ok before i have a hissy fit...

Bbillcee · Jun 9, 2009

had a plumber install my hot water heater and he joined copper to the galvanized nipple

i read the book and it said u should use dielectric union

he said not to worry this joint will be last for the life of the water heater

did he jerry rig me?

i am pretty handy and was gonna do the dam thing myself ...so let me know if i should never use this plumber again and if i should go ahead and install the dielectrics or just leave it

thanx

if u want it done right u have to do it yourself

SewerRatz · Jun 9, 2009

What kind of fitting did he use to connect the copper to the galvanized pipe? Pictures would be helpful. Also did he install some sort of union? Now most water heaters have dielectric nipples which some areas accept.

Here in Illinois the code states that when joining different metals a brass fitting may be used or a dielectric union. Also it states that all appliances must have some sort of union installed on them. A water heater is an appliance, so might as well use a dielectric union on the nipples.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Jimbo · Jun 9, 2009

The galvanized nipple you see may well be the dielectric nipple which many brands include with the Wh today. No worries, mate.

Bbillcee · Jun 9, 2009

he had a copper female thread to 3/4 copper sweat connected dirrectly to galvanized nipple, he does has unions above that...they look all brass

i read in the instruction manual that said dielectric unions should be used but i will check with manufacturer

if in fact dielectric unions should be used should i put them in or dont bother?

SewerRatz · Jun 9, 2009

If the nipples are dielectric , you will not need to worry about using dielectric unions. If they are just standard nipples then I would personally put in the dielectric unions. Does the nipple look like this on the outside? If so it is a dielectric nipple then.

Bbillcee · Jun 9, 2009

yes looks like that!

SewerRatz · Jun 9, 2009

bbillcee said:
yes looks like that!

Then your plumber is right and you are all set.

Bbillcee · Jun 9, 2009

what makes it dielectric that notch in the middle?

thanx for the help guys

hj · Jun 9, 2009

dielectric

It is really academic, because in the "real world" dielectric unions and nipples are more for appearance, rather than any pratical purpose. Electrolysis takes place between the two materials, but it happens through the water which bypasses the dielectric device. Without water the two materials can be connected together and will last throughout eternity without corroding.

SewerRatz · Jun 9, 2009

bbillcee said:
what makes it dielectric that notch in the middle?

thanx for the help guys

That helps identify it. Like I said most manufactures include the dielectric nipples.

Bbillcee · Jun 9, 2009

now i'm looking an only the cold side has that notch!

Bbillcee · Jun 9, 2009

Jimbo · Jun 9, 2009

bbillcee said:
now i'm looking an only the cold side has that notch!

Notch is probably down on the hot side. These may also be heat trap nipples, and the notch is on the "in" side. Just a thought.

What makes them dielectric is that the inside is lined with plastic, so the conducting medium...water....never touched the steel. Hence no corrosion.

Bbillcee · Jun 9, 2009

i did notice what looked like a blue plastic looking insert on the hot side inside the pipe when he was connecting.....sounds like we good then

Thatguy · Jun 9, 2009

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...MN-6qPMJ&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

And here I thought jury rigging was what Tony Soprano does. . .

I thought humid air was enough to corrode dissimilar metal junctions.
http://corrosion-doctors.org/Definitions/galvanic-series.htm

hj · Jun 9, 2009

corrosion

Nope. It is the presence of the water inside connecting the two materials, and since the water is the carrier for the dielectric "charge" it spans the gap between them. The closer together, as in a dielectric union the less effective it is. A dielectric nipple gives greater separation, but as anyone who has ever had to remove a rusted one can tell you, they are as bad and maybe worse than a plain galvanized nipple. A 6" brass nipple, because it is intermediate to the two materials on the Nobility Scale, AND provides a greater separation distance, is the better "dielectric" solution.

Kingsotall · Jun 9, 2009

Nice sweat joints on your wh install.

Redwood · Jun 10, 2009

Looks like a good install to me...

Kingsotall · Jun 10, 2009

Oh, wait I see Candlestick Park.

SewerRatz · Jun 11, 2009

kingsotall said:
Oh, wait I see Candlestick Park.

That might of been there before on the old heater. I would assume that myself since all the other joints look real good.

ok before i have a hissy fit...

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