Many farmers are now using an electric fence to keep their animals from straying. The electric fence raises a few problems when it comes to tensioning the cables. A clever invention is the in-line fence strainer which is used to tension each wire. This also avoids cutting the wire. The device is a wheel which slips onto the loose fence wire which is then winched to take up the slack.

Tools and Materials Needed:

• Plastic insulators
• Insulated wires
• Post hole digger
• Fence wire strainer (winch)
• Electrical wire
• Extension cords

Step 1 - Attach the Wire to the Wheel Strainer

Feed the end of the wire into the wheel of the winch and secure it.

Step 2 - Take Up the Slack

Start the winch and take up the slack on the wire. Be careful not to get the wire tangled up.

Step 3 ¨C Stop when the Tension is Correct

When the wire has been pulled level, STOP the winch. Do not tension the wire any further. The wire should not be too tight and should not be pulling on the pole. The reason that the wire should not be over tensioned is that if there is too much tension on the wire, after time there is the possibility that the fence posts could be pulled completely out of the ground. With changing climatic conditions, the wire in the fence expands and contracts often to the detriment of the support structures.

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