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.
Can a sump pump be on a GFCI?
My web search turned up an old article by you where you say, “actually, your sump pump shouldn’t be on a GFCI but rather on a dedicated non-GFCI outlet because sump pump motors can sometimes wreak havoc with GFCIs as can freezers and refrigerators so be sure they are plugged into unprotected outlets or you may end up
Does a sump pump have to be GFCI protected?
In the 2017 NEC , 620.85 did not require a single receptacle supplying a permanently installed sump pump to be GFCI protected. However, the 2020 NEC now requires a permanently installed sump pump to be GFCI-protected by an upstream device or by a single receptacle that is GFCI protected.
Do water pumps need to be on a GFCI?
GFCI Breakers And Swimming Pool Equipment – What We Know And Our Recommendations. The National Electric Code requires that all swimming pool pumps be connected to a GFCI breaker.
How many amps GFCI for sump pump?
Since a receptacle feeding a sump pump in an unfinished basement requires GFCI protection, I’ve seen most contractors in the area using a duplex 15 amp GFCI to satisfy the requirement.
Why would a sump pump trip a GFCI?
Leakage. Your septic pump or sump pump breaker may have tripped due to a water leak or moisture. The GFCI breaker will detect the presence of water or moisture in the pump wiring or inside the motor and will trip instantly. That is also why it is advisable to plug your pump into a GFCI breaker.
Should a sump pump be on a dedicated circuit?
The power supply to a sump pump should not only have a dedicated outlet, but should also be a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. The sump pump needs its own circuit breaker to prevent tripping of the breaker and the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is essential in preventing electrical shock.
Are basement outlets required to be GFCI?
GFCI protection is required for 125-volt to 250-volt receptacles supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to the ground. GFCI receptacles are required in bathrooms, garages, crawl spaces, basements, laundry rooms and areas where a water source is present.
What type of outlet is needed for a sump pump?
Electrical Wiring for a Sump Pump Circuit
The wire size that should be used for the 20 amp septic sump pump circuit should be #12 gauge. The sump pump should be protected by either a GFCI outlet or a GFCI circuit breaker.
Do unfinished basements need GFCI outlets?
Regardless of where the receptacle is located, it must be GFCI protected. 210.8(A)(5) Unfinished basements Receptacles must be GFCI protected where located in unfinished basements.
Should the sump pump be a 15 or 20 amp breaker?
You should have one or the other. If it’s a 20 amp circuit, #12 should be used as wiring to a 20 amp breaker. It need not have 20 amp receptacles, however. If it’s a 15 amp circuit, either #12 or #14 could be used, as a lower amp circuit can always safely use wire rated for a higher amp circuit.
Can a sump pump be on a 15 amp circuit?
If your pump has a motor surge output of 10 amps, use a 15-amp circuit breaker in the breaker panel to allow it enough power to start up but not enough power to burn up if something goes wrong.
What size breaker do I need for a 1/2 HP sump pump?
According to National Electric Code Table T430-148, the full-load current of a 1/2 horsepower motor operating at 115 volts is 9.8 amperes. The maximum breaker size for a sump pump motor of this size is 250 percent of the full-load current or 24.5 amps.
Can a sump pump electrocute you?
Even a small amount of water on a basement floor can put you at risk for electrocution. While electricity is needed to run the sump pumps and wet-vacs that help remove water from a basement, the risk of electrical shock is high. Safety experts suggest using a generator to power your sump pump or wet/dry vacuum instead.
Can I plug my sump pump into a regular outlet?
While most electrical outlets near water in your home need to be GFCI protected for health and safety reasons, your sump pump is one device that needs to be connected to an outlet without GFCI. The reason being is that water can trip the circuit, turning off any device plugged into it.
How do you fix a GFCI that keeps tripping?
Solution:
- Remove the GFCI outlet and replace it. If the problem is fixed, then you know that the GFCI was the initial cause of the tripping.
- If removing the outlet, and the problem persists, it is likely that it could be another outlet on the line, or the circuit breaker itself.
How do I know if my GFCI is bad?
If the GFCI won’t reset or the button doesn’t pop out when you press the “test” button, there may be no power to the GFCI or you may have a bad GFCI. Pro tip: If the “reset” button trips again every time you press it, there may be a dangerous current leak somewhere on the circuit.
What causes a GFCI to trip repeatedly?
If the GFCI’s internal current transformer senses more than a 4-5 milliamp loss, it instantly shuts down the outlet and any outlets it feeds to prevent accidental electrocution. Most often, when a GFCI “trips” it is the result of a faulty appliance plugged into the outlet or an outlet down circuit.
What does it mean when a GFCI will not reset?
A GFCI or GFI outlet may not reset because there’s a ground fault occurring at a regular outlet that’s not working, or somewhere else downstream of the GFI. Also, if no power is reaching the GFI, it may not reset. The component will not function properly if power does not reach its electrical box.
Can you have 2 GFCI outlets on the same circuit?
Yes, you can daisy chain GFCI outlets together, but it’s unnecessary and provides no added safety. There’s nothing that says you can’t install multiple GFCIs on the same circuit. However, there is no additional safety gained by doing so.
Is there a difference between GFI and GFCI?
GFCI vs GFI. Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and ground fault interrupters (GFI) are the exact same device under slightly different names. Though GFCI is more commonly used than GFI, the terms are interchangeable.
