Water storage device having a powered anode

A method of preventing activation of a heating element when a dry-fire condition exists in a water heater having a tank, a heating element positioned in the tank, a powered electrode positioned in the tank, and a controller, the method comprising:

• applying an analog voltage to the powered electrode;
• detecting a current having a relation to the analog voltage;
• determining if the detected current is below a threshold;
• and
• isolating the heating element from a power source when the detected current is below the threshold.

A dry-fire detection system for a water heater, the system comprising:

• a tank having a bottom;
• a heating element positioned in the tank;
• a powered electrode positioned above the heating element with respect to the bottom, the powered electrode including
• an electrode wire positioned substantially in the tank,
• a connector assembly having
• an electrical connector coupled to the electrode wire and electrically isolated from the tank, and
• a fastener coupling the powered electrode to the tank;
• a sensor configured to detect an electrical characteristic of a circuit formed by the tank, the powered electrode, and water in the tank;
• and
• a microcircuit coupled to the sensor, the microcircuit receiving a signal from the sensor and determining whether a possible dry-fire condition exists based on the signal.