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Old 06-25-2010, 09:12 AM   #21
HamRad
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
In reading the last few posts in this thread it seems like there may be some confusion in terms being used. The ANODE ROD or element is not designed to use any electricity; rather it is used to simply sacrifice itself to keep the interior of the tank from destroying itself from chemical actions between the stuff that may be in the water and the metal of the tank. If there is no water in the tank then nothing will happen to the ANODE ROD.

The ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT does exactly what is says. When you have the electricity turned on the ELEMENT heats the water. These items seldom wear out. The only real damage occurs when one forgets to have water in the tank when the ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT is on.

If one is careful you may never have to change or replace the ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT.

You will always need to periodically change out the ANODE ROD.

At least that is my understanding of how this process works.

Good luck with whatever you do.
HamRad
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