Electric Fence Wire Buying Guide

There are various types of wire you can use for your electric fence, and each type has its own advantages.

This video from Zareba®, North America’s leading manufacturer of electric fencing supplies, will cover the benefits and uses of steel wire, aluminum wire, barbed wire, polytape, polyrope, polywire and high tensile fence wire.

STEEL WIRE FOR ELECTRIC FENCING

Galvanized steel wire will last the lifetime of the fence and is the most commonly used wire for electric fencing. Steel is able to carry a charge over long distances, can be used with any type of charger, is economical, and ideal for semi-permanent, permanent and perimeter fencing. Note that, when purchasing wire, the lower the gauge, the larger the wire. Most electric fencing steel wire is between 17 and 14 gauge.

ALUMINUM WIRE FOR ELECTRIC FENCING

Aluminum wire is the best for carrying a charge. Aluminum conducts electricity four times better than steel wire. While it will cost more, aluminum wire does not rust like un-galvanized steel wire.

Aluminum is long lasting, and will not rust and can be twisted and tied by hand. Aluminum can be used for permanent and perimeter fencing. A standalone aluminum wire does not have the same straight line appearance as steel wire, however, as it is more flexible and may stretch or sag over time.

HIGH TENSILE WIRE FOR ELECTRIC FENCING

High tensile electric fencing wire is an excellent choice for not only safely containing most species of livestock, including exotic species, it's also effective at keeping predators out.

High tensile fence wire can be used as a simple barrier or electrified for greater effectiveness. Fencing systems made from high tensile fencing wire are affordable. High tensile fencing can last up to 40 years. Another benefit of high tensile wire fencing is its low maintenance. High tensile wire is most often 12 or 12.5 gauge galvanized steel and used as permanent and perimeter fencing.

IS BARB WIRE SAFE FOR ELECTRIC FENCING?

Barb wire is a steel fencing constructed with sharp edges or points arranged at intervals along the wire strand. It is used commonly to construct inexpensive fences and was the first wire technology capable of containing livestock.

Barbed wire is made in a variety of styles. Precautions to protect against injury (due to the barbs) should be adopted when handling barbed wire fencing. Make sure you wear protective clothes, gloves, and boots to prevent bodily harm.

Electrified or not, barbed wire is not a recommended livestock fencing option. Barbed wire is dangerous and likely to damage animals that come into contact with it.

POLY FENCING MATERIALS

Poly fencing is commonly used for temporary fencing and includes polywire, polyrope (or braid), and polytape. Constructed of a combination of metal and plastic filaments, poly fencing consists of small wire strands which serve as the conductors. Woven together with polyethylene, this design produces tape, wire, and rope versions. Polytape will have more conductors woven into it versus polyrope or polywire due to its larger surface area.

Compared to traditional wire, poly fencing is highly visible, lighter in weight because of thinner wires, but lower in power conductivity compared to traditional wires. As a result, it requires a more powerful fence charger.

MORE ABOUT ZAREBA® AND ITS ELECTRIC FENCING PRODUCTS

[pvp]

That was very informative, answered questions I didn't even have yet, thank you 😌🙏🏾

[primozkumar]

hi my friend!! is this steel wire the same like in the vineyards? is beter to be thinner or bigger to electricity go trought???? tnx for the answer!!❤

[MoTown]

I found this video informative. Although my intended use is not to pen in animals the video has helped me determine which of these rope/tape to purchase for my experiment antenna. I've used stranded 14 and 12 guage, copper coated steel and copper wire in the past but they both stretch over time from wind blowing and either need to be shorten or replaced. I will try this nylon polytape interwoven with wire to determine if 1. it picks up RF and radiates RF as well as stranded wire, and 2. whether the stretching last longer than stranded wire.

[kyleb]

This video was very helpful. Thank you for making it.

[rmcdaniel]

Hi everyone . . . I'm planning a minimal joule system to keep my big dog from ripping through the chain link fenced in back yard and escaping for hours at a time, and getting into trouble in surrounding properties. Escape artist dog with much power and determination, and zero give a shits when it comes to trying to train him to the expensive Halo collar we bought. I was leaning toward the polywire for visibility to humans. Do you think this is best choice for pet dog containment within a pre-existing chain link yard? Or maybe 17g aluminum? Yard is estimated 30yds by 40yds in size with 3 gates.

[survivinglife]

Great vedeo. I'm in the process of installing a new fence i have a galvanized wire going to 3 galvanized ground roads . But im wondering if i can use a mix of aluminum and galvanized wire and 1 poliwire or polirope at the eye level of my pigs .

[noahriding]

Some people say polytape is seen better by animals, but polytape doesn't come in yellow and the poly wire does. I would think the yellow could be seen more? What do people think about how well the animals can see the various types of wire? Is it a fallacy that only polytape will be seen the best, or is it that helpful to lean towards?

I also haven't heard anyone say how long the average life time of the various types of electric fencing last for if used under daily duress?

[russmatilo]

This is fantastic . Please give me a quote now to fence 4 kilometre perimeter farm using high tensile or steel wire.

[stanmondzelewski]

So i could replace my aluminum 17ga wire with steel wire and lower the shock?
I got 2 dogs. One is 80lbs the other is 10lbs.
I use the small 2mile charger with aluminum wire. It lights my little dog up.
And it has enough pop to send my big girl yelping across the yard.
Id like to have a little less "pop" if possible

[AO-ipyx]

Hello, I just want everybody to know that I've lost two horses in electrobraid in the last year! It was installed properly with 4 wires. The problem is that it stretches! It may seem that would make it more forgiving but it makes it a very dangerous. I woke up to my Philly laying dead with a loop around its neck. It was horrible! Don't use any fence that stretches! Trust Me Please!!!