sump pump and the GFCI in a crawlspace

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Why try to "get away" with anything? Unless you are running a dedicated circuit from the panel, you are tapping off an existing circuit. Find an upline receptacle on the inside of the house and put your GFCI in that location. Buy one that has the small warning light so if it trips, the light goes on and you can see it inside the house. No sense in making a mountain out of a mole hill.

[Tyler Pay]

The Sump is on a dedicated circuit from the panel to the outlet. I am not trying to get away with anything as my 30 year old house does no apply to the 2008 NEC code and I am trying to be safe, but be cautious as GFCi has been known to switch. We got 4" of rain last week and I don't want to be gone and the GFCI malfunctions and sump pump does not run.

[Jim Port]

Tyler,

I hear your concern but if the GFI trips it is for a reason. A wet baseemt is better than a death. I believe that Paul A has posted that the UL standard for acceptable leakage is .75 mA. A Class A GFI is designed to trip between 4-6 mA, several times the amount the sump is allowed to leak.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Fact is.......as Jim has stated......a normal and standard operation of a Sump Pump should not trip a properly installed GFCI receptacle.

As for what someone determines is a "Crawlspace" versus " Unfinished Basement" to me depends on their knowledge of the ICC and what can be determined as a BASEMENT period.....

If someone installs a concrete floor and has clearance then it could very well be argued to be a "unfinished basement" versus a "crawlspace".....ofcourse until your locality adopts the 2008 NEC which at that point it is a moot discussion.

Quite possibly Mr.Pay...you local inspector could be "in his opinion" calling this an unfinished basement......now if it is concrete and only 3-4' tall....fat chance.....lol