Installing Electric Rope Fence: A Step-by-Step Guide

Electric Rope Fence provides a greater visibility than smooth wire or twine fencing and is a popular option among equine owners. Rope is a good solution for temporary/portable fence or semi-permanent fencing. It can be used as a perimeter fence or to divide pasture for better rotational grazing habits.

Electric Rope Fence is considered a psychological barrier since it does have a lower breaking strength, so therefore it needs to be electrified once installed.

Installing this fence material can be completed in a few easy steps and ready to keep your equine partners safe! Before beginning install, it is important to plan so you can successfully orchestrate all aspects and considerations of your fence build.

For tips on planning your fence, check out our "Planning Your High Tensile Fence" blog. While this blog is part of our high tensile series, the planning steps are important for all fence styles.

How Do You Install an Electric Rope Fence?

To install a perimeter Electric Rope Fence, follow these steps:

Step 1 – Install Corner, End, and Gate

After careful consideration and planning, start by installing end, and corner, and gate posts which should be a minimum 5" diameter and set 3.5 ft to 4.5 ft in the ground. These posts do not need to be braced if only using electric rope fence material. If you are hand-setting these posts versus using a post driver to drive them into the ground, be sure to tamp around the posts well.

Step 2 – Install Line Posts

Now that your primary posts are in place, you can run a guide wire between these posts to create your straight line for the line posts. Line posts for electric rope fence can be metal T-posts, fiberglass, wood, or composite posts. The height of these posts will depend on the height of your finished fence, but a general rule of thumb is for an equine fence to be 48” – 54” off the ground at the top strand. For electric rope fence, these posts can be spaced up to 30 ft apart on flat ground. This distance should be decreased if the ground is uneven or the soil is soft. Using a measure wheel or tape measure, measure out and mark the ground where your line posts will go and install these posts.

Step 3 – Install End and Corner Insulators

After all posts have been installed, determine the height at which you will run each strand of fence and mark all end, corner, and gate posts. Kencove recommends using 5 strands of rope, set 12” off the ground, and then 10” in between strands. (Insert diagram – rework coated wire diagram)
At your end and gate posts, install Heavy-Duty Lag-Corner Insulators at the mark for each strand of fence. On your corner posts, install Corner Collar Insulators at the mark for each strand of fence.

Step 4 – Install the Electric Rope Fence

After all insulators are installed on the end, corner, and gate posts, you can begin to string out your fence. At your starting point, wrap a 12” tail around the donut insulator on the Lag-Corner insulator. Using a Two-bolt Rope Clamp place the tail and your strand of fence parallel in the clamp. Tighten the clamp using the nuts and bolts provided. This will ensure a secure electric connection. String your wire along the fence, going on the outside of your corner posts inserting the electric rope into your corner collar insulators. When you reach your next end point, repeat the process of connecting the rope with a rope clamp. Repeat this process for all strands.

Step 5 – Install Line Post Insulators

Using the same height marks as used on the end, corner, and gate posts, mark your line posts from the ground up. Attach line posts insulators that are compatible with the style of line post you are using. Go down the line and attach the electric rope fence using the insulators.

Step 6 – Tensioning your Fence

Now that your strands are all in place, you need to add tension to the fence line. For electric rope fence, you will use an EZ Daisy Tightener. These are available in aluminum or powder-coated white. Simply remove the center clip and slid the tightener onto the fence line. Using a EZ Daisy Handle begin to twist the tightener to create tension on the fence line. Once the line is snug, replace the metal clip to hold tension.

Step 7 – Connect the Electric Connection between Fence Lines

Since electric rope fence is a psychological barrier, you will need to electrify some or all of the strands. This decision can be made based on the livestock you are fencing. To connect the lines you want to electrify, you can use a Rope-To-Rope Connector. Simply loosen the clamp on each end and attach to two different strands. You will need to repeat this step to make the connection between all electrified fence strands.

Step 8 – Electrify the Fence Line

Install a low-impedance energizer. As a general rule of thumb, you will need 1 output joule per mile of fence. Calculate the total linear feet of fence you have installed, and select an energizer accordingly. You will also need to install a grounding bed to ensure proper connections. You should install 3 ft of ground rod per 1 output joule. For more information check out our guide on volts vs joules. You can use a Rope-To-Energizer Connector to connect the hot terminal of your energizer to the fence line.