Woodstream ElectroBraid User manual

Permanent Electric Fencing
Safe, Secure, Simple
Highly Visible Pure Copper & Polyester Braid™
Installation
Manual
ElectroBraid.com
855-EBFENCE
(855-323-3623)

B
A Very Safe Fence at a Very Low Cost
For warranty information,
please visit
ElectroBraid.com

B
For Warranty information, please visit ElectroBraid.com
1
This Manual may differ from the original manufacturers’ instructions for some
products because this manual is specific to the ElectroBraid
®
Fence System.
Phone Toll Free: 855-EBFENCE
855-323-3623
Email: [email protected]
ElectroBraid.com
69 N. Locust Street • Lititz, PA 17543
America's #1 Electric Horse Fence
Congratulations on your decision to purchase an ElectroBraid
®
Fence for your horses. We
know you will be extremely pleased with the ease of installation, minimal maintenance,
safety and performance. Hundreds of hours have gone into testing our system to ensure
high quality.
This installation manual can help you properly install your ElectroBraid
®
Fence.
It is IMPORTANT you follow these instructions to minimize maintenance and
maximize safety.
We have tried to include as much detail as possible; however, it is impossible to cover
every application. If you have a question, please call and we will do our best to assist
you.
Call us toll free at 855-EBFENCE or e-mail us at [email protected].
Installation
Manual
Published 2014
READ THE FOLLOWING
INFORMATION CAREFULLY.
Failure to follow these
instructions could result
in injury to persons
and/or livestock.

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A Very Safe Fence at a Very Low Cost
Table of Contents
ElectroBraid
®
Commitment to Safety .............................................................................. 3
Steps for Successful Electric Fencing ............................................................................... 3
Planning ......................................................................................................................... 4
Calculating Your Needs .................................................................................................. 5
Tools Required................................................................................................................ 7
Getting Started – Line Spacing ....................................................................................... 7
Installing Corner and End Posts/Bracing ......................................................................... 8
Installing Insulators on Corners and Gates and End Posts/Bracing ................................ 11
Using Trees For Corner, End & Line Posts ..................................................................... 12
Installing Line Posts ...................................................................................................... 13
Installing Wood Line Posts .............................................................................. 14
Installing T-Post Line Posts .............................................................................. 14
Running your Lines....................................................................................................... 14
Tension Kit Assembly .................................................................................................... 15
Tensioning ElectroBraid
®
.............................................................................................. 16
Splicing ElectroBraid
®
.................................................................................................... 18
Electrifying the Fence ................................................................................................... 18
Choosing your energizer ................................................................................. 18
Grounding System .......................................................................................... 19
Wiring your energizer...................................................................................... 20
Wiring the energizer for areas of high snowfall................................................ 21
When to wire gates ......................................................................................... 22
Wiring gates .................................................................................................... 22
Wiring gates in areas of high snowfall ............................................................. 23
Using Gate Handles for gates .......................................................................... 24
Testing your Fence........................................................................................................ 25
Trouble Shooting.......................................................................................................... 26
Do’s & Don’ts – Safety and Maintenance ..................................................................... 27
Hiring a Professional Fence Installer .............................................................................. 28
Fault Finding Chart....................................................................................................... 29
FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR ANIMALS ALWAYS
KEEP YOUR FENCE ELECTRIFIED.
NEVER LEAVE ANIMALS UNATTENDED WITHIN
A NON-ELECTRIFIED FENCE.

