Dielectric Union Installation On Water Heater

Dielectric unions are used in commercial and residential applications to prevent accelerated corrosion and deterioration in the piping system due to galvanic and stray current.

Dielectric union installation on water heater. Dielectric union water heater by installing dielectric unions on your water heater you could avoid premature corrosion. A dielectric union fitting is one which is often used in water supply lines and other connections which require an adapter to be placed between two different pipes the adapter is used to connect pipes of different types together for example a copper pipe and iron pipe. I usually install brass nipples with dielectric unions. In combination with dielectric nipp.

One could buy a pair of new dielectric unions but that would require soldering which seems to defeat. The best way in my opinion is to use stainless nipples with dielectrics. The installation of a fitting with inert material between the two metals prevents the flow of electrons between the metals preventing premature failure of the piping traditionally dielectric unions see pictures at right have been installed to perform this function. That s with copper water lines of course.

Is a dielectric union necessary on every water heater. The adapter serves to hold both pipes together preventing leaking and other kinds of damage. If either the tank nipples or the pipes are galvanized steel however and you are connecting them to copper you must use a fitting called a dielectric union to make the connection. We offer dielectric unions in a range of configurations sizes and materials.

Wrap plumbing tape around the threads of the cold water inlet or the hot water outlet nipple attached to the top of your electric water heater. Although hd does stock this union it doesn t stock the gasket which after 12 years should be replaced with the new water heater.