The following directions and specifications are based on a modified design for a 6 ft
x 6 ft electric fence developed by L.E. Meadows and W.F. Andelt, Colorado State University
Cooperative Extension Service.
Electric fencing is a highly effective way to prevent bears from accessing your property
and can reduce or eliminate human-bear conflicts. Farmers use electric fences to contain livestock.
If it keeps livestock in, it will keep bears out. Fences are easy to construct and cost-effective,
and can protect large areas that are difficult to secure.
There is no need to be frightened of electric fencing. Electric fences are designed to only
cause fear and momentary pain by delivering a brief electrical shock. A pulse of electricity,
sent through the wire every 1 to 2 seconds, gives the animal the opportunity to get away
after the initial shock.
This video was designed to assist the public. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions
and use safety precautions when building an electric fence.
If you are not certain what materials and tools you are going to need, here is a breakdown
of the necessary equipment.
You will need five metal “T” posts, three rubber gate handles, electric wiring, twelve
“T” post insulators, one fence charger that covers a five-mile range, one grounding
rod, one grounding rod clamp, and four warning signs.
You will also need one volt meter.
The tools you will need include a fence post driver, wire cutters, pliers, and a screwdriver.
Now that you have the list of materials and tools you will need, let’s go step by step
to show you how to build an electric fence to secure your outside attractants.
You can of course modify the fence design to meet your needs. For example, you can replace
the AC electric-powered fence charger with a solar-powered charger for areas without
a power source. You also can increase from 3 to 4 strands, or the size of the area you
are enclosing. Keep in mind you will need to have a T-post at each corner and one T-post
every 8 feet.
Step one is to define your space. You may need to put up electric fencing to protect
your entire yard or livestock pens or maybe you just need it around your garbage cans
or a fruit tree.
Allow for enough space in your fence so that items you want protected are at least 3 feet
from the fence perimeter. We don’t want a bear to be able to reach through the fence
and grab anything.
After defining your space, mark where you are going to place your “T” posts. As
a precaution, insure there are no electrical wires or pipes under the area you want to
protect.
The next step is to set up the “T” posts. Drive the “T” posts at least one and a
half feet into the ground to insure they are stable.
This should be about what your protected space looks like.
Now it is time to attach your “T” post insulators. Attach three insulators on each
“T” post, spaced at approximately 8, 20, and 32 inches above the ground.
Next, clip the vegetation in an 18 inch wide strip between the “T” posts centered under
where the wires will be located. It is important to keep this vegetation low at all times to
prevent it from getting in contact with your wire, which could short out your fence.
Start by wrapping your electrical wiring around the first bottom “T” post insulator of
your choice.
Now run the electrical wiring along the remaining “T” post insulators at the bottom level.
Keep the wire tight as you attach it to the insulators.
When you return to the first insulator, simply run the wiring up to the second level of insulators
and continue this process until you wrap around the top level of insulators.
After you finish wrapping the electrical wiring around the last “T” post insulator, measure
about two feet of extra wiring and then cut the wire. You will use this extra wire later
to connect to the fence charger.
Now we will install the gate handles. Cut the electric wire a little less than one foot
away from the “T” post of your choice. Loop one part of the wire to the back of the
gate handle and then twist to secure.
Finally, take the other part of the cut wire and make a loop for your gate handle to hook
on to. Again twist to secure. Repeat this step until all three gate handles are installed.
This will be how you will enter and exit your protected area. Insure that the power is turned
off and then simply tug the gate handle towards the loop you made and repeat until all three
gate handles are unhooked.
Now we will drive the fifth “T” post into the ground. Place the “T” post inside
of the protected area and a little over one foot away from the “T” post that has the
extra two feet of electric wire you cut earlier.
The fence charger will be attached to this fifth “T” post. You can use a simple zip
tie to attach the charger to the “T” post.
Now using the extra two feet of wire that you cut earlier, attach the wire to the fence
charger. The wire should be attached to the positive terminal.
Some chargers will state whether the terminal is for ground or fence.
Now drive the grounding rod five and a half feet into the ground. Place the grounding
rod clamp over the grounding rod and tighten the left and right screws.
Using a piece of electric wiring, wrap the wire to the negative terminal or the terminal
marked as ground. Run the remaining wire down to the grounding rod clamp and loop the wire
through the hole where the center screw is located.
Now tighten the center screw.
Using two pieces of electric wire, tie warning signs on each side of the fence.
You can also tie flagging on the fence to make it more visible to both people and animals.
If using an AC-powered fence charger, run an extension cord from your home to the charger
and you are now ready to go.
Keep these important points in mind: • Keep vegetation well below the electric
fence wires • Drive the T-posts one and a half feet
into the ground • Drive the ground rod five and a half feet
into the ground • The bottom wire should be 8 inches above
the ground • Ensure wires are tight
• Maintain a 3 foot interior gap from the fence
• Frequently monitor the fence with a volt meter
You should now have a fully functional electric fence.
Shortly after this, the script/video refers to livestock pens and shows them.