Otis Singleton
Tying a knot in IntelliRope® PE 6.0 can be challenging due to its polyethylene filaments, which are designed to be wear-resistant and slick. While IntelliRope is commonly used for electric fencing to contain horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and deer, its smooth texture makes it difficult to form secure knots. It is recommended to use proper rope connectors or, in a pinch, a well-tied knot or splice can be used temporarily. To create a strong knot, one method involves tying both ends securely, leaving a small amount of excess wire, and then melting the polymer fibres to expose the thin metal wires, which can then be twisted together to form a solid connection. Another approach is to tie a slip knot, which is suitable for high-tensile wire fencing. For a more secure and long-term solution, electric fence joiners like connection bolts, crimps, and clamps can be used to reduce sparking and improve power.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| IntelliRope® thickness | 6mm |
| IntelliRope® use case | Containing horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and deer |
| IntelliRope® features | Elastic, wear-resistant, mildew-resistant, highly visible, durable, and effective conductor |
| Knot type | Square knot (for permanent joints), sheet bend (for temporary joints), loop knot, slip knot, or figure-8 knot |
| Joining method | Tie a knot or use proper connectors like RopeLink, Rope Connector, connection bolts, crimps, clamps, or splice |
| Testing | Use a fence tester to check voltage and look for loose strands affecting conductivity |
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What You'll Learn
Use a loop knot for flexibility
IntelliRope is made of polyethylene (PE) filaments, which are slick and difficult to tie a knot in. Therefore, it is recommended to use a RopeLink or Rope Connector for connections. However, if you are in a hurry, a well-tied loop knot can be used temporarily.
A loop knot allows for maximum flexibility when tying electric fencing wire to end poles. Ralph Harris of NRCS Arkansas demonstrates how to tie such a knot in a video on the Kerr Center website. The loop knot is strong enough to keep your animals safe and where they should be, but only until you can fix it properly with a proper connector.
To tie a loop knot, start by creating a loop with the electric fence rope. Then, wrap the working end of the rope around the standing end of the loop several times. Finally, thread the working end back through the loop and tighten the knot. This will create a secure connection that can be used to attach the rope to a fence post or another section of rope.
It is important to test the connection once you have made the join to ensure it is working properly. Use a fence tester to check the voltage across the connection and look for any loose strands that could affect conductivity. Remember, a proper rope connector is always the best option for a strong and secure electric fence connection.
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Tie a slip knot with high-tensile wire
To tie a slip knot with high-tensile wire, you can follow the steps outlined in the video by Bekaert's #TheFencePros. This method is used for tying off line wires of high tensile woven wire or high tensile smooth wire to braces.
Firstly, you'll need to choose the right wire fencing for your needs, whether that's for containing dogs, sheep, goats, or other animals. Next, you can begin the process of tying the slip knot. While I cannot directly provide images or videos, I can describe the process to you.
To start, make a loop by doubling the wire back onto itself. Then, run the tag end back towards the loop and lay it over the doubled lines. At this point, you should make one or two turns with the tag end around the doubled lines and thread it through the new loop that you've created. This will form the slip knot.
It's important to note that a proper rope connector is ideal for connecting electric fence wires, but if you're in a hurry, a well-tied knot or a splice will do temporarily. Always remember to test your connections with a fence tester to ensure they're working properly and providing a strong connection.
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Use a rope connector
IntelliRope is commonly used to contain horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. It is also used as an anti-deer fence. Polyethylene filaments are "slick", so it is difficult to tie a knot in IntelliRope. Instead, it is recommended to use a RopeLink or Rope Connector for connections.
To use a rope connector, you will need to take both ends of the break in your electric fence wire or tape and tie them together securely, leaving just over an inch or about 4 centimetres of excess wire or tape on both sides. Melt the polymer/plastic fibres using a lighter or small flame to expose the thin metal wires. Be careful not to heat the thin wire too much, as they will melt if kept red-hot for too long. If you can't find a method of melting the polymer or plastic, you can separate the metal wires and plastic strands by hand by gently pulling and separating them a little at a time. 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.
If you are in a hurry, a well-tied knot will do until you can fix it properly with a rope connector. A square knot is a good option if you won't need to untie it, while a sheet bend is better if you might need to separate the ropes in the future. On the tag end, tie an overhand or figure-8 knot and do one more turn around the standing end on each side of the knot. This way, if the knot slips, it will tension against itself. Generally, the knots are strong enough to keep your animals safe and where they should be.
Once you've made the join, use a fence tester to check the voltage across the connection. Look for any loose strands that could affect conductivity. If you used a knot, plan to replace it with a proper connector as soon as possible.
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Test the join with a fence tester
Testing your electric fence is important to ensure it is working properly and to prevent livestock escapees or unwanted visitors.
