Wiktor Wise
Poly tape electric fences are a popular choice for livestock managers due to their flexibility, durability, and visibility. They are made from woven strands of non-conductive polyethylene laced with conductive metal threads that deliver a mild shock to animals that come into contact with them. When installing a poly tape electric fence, it is important to first plan the layout, taking into account the size of the pasture, the visual ability of the livestock, and the size of the animals. The poly tape should be installed with hand tensioning, allowing it to turn corners and rise over hills. Insulators can be used to secure the poly tape to the fence posts, ensuring that the electricity stays in the wires and does not come into contact with the posts. When joining sections of poly tape, it is important to securely tie the ends together, melt the polymer fibres to expose the metal wires, and then twist the metal strands together to prevent arcing and sparking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Installation | Polytape is easy to install and repair. It requires only hand tensioning, allowing the fence to turn corners and rise over hills. |
| Durability | Polytape does not rust. Its plastic and metal construction means it is durable and can withstand strong winds. |
| Visibility | Polytape is highly visible to animals due to its wide profile and bright colour. |
| Flexibility | Polytape can be used to quickly adjust paddock sizes and subdivide pastures, block access to resting paddocks, and create paths between paddocks. |
| Size Options | Polytape is available in half-inch, 1-inch, and 2-inch sizes. The size chosen depends on the size of the pasture, the visual ability of the livestock, and the size of the animals. |
| Joining Tape | To join two lengths of polytape, ensure all individual wires are in contact to pass the electrical charge. Tie the ends securely, melt the polymer fibres to expose the metal wires, and twist the metal strands together. |
| Preventing Sparks | To prevent arcing and sparking, use joiners like connection bolts, crimps, or clamps. |
| Grounding | Ensure proper grounding to achieve an effective shock. Use a line tester to check for joules every 10 feet, and add grounding rods where needed. |
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What You'll Learn
- Poly tape is flexible, durable, and easy to install and repair
- Poly tape is available in three sizes: half-inch, 1-inch, and 2-inch
- Poly tape is a ribbon-like fencing option made from woven strands of non-conductive polyethylene laced with conductive metal threads
- Ensure proper grounding to deliver a good shock
- Joining poly tape: tie ends together, melt fibres, expose wires, and twist strands together
Poly tape is flexible, durable, and easy to install and repair
Poly tape is a ribbon-like fencing option made from woven strands of non-conductive polyethylene. It is laced with conductive metal threads that transmit voltage along a fence perimeter. Poly tape is flexible, durable, and easy to install and repair.
Poly tape is flexible in use and can be installed quickly. It is available in several widths, including half-inch, 1-inch, and 2-inch sizes. The size chosen depends on factors such as the size of the pasture, the visual ability of the livestock, and the size of the animal. For example, a larger pasture should be protected by a 2-inch poly tape, as it is more visible from a distance. Animals with better eyesight or smaller in size can be fenced in with half-inch or 1-inch poly tape.
Poly tape is durable and sees little wear and tear from everyday use. Its plastic and metal construction prevents rusting, and its fibrous lacing ensures that strong winds rarely upset the fence. Poly tape is also easy to repair, as it only requires hand tensioning and can be secured with insulators that slide over posts or are screwed into fence posts.
Poly tape is an excellent option for rotational grazing. Its quick installation and high visibility allow farmers to adjust paddock sizes, block access to resting areas, and create paths between paddocks easily. Poly tape's flexibility and durability make it a convenient and low-maintenance choice for electric fencing.
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Poly tape is available in three sizes: half-inch, 1-inch, and 2-inch
The second factor is the visual ability of your livestock. Some livestock have better vision than others. Half-inch and 1-inch poly tape can be used with animals that can easily spot the fencing as they approach. Animals with poor eyesight, such as cows and cattle, are best served by 2-inch poly tape.
Finally, consider the size of your animals. 2-inch poly tape is ideal for fencing in horses or similarly sized animals. Smaller animals will respond just as well to the half-inch and 1-inch poly tapes.
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Poly tape is a ribbon-like fencing option made from woven strands of non-conductive polyethylene laced with conductive metal threads
When installing an electric fence using poly tape, there are several steps to follow. First, plan the layout of the fence, including the number of wires and the spacing between posts. Install at least one grounding post that's 6 feet or longer near the charger, and run a grounding wire from the charger to the grounding posts. Install fence posts no more than 40 feet apart, brace the corners and gates to reinforce them, and mount insulators on the posts to keep the electricity in the wires and away from the posts.
