Solar fence charger wiring question

[RobA]

I will be installing a new gate in a section of electric horse fencing and will need to pass a wire underground to maintain the electrical connection between the 2 sections. Can I used heavy duty low voltage landscaping wire for the connection? The fence is powered by a 5,000 volt solar charger. I think it's 3 joules. Not sure if the charger will fry the wire.

 

[japody]

This is what I use. 50 ft for $16.99 at TSC.

Zareba® 50 ft. Underground Insulated Hookup Wire - Tractor Supply Co.

 

[JD5210]

+1 on jaopdy comment. You may also want to look at Dare's web sites. Page 4 of the pdf has an example of what you are asking.

http://www.dareproducts.com/pdf/high_tensile_fence_system.pdf

Serving the American Farmer Since 1946 - Dare Products, Inc

 

[DT86]

I also use the underground rated wire specifically for electric fences. Although I don't remember the reason, if what you were trying to use is a stranded wire that is a no-no for any connection of an electric fence.

 

[EddieWalker]

The wire needs to be shielded because of how important ground is for it to work properly. You can buy shielded wire designed for this, or you can use coaxial cable used for TV's.

Eddie

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I would put the specially insulated wire sold for this purpose inside a 1/2" conduit and seal so no moisture/water can get in. The high tension electricity will ground out easy if immersed in water. Better safe than sorry.

ron

 

[DT86]

I would put the specially insulated wire sold for this purpose inside a 1/2" conduit and seal so no moisture/water can get in. The high tension electricity will ground out easy if immersed in water. Better safe than sorry. ron

I have 30+ (got tired of counting) underground electric fence connections, with more than half of those being over 10 years old. Conduit is overkill.

The underground rated wire coating is very robust. As long as you aren't back filling the ditch with rocks it will be fine. In fact I have one new gate crossing, using underground wire, that I haven't found the time to bury yet. We have been driving over the exposed wire since February. I need to bury it but for now it's still working fine.

 

[RobA]

Thanks for the replies. The low voltage wire I have is stranded so that's a no go. I am using Horseguard's Bi-Polar fencing - no grounding required. Great product.

 

[MossRoad]

This is what I use. 50 ft for $16.99 at TSC.

Zarebaｮ 50 ft. Underground Insulated Hookup Wire - Tractor Supply Co.

That's the same wire I use to hook the fencer to the fence. Good stuff. Withstands the weed whacker if I get careless, too.

 

[farmer2009]

I have 30+ (got tired of counting) underground electric fence connections, with more than half of those being over 10 years old. Conduit is overkill. The underground rated wire coating is very robust. As long as you aren't back filling the ditch with rocks it will be fine. In fact I have one new gate crossing, using underground wire, that I haven't found the time to bury yet. We have been driving over the exposed wire since February. I need to bury it but for now it's still working fine.

I'm glad you've had good luck without the conduit. But the best I could do was two years. Now everything goes in conduit. I don't seal it but bring it up a few inches above ground. Conduit also allows you to only dig the trench once.