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Teflon on hot water tank element
- Thread starter Bangon61
- Start date
rlitman
Well-known member
What's the conflict you're hearing? If it has a gasket, it isn't sealing on the threads, so tape isn't required. But I will add that teflon tape makes a decent anti-seize, so I'd use it and can't think of why it would hurt.
That's actually a great idea. Thank youWhat's the conflict you're hearing? If it has a gasket, it isn't sealing on the threads, so tape isn't required. But I will add that teflon tape makes a decent anti-seize, so I'd use it and can't think of why it would hurt.
RPH
Well-known member
Teflon reduces friction so much that people have split fittings. Just be careful you don’t crush the o ring too much.
locomotiveman
Member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2025
- Messages
- 20
Pipe dope in a can. Certified for high oressure & steam is the Gold Standard.
fitter30
Well-known member
No dope and no tape. Either one that gets on the gasket might push it out or deform it to cause a leak.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The "issue" is insulating the anode from the tank. That said, a couple wraps of tape probably won't do thatWhat's the conflict you're hearing? If it has a gasket, it isn't sealing on the threads, so tape isn't required. But I will add that teflon tape makes a decent anti-seize, so I'd use it and can't think of why it would hurt.
rlitman
Well-known member
The OP asked about a heating element, not an anode. But to your point, I'm not even sure it's possible to wrap so much tape around a properly tightened NPT fitting that an anode's current path would be interrupted by it. At some point, some thread crests will need to make contact for the fitting to engage, and with enough tape to prevent that, you won't even get the threads in the first turn. Besides, anodes only need to carry micro-amperes of current at the very most.The "issue" is insulating the anode from the tank. That said, a couple wraps of tape probably won't do that
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
****. You're right, my badThe OP asked about a heating element, not an anode. But to your point, I'm not even sure it's possible to wrap so much tape around a properly tightened NPT fitting that an anode's current path would be interrupted by it. At some point, some thread crests will need to make contact for the fitting to engage, and with enough tape to prevent that, you won't even get the threads in the first turn. Besides, anodes only need to carry micro-amperes of current at the very most.
Jim greengo
Well-known member
I thought he was talking about heating elements.The "issue" is insulating the anode from the tank. That said, a couple wraps of tape probably won't do that
The OP asked about a heating element, not an anode. But to your point, I'm not even sure it's possible to wrap so much tape around a properly tightened NPT fitting that an anode's current path would be interrupted by it. At some point, some thread crests will need to make contact for the fitting to engage, and with enough tape to prevent that, you won't even get the threads in the first turn. Besides, anodes only need to carry micro-amperes of current at the very most.
Off topic. I've measured the resistance multiple times and I've never seen anything that would make me question using a thread sealant (tape or dope).
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
He is. I acknowledged my mistakeI thought he was talking about heating elements.