An insulator keeps the conductor away from the post, so the current stays in the wire and does not leak into the ground through wood, steel or wet grass. Which one you need depends on three things: what you are tensioning (wire, rope or tape), what you are fixing it to and whether it is a line point, corner or end point.
Three questions that decide your choice
- Which conductor? Ring insulators take wire and rope; for 40 or 60 mm tape there are tape insulators (Compact, Basic, Click, Dura-Lock and the 60 mm Duo-Click). The ZoneGuard tape/rope/wire insulator and the 20 mm multi-purpose insulator work with several types.
- Which post? For wooden posts there are insulators with a wood screw thread; for oval steel posts there is a pigtail insulator that clamps around the post.
- Which position? In a straight line, a simple insulator is enough. At corners the conductor pulls hard, which is why there are corner insulators in porcelain (40 and 50 mm) and plastic (42 mm) and a 60 mm corner tape insulator. At the start and end, you use an end strain insulator in black or white.
Offset insulators: keeping your distance
If the conductor needs to hang some distance from an existing fence or wall, use an offset insulator, such as the offset ring insulator, the 22 cm offset tape insulator for 40 mm tape or the rope insulator with 22 cm stem. That way you can leave an old gate or a wooden fence in place and still stop horses chewing it or leaning against it.
Points to note
A cracked insulator is a leak. Especially in winter and after a thunderstorm, it is worth walking the line. Porcelain is heat-resistant and hard-wearing; plastic is lighter and cheaper per piece. With many insulators at once, a screw-in tool saves a lot of wrist work. With tape, choose an insulator width equal to or slightly larger than your tape, otherwise the tape folds over and wears faster.
Related categories
For the conductor itself, see tape, rope and wire, and for the post, fence posts. The screw-in tool and connectors are in fencing accessories. Back to all field fencing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need insulators on plastic posts?
No, plastic step-in posts insulate by themselves. Insulators are needed on wooden, steel or concrete posts and on existing fences.
Porcelain or plastic on a corner?
Porcelain is sturdy and barely wears from a rubbing wire; plastic is lighter and sufficient for most hobby paddocks. On heavily loaded corners, many keepers choose porcelain.
Which insulator for 40 mm tape?
A 40 mm tape insulator, such as the Basic, Compact or Click. For a corner with wide tape, there is a separate corner tape insulator.