Beatrice Lang
The placement of electric fence posts depends on several factors, including the type of fence, terrain, and whether it is a temporary or permanent structure. Electric fence posts can be placed anywhere from 8 to 100 feet apart, with spacing determined by the height of the fence, electrical strength, and terrain undulations. For a single wire paddock fence on level ground, posts can be spaced up to 80-100 feet apart, while rolling terrain may require 40 to 60 feet spacing, and rugged terrain even closer. Temporary electric fences can be spaced 50 feet apart, while permanent fences with T-posts and wood corner bracing require a spacing of 12 feet.
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What You'll Learn
Electric fence post spacing depends on terrain
When installing an electric fence, the spacing between posts depends on several factors, one of which is the terrain. The terrain or topography of the land is crucial because the fence must follow the contours of the ground through the dips and hills. This ensures that the fence remains at a consistent height to keep animals contained.
For level or evenly sloping terrain, line posts can be spaced further apart—up to 80-100 feet for a single-wire paddock fence. However, this wide spacing is less feasible for more rolling or rugged terrain, where posts need to be closer together, typically between 40 and 60 feet apart. In extremely uneven terrain, the posts may need to be even closer together to maintain the fence's integrity.
The type of fence post also influences spacing. For instance, with temporary fencing using step-in posts, spacing can range from 5 to 40 feet. For temporary fencing with 6-8 feet tall step-in posts and solid corners, posts are typically spaced 6 to 8 feet apart, with T-posts every 32 feet for added stability. For permanent fencing with T-posts and wood corner bracing, posts are usually spaced 12 feet apart.
Additionally, the height of the fence, the electrical strength, and the type of animals being contained all play a role in determining post spacing. For example, to create a deer-proof fence, posts should be no more than 15 feet apart. It's also important to consider the strain on the fence, especially at corners and ends, where stronger wood posts are recommended. Proper spacing and sturdy posts are essential to prevent sagging and ensure the effectiveness of the electric fence.
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Temporary vs. permanent fence posts
When installing an electric fence, there are several factors to consider, such as the spacing between posts, the type of posts, and whether the fence is temporary or permanent.
Spacing between posts
The spacing between electric fence posts depends on several factors, including the height of the fence, its electrical strength, and the terrain. Posts can be placed anywhere from 8 to 25 feet apart, with some sources recommending a maximum distance of 50 feet. For fences designed to keep deer away, posts should be no more than 15 feet apart.
The type of fence posts you choose will depend on whether you are installing a temporary or permanent fence. Temporary electric fences are often used for rotational grazing, where livestock are moved between paddocks to allow forage crops to renew. Flexibility and ease of setup and takedown are crucial for this type of fencing.
Temporary Fence Posts
- Plastic posts: Plastic posts are convenient due to their built-in treads, which make it easy to step them into the ground. They offer flexibility for different wire spacings and are ideal for temporary fencing as they can be quickly installed and removed.
- Fiberglass rods: Fiberglass rods are more expensive than plastic posts but can last up to 20 years. They are better suited for situations where the fence is not moved frequently, as they take longer to install and remove.
- Metal T-posts: T-posts are stronger and more durable than other temporary posts, but they are also more costly and labor-intensive to install and remove. They are suitable for semi-permanent fencing and can be used as in-line posts.
- Step-in posts: These are inexpensive and designed for temporary fencing. They are usually lighter and smaller, making them ideal for rotational grazing as in-line posts. They feature hooks that can handle various types of wire, polytapes, and polyropes.
Permanent Fence Posts
- Wood posts: Wood posts are recommended for permanent fences, especially at corners, gates, and termination points where there is added strain and stress. They are more expensive initially but can pay off in the long run due to their longevity.
- Steel rod posts (Rebars): Steel rod posts are suitable for portable or temporary fencing but should not be used as corner posts for permanent fences as they cannot handle heavy strain.
It is important to note that proper maintenance and upkeep of electric fences are crucial, especially during the first week of installation, to ensure that animals associate touching the fence with an unpleasant shock. Regular checks for vegetation, corrosion, animal interference, and damage to insulators are necessary to maintain the effectiveness of the fence.
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Preventing sagging
To prevent sagging in an electric fence, it is important to consider the spacing between posts, the type of posts used, and the terrain.
Firstly, the spacing between electric fence posts is crucial to prevent sagging. While the spacing can vary depending on the specific situation and terrain, some general guidelines exist. For temporary fencing, spacing between posts can range from 8 to 50 feet. For instance, one user reported success with 8-foot spacing for temporary fencing, while another recommended a minimum of 9 feet. For permanent fencing, a spacing of 12 feet is recommended. It's important to note that in rolling or rugged terrain, posts should be placed closer together, with a spacing of 40 to 60 feet, or even less in extremely rugged terrain.
