Quality Items = Quality Fence

Choosing the right items for an electric fence could be a gruesome endeavor especially if these items are of the same use, with similarly sounding names, and most sellers of these products who only anticipate gain and somehow forget to explain slight differences in these items.

Take for instance in setting-up electric fence for animal enclosure, you will encounter MR. Poly Wire, Mr. Poly Rope, and Mr. Poly Tape.  Never mind Mr. Steel and Mr. Aluminum since you are already long acquainted with them but, at least you should know the difference between the previous three Mr. Poly.

What would help you identify which item is which?  The main difference between these three is their sizes and these are as follows:

Poly wire – This is he thinnest of the three poly items.  Its diameter may range from 0.100” to 0.125”.

Poly rope – Thicker than the poly wire with diameter ranging from 0.125” to 1.000”.

Poly tape – This is the most visually identifiable from all three poly item since this is shaped like a tape unlike the first two which are rounded.  Poly tapes width ranges from 0.500” to 2.500”

 

Now that you know these simple vocabularies, which type of wire should you choose?  This depends on what type of enclosure you need and what type of animals you need to fence-in.  Larger and stronger animals would need stronger wire with higher charge.  Permanency of the fencing should also be taken into consideration in choosing the type of wire to use.

 

Below is a simple matrix that would help you decide:

 

Type	Visibility	Charge	Durability	Ideal Fencing Use
Poly wire	Acceptable	Low	Will not rust.	Temporary
Poly rope	Good	Average	Will not rust.	Temporary
Poly tape	Excellent	High	Will not rust.	Temporary/Semi-permanent
Steel wire	Poor	Very High	High tensile.	Semi-permanent/Permanent
Aluminum wire	Poor	Poor	May sag.	Permanent

 

Another important item one needs to choose carefully for electric fencing needs are the posts he would use.  There are various types of posts wood posts, rod posts, T-posts, fiberglass posts, step-in posts, pigtail posts and others.

 

Wood posts

Amongst all the available fences posts sold in the market, wood posts are the sturdiest of them all and the only one that would qualify as corner posts due to its resistance to strain.  Due to their effective value these post may come in at a slightly higher price but they are worth every penny you put in buying them.  Due to this, wood posts are seldom used as line post but they will properly serve this purpose and are most advisable if what you are planning to install is a permanent fence.

 

Aside from wood posts, there is no other type of fence post which is advisable for use as corner post due to the tension and stress carried by these areas.  For line posts however, you may consider other types which are more customized for such use.

 

Steel rod posts

These are durable post which can be used as line posts particularly for temporary fences due to easy installation.  This type of posts will not be able to carry too much strain so they are not recommended for corners.

 

Fiberglass rod posts

Fiberglass rods are similar to steel rod except for their composition.  These posts which are lighter than steel rods are also recommended only for use as line posts of temporary fences.

 

These rod type posts would need clams for attaching the wire to them so you also need to consider this in choosing them.

 

Step-in posts

Step-in posts are the best type of post for use as line posts.  These posts are made with large step-in flange for holding wires which makes it most recommended particularly when you will be using poly tape wires.  Other features of this type of posts are its reinforced ribs, bottom spikes, and color.  These features add strength, prevent rotation of the posts, and increase its visibility which makes it more appropriate for use.

 

Pigtail posts

A feature of this type of post which earned its name is the top loop which makes it look like a pig’s tail.  Most recommended for cell grazing or Managed Intensive Rotational Grazing (MIRG) due to its portable use and ease of installation.

 

T-posts

These posts are more durable than step-in posts thus, are more recommended for use in permanent fences.  These types of posts will last longer than other types due to its sturdy composition.

 

The wires and the posts are the most vital items for electric fencing.  There are other items that you may need to acquire such as the fence chargers which are also vital items, anchors, fence insulators, and accessories.

 

Fence chargers also needs careful deliberation and will be discussed separately.  Anchors, fence insulators, and accessories are items that you need to purchase according to your needs and are pretty much easier to choose.

 

The best thing that could help you in choosing the right items for your electric fence is to know what you need and which type of items would be suitable to be used as such.  You should also keep in mind that quality does not necessarily mean expensive.  There are affordable quality products you can find if you know where to look.

For beginners, installing an electric fence is a little complicated and may cause harm if not done properly.  Here are a few steps that may help you in this task:

 

Step 1: Plan the job.

Great endeavors human have made were not carried-out through sheer talent and expertise.   Most of them succeeded due to carefully laid out plans.  So is your electric fence installation project.  Planning your electric fence will make the job go smoother, prevent accident, and save you a lot of time and more likely, money.  Now what should one plan about?

 

The things you need to know in planning the phase of your work is the type of materials to purchase, the kind of material to purchase, the amount of materials to purchase, the positioning of the post, the positioning of the wires, the installation of the wire chargers, and how and what accessories to add.   An important part of the planning phase is the fence layout which will guide you in the installation.

