Wire Guide for Dog Containment Systems

How Much Wire Do You Need?

To help you determine the length of wire that you will need for your specific area, we have provided here useful and helpful information to avoid unwanted or excess wire buys. Please refer to the table below.

Always remember that All Innotek® and PetSafe containment systems come standard with 500 feet of 20 gauge boundary wire. As for the larger yards, this boundary kit includes everything you need to expand the coverage. All kits include 500 feet of 20 gauge wire, 50 marker flags and two wire splices.

WIRE GUIDE:

Size of Yard	Length of Property Line	Extra Boundary Needed
Between 1/2 and 1 Acre	Between 500 and 1000 feet	1
Between 1 and 3 Acres	Between 1000 and 1500 feet	2
Between 3 and 5 Acres	Between 1500 and 2000 feet	3

Use Only Burial Approved Boundary Wire

Keep in mind that the wire you use is Important. Do not be fooled, there is no significant difference in longevity as regards the gauge of the wire used. But there is a significant difference if your wire is Burial Approved or not. Use only long lasting waterproof Polyurethane Coated wire with solid copper core.

Should I Use 18-gauge or 20-gauge wire?

Containment system manufacturers recommend using 20 gauge wire with their systems because the systems are designed to be used with 20-gauge wire. We ship all of our containment systems with Premium, Heavy-duty, 20 Gauge Wire. If you want an additional 500ft. of 18-Gauge with your system, we offer a WIREUPGRADE option, which can be purchased with any containment system. Please see below to determine the proper gauge of wire for your use. Remember, 18 gauge wire cannot be purchased from your local pet store or pe supply catalog.

Use 20-Gauge if:
» You have smooth, loose soil or clay
» You are laying your wire next to a fence
» Your yard has few trees or vegetation.

Use 18-Gauge if:
» Rocky soil
» You are installing your wire above ground
» Your yard has many trees