How do you Build an H-Brace?
Electric fencing can save 30-40% off costs compared with traditional fence, due to using fewer materials and less labor. So, when installing an electric fence, you need to first determine if your fence is going to be permanent or temporary -because the tools, the infrastructure, and the products are all going to be different.
Whether your project is permanent or temporary, whether your fencing in livestock or heading into the backcountry; in our How to Install Electric Fence Guide, we’ll answer questions to help you get started in your electric fencing project. It’s all doable, let’s get to work!
H-braces are an important part in the support of your fence, and there are a few steps involved in building one. By building a secure H-brace, you can be confident the structure of your fence will be supported.
How Do You Strengthen your H-Brace?
When building an H brace, the first step you need to do is to set your brace post 36 inches into the ground. Then you'll want to take a four to five-inch rail and set it between the post below where your top wire will be.
This rail should be two and a half times the height of your fence. Next, you'll need to use a high-tensile wire to install a twitch wire. This will strengthen your entire brace assembly and allow you to get a good pull on your electric fence wires.
You'll want the wire to go through a staple at the bottom of the end brace post into another staple where the brace rail hits the second brace most. You'll need to do this twice. That way it will leave you with four wires that make a 45-degree angle.
After that, use a Gallagher inline wire tightener or a Gallagher wire strainer to tighten all of the wires, making sure wire is passing smoothly through the staples on each end as you tighten.
How Do You Remove Slack From Your H-Brace Wire?
Finally, you'll need to add Gallagher joint clamps to either side of the strainer around all four wires and slide them to each corner. This will get the last of the slack out of the wire, and it will also tuck the twitch wire below the brace rail, ensuring no contact with the electrified wires.