How to Build an Electric Fence With Poly Rope & T-Posts

Poly rope fencing is easier to see, and avoid, than electric wire.

Building a fence is an effective way to contain animals in a desired area, or to keep animals out. Electric fencing is an affordable alternative to other forms of fencing and is quick and easy to install. Electric poly rope is an attractive material that can be used to build an electric fence, making it more visible to animals and people so that they can avoid running into the fence by accident.

Things You'll Need

• T-posts
• Post pounder
• Plastic fence insulators
• Electric poly rope
• Rubber electric fence gate handles
• Electric fence gate anchors
• Poly rope splices
• Electric fence controller

Instructions

1. Determine the area that you wish to enclose. Once you have measured the area, pound t-posts into the ground, spacing them 10 feet apart around the entire perimeter. The t-posts should be pounded so that the anchors are fully submerged in the ground and the spines on the lined-up t-posts are all facing the same direction.

2. Slide the plastic insulators onto the t-posts at even intervals in order to string either two or three lines of electric poly rope. Select where you would like the gate to open, and slide electric gate anchors onto the desired t-post instead of the plastic insulators.

3. Run your poly rope fence line. To begin, loop the end of the poly rope through the circle on the fence side of the gate anchor, and use one of the splices to secure the poly rope to itself. Then, fasten the poly rope to the insulators on all of the t-posts.

4. Attach a rubber gate handle to the remaining end of the poly rope, when you have secured the poly rope to all of the t-posts. Hook the gate handle onto the open side of the gate anchor, and pull the poly rope tight through the handle to adjust the tension on your fence line. Use a splice to secure the poly rope to the gate handle.

5. Install your desired electric fence controller and grounding rods according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that none of the poly rope is touching the t-posts. This can cause the electric current to ground out and weaken the charge of the electricity.

References

• EquiSearch; How to Select, Install Electric Fence; Bob Kingsbery with Sandra Cooke