Title: Can You Cut Electric Fence Netting? A Professional Guide from Lydite Experts

Introduction: A Common but High-Risk Question

"When in doubt, cut it out." This might work for some things, but when it comes to electric fence netting, it's perhaps the worst advice you could follow. A question we often encounter is: "Can I just cut the electric netting to make it fit my space?" This article provides a clear, professional explanation of why cutting is not advised and what you should do instead, drawing on over a decade of experience in the industry.

Understanding How Electric Netting Works: Why Cutting is a Critical Issue

To understand why cutting is problematic, you first need to understand the basic design. Unlike a single wire, the horizontal lines (conductors) in electric netting are typically interconnected in a continuous loop. This clever design allows the electrical pulse to travel efficiently throughout the entire section of netting. When you cut a horizontal strand, you break this loop. It's like cutting a string of Christmas lights; the entire circuit fails, and everything beyond the cut stops working.

The Three Major Risks of Cutting Electric Fence Netting

Based on this design, cutting the netting introduces several significant risks:

1. Circuit Failure Leading to Complete Ineffectiveness:
   The immediate effect is a broken electrical circuit. Sections of the netting will no longer be electrified, rendering them useless as a deterrent.

2. Greatly Reduced Protective Effectiveness:
   A non-electrified section creates a weak spot. Animals can learn to push through or escape from this exact point, compromising the security of your entire enclosure.

3. Compromised Structural Integrity:
   The construction of the netting is a balanced system. Cutting it can cause the remaining mesh to unravel or become unstable, making it difficult to tension properly and creating a messy, ineffective barrier.

Professional Solutions: How to Handle Excess Netting (Without Cutting)
Thankfully, there are two highly effective and non-destructive methods to manage excess netting:

• Method 1: Doubling Back
  Simply fold the excess length back along the main run of the fence. This maintains the electrical continuity and keeps the netting intact and fully functional.
  (Image Suggestion: A diagram showing a straight fence line with a clean fold or loop at the end.)

• Method 2: Bundling with Extra Posts
  Gather the excess netting, bundle it neatly, and secure it to one or two additional support posts. This keeps the bundle off the ground, preventing vegetation from causing shorts and maintaining a tidy appearance.

What If It's Already Cut? Lydite's Emergency Repair Solution

Mistakes happen. If your netting is accidentally cut (e.g., by a mower or trimmer), all is not lost. A professional repair is possible using a specific field repair kit. These kits typically include conductive twine and brass ferrules. The process involves carefully rejoining the severed conductive strands to re-establish the electrical path. The key is to ensure a secure, metal-to-metal connection to maintain conductivity and prevent power loss through arcing.

Conclusion: Planning Over Repair, Professionalism Adds Value

The decision to cut electric netting is almost always a permanent and detrimental one. The most effective strategy is careful planning before purchase to select the appropriate length for your needs. However, if you find yourself with excess netting, the fold-back or bundling methods are the industry-approved, professional solutions that preserve the integrity and functionality of your investment. At Lydite, our decade of international experience has shown that understanding the engineering behind your tools is the key to their long-term success.