How to Run a Live Wire Fence

Although it may sound dangerous, a live wire fence is nothing more than an electric fence. The wires in electric fences carry a live electric charge that delivers a mild shock to animals when they touch them; this creates a psychological barrier that discourages the animals from testing the fence again. Farmers and ranchers, as well as gardeners and pet owners, use live wire fences to dissuade animals from entering or leaving areas such as gardens and temporary pasture locations. According to the University of Tennessee Cooperative Extension, most electric fencing problems occur as a result of problems with the grounding system; pay careful attention to properly installing your electric fence grounding system.

Things You'll Need

  • Mower
  • Steel T-posts
  • Post driver
  • Plastic clip-on insulators
  • Fencing wire (steel or poly material)
  • Metal rebar posts (optional)
  • Plastic slide-on insulators (optional)
  • Insulated cable
  • Fence energizer
  • 3 6-foot galvanized steel grounding rods
  • Copper grounding clamps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mow or trim along the fence line, if necessary, so that all vegetation is 2 inches tall or less. Pound steel T-posts at your corner post locations. Sink them to a depth of 12 to 18 inches with a hand-held post driver.

    • 2

      Clasp a plastic clip-on insulator around each corner post 6 to 8 inches from the ground. Run electric fencing steel or poly wire through the set of insulators. Pull it taut, cut it and wrap or tie it back on itself to secure it in place when you return to the first corner post.

    • 3

      Hammer metal rebar posts or steel T-posts along the wire for line posts. Locate metal rebar posts 10 to 12 feet apart; position steel T-posts 18 to 24 feet apart. Slide plastic slip-on insulators onto your rebar posts or wrap plastic clip-on insulators around the steel T-posts. Locate the insulators at the same height as the corner post insulators and slip the loose wire into the plastic hooks on the insulators.

    • 4

      Place additional insulators on the posts and install as many extra wires as you desire. Keep the wires at least 6 inches apart.

    • 5

      Measure out a strip of insulated cable that reaches between the two bottom wires. Peel back the first couple of inches of insulation on both ends; wrap one end around the bottom wire and the other end around the second wire. Repeat this process to connect each wire to the one directly above it.

    • 6

      Peel back the insulation from the ends of another strip of insulated cable. Connect the two ends of the cable to the bottom wire in your fence and the fence terminal on your fence energizer.

    • 7

      Hammer the three 6-foot galvanized steel rods into the ground at least 10 feet from each other. The nearest rod should also be approximately 10 feet from the fence energizer. Connect the steel rods to each other with strips of insulated cable and copper grounding clamps.

    • 8

      Measure out a length of insulated cable long enough to reach between the nearest grounding rod and the fence energizer. Peel back the insulation on the ends and connect them to the nearest grounding rod and the ground terminal on your fence energizer.