How to Run a Smooth Wire Electric Fence

Attach the wire insulators to each fence post with either a cordless screwdriver or clamps. If the fence line is made of wood posts, screw in one insulator to each post. If the fence line is made of steel posts, clamp one insulator to each post.

String the wire through the insulators. Start at one end of the fence line and run your smooth wire along the line. Some insulators require the fence line to be threaded through, while others just hold the line in place.

Tighten the fence line with a fence strainer. Do not over-tighten. There should be no slack in the wire between posts, but it should not be so tight that it will snap if the charge fails and an animal leans on it or runs into it.

Connect the fence charger to a corner post. If using a solar powered charger, point the solar panel toward the south where it will get the most noon-day sun.

Install the ground rods. Each fence charger may need a different amount of grounding rods. Read the instructions with the unit to determine how many will be needed. Drive them into the ground.

Hook up the fence charger to the fence line. The charger will have two wires -- positive and ground. Attach the ground wire to one of the ground rods. Attach the positive wire to the fence line.