2
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3
ElectroBraid®Commitment to Safety
The ElectroBraid
®
System is designed to minimize injuries to horses. Equally important,
you must provide correct installation and proper maintenance.
A collision with a rigid fence is the most frequent cause of serious horse injury.
ElectroBraid
®
is not rigid – it is resilient, like a boxing ring. When a horse at full gallop
impacts ElectroBraid
®
, it usually bounces right back, with no damage to horse or fence.
ElectroBraid
®
is a psychological barrier. Always maintain at least 5,000 volts and a good
grounding system to ensure your horse will receive a significant electric shock – not just
a “bee-sting”. The shock from a UL or CSA approved energizer won’t harm your horse,
because the shock is very low amperage for a tiny fraction of a second, but your horse
will always respect ElectroBraid
®
in the future.
Injuries with ElectroBraid
®
are very rare. If an incident occurs, please call
1-855-EBFENCE so we can discuss the circumstances with you. Hopefully, we can
together take corrective action to prevent any future injury.
Steps for Successful Electric Fencing
1) The Right Energizer for the Job.
There are a variety of energizers on the market but we only recommend low impedance
energizers Certified Safe by UL or CSA. They put out a very short, low amperage pulse
of electricity, which will not harm an animal or child. NEVER use "Weed Burners", "Weed
Choppers" or continuous current fencers - these energizers have been banned in many
areas as a fire and safety hazard and will damage ElectroBraid
®
.
2) Install a Good Ground System.
Poor or improper grounding causes 95% of all electric fencing problems. You can have
the most powerful energizer in the world, but if the ground return is poor, your fence
will not perform. Use a minimum of three copper clad ground rods spaced at least 10
feet apart. Use a "hot-cold" system, grounding the next-to-top strand. Electrify all other
strands. With dry or sandy soil, you may need more ground rods.
3) Use Recommended Materials.
Do not use make-shift insulators, ordinary electrical wire, or materials we do not
recommend. Copper clad ground rods, brass-coated poly rope splicer connectors and
copper lead-out wire prevent corrosion due to electrolysis, provide optimum electrical
conductivity, reduce maintenance and increase the life of your fence.
4) Check your Fence Regularly.
Don’t wait for something to go wrong. Check the voltage on your fence regularly using
a reliable fence voltmeter. Track down and correct any electrical shorts. Check the
tension on the Braid
™
on a regular basis to ensure each strand is tight - posts can move
due to frost heave or impact - re-set the post and re-tighten each strand.

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A Very Safe Fence at a Very Low Cost
Planning your ElectroBraid®Fence
Take the time to plan: The installation of any fencing system begins before the first
post is driven. The secret to getting the best value for your dollar is to take the time to
thoroughly plan before you start construction.
Check Local Laws and Ordinances: laws governing fences and electric fencing vary from
county to county. Get the answer to questions such as: “How far must a fence be from
a roadway?”, “Can an electric fence be used in a suburban area?”, and “Are warning
signs required?”. Check with your County Extension Office or your City Clerk’s office.
Sketch Your Map:
Begin by drawing a map of your property, including all major features: buildings, roads,
fields, swamps, woods, gullies, streams and other features. Be sure to include: power,
telephone, gas and oil lines as well as underground cables.
• Mark the location of each end and corner post.
• Mark the location of each line post based on the separation you wish to use
• Mark the location of the energizer close to an electrical outlet
• Calculate the total length of your fence
• Choose the number of strands of Braid
™
you wish to use. We recommend 3 or 4
stands.
• Choose the type of line post you wish to use (wood, vinyl, or T-posts)

4
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5
Calculating Your Needs
ElectroBraid®Reels:
Multiply the length of your fence by the number of strands you wish to use and divide by the
length of reel you will be purchasing = _____. This is the number of reels you will need.
ElectroBraid®Roller Insulators for End Posts, Corner Posts,
Dips and Rises:
1. Add the number of corner posts and the number of end posts and multiply by the number
of strands = _____.
2. Count the number of Line posts with vertical changes in direction (hills, gullies, etc) and
multiply by the number of stands = _____.
3. Add these two numbers together (____ + _____) = _____. This is the number of
ElectroBraid®Roller Insulators you require.
Line Post Insulators for Brace Posts at Ends and Corners:
1. Multiply the number of end posts by the number of strands = _______.
2. Multiply the number of Corner posts by the number of strands and multiply
by two = ______.
3. Add these two numbers together = _______. This is the number of Line Post Insulators
you will require for Brace Posts.
Line Post Insulators for Line Posts:
1. Count the number of line posts and multiply by the number of strands = ______. This is
the number of Line Post Insulators you will need for Line Posts.
2. Depending on the type of line posts you plan to use, these may be the same or a different
insulator from the Line Post Insulator you plan to order for your Brace Posts (see above).
Insulated Copper Lead Out Wire:
1. Add the widths of all your gates together and multiply by 2 =_______plus 20ft for each
gate = ________. If you wish to use the Winter Wiring configuration as explained on pg
23 then add the widths of your gates together and multiply by the number of strands on
your fence =________ plus 30ft for each gate =__________.
2. Measure the distance from your Energizer to the nearest point on your fence = _________.
3. Measure the distance from your Energizer to where your ground rods will be located =
______.
4. Measure the distance from your ground rods to the nearest point on the fence =_______.

