This is about corrosion and the "sacrificial anode" in the tank.
Consider the idea that a standard, American, 240V water heater is installed with plasic for the last 10 inches of both water pipes. All other pipes are copper. Of course, the water tank, the sheet metal case, and the outer shells of the heating elements are connected to "bond", which is the center tap of the secondary of the transformer owned by the power company. The mains water pipe is connected to the center tap with a substantial wire just before the pipe enters the house. The hot water delivery pipes are electrically connected to the cold water pipes at each faucet assembly. Every cold water delivery pipe is an unbroken connection to the center tap of the electric service.
Do the plastic pipes have any effect on corrosion? Is there any benefit to having that electrical path broken at the water heater? The fact that water heaters come with plastic circuit interrupters to be installed where the tank meets the water pipes tells me there is something going on that I do not understand. The number of "grounded" conductors and possible current loops exceedes my ability to analyse this.
Consider the idea that a standard, American, 240V water heater is installed with plasic for the last 10 inches of both water pipes. All other pipes are copper. Of course, the water tank, the sheet metal case, and the outer shells of the heating elements are connected to "bond", which is the center tap of the secondary of the transformer owned by the power company. The mains water pipe is connected to the center tap with a substantial wire just before the pipe enters the house. The hot water delivery pipes are electrically connected to the cold water pipes at each faucet assembly. Every cold water delivery pipe is an unbroken connection to the center tap of the electric service.
Do the plastic pipes have any effect on corrosion? Is there any benefit to having that electrical path broken at the water heater? The fact that water heaters come with plastic circuit interrupters to be installed where the tank meets the water pipes tells me there is something going on that I do not understand. The number of "grounded" conductors and possible current loops exceedes my ability to analyse this.