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Old 03-26-2020, 08:02 AM   #15
JRTJH
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LHaven View Post
Doesn't the anode assembly have to be conductively bonded to the casing to work properly?
Yes (and no)…

If you wrap Teflon tape around the threads, insert the anode and tighten it "slightly" then immediately remove it and inspect the threads, you'll find that the threads "cut the Teflon tape" to make "some slight electrical (metal to metal) contact, so even with Teflon tape, there is "conductivity" between the two pieces. Add the water that sits "at the edge of the threads inside the tank" and you've got significantly more "electrical conductivity" than the very slight "pico-volts" required for anode/cathode conductivity".....

When you consider that the end of the threaded anode nut and the threads on the water heater tank will make contact (via the water in the tank) there is no "effective means to insulate them, no matter how much Teflon tape is wrapped around the threads. Add the "physical cutting of Teflon" that also occurs when the threads mesh and tighten, it's "impossible not to have conductivity".....
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