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A Very Safe Fence at a Very Low Cost
5. Add these numbers together = ______ plus a minimum of 10’ for the distance between
ground rods = _______. This is the minimum length of Lead Out Wire you will need.
Consider allowing for some extra wire for possible additional ground rods, miscalculations
and/or changes in your fence design.
Poly BraidTM Splicer Connectors:
1. Count the number of End Posts and multiply by the number of strands = _____.
2. Count the number of fence lines that exceed 1000 feet and multiply by the number of
strands = ______.
3. Add one poly BraidTM splicer for each electrical connection.
4. Add these two numbers together = _________. This is the number of Poly rope
splicers you need.
Energizer:
See “Choosing your energizer” (Page 18)
Ground Rods:
You will require a minimum of 3 ground rods and probably more if your fields are large or
your soil conditions are poor. Use a minimum of three 8' grounds rods, or three 6' ground
rods.
Tensioning Kit:
You will need at least one ElectroBraid®tensioning kit to tighten the BraidTM. A second
tensioning kit is required for paddocks 1 acre and larger in order to properly tighten
the fence.
NOTE-Tensioning kits are re-usable tools and are not left on the fence.

6
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7
Tools Required
To install your ElectroBraid
®
Fence you need the following tools:
• ElectroBraid
®
Tensioning Kit(s) • Hammer
• Handheld Post Pounder* • Spade or Shovel
• Black Electrical Tape • Measuring Tape
• Utility Knife • Cigarette Lighter
• Two Ratchet Handles with Sockets • Adjustable wrench
• Safety Glasses
NOTE: For Ground Rods and T-Posts you will have to purchase a post
pounder from your local agriculture supply store.
Getting Started – Line Spacing
The corner and end posts must be strong enough to withstand the forces that would
be transmitted if a horse were to strike the fence at speed. We suggest setting your top
strand at withers height (or at least shoulder height) of your tallest horse and the bottom
strand somewhere between hock and fetlock based on your specific needs or preference.
You should then install the balance of the strands by spacing them equally.

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A Very Safe Fence at a Very Low Cost
Installing Corner & End Posts/Braces
ElectroBraid
®
is a tension system which requires proper bracing.
For proper performance, ensure each of the following are properly braced:
CORNERS – Any change in direction greater than 20 degrees should be considered a
corner and properly braced.
ENDS – You normally have an end post where you terminate or start a fence:
 ·Foragateway
 ·Todivideandexistingpaddockintosections(crossfencing).
 ·Tostartorterminatearun(e.g.thesideofabarn).
IN-LINE BRACING –
Whenever you fence a long, straight run you need to terminate and install a brace
system every 2000 feet to maintain tension on the Braid
™
.
Proper Bracing will increase the effectiveness of your fence and reduce maintenance
caused by post shifting. Incorrect or insufficient bracing may lead to fence failure and
may be dangerous to you and your horses.
After properly clearing the area you intend to fence, install all corner, end and gate
posts. We recommend your posts be at least 5” to 6” in diameter (pressure treated for
longevity). How deep to set the posts will depend on the type of soil and the exposure
to frost in winter. Ensure all bracing has been completed BEFORE proceeding with
installing ElectroBraid
®
.
®
®
®

