Electric Fence Posts

Corner, end, brace, and line posts

• Wood posts (at least 6 inches in diameter) should always be used at corners and ends due to increased stress on these areas.
• Corner posts should be set 3 to 4 feet in the ground.
• Long runs of multi-wired fence will also require brace posts.
• Line posts support wire between corner posts and keep it evenly spaced.

Fence Post Spacing

Posts only need to be spaced evenly if appearance is a concern. Otherwise, post spacing does not have to be exact. Posts set on level terrain can be spaced further apart. On even terrain, posts should always be placed in a high or low spot.

Fence Post Spacing Length

On hilly terrain, install post perpendicular to the slope to maintain the wire at the proper height and spacing. In addition, you will want to move line posts closer together as the terrain becomes hillier. If you use wood or steel fence posts, use insulators to keep fence wire from touching the posts. The following are recommended post spacings for a variety of fence types.

Recommended Fence Post Spacing

• Woven Wire (14-16 feet)
• Barbed Wire (12-14 feet)
• Electric (12-20 feet)
• High-tensile, level terrain (30-90 feet)
• High-tensile, difficult animals, rolling terrain (15-20 feet)
• Poly tape and poly wire (12 feet)
• Board (8 feet)
• Corrals (6 feet)