Do I need dielectric for this?

[KwaiChang]

I bought a Whirlpool "whole house" water filter and installed it yesterday. It is made of plastic, but the threaded connections have stainless steel inserts threaded in to them. I piped it in with copper. I did not use dielectric connectors.

The installation instructions did not mention using dielectric connectors, even though it spoke of using a grounding wire between the incoming and leaving copper pipes.

Should I have used some kind of dieletric connector? If so, is it worth taking it apart to install them now?

 

[havasu]

The dielectric connectors should not be necessary with the installation, but the grounding wire is pretty important on most homes.

 

[KwaiChang]

Thank you for your reply.

I read over my original post and I think I should have been more clear about the stainless inserts...

The stainless steel inserts are manufactured into the plastic filter housing, and the copper pipes are threaded into the stainless steel inserts.

With that being said, do you still think that I will be ok without a dielectric connector?

Thanks.

 

[phishfood]

Technically, anytime two different metals touch eachother, there exists the possibility of galvanic corrosion. In practical applications, you should be just fine.

As havasu said, it IS pretty important on most copper piping systems to ensure a continuous ground, as the copper piping system is often utilized as a ground for the electrical system.

 

[miketheplumber]

I agree with phishfood that whenever to dissimilar metals touch each other you need to put in a diaelectric.

mike the plumber in dublin oh