Secondly, the type of posts used can impact the likelihood of sagging. For corner and end posts, wood posts are recommended due to the extra strain at these locations. Wood posts should be at least 6 inches in diameter and anchored 3 to 4 feet into the ground. Line posts, on the other hand, only need to support the wire between the corner posts and can be made of various materials such as step-in, pigtail, rebar, fiberglass, or T-posts. However, it is important to note that step-in, pigtail, rebar, and fiberglass posts are not recommended for corner posts as they cannot withstand the same level of strain and tension.
Finally, the terrain will play a role in preventing sagging. Electric fences should follow the topography of the land and contour the ground through dips and hills to maintain a consistent height. In level or evenly sloping terrain, wider post spacing of up to 80-100 feet may be possible. However, in rolling or rugged terrain, closer spacing is required to provide adequate support for the weight of the wire and downward pull when traversing hills.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the height of the posts is also a factor in preventing sagging. Posts that are too short may not provide sufficient support, especially when dealing with taller animals. Users have recommended a minimum post height of 5 feet, with the posts buried about 1 foot deep, resulting in a 4-foot aboveground height.
By following these guidelines for spacing, post type, terrain, and height, you can effectively prevent sagging in your electric fence and ensure its functionality and longevity.
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Installation methods
The installation method for electric fence posts depends on several factors, including the type of fence post, terrain, and whether the fence is temporary or permanent.
For temporary fencing, electric fence posts can be spaced anywhere from 8 to 50 feet apart. For example, one source recommends spacing posts 8 feet apart for temporary fencing with step-ins, while another source suggests spacing posts 50 feet apart for a quick and easy temporary installation. To ensure stability, you can use solid corners and T-posts every 32 feet. When installing temporary fencing, it is important to consider the terrain. On level or evenly sloping terrain, line posts can be spaced up to 80-100 feet apart for a single-wire paddock fence. In more rolling terrain, a spacing of 40 to 60 feet is more realistic, and in extremely rugged terrain, posts may need to be even closer together.
For permanent fencing, electric fence posts are typically spaced closer together than temporary fencing. One source recommends spacing posts 12 feet apart for permanent fencing with T-posts and wood corner bracing. Another source suggests using braced line post assemblies every 650 feet for spans between posts that exceed this length.
Regardless of the spacing, it is important to ensure that the posts are properly embedded in the ground and that the fence is taut to prevent sagging. For corner posts, wood posts with a diameter of at least 6 inches are recommended due to the extra strain at these locations. These posts should be anchored 3 to 4 feet into the ground and should lean back from the direction of the fence by approximately 5 degrees.
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Post materials
The type of post material you will use for your electric fence depends on the purpose of the fence. Corner posts, for example, must withstand enormous tension loads and are a vital component to constructing a solid fence. Wood posts, at least 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length, are recommended for corner posts. Wood posts are also the most suitable option for high-tensile fence systems and other permanent fences, especially at corners, gates and termination points where there is added strain and stress. Although wood posts may be the most expensive option, with the longevity of wood fence posts, the cost can pay for itself over time.
If you are looking for a more affordable option, step-in, pigtail, rebar, and fiberglass posts are less expensive than wood posts. However, they cannot hold up to the same amount of strain and tension as wood posts and are therefore not recommended for corner posts. For short fences, you can use PowerPosts™ or Multiwire Step-in Plastic Posts. These line posts have built-in clips and require no additional insulators, but they are less durable than other options.
For permanent line posts, galvanized steel T-posts are an excellent option as they also ground all uninsulated galvanized wires without accelerating rusting of the HT wire. The hot-dip galvanized coating on T-posts can triple a post’s life, appearance and grounding ability. T-posts are also suitable for semi-permanent fencing and work well as in-line posts.
If you are looking for a temporary or portable fencing option, steel rod posts (rebars) and fiberglass rod posts are ideal. They can also be used as line posts and spacers, but they should not be used as corner posts of a permanent fence.
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Frequently asked questions
The spacing between electric fence posts depends on the terrain, the height of the fence, and the electrical strength of the fence. On level ground, posts can be spaced up to 80-100 feet apart for a single-wire fence, while in more rugged terrain, 40 to 60 feet is more realistic. For a temporary fence, spacing of 50 feet is recommended.
On level or evenly sloping terrain, the maximum distance between posts for a single-wire fence is 80-100 feet.
To create an electric fence to keep deer away, posts should be placed no more than 15 feet apart.
Temporary electric fence posts can be spaced 50 feet apart.
The spacing of step-in electric fence posts depends on the terrain. On flat ground, they can be spaced further apart, while in areas with ups and downs", they may need to be placed closer together. For permanent fencing, the recommended spacing is 12 feet, while temporary fencing can range from 6 to 8 feet.
