It is often stated on RV forums that you should not use teflon tape on the anode rod threads as it could interfere with the electrical contact. Being fairly knowledgeable in electric (retired EE) and limited knowledge of electrolysis, something just did not sound right. And my little engineering brain can't live like that.
And finding nothing by googling, I went directly to the source. I e-mailed Suburban with my question, "Does the anode rod threads have to make electrical contact with the water heater threads for the anode rod electrolysis to work properly?"
I go a quick reply from an assistant service manager at Suburban as follows;
"The answer to No. The metal threads do not need to make contact with each other. Electrolysis is the chemical reaction that takes place inside the tank and has nothing to do with the threads. I've attached some Suburban water heater videos to this email that I believe you'll find very interesting."
And the video they attached, actually using the tape. So those who use teflon tape can rest easy.