"chickenwing" wrote in message
oups.com...
how come I wasn't told about this

This is a dielectric union. This device electrically separates the
water heater from the household piping.


http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/p.../union_de/intr
o.htm


They make a Dielectric Nipple. I think that's a better choice

http://acmehardware.com/pd-5338579-D...ic-Nipple.aspx