If your permanent electric fence keeps losing voltage, dropping power, or acting inconsistently, this video walks through the most common causes and how to both fix and prevent them. We’re focusing specifically on permanent high-tensile electric fencing systems and the faults that typically cause performance issues over time. Many of these problems are predictable and avoidable with good design, proper materials, and correct energizer sizing. Topics Covered in This Video 1. Vegetation Load vs Energizer Size When forage grows up and touches the wire, many people assume they need to mow. In reality, vegetation contact is usually an energizer sizing issue. A properly sized energizer should be powerful enough to handle your typical vegetation load while still maintaining adequate fence voltage. We discuss how to think about “horsepower” in an energizer and when it’s time to upgrade. We also cover seasonal challenges like wet snow, heavy rain, and extremely conductive vegetation, and when temporary wire disconnect systems may make sense in wet climates. 2. Brace Wire and Hot Wire Contact (A Very Common Fault) Brace assemblies are one of the most frequent trouble spots on permanent electric fence. Missing insulators, poor wire spacing, or movement in the wind can cause intermittent shorts between the hot wire and brace wire. You’ll see: How intermittent faults happen Why they’re sometimes wind-dependent How to reposition brace wire using a joint clamp Why physically increasing wire spacing is better than adding plastic sleeves 3. Proper Electrical Connections Every connection point is a potential failure point. Simply twisting wires together is not enough. We explain: Why mechanical joint clamps reduce resistance How corrosion increases electrical resistance Why solid, permanent connections prevent voltage loss The risks of loose or unclamped connections 4. Accidental Grounding Common but overlooked causes of shorts include: Tools leaned against the fence Irrigation hand lines or wheel lines Scrap wire left in the field Wet conditions increasing conductivity Sometimes problems only show up after a rainstorm. 5. Trees, Branches, and Impacts Fallen trees, wildlife, or machinery can: Push hot and ground wires together Break insulators Stretch or damage mild steel wire We explain why 12½ gauge high-tensile steel performs far better than mild steel in permanent fence systems and how quality insulators reduce long-term failure. 6. Insulator Quality and UV Stability Not all insulators are equal. Cheap plastics degrade in UV exposure and become brittle after a few seasons. We compare: Low-cost farm store insulators UV-stabilized, heavy-duty insulators End strain insulators Line post vs steel post implications UV stability, plastic thickness, and design strength matter more than appearance on day one. 7. Leadout and Undergate Cable Problems One of the hardest faults to diagnose comes from using household electrical wire (rated for 600 volts) instead of electric fence-specific cable. Fence systems operate at thousands of volts, and insulation breakdown can cause internal arcing. We also cover: Why electrical tape splices fail Why continuous runs are best How poor splices increase resistance and eventually break 8. Tangled Wires and Offset Fence Faults Offset wires on barb wire fences can wrap into barbs. Inline wire strainers placed directly in line with each other can tangle in wind. We demonstrate: How to stagger inline strainers How to check voltage on barb wire Using a fault finder and remote energizer for safe troubleshooting The Big Picture Permanent electric fence is a system. Energizer size, grounding, brace design, wire spacing, insulator quality, and connection integrity all work together. Most recurring fence problems are not random. They are predictable and preventable.