Wiktor Wise
Electric fences are a humane and effective way to contain livestock and keep wild animals and intruders out of your yard. They are simple to install and maintain. To hook up electric fence tape, you will need to plan your layout, select and set up a charger, and install grounding posts. You can then put up your fence posts, ensuring they are reinforced with braces, cement footings, or anchors, and mount insulators to keep the electricity in the wires. When joining electric fence tape, it is important to ensure all individual wires are in contact to pass on the electrical charge. This can be done by tying the ends of the tape together, exposing the thin metal wires, grouping them together, and folding them over to prevent sparks and arcing.
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What You'll Learn
Joining electric fence tape
One method to join electric fence tape effectively is to use larger spools or rolls. This approach is especially useful for longer or permanent fences. Collecting larger spools from electricians or welding wire spools can provide a continuous length of wire with fewer joins, reducing the risk of disrupting the electrical connection. For temporary fences, polywire is a suitable option, but it is more prone to wire breakage the more it is rolled up.
Another important consideration is the type of wire used. For longer fences or permanent fencing solutions, plain galvanised fencing wire is recommended. Polywire tends to have thin wires that may not effectively carry the electrical charge over longer distances—typically, the limit is around 100-200 metres. Therefore, choosing the appropriate wire type and ensuring proper joins are crucial for the electric fence's effectiveness.
Additionally, it is essential to inspect the joins and connections regularly. Over time, the wires may become loose or damaged, affecting the electrical flow. By conducting routine maintenance and checking for any faults, you can ensure the electric fence tape remains functional and secure. This includes checking for any breaks or damage to the wires, especially if using polywire, as the thin wires are more susceptible to damage during installation and use.
In summary, joining electric fence tape involves carefully connecting individual wires within the polywire mesh to ensure an uninterrupted electrical charge. This can be achieved through proper joining techniques, utilising larger spools for longer fences, and opting for galvanised fencing wire for permanent installations. Regular maintenance and inspections are also vital to maintaining the fence's effectiveness. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your electric fence tape functions properly to secure your enclosure.
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Selecting a charger
The selection of a suitable charger is critical to keeping your animals safe and ensuring the effectiveness of your electric fence. The following factors should be considered when selecting a charger:
Length of the Fence
The length of the fence is an important consideration when selecting a charger. Different chargers are optimised for different lengths of wire. Ensure that the charger you choose is suitable for the planned length of wire for your enclosure.
Number of Wires
The number of wires in your fence system will impact the power requirements. As a general rule for multi-wire fences, divide the charger's distance rating by the number of strands, then select a charger with a mileage rating that meets those needs. Always increase power needs when adding additional wires.
Power Source
The power source of the charger is an important consideration and will depend on the specific situation and your requirements. The three main types of power sources for chargers are AC (plug-in), DC (battery), and solar. AC-powered chargers typically have greater energy output and are the most popular type used in permanent electric fence systems. They are convenient and economical, with no batteries or solar panels to maintain or replace. However, they require access to a reliable source of 110-volt electrical power. On the other hand, solar and battery-powered chargers provide flexibility for remote locations without electricity, but may require more maintenance.
Type of Animal
The type of animal you are containing or excluding will influence the type of charger you need. Low-impedance chargers are recommended for polyrope or tape fences and for land with weeds. They can maintain high energy on the fence even as power is drawn by weeds. Solid-state chargers, on the other hand, deliver a medium amperage shock and are suitable for controlling shorthaired livestock, small animals, and pets in light weed conditions.
Type of Fence Line
The type of fence line you are using will also impact the selection of the charger. Steel wire creates less electrical resistance than polywire, rope, or tape, which draw more power. Aluminum wire has less resistance than steel wire. If you are using a single-wire fence, it requires less energy than a multiple-wire fence.
By carefully considering these factors, you can select a suitable charger for your electric fence tape, ensuring its effectiveness and longevity.
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Planning your layout
Planning the layout of your electric fence is a crucial step in ensuring its effectiveness and longevity. Here are some detailed guidelines to help you plan:
Purpose and Enclosure Size:
Start by considering the purpose of your electric fence. Are you containing livestock, or do you need to keep wild animals and intruders out? The number of animals you need to control will impact the spacing and number of wires required. Determine the size of the area you need to enclose and take careful measurements. Consider the length, height, and number of wires necessary to complete the enclosure.
Fence Height and Wire Type:
Decide on the appropriate height for your fence based on the animals you want to contain or deter. For example, half-inch tape might be too small for a substantial fence, especially for horses or keeping deer out. Consider using coated wire or poly tape, braid, or rope for effectiveness and visibility. For longer fences or permanent installations, plain galvanized fencing wire is recommended as polywire can be too thin to carry the electrical charge over longer distances.
