Dielectric Union Installation On Water Heater

We offer dielectric unions in a range of configurations sizes and materials.

Dielectric union installation on water heater.

The best way in my opinion is to use stainless nipples with dielectrics. Hd stocks water heaters in all stores and a dielectric union is a standard item for water heater installation. It is installed between pipes made from dissimilar metal. Dielectric union water heater by installing dielectric unions on your water heater you could avoid premature corrosion.

The adapter serves to hold both pipes together preventing leaking and other kinds of damage. The cold water inlet is usually identified by a blue. 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. I usually install brass nipples with dielectric unions.

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. 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. 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. One could buy a pair of new dielectric unions but that would require soldering which seems to defeat.

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. Although hd does stock this union it doesn t stock the gasket which after 12 years should be replaced with the new water heater.