Fence Post Insulator Apparatus and Methods

摘要

An electric fence insulator is formed as a flexible band of material with an opening along a lateral periphery. The band is flexed to position around the perimeter of a fence post along a length of the fence post as determined by the length of the insulator. The insulator provides electrical insulation between an electrically energized fence wire and a point of contact of the wire with a grounded fence post. The insulator includes a fastener at the opening to close to a secure position using a simple clipping motion after the insulating band is positioned on the fence post at a selected height. The insulator forms a minimal lever arm between the fence post and the energized wire. The insulator may be retrofitted to existing installations with fence wire already installed without a need to access the fence post from the top to the section requiring electrical insulation.

主权项

1. An electric fence insulator apparatus, comprising:
a flexible band of electrically insulating material shaped to conform to a periphery of a cross-section of a fence post along a longitudinal section of the fence post, the band having a lateral opening and capable of being flexed outward from the fence post to temporarily enlarge the lateral opening for positioning around a periphery of the fence post along the longitudinal section, a surface of the band to contact an electric fence wire and to electrically insulate the electric fence wire from the fence post; and a fastener coupled to the band of insulating material at the lateral opening to tighten the band around the fence post during installation after flexing the band open to position the band around the periphery of the fence post, a first portion of the fastener coupled to a first end of the band at the lateral opening and a second portion of the fastener coupled to a second end of the band at the lateral opening.