Issues associated with use of dielectrics in drinking water systems

Performance of dielectric configurations to reduce corrosion while meeting electrical codes in premise plumbing was examined and ranked as follows: bridged plastic pipe section > dielectric nipple > dielectric union > brass nipple ≈ dielectric spacer. When dielectrics were bridged with a gr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal - American Water Works Association 2014-07, Vol.106 (7), p.E328-E335
Main Authors: Clair, Justin St, Edwards, Marc
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anodes
Copper
Corrosion
dielectric
Dielectric materials
Dielectrics
Direct current
distance effect
Drinking water
Electrical codes
Electrical Grounding
galvanic corrosion
galvanized iron
grounding
Iron
Lead
Nipples
Plumbing
Water Systems
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Summary:Performance of dielectric configurations to reduce corrosion while meeting electrical codes in premise plumbing was examined and ranked as follows: bridged plastic pipe section > dielectric nipple > dielectric union > brass nipple ≈ dielectric spacer. When dielectrics were bridged with a grounding strap, the primary factor affecting galvanic performance was separation distance between the anodic and cathodic metal; however, some dielectrics offered other important advantages such as greater corrosion allowances (i.e., wall thickness) or reduced likelihood of clogging as a result of scale buildup (i.e., higher cross-sectional flow area). Although bridged dielectrics do not completely stop galvanic corrosion, they can dramatically reduce galvanic corrosion while maintaining electrical continuity (satisfying electrical grounding requirements) between pipe sections.
ISSN:0003-150X
1551-8833
DOI:10.5942/jawwa.2014.106.0065