8
For Warranty information, please visit ElectroBraid.com
9
Posts should be set a minimum of 3 feet into the soil. In areas where the ground does
freeze, posts must be set to extend below the frost line. Failure to do so may cause your
posts to shift, allowing the tension on the Braid
™
to relax. In loose soil conditions such
as sand or mud, consider cementing your posts or driving them deeper. Please check
with your county office or contractor to determine the local frost line or possible special
bracing needs based on your specific soil or geographic area.
H-Brace
For most installations, we recommend a style known as the Horizontal or H-Brace. After
setting your corner post, end post or gate posts in the ground at the proper depth for
your soil conditions, measure 8’ down the fence line to locate where to place your brace
post. Once it is securely placed, set your horizontal rail halfway between the planned
location of your top two strands of Braid
™
(see diagram). Drive a brace pin through the
back of the posts and into the horizontal rail. Leave the spike to protrude ½” at the back
of the brace post to hold the brace wire. The brace pin should go through the brace post
and penetrate at least 3” -4” into the horizontal rail.
If your corner, end or gate post is large in diameter, you may want to pre-drill a hole for
the brace pin through the post and into the end of the rail.

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A Very Safe Fence at a Very Low Cost
After your posts and horizontal rail have been set you can now set your brace wire.
Use a piece of ElectroBraid
®
and loop it around both posts, going from the bottom of
the end post to the top of the brace post. Pull the ends together and fasten them by
tying a knot or with a poly rope connector, (See Splicing ElectroBraid
®
). Set a nail at an
appropriate location on the end post so the brace wire will not slide up. For brace wire
you can use any material meant to have longevity for an outdoor, high tension use such as
ElectroBraid
®
or hi-tensile wire.
NOTE: To prevent an electrical short, make sure the brace wire and
tensioning stick cannot contact any ElectroBraid
®
strands.
Ensure all braces have been completed BEFORE installing ElectroBraid
®
.
®
®
®

10
For Warranty information, please visit ElectroBraid.com
11
Installing Insulators on Corner,
End & Gate Posts
After setting all corner, end and gate posts and correctly bracing them, you are ready to
fasten insulators. Since wood conducts electricity, you must use insulators on all posts,
including brace posts, to eliminate electrical shorts.
Use ElectroBraid
®
Roller Insulators. They are specially engineered:
• To eliminate friction when tensioning
• For safety
• For durability
• For ease of installation
Measure and mark the location of each of your planned strands of Braid
™
on one of your
end posts then make a jig to help you mark your other posts. (A jig is simply a stick on
which you indicate the position of each insulator so you don’t have to measure at every
post).
Attach ElectroBraid
®
Roller insulators by using 2 ½” # 8 rust resistant screws to hold the
insulator in place. CAUTION - BE SURE NOT TO OVER TIGHTEN the screws as this
will bend the bracket of the insulator preventing the pin from setting properly possibly
causing the roller to release. Complete the installation of insulators on your corner and
end posts using the jig for spacing
Installing ElectroBraid®Roller
Insulators on Corners
The preferred method is to terminate the braid around the back of the post, as shown in
the diagram

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A Very Safe Fence at a Very Low Cost
Using Trees For Corner, End
& Line Posts
If you are running ElectroBraid
®
through a mature wooded area, you may want to use
standing trees for posts. A mature tree (8” min) can provide an excellent brace however
be certain to attach a 2x4 to the tree and then apply the insulators to the 2x4 to prevent
the tree from growing over the insulators.
Note: Remove any brush that may come in contact with the fence.
WARNING: Avoid Small trees that can move in the breeze and wear the
Braid
™
.
Simply attach ElectroBraid™
Roller Insulators to trees as you
would a wooden post. Tree as End Post Tree as Corner

