Trystan Casey
Electric fences are a safe, humane, and effective way to keep animals in and pests out. They are a popular option for farmers, pet owners, and homesteaders due to their affordability and effectiveness in controlling animals. The installation of an electric fence involves considering factors such as animal size, feeding habits, intelligence, activity level, and coat length. It is important to use the appropriate materials and installation techniques to ensure the fence functions correctly and safely. One common mistake to avoid is stretching the wire too tight, as this can cause a lack of elasticity and lead to breaks. So, how tight should an electric fence be?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Installation height | Depends on the animal being contained. For example, the top wire for containing a bull should be 42 inches above the ground, whereas an electric fence for poultry can be much shorter. |
| Number of lines | Depends on the animal's size, feeding habits, intelligence, activity level, and coat length. For example, horses respond well to electric fencing, whereas sheep and goats require multiple lines due to their thick coats and stubborn nature, respectively. |
| Wire type | High-tensile wire is ideal for permanent fencing and large areas. Poly wire is flexible and suitable for temporary or rotational setups, while poly tape offers better visibility and is suitable for horses or pet enclosures. |
| Post material | Steel "T" posts, wood posts, or a combination of both. |
| Post spacing | Depends on the terrain and size of the fenced area. Metal rod or plastic posts are usually spaced 20-30 feet apart. |
| Grounding | Requires a properly installed grounding system with adequate earth grounding to ensure proper circuit function and current flow. Use galvanized ground rods driven 6-8 feet into the earth, spaced 6 feet apart in a straight line, and connected with ground wire and clamps. |
| Wire tension | Should be tight enough to maintain power flow and prevent sagging but not so tight that it loses elasticity or resembles a guitar string. Use inline strainers or line/wire tensioners to achieve the appropriate tension. |
| Visibility | Not necessary but can be improved with poly tape or flags/colorful tape. |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of elasticity
Elasticity, or the "rubber band effect", is a critical aspect of electric fence installation. It refers to the ability of the wires to maintain some flexibility and stretch when necessary. While it is important to keep the electric fence wires tight to prevent sagging and maintain power flow, excessive tightness can lead to a lack of elasticity, causing several issues.
Firstly, tight wires can restrict the desired float of the wires past each line post. This flexibility is essential to absorb impacts and accommodate animal movements. Without it, the fence becomes more susceptible to damage from animals brushing against it or attempting to cross over. Additionally, tight wires can increase the likelihood of contact with old fence wires, causing a complete short circuit in the fence.
Secondly, overly tight wires can affect the voltage of the electric fence. The electrical circuit relies on good metal-to-earth contact to ensure sufficient current flow. Tight wires can compromise this contact, leading to low voltage or electric shock failure. This problem is exacerbated by poor grounding, which is a common issue with electric fences. Therefore, maintaining elasticity in the wires helps to ensure the fence functions correctly and effectively.
Moreover, the elasticity of the electric fence contributes to its longevity. Tight wires are more prone to damage, especially when struck by hammers or subjected to kinks and sharp bends. By allowing some elasticity, the fence can better withstand these stresses and strains, reducing the need for frequent repairs and replacements. This not only saves time and maintenance costs but also ensures the fence remains reliable over an extended period.
Lastly, the importance of elasticity in electric fences cannot be overstated for the safety of the animals and people who come into contact with them. A fence with some elasticity is less likely to entangle an animal's head or cause injury if an animal attempts to cross it. Additionally, proper elasticity ensures the fence functions as intended, providing a mild electric shock to deter animals without causing them harm. This balance between tightness and elasticity is crucial to maintaining the effectiveness and safety of electric fences.
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Avoid kinks in the wire
When installing an electric fence, it is important to avoid kinks in the wire. Kinks in high-tensile wire will always break. Avoid hitting this kind of wire with a hammer, as this will easily damage the wire and cause a break. Always cut out a damaged section of high-tensile wire and splice it. A hand-tied reef knot makes the strongest splice.
To maintain elasticity, wires must float past each line post. Tape that is locked into insulators on every post to restrict wind flap causes a lack of elasticity on the wire. Old fence wires can also cause problems for new electric fences. Old fence wires are always moving and coming into contact with the new electrified wires, causing a complete short in the fence.
To avoid kinks in the wire, it is important to use the appropriate insulators, specific to the fencing material being electrified. Cheap insulators and incorrect installation are a major cause of electric fence problems. Use insulated cable designed for electric fencing. Most temporary fences use small-gauge steel wire, polywire, or polytape. Most permanent electric fences use high-tensile smooth wire, or heavy-duty polytape or polyrope for horses.
