Q&A for How to Install an Electric Fence

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Question

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

Anthony "TC" Williams
Experienced 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

Experienced 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
Experienced 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

Experienced 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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Question

My house is completely surrounded by woods. Can I attach the wire to trees?

Community Answer

Yes, you can attach wire to trees, but you will still need to use insulators. If you connect your wire straight to the trees, it will earth out and you will lose power.

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Question

Is the ground important when installing an electric fence?

Community Answer

The ground is only important where your earth stakes go. If you're dealing with dry ground, you can buy larger earth posts with material in them to compensate.

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Question

Can weeds touching the lower wire of an electric fence cause a short in the fence's electrical system?

Community Answer

Yes. You should ensure that grass, weeds, branches (even dead ones) do not touch the fence and provide a route to ground for the electricity. Check the perimeter regularly to ensure nothing is short circuiting the line. I have found that with a battery operated system short circuits caused by weeds or grass will not only significantly reduce the effectiveness of the fence, but also reduces the battery life.

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Question

Does the grounding wire need to be insulated?

Community Answer

No. As long as the grounding wire doesn't touch the live wire, you should be fine. However, using an insulated wire for the grounding wire may extend its life. It may also make your system more reliable and less likely to get shorted.

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Question

How tightly do I put the wire for cattle?

Community Answer

Use a wire tightening lever sold at most farm stores. The wire should be tight for large animals.

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Question

What does it mean when the light flashes green?

Community Answer

You should check the instructions for the make/model of energiser that you are using; they are all different. Some flash red to show operating normally, some flash green when OK, then turn red when the battery charge is low or failing.

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Question

Can the ground wire be welded (soldered) to the ground rod?

Community Answer

It can, but not necessary.

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Question

If the ground is too dry at the grounding rods, will the solar or battery operated fencers quit working?

Community Answer

Yes and No. Yes because dry ground has high resistance which means less shock. No because charger voltage remains constant but with less conductivity.

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Question

I am adding a larger pasture to the original. I still want to be able to keep the horses in the small one at night. If I use wire gate openers, will the fence work when they are not hooked?

Community Answer

If it’s not hooked together then no, it won’t work on the far side. Easy way around this is to use insulated wire attach to hot side of the fence run underground to other side of gate or wherever you're hooking the gate fastener to. This way both sections will always be hot even if you disconnect the fence connector.

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Question

If I am not insulating the fence and it is attached to a wood pole, would it possibly ground-out?

Community Answer

It could only if the wood itself is wet like when it is raining or if the wood is not dried out completely.

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Question

Can a wire be threaded through a chain link gate or a field fence to electrify the gate?

Community Answer

No. The electricity would be shorted into the ground.

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