 

After laying out these plans you need to procure the tools and manpower need.

 

Step 2: Procure needed manpower, materials, and tools.

For manpower, it is advisable that you work with a two or three person team and make sure that at least one of you has knowledge regarding electrical jobs.  This will save you time and you will have a knowledgeable partner should electrical problems arise.

 

For acquiring materials, it is recommended that you find a supplier who specializes in electric fence products so you will be sure that the materials they will provide are of high quality.  Most of these specialized stores will have all the things you need so you will no longer spend time store hopping for items you need.  Another advantage of this is that you could ask advice from these specialized suppliers for the efficiency of your work and the adequateness of the materials you will purchase.

 

Since, you will be installing an electrical fence you will need tools that are customized for the job.  Having someone knowledgeable in electrical works will help you know which tools to use and how to use them in order to avoid damaging the materials.

 

Step 3: Pole down.

Now to proceed to the work proper, the first thing you should do is to install the fence posts.  This is a pretty easy job of dig and fill but you need to be accurate in your pole spacing.  In case your poles have flanges, you also need to be sure that line posts face in the same direct so you could have your wires laid out on a straight path.

 

You need to install corner posts first and line post next.  In installing corner posts, be sure that they have sturdy foundation in order to avoid uprooting since these posts will take higher amount of tension and stress.  For permanent fences, it would be beneficial to cement the foundation of your corner post.

 

In installing line posts, you need to accurately space them in order to properly carry the weight of the wires.  Be sure to measure, re-measure spaces between posts in order to be certain and refer to the fence layout you have made.  Having a spacing guide will help in the accuracy of your measurements.

You also need to ensure that posts flanges are facing the same position.

 

Step 4: Wire in.

Wirings are easy to install except for the knots and splice techniques that you need to apply.

 

While installing the wires around the fence, make sure that you properly insert them into the flanges of each line post for proper support.  In the absence of flanges, use wire clamps in attaching the wires to the posts.  Be sure that attachments to corner posts are sturdy and properly installed to withstand tension.

 

In connecting the wire, make use of the western union splice, the eight knot, or the reef knot.  The reef knot is most advisable in corner posts wire connections.  You must drill in a rod into the corner post and use it as the anchor where the center of reef knotted wires is placed.  Using connectors in joining electric wires will enhance electric flow and will ensure that the joints will be able to take a higher degree of strain.

 

When connecting poly products, you need to strip the end of the wires in order to maintain uninterrupted flow of electricity.  You should insulate these ends with an electrical tape once connected.

 

Step 5: Charge up, ground down.

In installing your electric chargers, make sure that they are boxed or placed in an area protected from the weather.  An ideal location is somewhere free from moisture.  This is with the exception of solar chargers which are needed to be placed outdoors where sunlight concentration is relatively high.  Nevertheless, you should always make sure that your chargers are elevated from the ground.

 

Connect the ground wire of your charger to ground rods.   Three properly spaced (8’ to 10’ apart) grounding rods would be considered as proper grounding.  Connect the ground wire to the rods through the ground rod clamp.  Then, bury the rod to the ground.  In doing this, make sure that there are not underground lines that are in contact or near you ground rods.

 

Finally, you need to connect the lead wire to your fence wires.  Install jumpers to distribute current to other electric wire levels in your fence.

 

Step 6: Accessorize.

The purpose of your electric fence is to enclose animals in and not injure anyone who comes into contact with them.  In order to prevent this, you need to accessorize your electric fences.

 

The most useful accessories are the warning devices.  You should install one or more warning devices in each side of your fence to warn anyone from touching the wires.  You may also use insulated clamps in order to prevent current from flowing into the post if these are positioned outside of the wires and are intended not to carry any current.

 

Lightings should also be installed around the fence in order to ensure visibility during night time.  For high tensile wires, strainer should be used to tighten them.  You may also need electric wire testers to test presence of electric current around the fence.  For storm prone areas, lightning diverters should be installed to prevent lighting from striking you fence and causing unwanted power surge.

 

Step 7: Final check.

A final check will be needed to ensure proper installation of your electric fence.  Check for the following as you tour around your fence:

1. Test if electric current is distributed through-out the fence by using an electric wire tester.
2. Make sure that there are no animal drinking vats near the fence.
3. Look for other obstacles that may come near your fence such as tree branches, grass, and others.  These will impede electric current.

 

After such check, you will be confident enough that your fence would serve its purpose.  Now, you should never install and leave your fence as they are.  Don’t forget to do regular maintenance checks or have someone to do this job.

Installing an electric fence is an excellent way to contain your animals.  This may seem to be a simple job but, installing electric fences needs careful planning and proper execution.  In the planning phase of your fence installation, knowing the vital measurements needed is crucial to the job.  The basic measurements you need to know are the length of the fence, the height of the fence, the height of the grounding posts, the number of grounding posts, and the total length of the wire.

