# How to install a robot mower boundary wire

Source: https://mowandedge.co.uk/blog/how-to-install-robot-mower-boundary-wire
Published: 2026-10-12
Publisher: Mow and Edge

**In short:** Plan the route, place the charging station, then lay the wire round the lawn at the distances your manual gives: further from walls and raised edges, closer beside flush paths. Loop out round islands and back alongside the same route, keep passages wide enough, add a guide wire to the station if your model uses one, join the ends at the station and test before burying or pegging firmly.

A boundary wire tells a robot mower where the lawn ends. Laid well, it lets the mower cut close to the edges, find its way home and avoid beds and trees for years. Laid badly, it leaves wide uncut strips, traps the mower in corners or breaks at the first edging job. This guide covers the general method used by most wired robots, including Husqvarna Automower and Worx Landroid. Distances and details vary by brand, so always follow the installation section of your manual.

## Plan before you peg

Start with a sketch of the lawn showing beds, trees, paths, ponds, slopes and narrow passages. Mark where the charging station will go: on flat ground at the lawn edge, near an outdoor power point, with room in front for the mower to drive straight in. Many manuals specify a straight run of wire in front of and behind the station.

Mow the lawn short before you begin so the wire sits close to the soil. Check the wire length in the box against your perimeter, remembering that loops round islands use wire twice. Measure the area with our [lawn area calculator](https://mowandedge.co.uk/tools/lawn-area-calculator) to confirm your robot is rated for the lawn.

- Boundary wire, pegs and connectors from the kit (extra wire if needed)
- Measuring tape and the distance gauge some kits include
- Rubber mallet and gloves
- A half moon edging iron or flat spade if you plan to bury the wire
- Waterproof wire connectors for any joins

## Distances from edges, beds and paths

The distance between the wire and the lawn edge depends on what is beyond the edge. The figure shows the typical layout. Exact distances differ by brand and model, so treat these as general patterns and check your manual.

| Edge type | Typical placement | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Wall, fence or raised bed | Furthest from the edge, often around 30 cm or more | Stops the mower bumping into the obstacle |
| Flower bed or border at lawn level | A moderate distance in | Keeps wheels out of the soil |
| Flush path or mowing strip | Closest, sometimes very close to the edge | Lets the mower run onto the path and cut right to the edge |
| Pond, ditch or steep drop | Well back, plus a physical barrier | Wire alone is not enough to stop a fall |

Typical wire placement (check your manual for exact figures)

[Find a robot mower for your lawn](https://mowandedge.co.uk/best/best-robot-lawn-mower)

## Step by step installation

Small islands such as a single shrub or garden furniture can often be left for the mower's bump sensor rather than wired off. Check the manual for the size limit.

1. Place the charging station and fix it loosely so you can still adjust it.
2. Starting at the station, lay the wire round the lawn anticlockwise or clockwise as your manual specifies, at the right distance from each edge.
3. Peg the wire every short stretch so it lies flat; add extra pegs on bumps and at corners. Many manuals suggest avoiding sharp right angle corners on the lawn edge.
4. Leave a small spare loop of wire near the station or at a corner, which makes future adjustments easier.
5. At islands such as beds or trees, run the wire out, round the island and back along the same route, with the two runs close together or under the same pegs so their signals cancel.
6. Lay the guide wire, if your model uses one, from the station out across the lawn and connect it to the boundary loop as the manual shows.
7. Connect the wire ends to the station terminals, plug in the power supply and check the indicator light confirms a loop signal.
8. Run the mower and watch a full lap of the edge before you bury the wire or tighten everything down.

## Narrow passages, guide wires and slopes

A narrow passage, such as a strip of lawn down the side of the house, needs the wires on each side to be a minimum distance apart, or the mower cannot pass. Manuals give the minimum width. If the passage is too narrow, you may need to set it up as a separate zone or use a guide wire through the middle. Some Landroid listings state that no guide wire is needed for narrow passages, so check what your model expects.

Guide wires help the mower find its way home on larger or complex lawns and reach distant areas. Avoid laying the guide wire too close to the boundary wire, and keep it straight where you can. On slopes, keep the boundary further from the bottom edge of a steep bank and stay within your mower's rated slope. Our [robot mowers for slopes](https://mowandedge.co.uk/best/best-robot-mower-for-slopes) guide explains slope ratings.

Note: Unplug the charging station power supply before connecting or cutting the wire. Use an outdoor socket with RCD protection, and use a registered electrician for any new outdoor wiring. Wear gloves when pegging, and never test the mower near children or pets.

## Burying the wire and when to call an installer

Pegged wire soon disappears into the grass, usually within a few weeks. Burying it a few centimetres down protects it from scarifiers and aerators. A half moon edging iron makes a narrow slit to push the wire into; check the depth range your manual allows, as a wire buried too deep can weaken the signal.

If your garden is large, steep or very complex, an installer can save you a lot of time. Husqvarna dealers commonly offer installation and will match the model to the lawn, and many local garden machinery dealers install other brands. Ask for a quote that includes guide wires and any zones you need. If you would rather avoid wire altogether, read our [wire-free vs boundary wire comparison](https://mowandedge.co.uk/blog/wire-free-vs-boundary-wire-robot-mower) and see the [Automower models compared](https://mowandedge.co.uk/best/husqvarna-automower-models-compared) for wire-free Husqvarna options.

## Frequently asked questions

**How far from the edge should a robot mower boundary wire be?** It depends on the edge and the brand. Walls and raised beds need the most distance, flush paths the least. Use the figures or the spacer gauge in your manual.

**Should I bury or peg the boundary wire?** Either works. Pegging is quicker and easier to adjust; burying protects the wire from garden tools. Many people peg first, test for a few weeks, then bury.

**What do I do if the wire breaks?** The mower will stop and report a loop signal fault. Find the break, join it with a waterproof connector and test again. See our guide to the [Automower no loop signal fault](https://mowandedge.co.uk/blog/husqvarna-automower-no-loop-signal).

**Is there a robot lawn mower installation service near me?** Many garden machinery dealers offer installation, including Husqvarna's dealer network. Check the brand's website for local dealers.

## Buying guides on this topic

- https://mowandedge.co.uk/best/best-robot-lawn-mower
- https://mowandedge.co.uk/best/husqvarna-automower-models-compared
- https://mowandedge.co.uk/best/worx-landroid-range
- https://mowandedge.co.uk/best/best-robot-mower-for-slopes

## Sources

- [Husqvarna UK](https://www.husqvarna.com/uk/)