Sump Pump receptacle

[HoosierBuddy]

Hey guys,

Are sump receptacles required to be GFIC protected?

If so, doesn't this create a problem if the thing trips and the basement floods?

I did a google search on this and came up with "yes" "no" "yes but don't do it"...and it left me confused.

If there is a GFIC requirement, can you get around it by installing a single rather than a duplex receptacle so it is dedicated? Would a duplex receptacle in a crawlspace adjacent to a sump pump be considered "dedicated"?

Trying to help my mother-in-law out here without messing up too bad.

Thanks!

Phil

 

[yeldogt]

I think .. this depends. I would be shocked at this point if they don't require it.

I never do it --- dedicated single outlet.

 

[sparky 1971]

It is supposed to be gfci protected, but I have yet to run across an inspector that requires it. Common sense tells you that a nuisance trip leads to a flooded basement. I deal with seven different inspectors and they all want a single receptacle with no gfci. If you have to have a gfci, I suggest using a receptacle that has an audible tripped alarm on it.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

It is supposed to be gfci protected, but I have yet to run across an inspector that requires it. Common sense tells you that a nuisance trip leads to a flooded basement. I deal with seven different inspectors and they all want a single receptacle with no gfci. If you have to have a gfci, I suggest using a receptacle that has an audible tripped alarm on it.

Huh...add that "audible trip alarmed GFIC" to **** I didn't know even existed!

What'll they think of next.

I'm going to try to go non-GFIC. My MIL is pushing 70 and she isn't going to be able to go outside, take off the cover, and crawl into the crawl space if the thing trips. That's likely where we'd find her 2 weeks later when the mail began piling up.


BTW...THANKS GUYS!

Phil

 

[wyliesdiesels]

A single outlet receptacle may get you around the GFCI requirement.

I do not have code book in front of me to check.

 

[theoldwizard1]

A single outlet receptacle may get you around the GFCI requirement.

I do not have code book in front of me to check.

That works for refrigerator on a concrete floor.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

That works for refrigerator on a concrete floor.

Not in a residential garage which has no expception for GFCI requirements.

 

[rlitman]

Not in a residential garage which has no expception for GFCI requirements.

In the CURRENT code cycle, but not all AHJs are there yet.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Actually i think the exemption was removed back in 2011 code cycle. Current code is 2017

 

[larry4406]

New construction guy here....

All our sump pumps are GFCi.

Also our garage door motors are GFCI.

 

[sparky 1971]

New construction guy here....

All our sump pumps are GFCi.

Also our garage door motors are GFCI.

We don't have to gfci garage doors here either. I guess the reason is that they don't want mom's with babies to not be able to open their garage door in the winter.

To be honest, I haven't done a new residential project since 2015 when we were on the 2014 code. What the AHJ's want may have changed since then.

 

[yeldogt]

New construction guy here....

All our sump pumps are GFCi.

Also our garage door motors are GFCI.

Ever any issues with the doors?

Everything works better today .. and nuisance trips low. But ....

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Ever any issues with the doors?

Everything works better today .. and nuisance trips low. But ....

Not really an issue on the garage doors, particularly if it is a dedicated circuit. IMO, install the sump GFCI for the inspection the swap it out.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Not really an issue on the garage doors, particularly if it is a dedicated circuit. IMO, install the sump GFCI for the inspection the swap it out.

Thanks again guys for all the input.

Phil

 

[fitter30]

Put a water alarm by the pump if the pump doesn't run for any reason they can be purchased for $10 battery operated.

 

[exranger06]

Current code requires ALL 120V receptacles be GFCI-protected in garages, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, and outdoors. Doesn't matter if it's a single or duplex receptacle, doesn't matter if it's "dedicated" or not. There used to be exceptions for certain things like single, dedicated receps. for sump pumps, but not anymore. Up to you if you want to do everything by the book or not.

 

[larry4406]

Ever any issues with the doors?

Everything works better today .. and nuisance trips low. But ....

Yes and no.

The AHJ requires the garage door motor GFCI to be accessible. Putting the GFCI on the ceiling doesn’t count as a ladder is needed.

So our electrician says screw it and puts the motor on the same circuit as the garage outlets and exterior outlet. So after heavy rains GFCi trips, takes out circuit, and door is dead. Customer is brain dead and does not remember this part of the walk thru demonstration. Calls garage door guy as door doesn’t work. No power as GFCi is tripped. Garage door guy resets GFCi and wants to bill $100 for trip charge to builder. UFB.