1. The length of the fence is easiest to obtain.  You just need to measure the perimeter of the area that needs enclosure less the length of the parts that needs no fencing (e.g. walls that form part of the enclosure).

2. The height of your fence has a directly proportional relationship to the height of the animals you wish to keep inside the fence and your assessment on their fence jumping and fence bumping capacities.  Taller animals with higher fence jumping tendencies and stronger fence bumping strengths need to be enclosed using a higher fence. 

3. The height of your posts is dependent on the height of your fence and can be computed using the simple formula below:

HoP = HoF + Sink + PA

Where “HoP” is the height of your posts, “HoF” is the height of your fence, “Sink” is the measurement of the part of your post you wish to sink to the ground, “PA” is the post allowance ranging from 2” to 4”.

4.      The number of posts depends on the length of the fence and the desired distance between each grounding post.  An advisable distance between two posts is 6’ to 10’.  Now, compute the number of grounding posts needed as follows:

 

GP = /(LoF / DP)/ + 1

 

Where “GP” is the number of grounding posts, “LoF” is the length of the fence, and “DP” is the distance between posts.  Only consider the absolute values in the division process and don’t forget that you need to add 1 for the end post.

1. 5.      The length of the electric wire depends on the length of the fence and the number of wire levels you need.  You will get the total wire length (TWL) by multiplying the length of the fence (LoF) by the number of wire levels (WLv) and adding an allowance (WA) of 6’ or more depending on your estimate (this allowance will be used in connecting your electric wire to its charger).

 

A sample computation for the total length of electric wire you need – assuming that your fence length is 90’ and you need 4 wire levels and decided on a 12’ allowance – is as follows:

TWL = (LoF * WLv) + WA

TWL = (90’ * 4) + 12’

TWL = 360’ + 12’

TWL = 372’

 

Obtaining these measurements, no matter how basic they may seem, is crucial to the success of your electric fence installation.  And you need to be prudent in doing these simple computations.  Remember even the genius may have the ability to compute the complex but they usually flunk the basics.

Power has always been associated with horses due to their muscular build and the strength of their limbs.  This mindset may convince you that horses need harsher treatment in order to contain them.  As what most would say, “To tame a horse, you need to break them”.

 

You may be thinking of the following options to avoid keep your horses from visiting your neighbors:

–          Buy and use barbed wires as fences to restrict these powerful creatures.

–          Keep them tied.

–          Hold them in a barn.

 

The first option would most likely literally break your horses and cause unwanted injuries.  The second and third options would restrict your horses and prevent them from maintaining a part of their wild side which is considered by most as beneficial to their growth.

 

Horses are sociable creatures of the wild.  They need to run with the herd.  But as their owner, you need to keep them from straying away.  While causing harm to them is not an option.

 

How would you solve this problem?

The answer is simple.

Install an electric fence.

 

Contrary to the power they possess, horses are gentle in nature.  When feeling threatened, their first instinct is to flee rather than to attack.  They are also easy to train and can retain memory of certain things that are repeatedly introduced to them.  These characteristics of the equine herd make an electric fence the ideal enclosure for these animals.

 

Poly products are the most advisable electric fence wire to use for keeping you horses at bay.  These colored wires will help in training your horses to keep away from the fence since they have a more solid visual impact.  These types of wires also conduct lesser amount of current which is enough to convince a horse to keep away but not too much to make it run in panic up to the other side of the enclosure or to retaliate against the fence.

 

Permanent enclosures:

For permanent enclosures for horses, one may use wood in the bottom part of the fence with a height of 3’ to 4’ and add two layers of poly tape wires (or other types of poly products) on the upper portion.  Painting the wooden fence white is recommended for this type of fence.  This would strengthen your enclosure and also add to the visual weight of the electric fence.

 

In choosing the electric fence charger, pick the ones with low impedance.  A charger having low impedance will distribute only a small amount of current around the wires.  This will be enough to make the horses feel an uncomfortable shock when they hit the fence without causing panic to them.

 

Temporary enclosure:

Step-in posts and poly tape wires are most advisable for use in temporary fences for horses.  These products will provide ease in the installation of your temporary enclosure and will help in training your horses to stay within.  It would be advisable to keep your horses tied until they become accustomed to the effect of the temporary enclosure.  If you have a permanent enclosure and are maintaining temporary fences only for grazing purposes, use the same color of wires for the permanent enclosure and the temporary fence.  This will help in the conditioning of these animals.

 

Make sure to also choose a charger with low impedance for your portable electric fences.  Solar chargers are most recommended for this type of enclosure.  This will prevent running out of power and losing your horses due to un-charged fence wires.

 

Electric fences will be very beneficial to maintaining a herd of horses since these animals can be trained and conditioned to stay within the enclosure.  You don’t need to break them just to keep them in.