It is also important to keep the fence clean of vegetation. Wet grass will sap a lot of power from any fence charger. Attach the lower wires to the live terminal of the energizer separately from the other wires, and install a switch for the lower wires that can be turned off when the grass is tall.
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Don't over-tighten wires
Electric fences are used to keep animals in and pests out. They are a safe, humane, and effective option when installed correctly.
When it comes to tightening electric fence wires, it is important to remember that they do not need to be overly tight. Here are some reasons why you should avoid over-tightening the wires:
- Maintain Elasticity: To maintain elasticity, or the "rubber band effect", wires must float past each line post. Over-tightening the wires can restrict their movement, causing a loss of elasticity. This can lead to a complete short in the fence if the wires break or come loose.
- Avoid Wire Breakage: Wires that are too tight are more prone to breakage, especially if they are high-tensile wires. A small kink or impact can easily damage the wire, causing it to break.
- Allow for Adjustment: Over-tightening the wires leaves no room for adjustment. The height of an electric fence can vary depending on the animal being contained. By avoiding over-tightening, you can easily adjust the height of the wires to accommodate the size and feeding habits of different animals.
- Prevent Excessive Voltage Drop: Electric fences should have a voltage of 5,000 volts or more. Over-tightening the wires can cause excessive voltage drop, leading to insufficient energy delivery to the animals.
- Facilitate Easy Installation: Proper tension is crucial for effective electric fence installation. Over-tightening the wires can make the installation process more difficult and time-consuming, especially when attaching insulators and connecting the ground wire to the ground rod.
In summary, it is important to tighten electric fence wires sufficiently to maintain power flow and prevent sagging, but over-tightening can lead to a range of issues, including loss of elasticity, wire breakage, and difficulty in adjusting the fence for different animals.
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The height of the fence
The height of an electric fence is not a one-size-fits-all affair. Several factors determine the height of the fence, and it is important to consider these factors to ensure the fence is effective.
The type of animal is a key consideration. Electric fences are often used to contain livestock, and the height of the fence should be based on the animal's shoulder height. The top wire of the fence should reach up to the animal's shoulder, limiting their ability to jump over. For example, a bull fence should start at 6 inches off the ground, with the top wire at 42 inches. Dairy cows, being less agile, will have less restrictive fencing requirements. Horses respond well to electric fencing, especially with poly tape due to its significant visual profile. Sheep and goats, on the other hand, require multiple lines due to their thick coats and stubborn nature, respectively. Poultry can be contained with a relatively short fence, but an exterior fence is recommended to keep predators out.
The feeding style of the animal is another factor. The wires should be low enough to prevent the animal from reaching under the fence to graze, as their head could become entangled. The animal's intelligence also plays a role, as smarter animals only need to be corrected once or twice to learn to avoid the fence. More active animals may need a fence with more wires to provide a physical barrier, and animals with strong reproductive drives may require more lines to separate them from potential mates.
The height of an electric fence is therefore determined by a number of variables related to the animals it is intended to contain. It is important to carefully consider these factors to ensure the fence is effective and safe.
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The type of animal
Electric fences are commonly used for livestock, such as cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and pigs. Cattle are relatively easy to contain with electric fences, and the voltage can be adjusted depending on the type of cattle; for example, bulls require a higher voltage due to their aggressive nature. Horses are intelligent and quick learners, so they can be easily controlled with a lower voltage fence made of politape, wire, or rope, which is safer if they are spooked and attempt to run through it. For sheep and goats, which tend to have thick insulating coats, a higher voltage is required, and the wires should be spaced low to the ground and high enough to prevent them from jumping over.
Electric fences can also be used for smaller animals, such as dogs and cats, to create safe boundaries for them to roam within. They are effective in deterring rodents such as rats and mice from invading gardens and fields, and can even be used in game farming to contain exotic game animals and prevent them from escaping into neighbouring properties.
For particularly active animals, a fence with more wires may be required to provide a physical barrier. Animals with thick coats may also need more wires to provide more points of contact with the fence. The visibility of the fence is also important, especially for animals with poor eyesight, such as bears. A combination fence that offsets the electric fence from a traditional wood or wire fence can be a good option in these cases.
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Frequently asked questions
The wires of an electric fence should not be too tight. They should be tight enough to get the sag out of the wire between the fence posts and no more. This is to maintain elasticity and the rubber band effect.
The height of an electric fence can vary depending on the animal being contained inside it. Installers must account for the animal's size, feeding habits, intelligence, activity level, and coat length. The primary rule is that the top wire of an electric fence should reach up to the animal's shoulder, limiting their ability to leap over the fence.
Some common mistakes to avoid when installing an electric fence include poor grounding, wires tied too tight to each fence post, building new fences near old existing fences, and using poor-quality insulators.
