What youâre describing is a very common electric-fence problem: over time the fence wire (or âclutch wire / GI wire / high-tensile wireâ) loses tension due to temperature expansionâcontraction, posts settling, animals/birds pushing it, wind load, and vegetation snagging the line. When the wire sags, itâs more likely to touch grass/branches or damp posts/insulators, which creates leakage/shorts and your fence feels âweakâ even if the energizer is fine.
What this is âaboutâ (in simple terms)
To restore performance, you generally do two things:
Re-tension the fence line (tighten the wire so it stays off vegetation and doesnât flap).
Reduce leakage points (clear vegetation, replace cracked insulators, check joints).
The âstrainersâ you saw on YouTube are exactly for (1). In high-tensile systems theyâre often called in-line strainers / ratchet strainers / in-line wire tightenersâthey let you tighten a section without re-stringing the whole perimeter. Extension guidance also notes that high-tensile systems commonly use in-line strainer devices specifically for tightening/loosening wire.
Practical approach that works on big perimeters
Goal: make it easy for labour to do small, periodic tighteningâwithout needing an electrician every time.
A. Add âin-line strainers / ratchet tensionersâ at strategic points
Install them near end/corner posts (or every long run, depending on your layout).
Then tightening becomes: insert handle / use ratchet/spanner â a few clicks/turns â done.
Gallagher (well-known fencing brand) describes an in-line tightener that can tighten existing fences and can be used with a handle/ratchet.
B. Use tension springs to handle heat/cold movement (optional but very helpful)
Tension springs keep more consistent tension as wire expands/contracts with weather.
This reduces âloose again after a monthâ complaints.
C. Make labour-proof instructions
Put a paint mark on the strainer + post: âTighten until spring reaches X length / until wire just âpingsâ when plucked.â
Do it once yourself with them watching. After that itâs repeatable.
Safety note (important)
Always switch OFF the energizer (and ideally disconnect the fence lead-out) before tightening. Tighteners can pinch fingers and a live fence can give a nasty surprise.
Products people typically use: https://amzn.to/4akUcKO