Top 5 Best Wire for Electric Fence

Building an electric fence seems simple but there is a lot for you to think about.  You must buy the proper type of wire for your electric fence. It’s also important to give the fence proper maintenance for it to remain a permanent structure on your property. An electric fence is a better choice compared to a fence made of barbed wire. 

You can take down an electric fence quickly if you want to install it somewhere else. It also becomes especially convenient during drought times when there you might experience pasture shortages and your livestock need more grazing options. So if you plan to fortify your property, you need to find the best wire for an electric fence.

How to Choose the Best Wire for Electric Fence 

The most in-demand types of electric fence wire offer high-strength. You need to understand the fence requirements as this will help you choose the best wire that will work effectively for your needs.

Type

There are different types of wires for electric fences and choosing the right one can be a challenge. Before you choose, the best wire for electric fence, you must first know the different types:

  • Electric poly tape

This type of wire is highly visible, very strong, and can withstand various weather conditions, and are rust-resistant. It comes in different colors making it easier to choose one to suit your needs. For instance, white tape is very visible against a green background like a field of crops or a brown-colored landscape. Green or brown tape is very visible against a snowy background.

  • Electric poly wire

Although this isn’t as durable as steel wire, it is rust-proof and more visible to animals. You can use this to contain animals that don’t move quickly like cattle or sheep. Since this wire comes in a reel, it is a very convenient choice for temporary fences like strip grazing. It also offers you an affordable option when you need to subdivide your pastures.

  • Electric poly rope

Compared to poly wire, this one is significantly thicker as it’s reinforced with stainless steel woven through the rope. This makes it both sturdy and highly effective as a conductor. It’s rust-proof and comes in different colors to make it more visible. Due to the superior strength of this fencing option and superior conductivity, it’s very effective in the construction of perimeter fences to contain fast-moving animals like horses. Since it’s a lot thinner compared to 40mm poly tape, it is a better option for perimeter fences, especially during windy conditions.

  • Electrified high-tensile wire

If you plan to put up a permanent fence around a large piece of land, this could be your best option. But this wire has a downside to its effectiveness. Since the wires don’t give like poly rope or poly tape, this type isn’t suitable for animals that move fast like horses. Such animals could suffer from serious injuries if they run into this wire at a high speed.

High-tensile wire comes in two choices: aluminum and galvanized steel. Both types are very strong and require minimal maintenance. Either one is a perfect choice when you need to construct perimeter fences that will contain animals. Galvanized steel has an economic advantage as it can carry an electric charge effectively over long distances. But aluminum offers better-conducting capabilities, 4x more compared to galvanized steel. Also, aluminum wires usually come with a lifetime warranty. On the downside, it’s more expensive compared to steel wire.

Installation and Security

When choosing, you also need to consider the installation and security of the wire. When choosing the right type of wire for electric fencing wire, consider the height of the fence, the number of wires, and spacing, all of which will depend on how you will use the wire and the animals you will keep. You can run the wire from various sources like the roll or coil or through a payout spinner. 

You will need appropriate knots and crimping sleeves to secure the wires to the gate posts and corner ends. You need to string each wire on the interior of the line posts and the exterior of the curves. The weight required to tension wire will depend on the type of wire you choose. For instance, high-tensile wire is usually tensioned to 200-250 pounds. You shouldn’t apply excessive tension to wires, as this will cause damage to the isolation or the wire itself. When this happens, the fence posts might get lifted out of the ground in the low spots.

Top 5 Wire for Electric Fence

#1. Farmily Portable Electric Fence Polywire

It doesn’t matter whether you’re building a pasture or enclosure. The Farmily Portable Electric Fence Polywire is the best wire for electric fence. This portable fence wire is an excellent piece of equipment that will provide you with durable service at a highly competitive price.

Aside from livestock and cattle, you can also use this wire to build a fence as a short-term enclosure for your animals. Its contrasting markings make it clearly visible and can hold livestock within their boundary zones. This wire comes with 6 conductor posts made of stainless steel that function as added deterrents too.

The design of Farmily Portable Electric Fence Polywire includes UV stabilization to guarantee long-time durability. The length of the wire is about 1,340 feet, which is more than enough for a medium-sized farm. You can also roll the wire up easily, then reinstall it without worrying about corrosion.

Pros:

  • Durable and UV-resistant.
  • An excellent option for temporary fencing.
  • Easy to splice, rewind, install, and repair.
  • Lightweight and rust-resistant.

Cons:

  • Some claim that the wire is too thin.
  • The resistance isn’t too strong.

#2. Field Guardian Aluminum Wire

The conductivity of aluminum is 4x more than steel. Also, aluminum is more flexible compared to steel wire, which makes the Field Guardian Aluminum Wire easier to tie together and bend. 

It also weighs less making it an excellent choice in keeping your animals in one place. This wire is ideal for more permanent setups using wooden posts or t-posts rather than using it for temporary setups with fiberglass or step-in posts. 

