The conductor is the part of your fence that the animals see and feel. On 200 or 400 metre rolls, you will find tape here in 10, 20 and 40 mm widths, 6 mm rope, 3 mm plastic fencing wire, 2 mm aluminium wire and galvanised steel wire, mostly from ZoneGuard.
Tape, rope or wire: weighing it up
| Tape | Rope | Wire | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | High, especially 40 mm | Good | Low |
| Wind | Catches a lot of wind | Little | Hardly any |
| Often used for | Horses, temporary divisions | Horses, permanent paddocks | Cattle, long runs |
Wide tape stands out most, but in an open, windy spot it flaps and wears faster. Rope combines good visibility with calmer behaviour in the wind. Wire is the least visible, but strong and easy to tension over long distances.
What to look for when choosing
- Number of conductors: the 20 mm tape comes in versions with 4 and with 9 strands. More conductors distribute the current better and keep working longer if one breaks.
- Colour: white and white-black are easy to see against green grass; black, brown or white-green blend in more quietly with the landscape.
- Basic or Plus: ZoneGuard sells tape, rope and wire in two lines. If in doubt, compare the product details on conductors and breaking strength.
- Length: multiply the number of lines by the perimeter, plus a bit extra for corners and gateways.
Joining and maintenance
Preferably do not knot tape or rope together: a knot creates resistance and can eventually burn through. Tape and rope connectors and connecting leads are in fencing accessories, matching holders in insulators. Keep tape under tension but not as tight as a string, so it can shrink in the cold. The energiser is in electric fence energisers, the posts in fence posts. For horse owners there is a separate selection: tape and rope for horses. The overview is under field fencing.
Frequently asked questions
How many rolls do I need?
Multiply the perimeter of your field by the number of lines and divide by the roll length, 200 or 400 metres. Allow a little extra for corners, gateways and joins.
Is galvanised wire also electric fence wire?
Galvanised steel wire conducts current and can serve as a conductor in a permanent fence, provided you fix it to the posts with insulators.
Can I join old and new tape?
Yes, with a good tape connector. Do check whether the conductors in the old tape are still intact; broken strands cause sparks and power loss.