Dave Solly, Senior Product Manager, Gallagher Security comments on how evolving energised fencing safety standards are placing synchronisation at the centre of modern perimeter design.
Energised fencing has become one of the most trusted forms of perimeter security options. It’s designed to act as a strong deterrent while maintaining a focus on safety rather than causing physical harm.
The safety of fence energisers (fence controllers) and installation practices are mandated by international safety standards which outline the safety requirements for the products – helping to ensure they are installed in a way that keeps them both effective and safe to use.
In this ISJ Exclusive, Dave Solly, Senior Product Manager, Gallagher Security explains that the recent update to the international safety standard for energised fencing marks a significant shift – taking the application of safety and security to the next level, with an increased focus on synchronisation.
Why synchronisation matters in modern energised fencing
Put simply, synchronisation between fence controllers ensures that all circuits are pulsing at the same time, minimising the risk to anyone that comes into contact with the physical fence.
Synchronisation has become a critical element of a multi-zone energised perimeter, with additional safety features changing what must happen should synchronisation be lost on the fence.
When energisers pulse independently, the interval between pulses can drift. If multiple pulses occur out of sync with each other, this can lead to unsafe operation.
Gallagher fence controllers have always had the ability to synchronise their pulses, however the latest version of the IEC 60335-2-76 international safety standard takes this a step further: Steps are now mandated which specify exactly what must happen when synchronisation is lost.
Under the latest standard, when sync is lost, energisers must reduce their energy output to ensure the fence operates within newly defined ‘safe limits’ (without sync) until synchronisation is restored.
The safety–security challenge for multizone perimeter systems
To meet the requirements of the latest standard with traditional sync methods would require each energiser to reduce its energy output to a very low level when sync fails.
While this approach maintains safety, it would compromise security by removing the deterrence and detection capabilities of the fence.
It’s this shift in safety expectations that has practical consequences for the security industry.
Solly says choosing between safety and security is not an option. “We need a smarter approach, one that maintains high levels of safety while still delivering the most practical security outcome for customers.”
A coordinated approach to safety and performance
Following the successful market adoption of the Gallagher Security F3 and F4 Fence Controllers alongside the company’s suite of perimeter products, Solly says Gallagher began working on the new iterations – the F5 and F6 models.
This gave the team the opportunity to develop Smart Sync – its new approach to address the latest compliance needs.
The solution allows all energisers in a system to detect sync loss simultaneously. Instead of acting independently and reducing power individually, they adjust together as a unified group.
“This coordinated response keeps the system operating within the safe limits mandated by the international safety standard while maintaining the highest level of security,” adds Solly.
“And when synchronisation returns, full performance is restored automatically.”
Synchronisation can no longer be treated as an optional design element, continues Solly.
“Installers and Channel Partners must plan for synchronisation at the earliest stages of system architecture, and manufacturers must provide technology that maintains timing reliably – even under fault conditions.”
A new era for energised fencing
“The updated standard signals a new era for energised fencing: One in which safety, intelligence and operational resilience are inseparable,” explains Solly. “Synchronisation now sits at the heart of that evolution.”
Alongside the Smart Sync development, the F5 and F6 Fence Controllers are packed with features to mark the latest generation of enhanced safety monitored pulse fence technology.
Engineered for safety, performance and reliability, the F5 and F6 Fence Controllers introduce advanced safety features designed to meet the demands of modern security environments.
Purpose-built for high-performance perimeter protection, the fence controllers provide intelligent intrusion detection, flexible deployment options and are built to comply with IEC 60335-2-76.
“Regardless of what you are securing, whether critical infrastructure like utilities, remote facilities like mining or transport and logistics yards, the new F5 and F6 Fence Controllers take safety to the next level, with additional enhanced features like Safety Extra Low Voltage readiness to detect movement at sensitive areas without deterrence and Dual Pulse Peak Measurement which brings enhanced alarm functionality for high-specification fences using dual pulse configuration.
“The new Fence Controllers are compatible with Gallagher Command Centre v9.40 and above and have the same footprint as earlier models for streamlined installation,” says Solly.
“A key design priority was ensuring adaptability across a wide variety of sites. “The F5 and F6 series is designed to operate independently or seamlessly integrate with the Gallagher Controller 7000 Product Range and the Gallagher Command Centre ecosystem, giving end-users a scalable pathway from single-zone protection to layered, multi-zone and multi-controller installations.”
Solly says the rapidly evolving security environment means end-users require more intelligence and flexibility from their perimeter systems.
“With support for standalone or networked installations, dual‑zone configurations, and full integration with Gallagher Command Centre, the F5 and F6 Fence Controllers provide unmatched scalability and adaptability for sites of any size.”
