How To Install An Electric Fence

For gardeners everywhere, the race to gather the harvest before animals do can be frustrating. Luckily, there is hope. Electric fences help provide a barrier around your garden that deter animals from being where they are unwanted and taking what is not theirs. Growing up on a farm, my family and I have always battled with the animals to gather as much of the garden harvest as soon as it is ready. Since we started using an electric fence over 7 years ago, we are able to protect our crops from animals, and gather much more of our crop than before.

Depending on the area of your garden, putting up an electric fence can be a breeze and can be completed within a few hours. I highly recommend have two or three people working on the electric fence because this will cut down the total amount of time it takes. Putting up an electric fence should only be done by individuals who have a solid understanding on how to use hand tools and a basic understanding of electrical wiring. With a few simple steps, you can protect your garden with an electrical fence.

Step 1: Gather the Materials

Before you can put up your electric fence, there are a few preparations you must do.

1. The very first thing you must do is measure the parameter of the garden. It is important to plan to have a foot space between the edge of the garden and any plants that are close to the edge. You will use this measurement to determine how much electrical wire you will need and approximately how many metal stakes you should get. 

2. Gather the necessary parts for the electric fence. They are listed below.

Materials Needed:
~Electric Fence Wire
~Electric Power Box (Select the best one that suits your gardening needs)
~Metal Stakes 
~Grounding Post
~Plastic Hooks (2 per metal stake)
~8 Round Plastic Rings and 8 pieces of wire approximately 24 inches long (Corner connectors)
~Sledge Hammer/Pile Driver
~Wire Cutter
~Gloves (Optional; not pictured)


          TIP : It is always a good idea to consult with an expert before setting up an electric fence for the first time. You can
                   find such experts at your local hardware store. 

Comments

[jmckenzie9]

When I built my electric fence, I didn't know where to start. I had a friend help me.
Its wasn't very complicated to build but it needs to be installed correctly, otherwise you'll run into problems.
I found step by step site on 'how to install an electric fence' very useful and it provides good advise on the tools you need to build an eelctric fence that will last.

Resource: www.fishock.com/advice/building-your-fence

[miss123]

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[thematthatter]

placing some of that bright florescent engineering tape on the hot wires will help to warn others of your fence.
I cant count how many times i been shocked by an electric fence when i was a boy.

[russ_hensel]

There is a kind of "wire" called horse tape which is very visible, may
warn off the animals. Just use one strand of this. See it at: http://www.maxflex.com/horse_fence_pg2.htm or google for more.

[russ_hensel]

One method of wiring is to make every other wire a ground. When the animal touches 2 wires it gets a shock. This does not rely so much on grounding thru the ground which can fail with some hoofs and frozen ground. It is simpler to wire and set up as the ground does not need to be insulated.

[wakojako]

A better method would be to have a live and neutral (ground) wire as you mentioned but perieodically around the perimeter attach the neutral to a metal ground stake. Then not only does it work in very dry weather, it also gives a stronger shock if the vermin / pet / nosy neibour doesn't touch the neutral but just the live wire.

[tinker234]

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