How to Build a Cedar Post Electric Fence

Wood posts typically are more sturdy for a permanent electric fence.

Although temporary electric fences require nothing more than lightweight metal or plastic posts, you'll typically need to use heavy duty wood posts if you plan to install a permanent electric fence. Red cedar makes an ideal choice for wooden fence posts because it's naturally resistant to decay. According to Virginia Cooperative Extension, untreated red cedar posts typically last 15 to 20 years; treated red cedar posts can last even longer, often up to 20 or 25 years. When you build your cedar post electric fence, allow ample time for setting the posts, since that alone can account for over half the installation time of your fence.

Things You'll Need

• Mower
• Spray paint
• Post hole digger
• 8-inch-diameter cedar corner posts (8 feet long)
• Level
• Tamping rod
• Galvanized fencing wire
• 4-inch-diameter cedar line posts (8 feet long)
• Nail-on plastic insulators
• Wire cutters
• Insulated cable
• Fence energizer

Instructions

Post Installation

1. Clear debris from your fence line. Trim vegetation down to a one and a half to to two-inch height with a mower. Mark the corner post locations with a can of spray paint.

2. Dig a two and a half to three-foot-deep hole at the first corner post location with a post hole digger. Make the diameter of the hole slightly larger than the diameter of your corner posts. Position the base of the 8-inch-diameter corner post in the hole and check with a level to ensure that it's straight.

3. Fill dirt around the base of the cedar post, pounding it securely into place with a tamping rod. Pile the dirt up slightly around the base of the post to allow rain water to run away from the post. Repeat this installation process for each eight-inch-diameter corner post.

4. Run a taut wire between the cedar corner posts to mark the fence line. Install four-inch-diameter cedar posts along the outside edge of the marking wire for line posts. Dig the holes two to two and a half feet deep and position the posts every 24 to 30 feet.

Wire Installation

1. Hammer nail-on plastic insulators into all of the posts approximately eight inches from the ground for your bottom electric wire. Run a strand of galvanized fencing wire through the entire set of insulators starting at one of the corner posts. When you've threaded it through all the insulators, pull it taut, twisting and wrapping it around itself to secure it in place.

2. Install additional wires every six to eight inches along the height of your cedar posts. Continue adding wires until your fence is the desired height; a general-purpose livestock fence usually has five to eight wires.

3. Connect each wire to the one directly above it using insulated cable. Strip back the first two to three inches of insulation from a strip of cable and wrap the exposed cable ends around the bottom two wires. Repeat this process to connect all the wires together.

4. Connect the bottom wire to the fence energizer with another strip of insulated cable. Peel back the insulation on both ends and attach the exposed cable to the bottom wire and to the fence terminal on the energizer.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you've built your cedar post electric fence, don't forget to create a grounding system to help ensure that it conducts electricity effectively.

• Accidental electrical shock could occur, so keep your fence energizer unplugged until you've completely installed your electric fence. Post warnings for others who may pass near your fence.

References

• Virginia Cooperative Extension: Fencing Materials for Livestock Systems
• American Fence and Supply Company: How to Install an Electric Fence