Permanent all-electric
One system of permanent electric fencing is shown here (fence no.21). Some other wire spacings are shown below. Recommendations for wire spacings will vary with manufacturer and product.
The layout should be planned with a ‘trunk line’, with other circuits running off it. Cut-out switches, which should be installed every half-mile or so to facilitate fault-finding, can be used to isolate circuits when not required for use.
Straining and turning posts are erected in the same way as for conventional fencing (see Chapter 5 – Techniques for post and wire fencing). Bryce Electric Fencing specify extra-large diameter straining posts, without struts, to allow the wires to be fastened directly through the post.
Combined electric and conventional fencing
- Line wire fences. These can be designed with any number of wires, one or two of which are electrified at heights to target particular types of stock. This can be effective, provided different types of stock are not grazed in the field.
- Netting with electrified top wire. This can be a useful and versatile fence, as it is proof against most types of farm stock, and is undamaged by cattle or horses. It is fairly expensive, because of the cost of the netting.
- Scare wire. This can be attached to new or existing fences, to keep stock from damaging the fence. The wire should be fixed at about two-thirds the height of the animal being controlled, with brackets spaced about 10-12m apart on flat ground, with extra ones at rises and hollows on undulating land. Various types and sizes of brackets or offset insulators are available, and can be used with wire or electrified rope.
- A separate fence of a single electrified wire at 0.9m (3′) height is recommended by Bryce Electric Fencing for the control of deer. This should be 1.2m (4′) to the attack side of a 1.2m height electric fence. This can be of the design shown, with three electric wires above 53cm height netting, for control of hill ewes, lambs, cattle and deer. Alternatively use a 6 line wire fence, of which only the bottom wire should be non-electric. The deer receive a shock from the single wire, and then have the difficulty of judging the height and width of the two fences together.
A similar arrangement can be used to make an existing fence deer proof. Heighten the existing fence with battens to support an electric wire at a height of 1.2m, and position the separate electric wire 1.2m away as shown.
