Offset Insulators: Current in Front of Wooden Fences, Walls and Mesh

Offset Insulators: Extra Protection for Existing Fences

Offset insulators, often also called long shank insulators, hold the conductor at a distance from the post on a long shank. This lets you add a live strand to an existing wooden fence, wire mesh or a wall. The animals touch the conductor first and then keep away from the fence. That protects the permanent fence and stops horses or cattle pushing it over or chewing it.

Ring, Eye or Tape

For polywire and wire, long shank ring insulators and eye insulators are suitable, for example the twisted pigtail shape into which you simply twist the conductor. For rope there are long shank rope insulators, and for tape up to 20 mm long shank tape insulators and clip insulators. Many models have a 22 cm shank, while the forward eye insulator offers even more distance at 40 cm. With eye insulators you do not have to thread the conductor, which saves a lot of time when upgrading long fences.

For Wildlife Control and T-Posts Too

Offset insulators also help if you want to protect the bottom of a fence against wild boar or badgers. A conductor set in front of the wire mesh stops animals digging and burrowing underneath. For T-posts there are offset insulators for the back of the post that guide polywire along the inside of the fence. With a metric thread, some models also fit metal posts. That way you extend the life of your existing fence without having to rebuild it completely.

Frequently asked questions

How far in front of the fence should the conductor be?
As a rule, about 20 cm is enough for the animals to touch the conductor before the fence. For horses with long necks it can be a little more.

Can I electrify a wire mesh fence?
Yes, with offset insulators you set a conductor in front of the wire mesh. What matters is that the conductor never touches the mesh, otherwise the current flows through the fence into the ground.

Do offset insulators hold in a timber post?
Yes, they are screwed into the wood just like ring insulators. On timber posts with cracks, fit the insulator a little above or below so that it sits firmly.