Post Spacing and Reinforcement:
Avoid installing posts too frequently, as this won't necessarily result in a stronger fence. Instead, plan to install posts at appropriate intervals, such as 40 feet apart, and use stays along the wires to maintain even spacing and stability. Reinforce posts that will be exposed to the most stress, typically those on corners and gates, with braces, cement footings, or anchors. A "floating diagonal" brace is a common technique used by cattle ranchers.
Grounding Posts and Charger Setup:
Install at least one grounding post that is 6 feet or longer, and place a grounding rod near the charger. Look for a weather-resilient spot near an AC outlet to set up your electric charger, or opt for a solar charger in an area that receives ample sunlight. Ensure the charger is protected by hanging it on a post or an outbuilding wall.
Insulators:
Remember to include insulators in your layout to keep the electricity in the wires and away from the posts. This is an important component to maintain the effectiveness of your electric fence.
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Setting up braces
First, determine the spacing of your posts. While closer post spacing may seem like it will result in a stronger fence, it is not necessary. In fact, installing posts too frequently can be a common mistake. Unless you plan to place your posts more than 40 feet (12.2 meters) apart, you typically do not need to install additional stays or braces.
For corners and gates, where the fence is under the most stress, it is recommended to use braces, cement footings, or anchors for reinforcement. One common type of brace used by cattle ranchers is the "floating diagonal" brace. This involves notching a 4-inch by 10-foot post at a half-inch into the main corner post, with the other end of the brace resting on the ground opposite the corner.
When setting up braces, it is essential to consider the type of post you are using. Wood posts are durable and effective but tend to degrade over time. Metal posts, on the other hand, are easier to set in the ground but may be more expensive. Ensure that your posts are securely installed before attaching the braces.
Additionally, pay attention to the number of wires and their spacing. Depending on your specific needs, such as the number of animals you need to contain or exclude, you may need to adjust the spacing and number of wires accordingly. Proper planning will ensure that your electric fence is effective and secure.
By following these instructions and considering the specific requirements of your electric fence, you can effectively set up braces to reinforce and stabilise your fence, particularly at critical points such as corners and gates.
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Using joiners
Electric fence connectors are crucial for establishing a secure electrical connection. They ensure reliable conductivity between wires or tapes, energisers, and grounding rods. Using joiners like connection bolts, crimps, and clamps that are designed for electric fence joins and break repairs can help you achieve a cleaner and more secure connection.
Firstly, if you need to make a quick short-term connection, take both ends of the break in your electric fence wire or tape and tie them together as securely as you can, leaving just over an inch or about 4 centimetres of excess wire or tape on both sides. Melt the polymer/plastic fibres with a lighter or small flame to expose the thin metal wires. Group all the metal strands together and twist them tightly into one secure solid strand. This will prevent arcing and sparking from wires that are close but not in full contact.
For a cleaner, more secure, and long-term solution, use electric fence connection bolts, joiners, or clamps to make secure electric fence joins. You can use a line connector (60 cm long) to join tape-to-tape fences or a tape to rope fence. A Hart clamp line-to-line joiner (55 cm long) is good for joining wire or polywire or rope fence lines. To secure the ends of the tape, use a P99 tape tensioner. This tape tensioner has a metal belt clip that makes a very good connection point for joining and transferring power between fences.
For a long-term secure connection with great surface contact, use crimps. High-quality 2.5mm aluminium crimp sleeves can be used for joining and connecting wires. They have a water-resistant coating for all-weather use, ensuring strong, durable wire joints exceeding breaking strain. The Gallagher Tape Joiner 20/40mm is a stainless steel connector designed for optimal connection of 20 and 40 mm wide fence tapes. It ensures good conductivity, prevents power loss, and offers long-lasting durability.
Avoid using knots to join the lines in an electric fence as this will result in a loss of current and fence faults.
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Frequently asked questions
You should plan the layout of your fence by considering the number of animals you need to contain or keep out, and the size of the area you need to enclose. You should also decide on the height and length of the fence, as well as the number of wires you will need.
Wood posts are durable and effective, but they degrade over time. Metal posts are easy to set in the ground but may be more expensive.
Take both ends of the break and tie them together securely, leaving about 4 cm of excess wire or tape on both sides. Melt the polymer/plastic fibres with a lighter or small flame to expose the thin metal wires. Group all the metal strands together and twist them into one secure strand to prevent arcing and sparking.
Solar chargers do not need an electric outlet but require sunlight. Electric chargers must have access to an AC outlet. Select a charger that is rated by joules, as this will provide a more consistent electrical current.
