Umair Gaines
Electric fencing is a simple, effective, and humane way to keep livestock contained and to keep wild animals and intruders out. Electric fence lines can be used to enclose a pasture or garden. Polywire is a popular choice for electric fencing as it is easy to set up and remove, and it is also cost-effective. When installing an electric fence with polywire, it is important to plan the layout, including the number of wires and their spacing, and to select a suitable charger to power the fence. The polywire should be connected to the charger, with particular attention paid to ensuring that all individual wires are in contact to pass the electrical charge down the fence.
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What You'll Learn
Planning your layout
Planning the layout of your polywire electric fence is a crucial step in ensuring its effectiveness and longevity. Here are some detailed guidelines to help you design the layout:
Purpose and Plot Size:
Start by defining the purpose of your electric fence. Are you containing livestock, such as goats or cattle, or deterring wild animals and intruders? This will impact the design and size of your fence. Carefully measure the plot of land you want to enclose. Consider the number and type of animals you need to control, as this will dictate the spacing and number of wires required.
Height and Length:
Determine the appropriate height and length of your electric fence. The height should be sufficient to contain the animals and deter intruders. Decide on the length of each run, considering the area you need to enclose. Remember that longer fences may require a stronger wire type, as polywire has limitations in carrying electrical charges over extensive distances.
Number of Wires:
Based on your specific needs, decide on the number of wires necessary to complete the job. For example, if containing difficult livestock, consider using a fourth line for added security. Additionally, if using alternating +/- wires, carefully plan which wires you want "hot" and connected to the charger.
Corner Bracing:
Each corner of your electric fence will require bracing. Determine how many brace corners you'll need. Typically, one brace is sufficient for corners with six or fewer lines, while seven or more lines require a double brace.
Fence Posts:
Acquire enough fence posts to construct your fence. For polywire fences, wood or metal T-posts are commonly used. Metal posts are easier to set in the ground but may be more expensive. Space your posts appropriately, ensuring they are not too close together, as this can cause the lines to droop. Posts should generally be around 12-15 feet apart for polywire fences.
Gate Planning:
Consider the placement and design of your gates. Decide whether you want to go overhead with the electric wire or use a pulsing charger. Plan how you will connect the wire to the gate, ensuring it can be easily detached when opening the gate.
Remember to refer to local guidelines and regulations regarding electric fencing, and always prioritize safety during the installation process.
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Choosing the right wire
When choosing the right wire for your electric fence, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, the purpose of the fence and the type of animal being contained are important considerations. For example, poly fencing is a good option for temporary fencing and for containing livestock, as it is highly visible and less likely to injure animals compared to plain fencing wire.
Poly wires, tapes, braids, and ropes are primarily used to improve the visibility of an electric fence. They carry an electrical flow to deliver a shock when an animal touches the fence, and they clearly mark the boundary of the exclusion zone. Poly products are also safer for animals, as they cause less injury than plain fencing wire, galvanised wire, or barbed wire, which can cause deep lacerations. Polytape, in particular, offers greater visibility than polywire or polyrope and is often used for horse fencing. It is also strong, weather-resistant, and won't rust.
If you are looking for a more permanent perimeter fence, steel or aluminium wire can be used, and you can electrify the fence wire with a fence charger. Aluminium offers superior conducting capabilities but is more expensive than steel wire. High-tensile wire is another option for permanent fencing and is available in galvanised steel or aluminium. Galvanised steel is an economical choice that can carry an electric charge over long distances.
For temporary fencing, polywire is a popular choice due to its lightweight nature, versatility, and easy installation. It is ideal for strip grazing and rotational grazing systems, and it can be easily tightened, spliced, repaired, and rewound. Polytape is another option for temporary fencing, offering enhanced visibility and superior strength. However, it may not be suitable for areas with strong winds, in which case Poly Braid is recommended.
