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  • Fencing

Guard Strands

Guard Strands
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How Electric Fence Works

Instructions/Diagrams
  • Installation Instructions [3 MB]
  • Diagram & Accessories [468 KB]
Adding 1 or 2 "live" strands to any wood, vinyl or wire fence protects the horse from the fence and the fence from the horses (so they won't chew it). The proper height for the "hot" strand depends on the fence and the height of your horse's nose. Use suitable insulators.

The distance a strand should be held away (offset) from a fence varies. For vinyl or wood fences 2" is enough. For high-tensile wire fences, because the risk of injury is greater, we think the maximum (7"–9") is best.

Common Uses

  • Prevents horses from fighting across paddock fences.
  • Keeps horses from leaning, rubbing or chewing on fence.
  • Enables worn and weary fences to last a few more years.
  • Gives longevity to new fences.
  • Keeps horses away from less-safe fences (HT wire, barbed wire).
  • Carries pulses from an energizer in the barn to outlying fences.

Cost: as low as 9¢ per ft

The cost of a Guard Strand is only the cost of the conductor, insulators and energizer.
  1. Which conductor? IntelliRope® PE 4.5 works well and is not expensive.
  2. Which insulator? Depends on the existing fence. Review our insulators (see accessories tab below) and choose the ones that match your line, end and corner posts.
  3. Which energizer? You will need an energizer for this fence to help protect horses from a fence—and vice versa. Please refer to the Energizer section to determine your needs.

FREE shipping on qualified orders over $100!

See installation instructions under "Diagram & Accessories" above.

About Conductivity

Conductivity measures the amount of electrical current a material can carry. The opposite measure is known as resistance.

Tinned Copper Superconductor

Many of Premier’s electric net fences feature a green and white superconductor that has both stainless steel and tinned copper filaments for optimal conductivity.

These “premium” nets are 10 times more conductive (38 ohms per 1000') than “basic” nets offered by our competitors. This enables the electric pulse to travel much farther and be less affected by weed contact.

Customers who are unhappy with netting are often those who’ve chosen nets from China or their farmstore equivalents.

Types of Line Posts

Line posts are built into the net. Three options are available.*

Line Posts Compared
  1. Single Spike (SS)
    The best choice, unless your soils are always soft or very hard.
  2. Double Spike (DS)
    Posts allow you to push in the spikes with your foot. When soil is hard or rocky, double spikes are more difficult to install and remove.
  3. Drivable Posts (DP)
    Allows use of a mallet or dead blow hammer for installing posts in dry, hard or rocky soil. Features a “spike stop” for extra support and internal fiberglass ribs for added strength.

Tip: To insert a line post into frozen or hard soil, use a power tool to drill pilot holes.

* Not all fences have all line post options.

About Positive/Negative (Pos/Neg) Nets

Is your area dry?

Conventional electrified fence systems rely on soil moisture to be effective. However, not all areas have the required moisture.

Dry soil increases resistance—a weaker, less effective pulse occurs that does not deter animals.

To overcome this, Pos/Neg nets* are wired to allow the use of every other horizontal strand as an extension of the ground terminal. Because half the strands are connected to the ground terminal or ground rod, reliance on soil moisture is reduced. A PowerLink must be purchased separately to make the secondary ground connection.

How it works…

In order to receive a shock, the animal must touch both a positive (hot) and negative (grounded) strand at the same time. This will deliver more pain to the animal than an all hot net (Pos/Pos) because moisture in the soil is not required to complete the circuit.

Pos/Neg fences can be converted to Pos/Pos in moist conditions. Remember, all fences must be kept free of vegetation.

* Not all fences have Pos/Neg options.

Line Post Spacing

“Plus” nets—6'8" spacings between built-in line posts*

Line Post Spacing

Standard nets—10' or 12' spacings between built-in line posts*

* Spacings are approximate.
Distance between built-in line posts may vary by product.

Essential Energizer Advice

  • Buy a larger energizer than necessary. When the fence pleases, most folks will buy more fence—and need additional output.
  • Use a low-impedance intermittent pulse energizer.
  • Use a fence tester to check the voltage often.
  • Use enough ground rod(s)—included with our energizer kits.
  • Don’t allow your lead acid battery to discharge below 40%.
  • Use insulated wire that is designed for electric fences.
  • Always connect the fence to an energizer, not an outlet.
  • Visit this link for answers to other common energizer questions.

