Electric Fence Tape for Safe, Visible & Reliable Fencing

Choosing the Right Electric Fence Tape

The best tape depends on the animals being contained, fence length, exposure and whether your fencing will be temporary or semi-permanent. Wider tape is particularly useful for horses because its greater visibility helps them identify the boundary, while narrower tape can be practical for temporary divisions and shorter runs.

• Consider visibility as well as strength. Wider tape creates a clearer visual boundary for horses, particularly across open paddocks.
• Check the number, type and arrangement of conductive strands. Conductivity affects how efficiently energy travels along the fence, particularly over longer distances.
• Match your tape to a suitable electric fence energiser. Choose a battery fence energiser where mains electricity is unavailable, a mains fence energiser for convenient permanent installations, or a solar fence energiser for suitable remote locations.
• Use compatible electric fence posts and electric fence insulators. Insulators must suit the width of your tape and prevent the live conductor contacting the post.
• For frequent paddock changes and strip grazing, an electric fence reel makes tape easier to deploy, collect and store.

If tape is not appropriate for your installation, explore electric fence wire or electric netting. Our wider electric fencing collection also makes it easier to build or maintain a complete system.

Electric Fence Tape Installation & Care

A reliable electric fence depends on more than the energiser. Poor connections, vegetation touching the fence, damaged conductors and unsuitable tension can all reduce performance. Keep tape reasonably taut without excessively tensioning it: wide tape catches more wind than wire, so over-tensioning can place unnecessary strain on posts, insulators and connection points.

Use purpose-designed connectors rather than knotting lengths of tape together, as a secure electrical connection helps maintain conductivity throughout the fence. For longer or more demanding installations, wire tensioners and strainers and compatible accessories can help maintain the appropriate fence set-up.

Expert tip: regularly walk your fence line and check for sagging tape, damaged conductive strands, loose connections and vegetation touching the live fence. When temporary tape is removed, wind it neatly onto a electric fence reel and store it somewhere dry and protected from unnecessary UV exposure and rodents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What width electric fence tape is best for horses?

Wider electric fence tape provides a highly visible boundary and is often preferred for horse paddocks. Narrower tape can work well for temporary subdivisions and strip grazing. Always consider fence length, conductivity, exposure and your overall fencing system as well as tape width.

Can electric fence tape be used for permanent fencing?

Electric tape is commonly used for temporary and semi-permanent horse fencing and as an electrified addition to existing boundaries. Suitability for longer-term installations depends on tape quality, UV resistance, post spacing, wind exposure, tension and maintenance.

Why is my electric fence tape losing power?

Common causes include vegetation touching the fence, damaged conductors, poor tape connections, inadequate earthing or an energiser unsuitable for the fence load. Check the system methodically with an appropriate fence tester and repair faults promptly.