How to install the boundary wire in an Automower® installation

The boundary wire is installed along the edges of the lawn to define the cutting area for your robotic lawn mower. Proper installation ensures that the mower navigates your garden effectively. Sensors in the mower register when the robotic lawn mower approaches the boundary wire.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for planning and laying the boundary wire.

Plan and prepare

Sketch your work area

• Create a sketch that includes all obstacles and challenges in your garden.
• Identify ideal positions for the charging station, boundary wire and guide wire.
• Use our installation examples for inspiration.

Explore charging station placement

• Refer to our guide on Where to best place the charging station.
• Choose the best location for your charging station.

Define connection points

• Plan where to connect the guide wire to the boundary wire.
• Leave 10 cm (5 in) of wire loop at the connection point. This will make the connection between the guide wire and the boundary wire easier.

Mow the lawn before installation

• Ensure that the lawn is mowed before laying the wire to prevent it being lifted by the grass.

Install the wire

Start behind the charging station

• Start and complete the installation of the boundary wire behind the charging station.
• Leave 50 cm (2 ft) of extra wire for connecting to the charging station.

Lay the boundary wire

• Lay the boundary wire around the entire work area.

Securing the wire with stakes

• Pegs can be placed on level areas of lawn at a distance of about 70 cm (2 ft 6 in).
• Ensure that the wire is firmly secured to the ground to prevent the mower from getting stuck and cutting the wire.
• Check for uneven areas in the lawn and use extra stakes to firmly secure the wire to the ground.

Bury the wire

• Make a slit in the lawn with a spade.
• Place the boundary wire or guide wire 1–20 cm (3/8–8 in) into the ground.
• This alternative is recommended if your lawn is very uneven, or if you want to hide the wire.

Wire placement tips

• Avoid laying the wire at sharp angles, since it can cause damage to the wire.
• Ensure the right distance from obstacles and create islands, passages and secondary areas as needed.
• Check our tips to prevent wire break.

Charging station placement options

On its way to the charging station, the boundary wire can be placed in different ways. Choose the option that best suits your needs. See the image below.

• Option 1: Lay the wire completely outside the charging station.
• Option 2: Lay the wire under the charging station plate. Ensure that at least half of the charging station plate remains within the work area.

• For Automower® Aspire™ R4: instead of option 2, use option 3, where the wires go straight out to the side and around the charging station (see image below).

Connect both ends of the wire to the charging station

• Once you have laid the boundary wire around the whole work area, connect both ends of the boundary wire to the charging station.

Distance from the boundary wire to objects

As the mower always passes the wire before it stops, the wire must be laid at different distances depending on obstacles.

• Use the included Automower® ruler to ensure the wire is placed at the right distance from any obstacles.
• The ruler has three printed distances: a short, a mid- and long distance. Exact distances vary depending on the model. Check your operator’s manual for the exact distances for your model.

General recommendations

• Place the boundary wire 35 cm (14 in) from an obstacle that is over 5 cm (2 in) high.
• Place the boundary wire 30 cm (12 in) from an obstacle that is 1–5 cm (3/8–2 in) high.
• Place the boundary wire 10 cm (4 in) from an obstacle that is under 1 cm (3/8 in) high.
• You should use the longest distance in front of hard objects such as fences and walls, otherwise the mower will collide with the hard object at every turn.
• The mid distance is sufficient for flower beds and softer bushes, as there is no risk of collision. If the distance is smaller, the mower may pass over the edge and get stuck. Using the longer distance, the mower will leave uncut grass close to the edge.
• We recommend using the shortest distance on the ruler near paved paths that are level with the lawn. The mower will use part of the path to turn, leaving no uncut grass.
• Use the mid distance on gravel paths, where there is a risk that the mower will get stuck.
• You can allow the mower to pass over hard-surfaced paths.
• There should be a barrier of at least 15 cm (6 in) around swimming pools or ponds for safety reasons.

These distances can be used for guidance. To optimise the mowing results, adjust the boundary wire once you have learnt how the mower cuts your lawn.

Islands, passages and secondary areas

Islands

• Create islands to prevent the mower from entering specific areas, such as flower beds or rockeries.
• Learn more about islands.

Passages

• Use passages to connect two parts of the work area.
• A passage with a guide wire requires a minimum distance of 60 cm (24 in) between the boundary wires on each side of the passage.
• A work area with a passage with no guide wire requires a minimum distance of 2 m (6 ft 6 in) between the boundary wires on each side of the passage.
• Learn more about passages

Secondary areas

• Create a secondary area if the work area has two areas that are not connected with a passage.
• The work area with the charging station is the main area.
• Learn more about secondary areas