donn0128 wrote:
No. According to Suburban the anode rod uses a chemical reaction NOT electrical.
It could be totally isolated from any metal and will still perform its intended function. Think sacrifical anodes on a boat for an example.
The reaction is an oxidation/reduction reaction and involves the transfer of electrons from the anode to the cathode. Simply, oxygen is looking for electrons and finds them at the steel of the heater or the sacrificial anode which is then dissolved. There must be a way for electrons to flow from the sacrificial anode to the metal being protected.
On my boats the zincs were always screwed into the metal being protected, thereby allowing contact between the zinc and protected metal.
Do you have a reference for the Suburban statement. I can't find it on their site.
This is interesting, maybe I am wrong. If so I would like to figure it out.
Thanks.
