GFCI protection for sump and sewer ejector pumps

[goldstar]

I'm currently working on a job where the sump pump in a residential basement either failed and burnt out (it was either clogged or failed to shut off) Because I needed to get into that basement to do some wiring I first had to buy a utility pump and a hose and pump the sitting water out. That took 6 hours to evacuate 12" of sitting water. Then I purchased a new sump pump and the manufacturer's recommendations state that it should be plugged into a GFCI receptacle.

Now, writing that into the pump instructions just to CYA I think is a travesty. IMHO, I would rather let the pump burn out than have it fail due to a GFCI problem. What hazard could possibly exist if it does develop a GFCI problem ? It's in a sump pit. By the same token, installing a GFCI for a sewer ejector pump is beyond a travesty. When the crap backs up in the basement, people will be changing out the GFCI protection.

I'm not expecting many responses. This is just a rant :-(

 

[infinity]

I agree with you and so does the State of NJ. GFCI protection would not be required as we still have the pre-2008 exceptions in our electrical code. Now the manufacturer instructions may be a different story.

 

[ptonsparky]

Ok, pump fails, fault to ground, it is no longer running but still faulted, No GFCI. What is the touch potential as we wade closer to the pump?

Yes, the same problem would exist if the GFCI receptacle tripped and the water rose above the device.

No win situation.

 

[electrofelon]

Around here, many of the inspectors will not enforce the GFCI requirement for things like refrigerators freezers and sump pumps.

 

[goldstar]

Ok, pump fails, fault to ground, it is no longer running but still faulted, No GFCI. What is the touch potential as we wade closer to the pump?

Yes, the same problem would exist if the GFCI receptacle tripped and the water rose above the device.

No win situation.

Just a personal opinion but I wouldn't "wade" into standing water under any circumstances. As I mentioned in my OP, I used a utility pump with a garden hose. I set the pump into the standing water using a 10' piece of 1" EMT. Once it got down to a puddle I then chenged out the sump pump. Now, imagine if this was s sewer ejector pump that failed

 

[goldstar]

Around here, many of the inspectors will not enforce the GFCI requirement for things like refrigerators freezers and sump pumps.

That may be true even in my case. However, most don't want the onus if the mfr. states otherwise.

 

[takelly]

The 2020 code requires GFI protection of sump pumps regardless of what the inspector misses.

It would be tough to defend yourself in court if someone was injured or killed because of a code violation.

422.5(A)(6) Sump Pumps

 

[kwired]

The problem isn't that a sump pump needs GFCI protection. The problem is when you connect one via cord and plug connection, then the receptacle will quite often be in a location that requires GFCI protection of the receptacle regardless of what it supplies.

 

[infinity]

The problem isn't that a sump pump needs GFCI protection. The problem is when you connect one via cord and plug connection, then the receptacle will quite often be in a location that requires GFCI protection of the receptacle regardless of what it supplies.

Under the 2020 sump pumps require GFCI protection if 60 amps or less and 150 volts to ground or less regardless of how it's connected. 240 volt hardwired pumps do not require the GFCI protection.

 

[kwired]

Under the 2020 sump pumps require GFCI protection if 60 amps or less and 150 volts to ground or less regardless of how it's connected. 240 volt hardwired pumps do not require the GFCI protection.

yes per 422.5. I'm not seeing anything on 240 volt hardwired - and generally that would still fall under 150 volts or less to ground unless you had a corner ground delta or high leg delta involved.

 

[infinity]

yes per 422.5. I'm not seeing anything on 240 volt hardwired - and generally that would still fall under 150 volts or less to ground unless you had a corner ground delta or high leg delta involved.

Yes you're correct I was thinking 150 volts or less.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Under the 2020 sump pumps require GFCI protection if 60 amps or less and 150 volts to ground or less regardless of how it's connected. 240 volt hardwired pumps do not require the GFCI protection.

The voltage limitation in 422.5(A) in the 2020 code is "150 volts or less to ground" requiring most 240 volt hard wired sump pumps to have GFCI protection.

 

[ActionDave]

If it was my own house I would not use GFCI level protection in this application. I think New Jersey has it right.

I could get behind the requirement for more GFPE level protection for applications like this but this total wide expansion of GFCIs is ridiculous.

 

[infinity]

The voltage limitation in 422.5(A) in the 2020 code is "150 volts or less to ground" requiring most 240 volt hard wired sump pumps to have GFCI protection.

You're correct, you posted right after I corrected myself.

 

[goldstar]

Just to clarify, in anticipation of an electrical inspection I installed a single 20 amp receptacle at about 4-5' off the basement floor for this pump. It is currently (and temporarily) on a std 20A breaker. The rest of the job is still being roughed-in. At the final I will install a GFCI breaker so that it can be reset at the breaker panel on the 1st floor in the event it trips. What is in the bsmt. is a gas fired furnace and AHU suspended from the ceiling. There will be a storage tank for the well water as well as water softening tanks and associated electronics. That will be on a level about 12" above the lower floor. If, by chance, the pump fails the chances of it damaging or having any affect on these two pieces of equipment are very slim, but possible in a severe storm condition. Now, if any of us were the HO we would know enough to check the breaker, especially in a storm. However, a regular HO would probably never check the breaker and a tripped GFCI breaker could result in an unfortunate issue.