can i connect copper wire to my metal wire to continue an electrical current on my pasture fencing?

Answer 1

The wire on your pasturing fence will need to be insulated, otherwise the current from the copper wire will ground out, and trip the breaker.

Are you trying to install an electrified fence to keep the cattle contained? This requires a special transformer, it should not be done with home current, as you might kill yourself or someone else.

If you are just trying to patch a broken link in the existing line, dissimilar metals that have current flowing through them create a condition called electrolysis. It corrodes the metals and they build up resistance to electromotive transfer.

Answer 2

Generally speaking, if you connect two different metals carrying an electrical current, small eddy currents at the junction will occur causing the dissimilar metals to corrode at an accelerated rate. As far as the copper wire is concerned, it will carry current just like the steel wire. It is easier to break through, though.

Answer 3

If you have a bunch of Copper wire on hand with no other
use for it----certainly . If you are going to buy more
wire Copper will be more expensive !

It is the most widely used wire for Commercial Electrical
applications----such as Telephone Wiring because it
is such a good conductor !

If you have a big stretch of range to cover---the steel
wire is more practical because of the cost.

In addition Copper fencing often ends up with
another type of "Fence"----the one who buys it
from the vandals who help themselves to your
wire and then sells it back to you !

Answer 4

Yes your barn wire is copper but the potential miles of electric fence wire for cattle is made of cheaper steel wire and are compatible

Answer 5

Can you? Yes. But I would recycle the copper wire, buy more steel wire, and pocket the big chunk of change you will have left over.

Answer 6

copper is soft and wont take much abuse. it you try to cross long spans you might find that it stretches and sags. use nolox or some other joint compound to make the joint and that should handle the electrolysis issue.