electric fence experts, your help please

[MyBoyChe]

I need to make a paddock within my paddock for shettie (and hopefully new pony). I have a rectangular paddock with an existing post and sheep wire fence down one long side. Just inside this fence is a ditch with an old hawthorn hedge along most of it. I want to make a smaller paddock using this fence as one side and incorporating the hedge as shelter. I know the fence mustnt touch the hedge but I would like to use the existing fence as one side, so my question is, how do I attach the ends of the electric fence to the existing wooden posts. I will trim back any overhanging bits of hedge and will attach the end of the electric tape to one post and the handle to another post, but what fixings do I use for the tape and the handle. The other option is just to make a square paddock using just plastic posts, if I do this how do I start and finish the circuit, do I just tie the tape to one post and hook the handle over the tape, or hook the handle on to the plastic post. And before anyone says to make sure its live, just touch it, NO!!!!!

 

[ester]

you don't need a 'circuit' the circuit is with the earth... hence why you have to have part of the energiser stuck in the ground if it is not mains powered.

there are specialist fixings for what you need,

http://www.hotline-fencing.co.uk/ca...x?dpt_id=9f5c5b71-7ca8-4ef6-bd0e-900eba954dda

http://www.hotline-fencing.co.uk/ca...x?dpt_id=4c8f37d9-6414-43f2-89c2-d24b723bc23a

and you don't have to touch it http://www.hotline-fencing.co.uk/ca...x?dpt_id=10173371-365e-4e92-9277-165b1bf0bc51

 

[martlin]

To attach tape/rope to wooden posts, you need insulators. For the gate handle, you need a gate anchor insulator. If you are using plastic posts, you can just tie the tape and hook the handle directly to the posts.
http://www.farmcareuk.com/index.php?section=shop&action=cat&c=24&gclid=CL2uj_XatLICFUVTfAod2nQAWQ
as an aside, if you make a rectangular paddock with just the plastic posts, you need to anchor your corners or it won't stay standing up

 

[WelshD]

I just cable tie a plastic post to the wooden one and use that

For gates I use the screw in gate insulators

 

[kirinsam]

Baler twine ! or some thing else that doesnt conduct electricity. I am no expert and scared of electricity but I manage to divide all my paddocks. Basically if you want the electric to flow it must be metal to metal or wire to wire so handles must be clipped on the wire. If you want the electricity to stop i use baler twine or plastic type rope to tie the plastic post to the fence post so the electricity cant get through. I use the same strand for top and bottom strand as the least joins the better. Make sure you put a yellow notice on if the public can get in the field.

 

[ester]

I just cable tie a plastic post to the wooden one and use that

For gates I use the screw in gate insulators

but that's much more expensive than buying insulators when you have a fence post already