Two Basic Types

  1. All-in-one Solar
    • Solar units are very portable.
    • Because they need a battery, these units are more costly to purchase and operate than plug-in units.
    • Batteries are less effective in cold temperatures (deplete faster).
    • Most farmstore solar units are too weak, in joules of output, to properly energize netting. That’s why we designed our own.
  2. Plug-in & Battery
    • Least cost to purchase and operate per joule of output.
    • Best for fences exposed to heavy vegetation.
    • Cold temperatures do not affect performance.
    • Recommended for whole-farm systems, but can be complex to install. Higher output requires more ground rods, underground cables, multiple output terminals, etc.

Braided vs. Twisted

Braiding instead of twisting the horizontals increases the frequency of metal filaments on the outside of the strand.

Braided vs. Twisted Electric Net Fences

What’s the benefit?

  1. More metal is exposed on the outside of the strand. This enables improved animal to conductor contact. The electric pulse is better able to travel from the fence and into the animal, resulting in a memorable shock.
  2. A tighter, braided weave results in fewer snags when carried or pulled through pastures, reducing frustration.

We offer many fences to fit your situation, including different heights and lengths, multiple colors, drivable posts and positive/negative options for dry soils. Questions? Call our fence consultants at 800-282-6631 for expert advice.

Conductors
Accessories
  • IntelliRope® PE 4.5, 660 ft roll
    Conductors - Rope-Twine-Wire-Tape

    IntelliRope® PE 4.5, 660 ft roll

    Item #245100 - In Stock

    4.5mm (3/16") electrifiable rope for permanent or rotational grazing fences. Tinned copper filaments for high conductivity (50 Ω per 1000 ft).

    $40.00
  • IntelliRope® PE 6.0, 660 ft. roll
    Conductors - Rope-Twine-Wire-Tape

    IntelliRope® PE 6.0, 660 ft. roll

    Item #256900 - In Stock

    6mm (1/4") dia. electrifiable rope for permanent or temporary fences. Polyethylene filaments resist wear and abrasion. An effective anti-deer conductor.

    $59.00
  • EnduraSoft® 6.0, 660 ft roll
    Conductors - Rope-Twine-Wire-Tape

    EnduraSoft® 6.0, 660 ft roll

    Item #256500 - In Stock

    Highly visible polyester electric fence conductor with excellent conductivity over long distances. 6mm (1/4") diameter. 25 years probable life.

    $98.00
  • IntelliBraid®, 660 ft. roll
    Conductors - Rope-Twine-Wire-Tape

    IntelliBraid®, 660 ft. roll

    Item #256710 - In Stock

    6mm (1/4") dia. braided rope conductor for electric fences. Black/white color is easy for humans and livestock to see. Polyester for high UV-resistance.

    $113.00
  • IntelliBraid® Twine PE 2.25, 660 ft roll
    Conductors - Rope-Twine-Wire-Tape

    IntelliBraid® Twine PE 2.25, 660 ft roll

    Item #235360 - In Stock

    Lightweight 2.25mm braided polywire for portable livestock fences. Excellent conductor for the rotational grazing of sheep and cattle.

    $24.00
  • IntelliBraid® Twine PE 3.0, 660 ft roll
    Conductors - Rope-Twine-Wire-Tape

    IntelliBraid® Twine PE 3.0, 660 ft roll

    Item #253530 - In Stock

    Lightweight 3mm braided polywire for portable livestock fences. Slightly thicker than standard twine so it’s more visible to animals and humans.

    $28.00
  • IntelliTwine™ 2.25, 660 ft. roll
    Conductors - Rope-Twine-Wire-Tape

    IntelliTwine™ 2.25, 660 ft. roll

    Item #253500 - Back-ordered: Expected on 05/23/2025
    Notification request sent

    2.25mm (12 gauge/.09" dia.) electric fence conductor for temporary livestock and garden fences. Lightweight and easy to move.

    $23.00
  • IntelliTape™, 660 ft. roll
    Conductors - Rope-Twine-Wire-Tape

    IntelliTape™, 660 ft. roll

    Item #257020 - In Stock

    A 1/2" wide electric fence conductor whose visibility is ideal for horses and other large, fast moving livestock.

    $36.00
  • Double Insulated Wire, 100'
    Energizer Solar Panels and Accessories

    Double Insulated Wire, 100'

    Item #164107 - Back-ordered: Expected on 06/03/2025
    Notification request sent

    Electric fence wire with thick layers of insulating for transporting high voltage pulses from the energizer to the fence line.

