ELECTRICAL FENCE WIRE

Fence wire, supported by tension, is stretched between reinforced posts located at ends, corners and at intervals in between long stretches to form an enclosure or exclosure. You will use smaller posts in between to ensure fence wires are kept spaced and upright.

There are several types of fence wires you can use, depending on the purpose of the fence and the animal being controlled. For a permanent perimeter fence, steel or aluminum wire can be used as your fence wire.

If desired, you can electrify fence wire with the use of a fence charger. Fence wire conducts the electric charge from the fence charger around the length of the fence.

There are many wire types available to. Your selection, as well as number of wires and spacing, will depend on the type of fence, the type of animal you are containing and how long the fence will stay in place.

TYPES OF FENCE WIRE

Aluminum Wire

Aluminum wire is the best for carrying a charge. Aluminum conducts electricity four times better than steel wire. While it will cost more, aluminum wire does not rust like un-galvanized steel wire.

Features and Benefits

Long-lasting

Permanent fencing

Lifetime warranty, will not rust

Ideal Uses

Carries charge 4x better than steel

Perimeter fencing

High-Tensile

High-tensile electric fencing wire is an excellent choice for not only safely containing most species of livestock, including exotic species, but it is also effective at keeping predators out.

High-tensile fence wire can be used as a simple barrier or electrified for greater effectiveness. Fencing systems made from high-tensile fencing wire are affordable and long-lasting, over 40 years. Another benefit of high-tensile wire fencing is its low maintenance. High-tensile wire is most often 12 or 12.5 gauge galvanized steel and will state that it is for high-tensile systems on its packaging.

Features and Benefits

Affordable and low maintenance

Safely contain most species of livestock

Effective at keeping predators out

Ideal Uses

Simple barrier or electrified for greater efficiency

Permanent fencing

Perimeter fencing

Poly Fencing Materials

Poly fencing is commonly used for temporary fencing and includes polywire, polyrope (or braid), and polytape. Constructed of a combination of metal and plastic filaments, poly fencing consists of small wire strands which serve as the conductors. Woven together with polyethylene, this design produces tape, wire, and rope versions. Polytape will have more conductors woven into it versus polyrope or polywire due to its larger surface area.

When considering which poly fencing material might work best for your needs, be sure to consider the type of metal from which the conductors are made. Aluminum stretches easily and can look sloppy over time. Stainless steel wire is a much better conductor option and will allow wires to stay tensioned and have a long life. Copper is the third best electrical conductor next to silver and gold and is 70 times more conductive than stainless steel.

General characteristics which set poly fencing apart from wire include:

• High visibility
• Decreased weight due to a thinner wire
• Reduced charge when compared with traditional wire due to higher resistance ratings
  Note: Resistance is represented by OHMs. The higher the resistance rating (OHMs) is the less electrical charge a wire carries and the lower the total distance it will be carried. Low resistance values are preferred.
• Adding more wires and copper conductor wires, along with installing high power charger, can improve conductivity.