12
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13
Installing Line Posts
When you have completed the corner and end posts, you are ready to install your line
posts and the line post insulators and start running your lines.
First you need a sight line. Starting at a gate or end post, feed the ElectroBraid
®
through
the second insulator from the bottom and secure it using a poly rope splicer. Pick up
the reel and begin to walk the fence line. Insert the ElectroBraid
®
behind each corner
post insulator. When you get to the end post, insert the ElectroBraid
®
behind the end
post insulator and secure it with a poly rope splicer. Attach the tensioning device and
tighten (see Tensioning ElectroBraid
®
). Then loosen the Poly rope splicer, pull out the
slack and re-tighten. The sight line you have created will help you position your line
posts in a straight line.
On hilly terrain, install line posts at the peaks and in the valleys first, and then space the
remaining line posts to suit the terrain. An ElectroBraid
®
Roller Insulator is recommended
where there is a horizontal or vertical change in direction. The use of other insulators
could allow the Braid
™
to pull out under tension.
Note: Always work with the “lay” of the land. Place a post at the top of
each rise and the bottom of each depression. Recommended distance
between line posts is 30 to 50 feet. Reduce post spacing in hilly terrain
and in areas of high snowfall.
Starting at the end post, feed the leading end of the ElectroBraid®through the insulator and secure it
to itself using a copper split-bolt connector. The split-bolt should be about 2" from the end insulator.
Leave at least 2" of ElectroBraid®outside the copper split-bolt connector. Tape, cut and singe the
end to prevent fraying.
Starting at the end post, feed the leading end of the ElectroBraid®through the insulator and secure
it to itself using a Poly BraidTM Splicer. The splicer should be about 2" from the end insulator. Leave at
least 2" of ElectroBraid®outside the splicer. Tape, cut and singe the end to prevent fraying.

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A Very Safe Fence at a Very Low Cost
Installing Wood Line Posts:
Using the installed strand of ElectroBraid
®
as a sight line, install your line posts. Mark
the position for each insulator with your jig, and attach each line post insulator and each
ElectroBraid
®
Roller Insulator to all posts.
Note: The ElectroBraid
®
Roller Insulator will withstand a greater force from a
vertical change of direction than a conventional line post insulator. To install the
Braid
™
on a line post at a peak or a valley, first tension the Braid
™
. Then, after
the Braid
™
has been tensioned, remove the roller pin, place the Braid
™
behind
the roller and re-insert the pin ensuring the pin is set all the way by tapping it
with a screw driver. The Braid
™
may jam in the insulator if you insert the Braid
™
behind the roller and then try to tension.
Installing T-Post Line Posts:
Layout all your posts and mark each one for the depth to drive the post and the location
of each insulator. Using the first strand of Braid
™
as a sight line, use a post pounder to
set your T-Posts, (IMPORTANT: be sure your T-Posts are correctly oriented. The
flat side of the T-Post should be on the inside of the paddock so the Braid
™
will be on the inside of the paddock when attached to the insulators.) Then
attach your T-Posts insulators.
Note: A T-Post Cap provides an insulator for the top strand and also reduces the
hazard of a horse being speared by a T-Post.
Running your Lines
Pick up the reel and walk your fence line. At each line post, fasten the strand of
ElectroBraid
®
to each insulator.
DO NOT take braid off one end of the spool. The Braid will kink and could be damaged.
The correct method is to unroll the Braid and it will not kink. (See diagram)

14
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15
Continue unrolling the Braid
™
until you come to an end post where the strand will
terminate. End the strand by attaching it to the end post insulator just as you did when
you started the strand. Pull hard on the Braid
™
to remove as much slack as you can
before you apply the tensioning device. Clamp the ElectroBraid
®
to itself using a copper
poly rope splicer approximately 2” from the insulator.
Note: When installing fence on rolling terrain, tension all lines first before
attaching the Braid
™
to the dip and ridge posts.
Dip Post
Tension Kit Assembly
®

