Hot wire for top of fence - wire or tape or rope?

[Cluckwork Orange]

When I finish this year's fence extension, I want to put a hot wire on top, but I'm out of the loop on current fencing options.
I see there's poly tape, poly rope, and traditional steel or aluminum wire, but don't really know the pros and cons of each.

Hoping to use insulators right on top of the posts, which are about 15' apart.
Any suggestions?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Wire is likely easiest. It also carries the most charge/potential. OTOH, it really isn't moveable - that's the disadvantage - which doesn't really affect you on the top of fence posts.

Poly wire (rope) doesn't deliver its charge quite as effectively, but is a lot cheaper (usually), and easier to tension in short runs. Its as easy as steel. Long term, it breaks down in UV - but the cost savings and ease of corner tensioning offsets that.


Polytape requires specialized fittings, stand offs, etc, but is MUCH easier to move - not something that helps here.

On balance, for your application (though I used steel myself), I would use poly rope.