Wire & Joiners

Electric Fence Wire & Joiners — Buying Guide

Types of Electric Fence Wire

Electric fencing wire is the conductor that carries the energiser pulse along the fence line. Selecting the right wire type for your application is essential for effective electric fencing performance. The main wire types used in Australian electric fencing include:

• Hard-drawn galvanised wire (plain wire) — the most cost-effective conductor for standard electric fence lines; available in multiple gauges; provides good conductivity over medium fence lengths
• High-tensile plain wire — stronger and lighter than soft wire; used for longer fence spans with fewer posts; the preferred choice for large-scale permanent electric fencing
• Stainless steel wire — used in combination with energiser leads and for permanent electric fence components near water and in high-moisture areas; excellent long-term conductivity
• Polywire, polytape and polyrope — plastic filaments with embedded stainless steel strands; lightweight and highly visible; ideal for temporary and portable electric fencing

Wire Joiners and Connection Accessories

Reliable connections are critical in electric fencing — a poor join creates a high-resistance point that reduces the pulse across the entire fence. Key joiner types include: compression joiners (for joining wires end-to-end), in-line joiners, twist lock joiners for polywire and polytape, and bolt-type joiners for permanent fence terminals. Always use the correct joiner type for the specific wire being connected.

Wire Gauge Selection Guide

The correct wire gauge depends on fence length, number of wires and available energiser output. Thicker gauge wire has lower electrical resistance and is better for long fence runs. For runs exceeding 2km per line, use heavy-gauge wire (2.5mm or thicker). For shorter runs, standard 2.0mm or 2.24mm wire is adequate. High-tensile wire of the same gauge has significantly lower resistance than soft wire.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join electric fence wire?
Use the appropriate compression or twist joiner for the wire type. For plain wire, a compression sleeve or figure-eight join are common. For polywire, use dedicated inline polywire joiners — twisting alone is not reliable for high-voltage pulse conductivity.

Can I use barbed wire as an electric fence conductor?
Barbed wire can technically carry an electric current, but it is not recommended due to the risk of short circuits where the barbs contact vegetation or posts, and the hazard to animals and handlers when the wire carries voltage.

Order Electric Fence Wire & Joiners Online — Australia-Wide Delivery

Order online for fast dispatch. We supply farmers, rural property owners and electric fence contractors across Australia. Contact us for advice on wire selection for your fence.