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A Very Safe Fence at a Very Low Cost
Tensioning ElectroBraid®
After a strand of Braid
™
is installed, you can apply the ElectroBraid
®
tensioning device.
Pull as hard as you can. Do not tension the Braid
™
with a tractor, come-along or other
mechanical device. The ratchet can handle 250 lbs. before it will slip, so do not worry
about over-tensioning when tightening by hand as you must release the rope to apply
the poly rope splicer which will allow it to slip within tolerance level. When you can’t
pull anymore, loosen the poly rope splicer, pull out the slack you have created and
re-tighten the poly braid splicer. To release the ratchet, apply pressure to the rope while
pressing on the release switch, and allow the rope to slide out carefully.
CAUTION: ALWAYS USE EYE PROTECTION WHEN TENSIONING.
It is possible for a poly rope splicer to slip and/or insulator to break.
It can become a dangerous projectile.
Wrap black electrical tape around the Braid
™
before you cut it. Using a utility knife cut
the ElectroBraid
®
and then melt both ends with a lighter.
NOTE: Always tape ElectroBraid
®
before you cut it. Always singe the end until it melts so
the rope won’t fray when the tape wears off.
Loosen and remove the tensioning device and return to the post at the beginning of the
strand. Just as you tensioned the Braid
™
where you terminated the strand, tension once
again at the post where you began. Tensioning from both ends helps to ensure you get
full and even tension on the line.
NOTE: Let the ElectroBraid
®
sit for 24 hours after initially tensioning and
then check the tension on each strand again. Re-tension, after 24 hours to
complete the tensioning process.
ElectroBraid
®
maintains its tension very well so you will not have to constantly re-tension.
However, if one of your posts moves due to frost or the impact of an animal or vehicle,
Wrap the end of the ratchet rope
with the "S" Hook around the post
and fasten it to the ratchet rope.
Position the clamp on the strand you are
tensioning and attach the clamp to the "S" hook
on the ratchet as shown.

16
For Warranty information, please visit ElectroBraid.com
17
the ElectroBraid
®
will need re-tensioning. Re-set the post and apply the tensioning
device to re-tighten the Braid
™
. Consider strengthening your bracing to ensure the post
won’t shift again.
If you are fencing a paddock or pasture an acre or larger, we recommend you tension
from corner to corner. To do this you will require a second tensioning kit. Starting at an
end post, walk the perimeter until you come to the first corner. Tension this corner.
Go to the next corner and repeat the process. After tensioning, return to the first
corner and remove the ratchet. Repeat this process until you have tensioned the entire
perimeter of your fence.
Remember you must terminate the ElectroBraid
®
after every 2000 feet if in a straight line.
Do this by installing an In-Line H-Brace. (See page 9)
The ElectroBraid
®
Tensioning Device does not stay on the fence and is to be stored until
needed.

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A Very Safe Fence at a Very Low Cost
Splicing ElectroBraid®
When you end one reel of ElectroBraid
®
and start another, you will have to splice the
two reels together. Simply overlap the two ends of ElectroBraid
®
about 4” and then use
a poly rope splicer to secure them together. Ensure there is direct contact between the
copper strands in each strand of Braid
™
. Make sure you tape and singe both ends of the
Braid
®
.
Electrifying the Fence
Choosing Your Energizer
It is vital that the energizer you choose has sufficient power to meet your needs. The
marketing of electric fence energizers is extremely competitive and manufacturers
wildly overstate the length of fence each energizer can adequately electrify. 10% of the
manufacturers' mileage rating should be used as a guide in choosing your energizer.
ElectroBraid
®
energizers are rated based on the distance rating of one strand of Braid
™
over a known distance, while under a known load from vegetation touching the Braid
™
.
WARNING: Only use an ElectroBraid
®
LOW IMPEDANCE energizer
that is UL or CSA approved. NEVER use an energizer labeled “WEED
BURNER”, “WEED CHOPPER”, or continuous current fencer; they are
unsafe and WILL damage ElectroBraid
®
.
WARNING: Never use regular house wire or ElectroBraid
®
for your
electrical connections. Only use high voltage, heavily insulated,
copper lead-out wire, copper clad ground rods and brass ground rod
clamps.
NOTE: To protect your energizer investment, we recommend a surge protector
between the power source and your energizer.