All About Fence Wire

Expert Tips

WIRE SPACING

The height and spacing of the wires will vary with the animal you are containing. Position one electrified wire at animal’s shoulder height; this will cause it to hit the fence with its nose, making it back up. 

POLY TAPE

Use poly tape for horse fencing or in rotational grazing since the animals can easily see this highly visible electric fence wire.  Splice poly tape with splicer buckles specially designed for easy splicing and repairing of poly tape, such as SBS4 and SBL4.

POLY WIRE

Poly wire is lightweight, so it is very easy to handle.  You can rewind it very easily, move it and re-use it.  Splice poly wire by tying a good, tight knot to maintain connections.  Use a poly wire line tightener on each line and each side of the fence to maintain wire tension.

POLY ROPE

Also highly visible, this electric poly rope is also used for horses and livestock.  When repairing poly rope, use a splicer designed for poly rope, such as PRS2, to maintain a good electrical connection.

FENCE CHARGERS FOR WIRE

Use a low impedance fence charger with poly wire and poly tape products.

PERMANENT PERIMETER FENCING

For a permanent perimeter fence, you may want to use high tensile or steel wire as your fence wire.

MAINTENANCE

If possible, keep the fence line free from weeds. Weeds can draw power from the fence, causing it to lose efficiency. Check for tree limbs and other debris that may be touching the fence. A voltage tester can help you determine that adequate voltage is on the fence line.

CONNECTIONS ARE CRITICAL

Use properly insulated wire for all connections. Proper wire connectors, clamps and splices throughout the fence will help ensure positive electrical connections. Use only high-quality insulators and gate handles, like those from Zareba® Systems. If using wood or steel fence posts, make sure the fence wires cannot touch the posts.

BARBED WIRE NOT RECOMMENDED

Remember that an electric fence is a psychological barrier, not a physical one, so it normally requires fewer posts and strands of wire than a conventional fence. Barbed wire and woven wire fences are more likely to be damaged by animals, and animals are more likely to be damaged by them. Because animals seldom come into contact with an electric fence more than once, it can also last longer than a conventional fence.

Important Note:  Poly wire, poly tape and poly rope are designed for temporary, rotational grazing or in conjunction with permanent perimeter fencing.  It is not intended as the sole means of animal restraint.

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Zareba® has a variety of electric fence wire to meet all of your electric fencing needs.