Polyropes and polybraids are a mainstay of permanent electric horse fence for several reasons. They are strong (breaking strength 750 to to 2000 pounds). They are durable (expected life 5 to 25 years). They are visible. And wind is no problem for them in windy places where wide polytape does poorly.
The lesser members of this group, the quarter-inch polyropes, are reasonably visible, strong, and enduring, typically lasting 5 to 10 years. They generally cannot match their aristocratic cousins the polybraids in endurance (10 to 25 years) because polyester braid resists UV damage better than polyethylene rope. Note, however, that polybraids typically cost considerably more than their humble cousins.
One of the polybraids, electrobraid, (product 02-64) has copper conductors that can effectively carry a charge for many miles. But this ability depends on the nature of the conducting metal wires rather than the nature of the rope or braid, as demonstrated by one polyrope (product 02-95) with tinned copper wires that can effectively carry a charge for 3 miles or more.
