Zap offers a comprehensive range of electric fencing solutions designed to meet various agricultural and livestock management needs. Understanding the distinctions between the Basic, Advanced, and Pro tape ranges, as well as when to use tape, rope, and wire, is essential in making an informed decision. Let's explore these options to help you select the perfect Zap fencing material for your requirements.
The Zap Conductor Ranges
Basic Range: The Basic range is your go-to option for temporary fencing needs. It's designed for short-term applications such as strip grazing, paddock dividing, or temporary enclosures. It's not suitable for long-term or permanent installations but provides a cost-effective solution for quick setups.
Advanced Range: Stepping up in durability and versatility, the Advanced range features reinforced edges and larger diameter wires, making it ideal for longer temporary or semi-permanent fences. It suits small to medium-sized perimeters and offers enhanced durability for all conditions, bridging the gap between temporary and permanent fencing needs.
Pro Range: For the most demanding fencing installations, the Pro range stands out with its exceptional conductivity—50 times more than the other ranges. This makes it perfect for very long distances and both semi-permanent and permanent applications in all conditions, ensuring maximum reliability and efficiency.
Choosing Between Tape, Rope, and Wire
The choice between tape, rope, and wire depends on several factors, including the animals you're containing, the environmental conditions, and the specific use of the fence.
Tape: Electric fence tape is highly visible, making it an excellent choice for horses and other livestock that benefit from a visual barrier. The wider surface area is less likely to cut or injure the animals should they try to break through. Tape comes in various widths, with the wider options offering increased visibility, but also are more susceptible to wind damage.
Rope: Rope offers a balance between durability and visibility. It is often more robust than tape, a good option for semi-permanent / permanent installations. Electric fence rope can withstand higher tension and is less susceptible to wind damage than tape, making it suitable for areas exposed to high winds. It's an excellent choice for cattle, sheep, and areas with mixed livestock types.
Wire: Electric fence wire is extremely easy to work with when installing making it a popular option in agriculture. Low visibility may not provide enough of a visual deterrent for some animals, and may cause cuts etc if the animal becomes entangled. Wire isn't affected by wind making it suitable for areas exposed to high winds. For temporary / semi-permanent fencing a polywire (plastic) is highly suitable, for permanent fencing the all metal galvanised wire should be considered.
Stainless Steel vs Tinned Copper
The Zap Basic range has strands of stainless steel wound in, as you move to Advanced and Pro products tinned copper strands are also used.
Stainless steel is a good conductor of electricity and is also highly durable and resistant to corrosion. Tinned copper conductors, which are copper wires coated with a thin layer of tin, enhance the natural conductivity of copper with added protection against corrosion. This combination allows for superior electrical performance, crucial for maintaining effective and reliable fences over large distances.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right fencing material from Zap requires careful consideration of your specific needs. For temporary enclosures or specific livestock like horses, tape offers a visible and gentle barrier. Rope serves well in temporary or more permanent setups where a blend of visibility and durability is needed. Wire, either polywire or all-metal can be used for most fences unless visibility is of particular concern.
Whatever your requirements, Zap's range of electric fencing materials ensures you have the options necessary to create safe, effective, and efficient enclosures for your livestock, backed by the reliability and quality Zap is known for. By choosing wisely, you ensure the well-being of your animals!
