How to Set Up an Electric Fence: A Simple Tutorial

Putting up an electric fence is a great way to keep livestock contained or prevent wild animals and other intruders from getting into an enclosed space. And most of the time, you can easily install one by yourself. Keep reading to learn how to plan for , install , and test and maintain an electric fence.

A Quick Guide to Installing an Electric Fence

Set up your electric fence charger, but don’t turn it on.
Put in at least one grounding post, and attach your grounding wire.
Install your fence posts and mount the insulators.
Mount your fencing wire to the posts.
Turn on your charger and test the line with a voltmeter.

Section 1 of 3:

Planning for Your Electric Fence

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1
Measure the amount of space you want to fence in. Consider the number of animals you need to control and determine the spacing and number of wires you’ll need to install your electric fence. If you have a particular plot set aside for your enclosure, take careful measurements and determine an appropriate height for your fence. ^{[1]
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- Decide on the length of each run, as well as the height and number of wires needed to complete the job. Price the wires per foot at your retailer to get the best deal possible.
- Different chargers are optimized for different lengths of wire. Check with your supplier to make sure your charge will work with the planned length of wire for your enclosure.
- To measure the amount of fencing you need, walk the perimeter of the enclosure while counting your steps, or use a GPS device to track the length.
Each corner of the electric fence will need to be braced with a corner piece. 1 brace will suffice at ends and corners with 6 or fewer lines. 7 or more lines require a double brace when installing fencing.
3
Get enough fence posts. You'll need a lot of posts, especially if you're going to lay a fence of substantial size. In general, aim to place a post every 10–20 feet (3.0–6.1 m). Wood posts are perfectly durable and effective, though they have a tendency to degrade over time, while metal posts are the easiest to set in the ground, but may end up being more expensive. ^{[2]
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- Consider what animals you’re trying to keep out. For example, garden and landscape designer Ben Barkan says, “Deer can jump 8 feet or higher, so you have to use at least an 8-foot tall fence.” ^{[3]
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  Ben Barkan
  Garden & Landscape Designer
  
  Expert Interview}
- How many posts you’ll need depends on a variety of factors, like how large your enclosed area will be, what animals you’re containing, and what animals you’re trying to keep out.
4
Select a charger. A charger is what keeps the electric current flowing through the fence, and there are different types to choose from. Solar chargers do not need an electric outlet and can be an effective and energy-efficient option, but they require a certain amount of sunlight. Electric chargers must have access to an AC outlet, and battery-powered chargers typically require a 12V battery. ^{[4]
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- For the best results, avoid chargers with foot or mile power ratings, and instead opt for a charger that’s rated by joules. A higher joules rating means the electrical current will be more consistent; it doesn’t mean the charge will be stronger if an animal gets jolted.
- If you’ve got a five-acre fence, you’ll need at least a joule at minimum.
5
Choose your wire. Purchase enough wire for your area, choosing fencing that is easy to see. Electric fence tape is safe and easiest to see, but it’s also possible to use straight wire of your desired thickness. ^{[5]
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- 1.5 to 2-inch poly tape , braid , and rope are effective for most purposes. Coated wire is also easy to see and install.
- 1/2-inch tape is probably too small for a more substantial fence, especially for keeping horses in or deer out.

Section 2 of 3:

Installing the Electric Fence

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If you’re using an electric charger, look for a weather-resilient spot near an AC outlet. If you’re using a solar charger, choose an area that receives plenty of sunlight. To protect the charger, hang it on a post or wall of an outbuilding. Do not turn on the charger until you’ve installed the fence. ^{[6]
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To install electric fencing, you need at least 1 grounding post that is 6 feet (180 cm) or longer. Place the grounding rod near the charger and use a post-hole digger/slammer to set it. Leave at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the post above the ground. If you’re using multiple grounding posts (many people recommend using 3), set them each 10–20 feet (3.0–6.1 m) apart. ^{[7]
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Attach the grounding wire so that it extends from the ground terminal of the charger to all of the grounding posts. Secure the wire to the posts with a grounding clamp . The grounding wire ensures the fence will deliver an electric shock when an animal touches it. ^{[8]
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4
Install your fence posts. Use a long string to mark a straight line for your posts, and use a post-hole digger to set them securely in the ground, each about 10–20 feet (3.0–6.1 m) apart. ^{[9]
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Research source} As a general rule of thumb, at least 1/3 of the overall length of your post should be underground. Corner posts should be larger in diameter than the posts along the sides and installed with at least 1/3 of their length underground. Properly brace them as needed.
- Note that installing too many posts won’t make your fence stronger or more secure.
- If you plan to install your posts 40 feet (12 m) or more apart, install stays along the wires to keep them evenly spaced and create greater stability.
- To install wooden fence posts , licensed landscape contractor Mike Garcia says, “You need to dig a [narrow] hole. Make sure that it’s bigger than the fence post, and then fill it with a quick-set concrete. Gently work the post in and out so that it gets wet, then let it dry. Put a level on top of it so that it’s straight.” ^{[10]
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5
Set up braces on corners and gates. Some posts will be exposed to more stress than others, including corners and gates. To avoid damaging your electric fence, reinforce these areas with braces , cement footings, or anchors. ^{[11]
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- Many cattle ranchers use the “floating diagonal” brace, which is a 4 in by 10 ft angle brace notched a half-inch into the main corner post. The other end is set on the ground opposite the corner.
6
Mount the insulators. Installing insulators will keep the electricity in the wires and away from the fence posts. The type of insulator you need depends on the type of fence you purchase, as manufacturers usually include and design insulators tailored to their products. Follow their guidelines to attach the insulators properly, but in general, you’ll clip them to the fence posts. ^{[12]
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- Some of the most common insulators are those that allow braided or rope-style fencing enough space to slide through. This helps avoid rubbing.
7
Run the electric fence wire. Use the connector clamps included with your fencing wire to mount the wire on the posts. Begin at the post farthest away from the charger, and hang as many lines as you need to charge the line. Pull the wire tight with a wire tensioner or cable puller . ^{[13]
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- Never wrap the wire around the fence post, as the cable will come loose more easily, and corrosion can occur.
- Tighten the wire as much as possible, but take care not to place so much tension on it that it breaks, as this can result in serious injury.

Section 3 of 3:

Testing & Maintaining the Electric Fence

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To test your electric fence , use a voltmeter to ensure the electricity flows through the entire fence. Write down the voltage, and keep the number on hand to compare to daily checks of the current. Depending on the strength of your charger, it should read somewhere between 6000 and 10,000 volts, unconnected. ^{[14]
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Check your electric fence regularly to prevent signal problems and to make corrections as necessary. ^{[15]
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Research source} Moisture and vegetation buildup can cause temporary leeching of the current, leading to lower-voltage readings. However, if your current is regularly lower than usual, it might be time to do a closer inspection of your work and fix it up.
Grasses, bushes, and weeds growing up along your fence can lead to a loss of voltage. ^{[16]
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Research source} Remove any plants that have grown along your fence, and spray a glyphosate herbicide, like RoundUp , to reduce plant growth in the area. Remember to turn off your fence while you’re working near it!

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do we connect the electricity to another high-tension wire?

Anthony "TC" Williams
Professional Landscaper
Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.

Anthony "TC" Williams

Professional Landscaper

Expert Answer

Pull the wire from one end post to the other end post. Attach it vertically down the post to desired height and pull wire back the other way. You will have to tighten the wire and anchor it well before creating the 'loop'.

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Question

I want to make a corral instead of a straight line fence. Where do I start stringing with ewire if it has to be the post furthest away from the charger? How do I connect the wire to complete the circle/corral?

Anthony "TC" Williams
Professional Landscaper
Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.

Anthony "TC" Williams

Professional Landscaper

Expert Answer

Start at one of the gate posts and attach from post to post all the way around the corral to end at other gate post. Put the charger any where convenient but not to near the gate as it could get in the way of gates.

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Question

What about the ends of the runs? What about entrance points?

Community Answer

The end of runs will simply be made into a loop and wound over on itself. It does not have to be a full circuit and can easily be used with one to three sides.

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Tips

Hang electric fence warning signs so that people know the fence is hot.

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Check the fence lines at least 2 times a week with a voltmeter.

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If you’re setting up a perimeter or boundary fence, talk to your neighbors first to avoid any conflicts.

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Warnings

Never use barbed wire on an electric fence.

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Don't stand near the fence during an electrical storm.

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Research local and state fencing laws to make sure it’s okay to put up an electric fence.

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Always turn your electric fence off before working on or near it.

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[1]

[2]

[3]

Expert Source

Ben Barkan
Garden & Landscape Designer

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[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

Mike Garcia
Licensed Landscape Contractor

[11]

[12]

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[16]

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How to Set Up an Electric Fence: A Simple Tutorial

A Quick Guide to Installing an Electric Fence

Steps

Planning for Your Electric Fence

Installing the Electric Fence

Testing & Maintaining the Electric Fence

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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References

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