dave*99
Well-known member
There are GFCIs available that emit an alarm tone when tripped. Might be useful for a sump pump.
Help me diagnose this issue
- Thread starter MEDTECH
- Start date
dave*99
Well-known member
Those sneaky bastards hide.
Interesting, I need to look into these.
I have a GFCI running my freezer (gasp!) and a few outlets in the front half of my basement/garage. Reconfiguring some things and need to out a few new outlets in, was considering removing the GFCI but in reality that section of the garage could be wet so I probably should leave the outlets protected. Am also looking at pulling a new circuit, but for just a couple duplexes felt like overkill
Apparently. I almost asked if OP was sure there wasn't a switch or something somewhere, next time I looked he had it fixed.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
dave*99
Well-known member
I'll sneak this in before the oncoming 199 posts that say I'D NEVER RUN A FREEZER ON A GCFI.......
You might consider a freezer alarm. That way if the freezer fails or the GFCI trips you will know.
I have a dedicated non GFCI receptacle for the freezer. So I don't speak from experience.
dave*99
Well-known member
I got TRIPPED up when the OP said the taped up outlet was the breakpoint between live and dead receptacles on the string. @sparky 1971 saw right past that.
If it wasn't for all you guys suggestions, I would still be pulling out my hair chasing gremlins. I'm glad it happened, tho, because I learned a lot about troubleshooting and to not overlook anything.
As soon as I read "is there anything in that box under the printer?*, I said "mfer, the goddamn pump."
Great lessons learned for the future.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The combined and varied experience available to you from GJ members is amazing. Most of us have been electrocuted, Fried, burned in ways that leave a lasting impression. They pass on their experiences free of charge...
Long Live Garage Journal !
Oh and I'D NEVER RUN A FREEZER ON A GCFI.......
Long Live Garage Journal !
Oh and I'D NEVER RUN A FREEZER ON A GCFI.......
A year or so ago I had a customer tell me he found the GFCI on his kitchen refrigerator had tripped. He found it after they had been away for a couple weeks. Said it was not a good smell, I think he got it cleaned but said he considered just getting a new fridge.
He reset and it was working fine but obviously he was concerned. I told him the code required it but if it were mine I'd get rid of the GFCI. He swapped it out.
Good point you bring up. Would it make more sense to NOT have a GFCI on a pump so it can run when needed or let the GFCI protect your circuit to warn you of a possible pump issue/impending failure?
I guess, like @dave*99 said, get the one that's audible, is the smart move.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
"No gfci on ****, storm water or food" brigade checking inHope you're right. I'll plug in some items, including my heat gun, and pray it trips on everything. Already have a new GFCI as a backup.
I shudder to think if we got like 6-8 in. of rain while it was tripped. I'd have rats and gators in my basement.
And turds
You guys are swaying me to run a new circuit for the couple outlets I want, including the freezer.
Probably easier to pull wire from that side anyway
dave*99
Well-known member
A water alarm or a backup pump will protect you from a pump failure.
I'm not looking to feed the debate on GFCI on a pump.
Just be mindful - you have a pump in a finished basement (living space)
GFCI tripped - probably because your pump has an issue. You said it trips immediately when you plug the pump in.
With a failed pump and no GFCI, perhaps you would electrocute the rats and gators.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
sparky 1971
Well-known member
Will it reset the GFCI as well? It's a pretty well known fact that 99% of the GFCI trips or failures occur while the owner is on vacation and the home is unoccupied.I'll sneak this in before the oncoming 199 posts that say I'D NEVER RUN A FREEZER ON A GCFI.......
You might consider a freezer alarm. That way if the freezer fails or the GFCI trips you will know.
I have a dedicated non GFCI receptacle for the freezer. So I don't speak from experience.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
A backup pump needs to be plugged into another circuit or at a minimum, a separate GFCI. In this case, if there were two pumps plugged into that GFCI, the second pump wouldn't have made much of a difference after the trip happened. In that case, the water alarm would let everyone know the pumps probably aren't working and the basement is about to get wet.
dave*99
Well-known member
It will not. But it will alert you on your cell phone of a temperature rise. If that's of use, go for it.
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dave*99
Well-known member
There are battery powered backup pumps and City water pressure powered backup pumps too.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I guess that's not too bad. A neighbor could get called and maybe reset it before anything spoils. It wouldn't do me any good since I am one of the four people left on the earth that chooses to use and carry a flip phone.
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dave*99
Well-known member
There are many variants on this, but a tester is useful.Hope you're right. I'll plug in some items, including my heat gun, and pray it trips on everything. Already have a new GFCI as a backup.
I shudder to think if we got like 6-8 in. of rain while it was tripped. I'd have rats and gators in my basement.
And turds
When I was looking at pulling the new outlets and thinking GFCI or not the other night I meant to look for a power monitor plug.
I think this just sends an SMS.
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
We got you. Just post up and someone will swing by
sparky 1971
Well-known member
Perfect. I'll be sure to leave Milk Bones at the end of the driveway. Make sure you have a couple of handfuls before you cross the invisible fence line. Also, Fat Daisy requires two treats, the others will be happy with one. The house is unlocked.
Is the fence plugged into the GFCI too?
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I'd be getting rid of the GFCI altogether if it were mine. On the rare occasion that I actually wire a home, I install an alarm GFCI for the sump, but I am not impressed with them because they aren't very loud. If it were inside that box, it will be audible in the basement, but barely. I doubt anyone on the main floor not named Clark Kent would be able to hear it.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
Oh hell no. It's in the garage, the only GFCI's out there are new in the box sitting on a shelf to replace stock on my service truck. There are two in the house, both there when I bought it and one outside that I did install for my pellet smoker that I always forget to unplug when not in use.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
If you really want to have a GFCI for the sump pump, and already have a new one, move it to the outlet close to the panel. Feed the inputs to the line side and the outputs to the load side. Then put the standard receptacle that is currently close to the panel in the box for the pump. It will make it a lot easier in the future and the pump will still have it's protection. And you don't need the GFCI at the end of the circuit. Right now it's protected by the GFCI for the pump and if you choose to relocate the device, nothing downstream will change.Hope you're right. I'll plug in some items, including my heat gun, and pray it trips on everything. Already have a new GFCI as a backup.
I shudder to think if we got like 6-8 in. of rain while it was tripped. I'd have rats and gators in my basement.
And turds
Unfortunately, it's a bad pump. I plugged in multiple devices and GFCI did not trip.
However, I like your suggestion about moving the GFCI outside the box. That way, at a glance, I'll see the status vs not knowing if it's live or not.
I'll do that before I get the new pump.
Now, I just gotta choose a pump.
Check the wiring on the pump before condemning it.
Post a pic of the motor and we can help
rlitman
Well-known member
Or a plug in indicator lamp?
dave*99
Well-known member
niget2002
Well-known member
nothing like getting a tingly sensation when stepping in a puddle of water on the floor.
Probably not loose, but possibly chaffed.I'll try...it's a little cramped in that box. I'm 6-2 and bad arthritis but I'll give it a shot later tonight.
It'd be great if it's just a loose connection