Depending on the type of soil and or the makeup of your terrain, you may need to upgrade the perimeter wiring to a thicker, heavier duty wire. Pet containment systems come standard with 20 gauge wiring, and we are offering a performance upgrade to thicker 18 gauge wire. This can purchased as an optional add-on to any of our pet containment systems.
 

To determine if you need to upgrade your wiring to 18 gauge, follow the guidelines below.
 

Standard 20 gauge wiring is used if:

• If the soil you have is a soft, loose, sandy or clay soil type.
   
• You are laying the wiring close to, or next to a fence where people, animals or vehicles will not be crossing over the wire.
   
• Your yard has very little shrubbery, trees or rapidly growing vegetation.
  
   

You will need to upgrade to the heavier 18 gauge wiring if:
 

• Your soil type is a rocky or harder type of soil, making it difficult to securely hide, or bury the wire at least 6" below the surface.
   
• If your yard has active, fast growing trees, bushes, or any type of aggressive vegetation that could eventually cause snags or breaks, exposing the wire.
   
• If you are planning to install the wiring on or above ground.
   
• If the installation of the wiring will cause it to be near high traffic areas, where animals, people, or vehicles will be crossing over the wire, even if it is buried, or concealed.
   

Remember, one small break in the line will cause the entire zoned area to fail. By upgrading to heavier duty wire, you can be confident that your containment system will work continuously, and with far less maintenance.