When purchasing poly products, it is important to consider the quality, electrical properties, and UV treatments. Price is usually a good indicator of quality, and purchasing from a reputable supplier or manufacturer is recommended. Additionally, consider the type of metal used in the conductors and ensure that the product is suitable for the specific agricultural conditions in your region.
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Setting up your charger
Once you've selected the type of charger, it's time to set it up. If you're using a solar charger, drive a T-post into the ground if your charger has a T-post mount. If not, simply place the charger on the ground. Remember to angle the solar panel for maximum sunlight exposure. For an electric charger, look for a weather-resilient spot near an AC outlet to install it. You can hang the charger on a post or the wall of an outbuilding to keep it protected.
Now, it's time to connect the charger to your fence. If you're using a solar charger, connect the positive post of the charger to the paddock fence wire using the positive alligator clip. Then, connect the negative post to the grounding rod with the other clip. For an electric charger, you'll need to ensure that all the wires are properly connected to carry the electrical charge effectively. This is especially important if you're joining multiple lengths of polywire or using a multi-strand system.
Before turning on your charger, make sure you've installed the fence correctly and tested the connections. Once everything is in place and functioning properly, you can turn on your charger to power your electric fence.
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Bracing corners and gates
When installing an electric fence, it is important to brace corners and gates to reinforce them. Each corner of the electrical fence will need to be braced with a corner piece. One brace will suffice at ends and corners with six or fewer lines, while seven or more lines require a double brace.
A common method used by cattle ranchers is the "floating diagonal" brace, which involves notching a 4-inch by 10-foot post into the main corner post by half an inch, with the other end set on the ground opposite the corner. Another option is to use cement footings or anchors to reinforce the posts exposed to the most stress.
For gates, you can use a stretch of electric rope attached to a gate handle. This allows you to easily open and close the gate by removing the wire and hooking it back on the hot wire. You can also go overhead by using fiberglass step-in posts and wire-tying them to the fence post to make them taller, then running a single wire overhead to tie into the fence on the other side.
It is important to note that polywire electric fencing should be used in conjunction with traditional barriers such as gates and wooden fences. Proper installation and maintenance are crucial for the effectiveness and longevity of the fence.
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Connecting the polywire
Connecting polywire to an electric fence requires careful consideration of the type of wire, charger, and fence posts. Polywire is made up of several strands of very thin wire woven into a plastic mesh, and the heavier-duty, more expensive variety has more wires and a stronger mesh. When joining two lengths of polywire, it is crucial to ensure that all the individual wires are in contact to maintain an electrical charge along the fence.
To connect polywire to an electric fence, start by selecting the appropriate wire type. Polywire typically comes in 1.5- or 2-inch poly tape, braid, or rope, which are suitable for most applications. For a more substantial fence to keep out horses or deer, coated wire or thicker poly tape may be necessary. Consider the number of wires you need and the spacing between them, taking into account the number and type of animals you need to contain or exclude.
Next, choose a suitable charger to power the electric fence. Solar chargers are a popular option as they do not require an electric outlet, but they need sufficient sunlight exposure. Position the charger in an area that receives ample sunlight, typically facing south in U.S. locations. Connect the positive post of the charger to the fence wire using an alligator clip, and join the negative post to a grounding rod with another clip. Ensure that your charger is hung on a post or wall of an outbuilding for protection and is only turned on after the fence installation is complete.
Finally, install your fence posts, which can be wooden or metal. Metal posts are easier to set in the ground but may be more expensive, while wooden posts are durable yet tend to degrade over time. Space your posts about 12-15 feet apart when using polywire. If you plan to have more than six lines of fencing, each corner will need a double brace. Use insulators to keep the electricity in the wires and away from the posts, clipping them onto the fence posts at the top, middle, and bottom. You can also add a fourth line of insulators for difficult livestock. Run the polywire through the insulators, pulling it taut as you go, and consider using a figure-8 motion at each post insulator to secure the wire and minimise sagging.
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