    $44.00
  • Warning Sign
    Fencing

    Warning Sign

    Item #346000 - In Stock

    Let passersby know that your fences are electrified with this easy-to-read electric fence warning sign.

    $2.50
  • Ground Rod, Galvanized, 6'
    Fence Connectors and Accessories

    Ground Rod, Galvanized, 6'

    Item #151000 - In Stock

    Complete the circuit of your electric fence with galvanized grounds. No corrosion unlike copper rods.

    $22.00
  • Stainless Steel Clamp
    Fence Connectors and Accessories

    Stainless Steel Clamp

    Item #151800 - In Stock

    Stainless steel hose clamp. Firmly holds negative leads from the energizer to the ground rod.

    $1.30
  • P Spring
    Fence Connectors and Accessories

    P Spring

    Item #255010 - In Stock

    Used to keep rope fences at desired tension. Install a P Spring every 1320 ft.

    $3.50
  • RopeLink 2.6 (for 6mm rope)
    Fence Connectors and Accessories

    RopeLink 2.6 (for 6mm rope)

    Item #256210 - In Stock

    For splicing or terminating 4.5mm and 6.0mm fence conductors. A fast, yet secure connection.

    $0.85
  • TuffRing II Insulator (white), each
    Insulators

    TuffRing II Insulator (white), each

    Item #380705 - In Stock

    Screw-in ring insulator for corners and starting (or ending) a low-tension fence line on a wooden post.

    $0.95
  • ToggleWing Open Eyebolt for vinyl fittings
    Insulators

    ToggleWing Open Eyebolt for vinyl fittings

    Item #392100 - In Stock

    For attaching low-tension electric fence conductors to end and corner vinyl posts.

    $2.10
  • Lower Vinyl Clip, each
    Insulators

    Lower Vinyl Clip, each

    Item #392004 - In Stock

    For attaching low-tension electric fence conductors to vinyl line posts.

    $1.02
  • Upper Vinyl Line Post Clip, each
    Insulators

    Upper Vinyl Line Post Clip, each

    Item #392005 - In Stock

    For attaching low-tension electric fence conductors to vinyl line posts.

    $0.60
  • PigTail Offset, nail-in, white, each
    Insulators

    PigTail Offset, nail-in, white, each

    Item #391600 - In Stock

    Pigtail shaped electric fence insulator holds conductors 9" off of wood fence posts.

    $3.50
  • SplitBall Screw-In Insulator, black, each
    Insulators

    SplitBall Screw-In Insulator, black, each

    Item #380600 - In Stock

    SplitBall electric fence insulator that holds electric fence conductors to wood fence posts.

    $0.79
  • SplitBall Offset Insulator, each
    Insulators

    SplitBall Offset Insulator, each

    Item #390300 - In Stock

    Electric fence splitball insulator holds low-tension conductors 7" off of wood line posts.

    $1.35
  • XL Ring Offset Insulator, each
    Insulators

    XL Ring Offset Insulator, each

    Item #390500 - In Stock

    Offset insulator that holds low-tension insulators fences to wooden electric fence line posts.

    $1.04
  • Fence & Battery Digital Tester
    Fence Connectors and Accessories

    Fence & Battery Digital Tester

    Item #200010 - In Stock

    All-in-one fence tester checks the voltage of energizers, fences and 12V batteries. Simplify electric fence troubleshooting with one device!

    $38.00

Precautions

Electric fence is a pain barrier, not a physical barrier. A common mistake is not electrifying it. Animals may escape or become entangled (and may die). On a % basis, entanglement is very rare, but it can and does occur. If animals are scared or starved it will not keep them in. The first time you put the animals in the net, you should be available to watch them for a while. That way if one were to get into the fence and get caught, you can turn the power off and get them loose.

Warning! Due to risk of fire, do NOT use continuous output energizers with electric netting or electro-plastic conductors such as rope, twine or tape. Use only with a low or wide impedance intermittent pulse energizer. (Fi-Shock™ brand energizers which are sold as low impedance, continuous current output should NOT be used with electric netting.) All energizers sold on Premier’s website use an intermittent pulse and are suitable for use with electric netting.

Dry conditions and wintertime usage may reduce the effectiveness of electric fencing. Ice and heavy snow can flatten netting and thereby damage it.

Dry or frozen ground may cause post spikes to bend or break if inserted with force. Pilot holes may be needed. We recommend using drivable or single spike posts in hard soils. Double spike posts provide more stability when the ground is soft.

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