Many people ask or have to deal with the use of an electric fence around a barbed wire fence or question using the barbed wire as the live wire so can and should you do it?
Can barbed wire be used for electric fence?
Barbed wire should never be use for an electric fence with the purpose of animal or stock control. If an animal or stock becomes entangled in the barbed wire and receives sustained electric fence shocks it can result in serious stress and even death due to the stress. Out-Rigger or Offset Electric Fence Insulators should be used (300mm or 30cm offset) to keep the live electric fence wires away from the barbed wire thus reducing the risk of entanglement and stock damage.
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