Adviser: Conducting material for electric fences

Conductors are, of course, a particularly important component of electric fences. Electricity flows through them which means that they are responsible for the fence system’s successful operation. Various different conducting materials can be chosen for the electric fence. Rather than choosing at random, it makes sense to take a closer look at electric fence conducting material and to buy a product that is perfectly tuned to the safety fence that you require.

The role of electric fence conductors

Regardless of the actual design and intended purpose, an electric fence is made up of three components which make it operational: Fence posts or posts are, of course, required. Together with the conducting material which is attached to them, they act as a mechanical barrier and form the basic structure. Accordingly, the type of electric fence post also influences the choice of conductor for the electric fence. Apart from this, an electric fence must also be equipped with an energiser. Energisers with a specific shock strength are operated by mains voltage, a battery pack, battery set or solar power, depending on the model. The energiser stores electric energy or voltage in the fence system. The electric fence conductors are inseparable from the fence equipment. They conduct electricity through the entire electric fence system, thus electrifying the fence. They form the electric barrier which prevents animals from going through the fence.

The conducting material for the electric fence is mounted horizontally in several rows. The fence owner attaches the energiser to the electric fence posts. A fourth, indispensable fence component is used for this purpose: the insulator. The insulator depends on the conducting material used for the electric fence. Thus the conducting material is associated with various fence parts and accessories. Which types of electric fence conductors can be selected and what are the characteristics that distinguish high-quality electric fence conductors?

Spoilt for choice in selecting electric fence conducting material

The category of conducting material for electric fences includes four subcategories:

• electric fence tape
• electric fence polywire
• electric fence rope
• electric fence wire

Electric fence tape has proven successful over time and is encountered more and more frequently. However, this does not call the use of rope, polywire or wire into question for electric fences, as these elements are also characterised by high performance and durability, and are used in various different fence systems.

Electric fence tape is generally available in thicknesses of 7 to 70 mm and is particularly suitable for use on large and permanent electric fences. Anyone wishing to erect a particularly long horse or cattle fence, or a fence to be supplied with extra high voltage, is well advised to use electric fence tape. This is available with a low shock strength and conductivity of up to 500 m for short fences, as a medium shock strength electric fence tape for medium-length fence systems (up to 10,000 m) or as a professional electric fence tape with high conductivity across a fence length of up to 22,000 m, used to enclose a large number of animals across a wide area. High-quality electric fence tape is not just conductive, it is also durable and tear-proof. Several wires carrying electricity are woven into the tape. This bundling of conductors ensures a consistently high and permanent fence voltage. Cross connections ensure permanent re-electrification. This is particularly the case with fencing tape containing four stainless steel conductors. The large surface area of the fencing tape enables good contact with the animals if they come into contact with the conductors. For simple fencing, thinner electric fence tape is available in a wide variety of colours. Anyone who attaches importance to good visibility in horse pastures may opt for white electric fence tape with red edges. However, electric fence tape is easy to see even without additional colours. Fence tape enables animals to already recognise the edge of the paddock from a distance. Of course, we also offer the products in green, brown and multicoloured.

Electric fence wire stands out from plastic materials such as electric fence rope, electric fence polywire and electric fence tape. It is made from different types of metal such as aluminium, copper or stainless steel. We strongly recommend it for smaller fences and mobile fences. Larger steel wire is suitable for larger, permanent fence systems. Permanent fences benefit because this type of conductor is robust and extremely conductive.

Electric fence rope and electric fence polywire combine non-conductive plastic threads with interwoven wire and therefore ensure greater conductivity and flexible areas of use. Both types of conducting material are characterised by the fact that they are lightweight, can be easily assembled and disassembled, and can be used with a wide range of insulators. HPC polywire for electric fences generally has a diameter of 3 mm or less. Cord / rope for electric fences is thicker and has a diameter of 3 to 8 mm. Steel wire strands are the thinnest.

Like HPC, TriCond also offers considerably less resistance than steel on electric fence tape, polywire and rope. This means substantially lower resistance combined with a very long service life.

In terms of figures, this means:

• 5-year warranty³ on UV stability
• Even with small diameters of only 0.40 mm, TriCOND metal conductors offer extremely high conductivity which, on average, is seven times higher than on traditional materials.
• The robust polyethylene threads offers the highest tear resistance. Quality is paired with durability in this conducting material which, similar to HPC, meets the highest standards in terms of ultimate load and conductivity.

Conclusion

The variety of fence posts, energisers and insulators is as wide as the conducting material for electric fences. It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the product characteristics prior to purchase. Do you require particularly conductive, robust conductors and reliable safety on a long permanent fence? Or would you prefer easy-to-use, flexible, lightweight conducting material on a mobile electric fence? The products in our online shop include conducting material for every purpose, from tape and rope to polywire and wire.