Safe Fence Installation Considerations

1. Number of strands.

The number of strands of SAFE-FENCE needed is a matter of your particular application. 65% of SAFE-FENCE users install 3 strands. 4 strands are needed only when fencing along busy roads, around crowded areas, smaller paddocks, aggressive animals or foals.

2. Post and post spacing.

The type of post used is entirely your choice. SAFE-FENCE provides insulators for wood and PVC pipe, steel tee and round rod up to 5/8" in diameter. With SAFE-FENCE Webbing, the posts can be placed as far as 16' apart. Any greater distance than 16' voids the warranty.

3. Gates.

SAFE-FENCE provides gate handles to create webbing gates that are versatile and inexpensive. We recommend, however, that hard gates be installed where horses are led through frequently. When installing hard gates use the R-40 End Tensioners at the gate posts. When installing webbing gates use the R-50 Corner or Two Way Tensioners.

4. Fence chargers.

The A.C. powered, Low Impedance style fencer is the recommended type for SAFE-FENCE webbing. Solar and 12 or 6 volt fencers can also be used for areas under five acres. The use of a fencer other than the Low Impedance type may burn spots in the webbing and voids the warranty.

5. Grounding the fencer.

Ground problems are the most common point of failure in electric fencing. Installing a "ground field" is the best way to maximize the grounding of the fencer. Dig a 12 foot trench 8 inches deep across the direction of the fence line closest to the fencer. Drive three, 8 foot long, 1/2 inch galvanized rods into the trench, one at each end and the third in the center. Using brass ground rod clamps, connect the three rods together and then to the negative side of the fencer with High Voltage Wire. In areas with reasonable moisture and plant material a single six foot rod at the fencer may be sufficient. Do not place ground rods within 50 feet of buried metal, water lines, utilities, phone lines or metal stock tanks.

• Do not use water lines or existing AC ground rods for fencer grounding.
• Always follow fencer manufacturer's installation instructions.

6. Electrical Connections.

Use only R-28 High Voltage Wire when making electrical connections to maximize fencer efficiency. You may run the fence in a continuous straight line without returning to the point of origin. Connect all strands at the point of origin using the R-59 Wire Connectors with High Voltage Wire. To bridge a gate, dig an eight inch trench between the gate posts. Run the wire through 1/2 inch PVC pipe. Connect the burial wire to the top strand of the webbing at the tensioner using the R-59 Wire Connector. Feed the wire through the pipe and staple the wire up the opposing gate post and connect to the tensioner at the top strand. Connect the remaining strands from top to bottom with wire connectors and wire on the opposing gate post. Connecting at the top strand will allow you to disconnect lower strands if overgrown weeds, grasses or drifting snow reduce fence line power. It is best to connect the fencer to the fence at a tensioner on a gate or corner post with the R-59 Wire Connector whenever possible. R-28 High Voltage Wire can be run underground for a distance up to 200 feet from the fence charger to a gate or corner.

Installation Instructions