How to Wire an Electric Fence

Determine how many wires your fence needs. Choose the number of wires for your electric fence based on the type of animal you plan to contain. For instance, cattle typically require fewer wires than goats. A good all-around electric fence uses 5 to 7 wires that are 6 to 8 inches apart.

Install insulators and wires. Measure and mark your posts to show the wire locations. Your bottom wire should be about 6 inches from the ground. Install insulators on the corner and line posts. Thread the bottom wire through its insulators, being sure the wire is taut before tying it off at the last corner post. Repeat this process for each wire.

Install insulated jumper wire at the corner post closest to the energizer. The jumper wire connects together all those wires that you plan to energize, keeping them from touching the grounded wires. Cut a short length of insulated cable. Strip the insulation away from the ends and wrap one end around the bottom wire; wrap the other end around the third wire. Repeat this process for every other wire, connecting the third wire to the fifth wire and the fifth wire to the seventh wire.

Install the lead-out wire. The lead-out wire connects the wires you plan to energize to the fence energizer itself. Measure out a section of insulated cable that reaches from the energizer to the jumper wires. Strip the insulation away from the ends and wrap one end around the exposed end of the jumper wire on the bottom energized wire. Make sure your fence energizer is unplugged, then wrap the other end of the lead-out wire to the positive fence terminal on your energizer.

Install your grounding system. The grounding system determines the success of your electric fence, so it is key that you complete this step correctly. The grounding system required for each fence energizer differs, so be sure to consult your energizer instruction manual for specific installation information to maximize the safety of your electric fencing system. Typically, you should insert 3 6-foot copper rods into the ground at 10-foot intervals. Measure out enough insulated cable to reach from the fence energizer to all three ground rods.

Strip back a small section of the insulation and use a clamp to connect the cable end to the ground rod furthest from the fence energizer. Repeat this process for each ground rod, then attach the other end of the insulated cable to the negative ground terminal on your fence charger. Check all the components of your electric fence system to ensure they are installed correctly, then plug your fencing energizer in.