How much tension should I apply to hi-tensile wire ?
Being that hi-tensile electric fence wire is a psychological barrier it does not have to be nearly as tight as conventional soft wire, which is a physical barrier. Hi-tensile wire does not need to be as taunt. The electric charge creates the phycological barrier.
12.5 gauge hi-tensile electric fence wire should be tensioned to between 150 to 200 pounds. This compares to conventional barbed wire that should be tensioned to about 330 pounds.
Tensioning your fence wires is basically your last step when building hi-tensile fences. As you tighten with your in-line or on-line tensioner, you can watch down your fence line and monitor the sag between posts. With 40 to 50 foot line post spacings it is quite normal to have 1-1/2” to 2” of sag between line posts.
The exception here is with lower wires for feral animals or sheep / goat fencing where you may have a bottom wire only inches off of the ground. These lower wires should be taken up to about 200 pounds and less sag.
You basically want your wire to have a nice bounce or spring to it. It definatelly doesn't need to be like a banjo string.
Note: If you install your wire in the heat of summer, it will become more taunt during the cold of winter, and visa-versa. Keep this in mind, and after the first year you may want to re-evaluate it and make the adjustments on your tensioners.
Some Basic Tensioners for Hi-tensile wire, below.
Shown above is the # SCT1 Tensioner
Above is the SDC Tensioner. Both SCT1 and SDS tensioners can be tightened with a pliers, wrench or cresent. There is a spring loaded clip that locks into the cogs of the wheel. The SCT1, in the top photo, can also be tensioned with a 1/2" socket drive.
The Daisy type tensioner above is used quite often, and can be installed in-line, without cutting the wire to install it. It can be tensioned with a special tool or with a 1/2" socket drive. To install, simply position wire in the daisey slot, tension, and insert the keeper pin. This will lock your tension, not allowing the daisy to back off.
With any of the tensioners, it is probably a good idea to coil about 6 to 8 feet of wire on the spool. This will give you some latitude should you need to make a repair on your fence at some later date. This extra wire can be used for splicing.
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