How To Install Conductors on an Electric Fence
There are numerous types of conductors, so keep in mind which one you're using in your project. We will cover where to start stringing and how to splice together, how to tighten and terminate a conductor.
Regardless of your conductor type, it’s always best to start at a gate post or an end post. Wire or polywire can be simply tied off on your insulator. However, we only recommend doing this when setting up a small fence and keeping out small animals. If a large animal collides with such a fence it will likely tear off the insulator or break the wire. For more substantial fences we recommend using a proper end insulator and making either a high tensile knot for the metal wire or a substantial sailor’s knot for the polywire. To anchor polyrope properly you need to use a legitimate end insulator. Run the rope through the insulator and back on itself. Put a clamp down on its to make sure that is secure and provides a good anchor point for the fence.
Polytape also needs a special end insulator in order to be anchored. These insulators typically have a buckle built right into them, which makes terminating them simpler and does not need the use of a clamp.
Now that your run is anchored begin stringing your conductor along the line posts. As you string your conductor make sure no plants are making contact. A few weeds on the fence is all that's needed to drain the charge completely into the ground. It is important to mow or weed wack frequently so that this does not create a problem.
As you string up your conducted you may run into a situation where you need to join together two pieces of conductor. This is called splicing and it works a little bit differently for each scenario. Wire can be tied into a knot without the use of additional gear. This can be done the number of ways.
Two strands of polywire can be tied together in a traditional rope like fashion without the assistance of any other gear. Runs of polyrope can be spliced together using the same type of clamp that we used to start our run and create our anchor point. Polytape uses a buckle for splicing. These buckles can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and models. However all of them serve the same purpose which is joining together two runs of polytape.
When stringing your conductor you want to keep it straight and pulled relatively tight. This will improve the look of the fence and prevent your wires from contacting undesirable objects. Metal wire can be tightened using a daisy wheel. But be carefully you don’t want to put too much stress on your line because it can cause you corners to bend inwards.
Polywire can be tightened using a line tightener. Polyrole can be tightened at the clamp which you used to start or end your run of conductor. Polytape can be tensioned at its corner or end tensioner. If you’re using half-inch polytape you can use a line-tightening device.
When you come to another gate or end post while stringing a run of a conductor it’s best to terminate it. Do not snake the same conductor down onto the next line. This will cause instability and attachment problems. Once terminated move down and create a new independent run of conductor. Repeat this process to string conductors everywhere across your fence except where your gate are to be located.