High Tensile Wire Tensioning Tips from Zareba® Systems

Maintaining the tension on your electric fence line is vital to make it fully functional. With this video from Zareba® Systems, you will learn the appropriate techniques for safely tensioning high tensile electric fence wire. Look for key fencing points and tips at these markers:
- How to install in-line strainers (0:26)
- How to install tension indicator springs (1:41)
- How to apply tension to a wire (2:25)
- How to accurately measure wire tension (2:35)
- How to tension all the wire (2:47)
- How to properly use multi groove poly spacers (3:02)
A few additional tips for your high tensile wire installation:
Fence Tension by Wire - The amount of weight needed to tension wire will depend on the type of wire chosen. High tensile wire is typically tensioned to approximately 200-250 pounds. Be sure you do not apply too much tension to wires. Excessive tension will damage wire and may lift fence posts out of the ground in low spots.
In-line Strainer Tools - You can use a ratchet in-line strainer or tightener to tension wires. Ratchets will also allow you to adjust wire tension for temperature changes. Use a tension indicator spring to adjust each wire to the proper tension. Once achieved on one line, tighten the rest of the wires by feel to match that tension.
In-line Strainer Location - For short stretches of fence line (less than 600 feet), the in-line strainer and tension indicator spring, known as the friction center, can be placed anywhere, but usually should be close to an end. On long, fairly straight runs, it is more ideal to place them in the middle so that tension is dispersed equally to both sides of the fence. Long runs with both straight and curving sections should have the friction center placed in the bends section rather than the straight section.
For more ideas and advice, consider these additional resources from Zareba® Systems:
-Your high tensile electric fence wire options:
www.zarebasyste...
-The benefits of high tensile fencing:
www.zarebasyste...
-Installing electric fence wire:
www.zarebasyste...

[@douglasflores1462]

Can I use that for cable? Can I tension it without that too?

[@ismaelmarquez8770]

can these be used for barbed wire?

[@realestateinfonet9041]

Good video!

[@joshblack1406]

what do the hash marks on the tension spring mean? one for barbed wire one for high tensile?

[@peteacher52]

That is not high tensile fencing wire - it is soft wire. HT wire would require the strength of a trained gorilla to bend and twist like that by hand. HT wire does not wind readily around those strainers, either. It forms a coil of spring steel that requires quite a different skill to handle.