wire for underground pet fence?

[ihuntgsps]

Just bought an underground pet fence and will install the wire this weekend. Planning on burying ab out 2500' of wire and was told by mfg I can go up to 14ga in thickness. The unit came with a flimsy 18ga wire. I have called around am getting varying opinions as to go with the standard 500' rolls of 14ga solid copper wire, 14ga stranded wire, or very expensive 14ga direct bury romex type wire(3-4 times the cost of the other stuff.) I want to do this right and am curious why the stuff from the mfg. looks so cheap and if the inexpensive soldi core in 14ga will hold up to this application? Anyone every installa pet fence using heavier wire than the unti came with? If so what worked for you?

[GoldenMom]

My fence came with really flimsy 20 gauge wire. The place I bought it from also sold "premium" wire that is 18g. I upgraded to the 18 gauge and it's worked out very well. The fence has been in for 5 years and I haven't had any breaks (part of it goes under the driveway, but that part is in pvc pipe).

[ericjeeper]

It does not require anything fancy.. It is not carrying any current.. It is basically just an antenna.Just needs to stay connected all the way around and back to the unit.

[Curtis B]

I have used a single strand direct bury wire that I got from an irrigation supplier. Should be cheeper than than the romex.

[plowjockey]

An errant shovel blade will cut through 18ga wire about as easy as 20ga.

What is most important is, that the wire be buried where it will remain undisturbed.

Otherwise 20ga should be fine, especailly since you buying 2500".

[ronbre]

our neighbors had theirs done ..the entire 13 acres..through swamp and everything..i'm glad they did..their 3 dogs now stay home rather than digging our property all to heck.

[radiofish]

My neighbors had wired with my help a 5 acre parcel for their 3 black labs. Their kit came with the flimsly 20 gauge solid wire, and after a year of service it developed problems. If there is only 1 break anywhere in the wire (the transmitting antenna), the electronic fence becomes inoperative!!!!

So after troubleshooting it for them multiple times, and not being able to find the break. They went with a 14 gauge stranded wire replacement, and we soldered and siliconed coated all of the wire connections. Do not trust those flimsy slip on/ clip on connectors - they will fail!!!!

[Wendy]

I used 18 guage on mine & have not had any problems.