battery life — ideal for farm, rural and conservancy settings. nz.stafix.com

Key Stafix tools (what they do)

  • Fault Finder (Directional Fault Finder / Power Probe) — reads voltage, current and direction to the fault; gives audible indication and an arrow/direction so you can walk the line to the fault quickly. Useful for fences that intermittently short out under load. au.stafix.com+1

  • Digital Voltmeter — compact reader that shows fence voltage at a touch; often auto-on/off for battery saving; used for quick spot checks and earthing verification. nz.stafix.com

  • Remote with Fault Finder — a remote tester that can switch compatible energizers and locate faults from the ground; saves time for long runs. Stafix supplies user guides for remote fault finders. nz.stafix.com

  • Fence Alert™ & Light Tester — inexpensive visual/LED tools to quickly check whether a fence is live and to verify light/indicator functions on energizers.

Why Stafix tools are popular

  • Designed specifically for agricultural fencing and easy to use by non-technical users.

  • Rugged, water-resistant housings for field use.

  • Well documented user guides and support materials. nz.stafix.com+1

2) Nemtek Directional Fault Finder & Fence Meter — features and specs

Nemtek’s Directional Fault Finder & Fence Meter combines a voltmeter and directional fault-finding capability in one slim tool. It turns on automatically when held next to a live wire and provides: voltage, current, and direction of the fault, a large LCD for readability, and automatic energizer polarity detection. It’s designed to be lightweight, rugged and water-resistant — built for field technicians. Nemtek

Core specs & capabilities (from Nemtek)

  • Voltage display range: up to ±14 kV open-circuit.

  • Current display range: 1 A to 85 A (shows leakage/current to help size the fault).

  • Automatic on/off when in contact with live wire; low-battery indication; runs on 2 × AAA batteries (~200 hrs).

  • Slim, belt-clip design for convenience; pouch sold separately.

  • Instruction manual & video available for step-by-step fault locating. Nemtek

When to use the Nemtek meter

  • When you need to pinpoint the direction and approximate location of a short without switching the energizer off.

  • When you want a combined voltage + current readout to understand whether the problem is heavy leakage (e.g., big branch or animal contact) or a small intermittent short. Nemtek

Buy / info: Nemtek product page (Directional Fault Finder & Fence Meter). Nemtek

3) Gallagher Digital Voltmeter (DVM) — simple, accurate fence voltage check

The Gallagher Digital Voltmeter (DVM) is a compact, tough, user-friendly voltmeter built specifically for electric fences. It displays fence voltage up to around 12 kV and is commonly used for spot checks on energizers, earthing systems and fence runs. The DVM has auto on/off, is battery powered, and is very portable. Gallagher publish specs and product pages for the DVM. Gallagher+1

Main benefits

  • Accurate voltage measurement (useful for simple diagnostics).

  • Quick hotspot checks: put the DVM on a wire to confirm whether the fence is live and approximately how strong the pulse is.

  • Simple and robust — good for farmers and security guards who need a no-frills reader. gallop-store.com+1

Manufacturer link (Gallagher DVM):
https://www.gallagher.eu/en_export/digital-voltmeter/015033?srsltid=AfmBOorC4v921733eiK916brEVXT0gh00Elf2oGFKXW-kb1gKmJdOF2oG.
(Additional reseller pages and spec listings also available.) Gallagher+1

4) JVA Fault Finder / Directional Volt Meter

JVA’s Fault Finder / Directional Volt Meter is a two-in-one fault-finder and voltmeter that displays fence voltage, current and shows direction to the fault. JVA units are often packaged with clear manuals and are popular with installers for fast, reliable fault location. JVA sells both simple testers and advanced directional tools used by technicians worldwide. JVA Monitored Fencing USA+1

Why technicians like JVA tools

  • Clear directional arrows that speed locating the fault.

  • Robust build adapts well to African field conditions.

  • Simple UI — read voltage and follow the arrow; demo videos show how quickly faults are found. JVA Technologies+1

Useful JVA resource: JVA documentation/manuals and product pages for the Fault Finder. jva-fence.com.au+1

5) How these tools are used together — practical workflows

Below are two typical workflows showing how to use these tools to diagnose and fix real fence faults.

Workflow A — “Quick health check” (daily or weekly)

  1. Use a Digital Voltmeter (Gallagher DVM or Stafix DVM) at several points around the perimeter: near energizer, mid-line, and far end. Compare open-circuit and loaded values. gallop-store.com+1

  2. If voltage is low at multiple points, check energizer battery/solar and earth resistance. If voltage is low only after a certain point, suspect a fault in that sector.

  3. Log voltages and date — a trend shows deterioration before total failure.

Workflow B — “Locate the short fast” (when fence trips or loses volts)

  1. Switch energizer to fault-finder/remote test (if available), or use Stafix Remote with Fault Finder to switch energizer from where you stand. nz.stafix.com

  2. Use a Directional Fault Finder (Nemtek, Stafix, JVA) against the live wire; note the direction arrow and the current reading. Follow the arrow — it will point toward the fault. Nemtek+1

  3. When you approach the fault, the current will rise and arrow reverses as you pass the fault — that pinpoints the location to within metres. Repair broken insulator/bad clamp/vegetation and retest.

  4. If multiple faults exist, clear the first and repeat. Directional finders are much faster than walking the whole fence.

6) Buying, compatibility & what to look for

When choosing tools, consider:

  • Range & accuracy — Voltmeters: up to 12–14 kV; Fault finders: must show both current and direction. Nemtek lists ±14 kV; Gallagher DVM up to 12 kV. Nemtek+1

  • Battery life & spare battery types — AAA vs 9V vs rechargeable; field replaceability matters. Nemtek uses 2 × AAA (~200 hrs). Nemtek

  • Durability & weather resistance — water-resistant housings and belt clips make field use easier. Nemtek, Stafix and Gallagher products are designed for this. Nemtek+1

  • Ease of use — clear displays, audible indicators and auto-on features speed work for non-technical staff. au.stafix.com+1

  • Compatibility with energizer brands — most modern tools work with most energizers, but check polarity detection and instructions. Nemtek tool automatically detects energizer polarity. Nemtek

7) Safety & legal notes

  • Always assume a fence is live unless isolated and tested. Use insulated probes and wear protective gloves.

  • Use signage if you work on a fence in a public area.

  • Be aware of local rules for fence voltages and signage — some jurisdictions require warning notices on electrically charged perimeter fences.

8) Quick comparison table (at a glance)

Tool Primary Use Key Strength Typical User
Stafix Fault Finder / Remote Locate shorts & remote energizer switching Easy to use, rugged, farmer-friendly Farmers, field techs
Nemtek Directional Fault Finder & Fence Meter Directional fault finding + voltage/current Accurate current readouts, ±14 kV range Installers, conservancy techs
Gallagher DVM Simple voltage checks Quick, intuitive, robust Farmers, security guards
JVA Fault Finder Directional fault finding & voltmeter Clear arrow guidance, pro tool Installers, maintenance teams

(Sources: Stafix product pages; Nemtek product page; Gallagher DVM product page; JVA product docs.) JVA Technologies+3nz.stafix.com+3Nemtek+3

9) Final tips — maintain a simple kit

Build a basic field kit for rapid response:

  • Directional Fault Finder (Nemtek / JVA / Stafix)

  • Digital Voltmeter (Gallagher DVM or Stafix DVM)

  • Insulated gloves & long-nose pliers / wire cutters

  • Spare clamps, insulators and earth rods (short lengths)

  • Battery pack and solar charger for tools

  • Maintenance logbook (voltage trends, faults fixed, dates)

Manufacturer / product links (official pages you requested)