sump pump dedicated outlet GFCI

[Mark E. Northrup]

Hello All
Happy New Year
Does anyone know if nec has anything about a sump pump being on a dedicated circut and also being a gfci outlet.
Or any reason that this should be.
thank you
Mark

[Jeffrey R. Wicklander]

Unfortunately, 2008 version required it to be on a GFCI.

Jeff

[Robert Meier]

There is no NEC requirement for GFCI protection for a sump pump. The 2008 NEC removed the exception for 120 volt non-GFCI receptacles in dedicated spaces in garages and unfinished basements. If the location of the sump pump receptacle requires GFCI protection then you must have GFCI protection. If the sump pump were located in an area where non-GFCI receptacles are permitted then you wouldn't need GFCI protection for the pump receptacle.

Personally I dislike this requirement and would not use a GFCI protected receptacle or circuit breaker for a sump pump. One option would be to use a pump rated for 240 volts and use a 240 volt non-GFCI branch circuit.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

I have a gfci protected sump pump .
I put in a watered back up sump pump.
Gfci never dumped but during a power failure the water powered sump sved the day .
You have to be on town water of course .
Home Depot Canada $150;00

[Bob Elliott]

Perhaps sumps should not be plug in devices as that would solve the issue.
Make them hard wired.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by belliott

Perhaps sumps should not be plug in devices as that would solve the issue.
Make them hard wired.

That would be nice. I see them unplugged all the time so the homeowner can plug in their dehumidifier, or other such thing.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by jjonas

That would be nice. I see them unplugged all the time so the homeowner can plug in their dehumidifier, or other such thing.

Furnaces are not required to have GFCI because they are hardwired.(condensate)

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by belliott

Furnaces are not required to have GFCI because they are hardwired.(condensate)

I thought this was a "sump pump" thread!

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by jjonas

That would be nice. I see them unplugged all the time so the homeowner can plug in their dehumidifier, or other such thing.

Bob... as in "portable DEhumidifiers. Ya know, that thing that homeowners with basements use!

[Bob Elliott]

Sorry to confuse anyone as I was simply trying to give an example as Furnaces are hardwired.

Junction box and switch rather than a plug.Also they are associated with water but you would never need a GFCI because they are switched.
Perhaps a bad metaphor.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Mark -

I would leave my sump pump on a dedicated outlet WITHOUT a GFCI (don't wanta find out my GFCI tripped accidently when I'm 6" deep in water on my finished basement floor).

[Robert Meier]

Originally Posted by dbowers

Mark -

I would leave my sump pump on a dedicated outlet WITHOUT a GFCI (don't wanta find out my GFCI tripped accidently when I'm 6" deep in water on my finished basement floor).

A legitimate concern but the NEC doesn't really care if the device trips and you're underwater because of it. The code requires that the receptacle be GFCI protected if it's installed in an unfinished basement or garage.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

When I see the crawl space sump pumps around here, most are non GFCI protected.

I recommend they be GFCI protected but let the client know that the best place to put the reset is in the main family room near the tv. If the light comes on, they know they need to reset the pump. Don't like having the resets in the now flooded crawl space.

[John Gromkoski]

Originally Posted by Robert Meier

A legitimate concern but the NEC doesn't really care if the device trips and you're underwater because of it. The code requires that the receptacle be GFCI protected if it's installed in an unfinished basement or garage.

Why only in unfinished basement? Why not in finished basement? What's the theory behind this?

[Marc-Andre Beauchemin]

I agree with stephen, I find it ridiculous when installed in a out of reach area. I prefer GFCI be located visible in the family room having it protect the sump pump connect to the protected plug.
A GFCI can protect up to 12 outlets. Then for this one, two could do the trick and avoid forgetting to reset it.