Using a Fence Tester
Firstly, move to the section of the fence furthest from the charger. The charger is usually a small box that provides electricity to the fence. By checking the voltage at the furthest point, you can be sure that the proper voltage is running through the fence.
You can buy a non-contact voltmeter, or non-contact voltage tester, for a relatively low price at most home improvement retailers. They are easy to use and do not require you to touch the fence wires. Turn the non-contact voltmeter on and wait for a blinking red light on the tip. Stand within 5 feet of the electric fence and point the blinking tip towards the fence. The voltmeter may begin to glow with a steady red light and beep, indicating a charge. If not, slowly move closer to the fence. If the voltmeter still doesn't light up or beep, the wire likely lacks a charge.
If you want to be more precise, you can use an electric fence voltmeter. This tool is specifically designed to detect voltage in electric fences, making it the most reliable tool for the job. Most models include a handheld meter with a digital readout and a metal prong on top, and an attached metal probe at the end of a wire. Touch the prong on the tester to each charged wire. With the probe still touching the ground wire or stuck in the soil, touch the metal prong to one of the charged wires. The digital readout will give you a voltage reading. Compare this reading to the recommended voltage for your fence model. Repeat the test on each fence wire. The readings are often in the thousands, so a reading of 5.0 indicates 5000 volts. If the reading is above or below the recommended range, there is a problem with the fence and it should be serviced. If you don't get any reading, check that you turned the voltmeter on. If the meter is on and there is still no reading, the fence has no charge.
Other Methods
If you do not have access to a fence tester, there are other methods you can use, although they are not as reliable. You can use a simple neon bulb tester by holding the bulb near the wire without making a connection. You can also use a blade of grass, a small wire, or even salted meat to test the fence, although these methods are not recommended as they can be dangerous and may not provide accurate results.
Troubleshooting
If your fence has completely depowered, the battery or power source may be at fault. You can test this by plugging another electrical device, such as a light, into the outlet and checking if it works. If it doesn't, consult an electrician.
If you have a solar-powered fence, use your voltage tester to measure the battery voltage. If it is underperforming, you may need to replace it. Solar batteries typically last about 3 years and can lose their charge after extended periods without sunlight.
If you have a battery-operated, non-solar fence, check your DC battery to see if it is delivering the appropriate charge. The battery may have been drained by a short somewhere along the fence or by animals frequently testing the fence.
It is also important to keep the area around your fence clear of vegetation. Tall grass, branches, weeds, and other plants that touch the fence can drain voltage, so regular trimming is essential.
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Prevent arcing and sparking
To prevent arcing and sparking when tying a knot with electric fence Intellirope, there are several methods and best practices to follow. Firstly, it is important to understand that arcing and sparking occur due to incomplete contact between metallic strands, resulting in voltage loss and potential burns on the fence.
One effective method to prevent arcing and sparking is to use appropriate joiners such as connection bolts, crimps, and clamps. These joiners are specifically designed for electric fence joins and repairs, offering a cleaner and more secure connection. The larger surface area of these joiners ensures better contact between the metallic strands, reducing the chances of arcing and sparking. Among these options, crimps are particularly effective for long-term use, providing excellent surface contact and a solid attachment.
Another technique to prevent arcing and sparking is to expose the metal wires within the Intellirope by melting or burning away the polymer or plastic coating. This can be done using a lighter or a small flame. After exposing the thin metal wires, group them together and twist them tightly into a single, solid strand. This method ensures complete contact between the wires, preventing arcing and sparking. However, caution must be exercised to avoid overheating the metal wires, as they can melt if exposed to high temperatures for too long.
Additionally, it is recommended to use knots with multiple points of contact when tying electric fence Intellirope. For example, the figure-eight knot and the reef knot are suitable for repairing wire breaks and provide better electrical conductivity compared to knots with only a single point of contact. Reinforcing these knots with a joint clamp further enhances the connection and helps prevent arcing and sparking.
To further minimize arcing and sparking, it is crucial to maintain the quality of your electric fence. This includes using high-quality insulators to prevent power loss through electrical shorts. Regularly inspect and clear vegetation and debris from the fence to maintain electrical conductivity and reduce the chances of arcing and sparking. By combining these methods and following best practices, you can effectively prevent arcing and sparking when tying knots with electric fence Intellirope.
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Frequently asked questions
IntelliRope is made of polyethylene, which is quite "slick", making it difficult to tie a knot in. However, if you're in a hurry, a well-tied knot or a splice will do until you can fix it properly with a proper connector or a RopeLink or Rope Connector.
For a cleaner and more secure join, you can use joiners like connection bolts, crimps, and clamps that are designed for electric fence joins and break repairs. This will also reduce arcing and sparking, increasing the power of your electric fence.
A square knot is best if you don't want to untie it, and a sheet bend if you might want to untie it in the future. You can also use a slip knot, which is used when tying off line wires to braces.
