The ULAMEX Fence Post is a galvanised steel round tubular post engineered to serve as the structural backbone of solar farm perimeter fences, industrial security barriers, and agricultural enclosures. Available in two wall thickness grades — 42.4 mm × 1.5 mm (lightweight) and 48.3 mm × 2.0 mm (heavy-duty) — and two standard lengths — 2200 mm and 3000 mm — these posts accommodate the full range of fence heights and embedment depths required across European solar farm specifications.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | Steel, hot-dip galvanised |
| Profile | Round tubular (CHS) |
| Size 1 | 42.4 mm OD × 1.5 mm wall thickness |
| Size 2 | 48.3 mm OD × 2.0 mm wall thickness |
| Length options | 2200 mm / 3000 mm |
| Corrosion protection | Hot-dip galvanised to EN ISO 1461 |
| Steel grade | S235JR / S355JR |
| Post top | Open (accepts post caps from accessories range) |
| Weight (42.4×1.5, 2200 mm) | ~3.3 kg |
| Weight (48.3×2.0, 3000 mm) | ~6.8 kg |
Installation
Set fence posts into the ground at intervals of 2000–2500 mm, maintaining consistent spacing to match the width of your fence mesh panels. For a standard 2000 mm above-ground fence height, use the 3000 mm post length with a minimum 600 mm embedment depth in a concrete foundation (C20/25 mix, 300 mm diameter hole). The remaining 400 mm below the mesh panel accommodates ground clearance and barbed wire arm extensions above.
For the 1500 mm fence height variant or lighter-duty applications, the 2200 mm post provides adequate above-ground height with 500–600 mm embedment. In rocky or waterlogged soils where digging is impractical, consider driven post foundations using a post driver — the round tubular profile is ideal for direct driving without deformation.
At corner points, end points, and gate positions, use the 48.3 mm × 2.0 mm heavy-duty post to handle the higher lateral forces from wire tension and gate weight. Intermediate line posts can use the lighter 42.4 mm × 1.5 mm size to reduce material cost without compromising fence rigidity. Straining posts (every 70 m on straight runs) should also be the 48.3 mm variant.
After setting, attach fence mesh panels to the posts using mesh clamps and saddle clips from the ULAMEX fencing accessories range. Finish the top of each post with a post cap (plastic or galvanised steel) to prevent rainwater ingress and internal corrosion of the tube.
Applications
- Solar farm perimeter fencing — the primary application. Grid operators, insurers, and planning authorities typically require a minimum perimeter fence height of 1800–2000 mm around PV installations. The 3000 mm post with 2000 mm mesh and barbed wire arms meets or exceeds all standard requirements.
- Industrial and commercial site security — warehouses, data centres, substations, telecommunications sites
- Agricultural boundary fencing — estate perimeters, livestock enclosures, orchard and vineyard protection
- Temporary construction site hoarding — posts can be driven and later extracted for reuse
- Sports and recreation enclosures — playing fields, courts, playgrounds
Material & Corrosion Protection
Each post is manufactured from S235JR or S355JR structural steel and finished with a hot-dip galvanised coating conforming to EN ISO 1461. The zinc layer thickness — typically 55–85 µm on circular hollow sections — provides a maintenance-free outdoor service life of 20–30 years in rural environments (EN ISO 9223 category C1–C2) and 15–20 years in urban-industrial atmospheres (category C3).
The round tubular profile offers an inherently superior zinc coating distribution compared to square or rectangular sections — there are no sharp corners where the zinc tends to thin. Additionally, the circular cross-section sheds rainwater efficiently, reducing the dwell time of corrosive moisture on the surface. For buried sections, apply a supplementary bitumen or epoxy coating below the ground line to protect against soil moisture and differential aeration corrosion at the soil-air interface.
The two wall thickness options provide a clear engineering choice: the 1.5 mm wall suits standard line posts with moderate wind and load requirements, while the 2.0 mm wall provides the additional bending strength needed for straining posts, corner posts, and gate posts where lateral forces are significantly higher.
Compatibility
- Fence mesh — galvanised welded mesh panels (1500/2000 mm height, 6.5×6.5 mm mesh)
- Barbed wire — 2.0 mm galvanised steel, 10 kg rolls, for top-line security
- Fencing mesh accessories — mesh clamps, saddle clips, post caps, barbed wire arms, strainer holders — all sized for 42.4 mm and 48.3 mm posts
- Earthing rod connectors — for bonding the fence line to the site earthing grid
Why ULAMEX
ULAMEX supplies fence posts as part of a complete fencing system — posts, mesh panels, barbed wire, and all accessories — alongside the full photovoltaic mounting product range. This single-source approach means one procurement process, one delivery schedule, and consistent galvanised steel quality across every component of your solar farm build. Our stock programmes in both 42.4 and 48.3 mm diameters in both standard lengths allow you to specify the optimal post for each location in the fence line without compromise.
For large solar farm projects requiring thousands of linear metres of fencing, our logistics team provides full-truck delivery directly to site with crane-offload coordination where required. Contact us to discuss your project requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which post size should I use: 42.4 mm or 48.3 mm?
- Use 42.4 mm × 1.5 mm for standard intermediate line posts. Use 48.3 mm × 2.0 mm for corner posts, end posts, straining posts, and gate posts where higher loads apply. A mixed approach optimises cost while maintaining structural integrity.
- How deep should I set the posts?
- Minimum 600 mm for a 2000 mm above-ground fence. In high-wind areas or soft soils, increase to 800 mm. Always use concrete foundations for permanent installations.
- Can I cut these posts to a custom length?
- Yes, the round tubular profile cuts cleanly with a standard pipe cutter or angle grinder. After cutting, apply cold galvanising spray to the exposed edge to maintain corrosion protection.
- What post spacing for fence mesh panels?
- 2000–2500 mm depending on mesh panel width. Match the post spacing to your panel width for a clean fit without on-site cutting of panels.
Building a solar farm fence or industrial perimeter? Contact ULAMEX for fence post quotations, complete fencing packages, and EU-wide delivery logistics.