Patent attributes
A sacrificial anode assembly operative to inhibit corrosion in the metal tank portion of a water heater includes a cylindrical metal anode member having an end retained within a tubular, electrically non-conductive plastic insulating sleeve which, in turn, is captives retained within a metal cap portion of the assembly. A resistor is received in an end surface groove of the sleeve and has a lead wire spot-welded or soldered to a core wire portion of the anode member. To prevent contact between the lead wire and the metal cap, and to protect the lead wire against vibration caused breakage at its spot weld or solder area, a U-shaped central portion of the lead wire is received in a through-opening in the resistor-supporting end of the sleeve which is covered by an annular insulating wafer formed from an electrically non-conductive material.