Then, run the poly tape between the posts, starting from the post that's farthest from the charger. Use connector clamps to mount the poly tape on the posts, and pull the tape taut at the anchor end. Do not wrap the poly tape around the posts, as this can cause the cable to come loose and corrosion to occur. For longer fences or permanent fences, plain galvanised fencing wire is recommended as poly tape wires may be too thin to carry the electrical charge over long distances.
If the poly tape breaks or needs to be joined at intersections, there are several methods to connect the ends securely. Tie the ends together securely, leaving about 4 centimetres of excess tape on both sides. Melt the plastic fibres with a small flame to expose the metal wires, being careful not to overheat and melt the wires. Group the metal strands together and twist them into one secure strand to prevent arcing and sparking. Clean up any excess fibres or sharp edges, and fold the wire group over on itself to prevent it from catching on anything. Alternatively, use electric fence connection bolts, crimps, or clamps designed for electric fence joins and break repairs. These options provide a larger surface area for better connection and are suitable for both temporary and long-term connections.
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Ensure proper grounding to deliver a good shock
Proper grounding is essential to keeping your electric fence functioning properly and keeping your animals safe. When a fence is not grounded properly, it will not shock an animal when it bumps against the fence.
To ensure proper grounding, you must first locate an area of soil that contains good, conductive earth (not sandy or rocky). Make sure that the grounding system is within range of your fence energizer, but at least 25 feet away from buildings with metal siding. Most fences will need two or three grounding rods, spaced about ten feet apart, near the beginning of the fence. Very dry or rocky soil may require additional ground rods. These rods are either six or eight feet high and are installed by pounding them into the ground. The tips are hardened steel, allowing them to split rocks if needed.
Once the ground rods are installed, you need to connect them to your energizer. Start by running an insulated wire from your energizer to the nearest ground rod. Use a ground rod clamp to connect the wire to the rod. Continue to connect each rod to its neighbour using the same method. Finally, connect the insulated wire to your energizer. The energizer has two connectors, one for the live wire and the other for the ground.
To ensure that your fence is working properly, you should test your grounding system with a voltage tester during the driest and wettest periods of the year. During the drier seasons, it might be necessary to upgrade your grounding system by adding more ground rods.
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Joining poly tape: tie ends together, melt fibres, expose wires, and twist strands together
Joining poly tape is a simple process, but it is important to follow the steps carefully to ensure an effective join. Firstly, take the ends of the tape and tie them together securely, leaving around 4 centimetres of excess tape on both sides. This initial tie will serve as a foundation for the join, but further steps are necessary to prevent arcing and sparking, which can cause power loss and even burns in the fence.
The next step is to expose the thin metal wires within the poly tape. To do this, melt the polymer/plastic fibres using a lighter or small flame. Be careful not to overheat the wires, as they will melt if they get too hot. If you don't have a lighter or flame, you can also separate the metal wires and plastic strands by hand, gently pulling them apart a little at a time.
Once the metal wires are exposed, group them together and twist them tightly into a single, solid strand. This will ensure a secure connection and help to prevent arcing and sparking. Finally, you can tie the poly tape together as normal, and the electrical current will be able to pass through the join.
For a cleaner and more secure long-term solution, you can use electric fence joiners like connection bolts, crimps, or clamps. These are designed specifically for electric fence joins and repairs and provide a larger surface area for better connection. Bolts and clamps are suitable for temporary fencing, while crimps offer a long-term secure connection with great surface contact.
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Frequently asked questions
Poly tape is flexible, easy to install and repair, and highly visible to animals due to its width and bright colour. It is also durable, with little wear and tear from everyday use, and is not susceptible to rust.
Poly tape is available in three sizes: half-inch, 1-inch, and 2-inch. The size you choose depends on factors such as the size of your pasture, the visual ability of your livestock, and the size of the animals you are containing. Larger pastures and animals with poor eyesight may require a larger poly tape size, while smaller animals and those with better vision can use smaller sizes.
First, plan the layout of your fence, considering the number of animals you need to contain and the spacing and number of wires needed. Install grounding posts near the charger and run grounding wires to them. Then, install your fence posts, ensuring they are not too close together but no more than 40 feet apart. Brace the corners and gates for reinforcement. Mount insulators on the posts to keep the electricity in the wires and run the poly tape wire between them, using connector clamps to mount the wire.
