Why is an anode needed in a water heater? Purpose of magnesium anode

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Each part in the boiler has its own purpose. Otherwise, manufacturers simply would not have installed it, saving on components. One of these is a magnesium anode.

What is the anode for in a water heater?

• protects the tank from corrosion under the influence of moisture;
• prevents the appearance of cracks in the enamel;
• extends the life of other spare parts;
• copes with scale from using “hard water”.

This is just the basis of what an anode is needed in a water heater. Let's look at the detail in detail below.

What is a magnesium anode

The anode is a rod that is made of the same material as the walls of the tank. The length of the device can be different: from 10 cm to a meter.

Basically, the addition is installed near the heating element. What this gives us: it’s easier to replace parts at the same time and clean the water heater right away. But there are also devices where the anode is mounted on the tank lid itself.

Inside the rod there is a magnesium layer, which gets through:

• spraying on the rod;
• pouring inside the tube if the part is made hollow.

The first is the basic option, which does not have flexibility. To replace this, you must immediately remove the boiler from the brackets, otherwise it will not be possible to carry out the maintenance procedure near the ceiling.

The second option is the most popular and new.The flexibility of the plastic allows you to change the tube as it is depleted or simply pour new magnesium inside. It's cheaper and easier than buying a new rod.

Why a magnesium anode in a water heater - operating principle

If this part is not installed in your device, then galvanic couples will form inside the tank, destroying the layers of the boiler. If a metal element (a rod, as in our version) is placed inside, then the reaction will take place with it as with a more active component. The walls will not suffer.

Another problem is excessive scale. Layers of salts settle not only on the internal walls, but also on the heater. The magnesium contained in the rod makes it possible to soften layers of scale through electrolysis and remove it from the device body.

What is the purpose of the anode in the boiler - we extend the service life

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It all depends on how actively you use the water heater, the hardness of the water and the design features of the boiler. To extend the life of our anode, you need to follow just a few tips:

• set water consumption to economical mode;
• We install only original components;
• We additionally install filtration systems to remove salts and scale so that less harmful debris gets into the tank.

Let’s say right away that dissolving the anode is a common procedure. Why else should you install an anode in a water heater if not to combat corrosion? Reducing the size of the part indicates that your heating elements are completely safe.

Why replace the magnesium anode?

The magnesium anode is a consumable, so it needs to be changed at certain intervals. Manufacturers recommend carrying out the procedure at least once a year.In fact, it all depends on the environment in which the device is used: one anode may be enough for you even for 3-5 years if you use water sparingly.

But without the part, permanent scale and rust will accumulate, so it is recommended to clean it more often. A scheduled annual maintenance procedure will allow you to get rid of excess debris and at the same time check the condition of the magnesium rod in the housing.

So, we figured out why a magnesium anode is needed in a water heater. If you still have any questions on the topic, we are waiting for your reaction in the comments!