If you plan to build a permanent fence set up, it’s recommended to use this Field Guardian Aluminum Wire as it is the best choice made of aluminum. The gauge-16 aluminum wire comes in a quarter of a mile roll and is of high-grade alloy with a shiny, smooth, and bright finish. This makes it visible to both people and livestock.

Pros:

  • Lightweight and easy to re-spool.
  • Flexible enough for you to twist and tie by hand.
  • Offers superior conductivity compared to steel wire.
  • Bright and shiny silver color makes it easy to see.

Cons:

  • Tends to get tangled easily.
  • May leave residue on your hands when you work with it.

#3. Fi-Shock 9-Strand Polywire

If you don’t have a lot of space for fencing animals, this could be the best wire for electric fence for you to consider. Based on your fence design needs or the number of animals you own, having the Fi-Shock 9-Strand Polywire will be very beneficial for you. 

It will ensure that your animals will stay safe after you have installed the electric fence. Some aluminum wires may corrode quickly. But the Fi-Shock 9-Strand Polywire differs as it has the capability to resist corrosion in all types of weather and in any season. 

This feature makes it very popular among those who need wire for their electric fences. Electrical fence sets fitted with suitable reels offer superb user-friendliness. This wire features a tension across a distance of 17 meters. It can cover a piece of land up to a distance of around 250 feet.

Pros:

  • The tensile strength is 38,000 PSI.
  • Consists of 9 strands of electric conductors.
  • High-quality wire at an affordable price.
  • Comes with a lifelong guarantee.

Cons:

  • It might melt when it comes into contact with weeds or grass.
  • It’s fairly expensive.

#4. Gallagher Electric Fence Turbo Wire

The Gallagher Electric Fence Turbo Wire is another excellent option as it’s UV-resistant and lightweight. You can keep reusing it as it will last on your farm through the years even if you use it continuously. This wire has an ultra-white color that makes it highly visible.

This wire offers reliable performance over time compared to some types of aluminum wire that may develop an oxidative coating that reduces their effectiveness. Gallagher Electric Fence Turbo Wire is perfect for windy conditions and will assure you peace of mind that your crops and livestock will stay safe. 

Each pack contains a 2,625-foot roll. The wire has 9 strands of metal woven throughout the plastic strands. Aside from already being very conductive, it’s also very strong. You can tie it together easily when you need to connect 2 or more pieces to each other.

Pros:

  • Consists of copper, plastic, and stainless steel strands for better conductivity.
  • Easy to cut, splice, rewind, install, and repair.
  • Highly visible and resistant to rust.
  • Suitable for portable fencing and can withstand windy conditions.

Cons:

  • Some claim it snaps easily.
  • It’s relatively thin.

#5. Baygard Electric Fence Wire

You can use the Baygard Electric Fence Wire either as a permanent or temporary fence, which means that you can save money by choosing it. The wire has a PVC coating that gives it low stretch and sag properties while providing extra strength.

The standard length of this fencing wire is 1,312 feet but you can choose from 3 other sizes. The mix of contrasting colors makes it highly visible even from far away. The Baygard Electric Fence Wire doesn’t bend and you can re-lay as often as you need to.

This is a unique wire in the sense that it has a special coating that makes it stronger. It also has 3 conductors made of aluminum for maximum shocking power. Since it’s made of aluminum, it can conduct electricity more effectively compared to stainless steel wire. The 3 PVC-coated and reinforced fiberglass cords make it one of the most durable options available.

Pros:

  • Features a resistant and durable construction.
  • Sturdy wire with low sag and stretch properties.
  • Lightweight and easy to install.
  • Comes with a warranty of 5 years.

Cons:

  • It’s one of the more expensive models.
  • Adjusting the blades is quite challenging.

How to Install Your Electric Fence

Many consider the use of electric fences as the most effective way to fence off livestock. The installation of electric fences, whether permanent or temporary, isn’t that complicated. Just follow these simple steps:

  • Find the perfect location

Choose the best location for the electric fence. If you have any doubts about your choice, consider choosing a temporary electric fence.

  • Make the area clear

After deciding on the area, the next step is to remove any bushes or debris from the fence line area. Remember that the electrical charge won’t be as strong if the wire rests on debris that you didn’t clear away.

  • Install the posts

After installing the posts in the right place, fill in the hole again with dirt to keep the posts steady and firm. If you will use T-posts, prepare a post hammer to drive the posts into the ground securely.

  • Attaching the wire

At this point, you can start attaching the wires to the posts using insulators. Pass the wires through the insulators starting at one of the corner posts.

  • Connecting the wire

For a temporary fence, connect all of the wires to a charger. For a permanent fence, connect each wire to the fence charger, then leave the rest as grounded wires.

Verdict

An electric fence is the best fence for your needs. It will ensure that your animals will be completely safe on your property while preventing any wild predators from entering or leaving your land. Now, it’s up to you to choose the best wire for an electric fence to suit your needs. Make sure you have the most effective conductor for your fence to save yourself from unnecessary expenses later on.

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