sump pump code

[jrclen]

There are none.

But 210.8 (A) will likely come into play.

Yes it will. But that wasn't in the OP. He never did get a straight answer to his question. The answer is: there is no violation of the NEC for plugging a sump pump into a duplex receptacle outlet.

 

[peter d]

But that wasn't in the OP.

And your point is?

 

[stickboy1375]

Yes it will. But that wasn't in the OP. He never did get a straight answer to his question. The answer is: there is no violation of the NEC for plugging a sump pump into a duplex receptacle outlet.

I am a safety manager for telecom company and wonder if there is a NEC code that states a homes sump pump must be plugged into to single outlet recepticle? Some installers are plugging our equipment into duplex outlets and was wondering if this OK?

Like I said originally, depends on where the pump/receptacle is located.

 

[iwire]

The answer is: there is no violation of the NEC for plugging a sump pump into a duplex receptacle outlet.

I don't think that is a 'straight answer' to the OPs question.

If you phrase it that way it sounds like we can always use a duplex.

The truth is under the current code if the sump pump is in a unfinished basement or a garage and is not GFCI protected it would be a NEC violation to use a duplex.

 

[brantmacga]

no requirement listed on either cord that says one 'must' be piggy-backed into the other (only that i cannot remove plug ends and hardwire). i've never had one short, nor had one run continuously as suggested. no problem whatsoever. are we talking the same thing here? i think you are saying the float switch is controlling the motor through the cord, but this cannot be the case on what we're using, or it wouldn't work. i think after a few years of doing this, if there were a problem we'd have found out by now.

 

[jrclen]

I don't think that is a 'straight answer' to the OPs question.

If you phrase it that way it sounds like we can always use a duplex.

The truth is under the current code if the sump pump is in a unfinished basement or a garage and is not GFCI protected it would be a NEC violation to use a duplex.

Ooops. I'm wrong.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

i've never had one short, nor had one run continuously as suggested. no problem whatsoever. are we talking the same thing here?

I was wrong about the short but every piggyback pump system I have seen was setup so that the floats plug into the recep. and the pump plugged into the back. The float would switch the hot wire to the back side thus energizing the pump when the water reached a certain level.

I cannot imagine why you would have that configuration unless that were the case. Why are there 2 cords??? Why is there a place in the back to piggyback?

The only other systems I have seen have the floats in the hole built into the pump with one cord coming out.

I am curious as to what you have there.

 

[brantmacga]

I was wrong about the short but every piggyback pump system I have seen was setup so that the floats plug into the recep. and the pump plugged into the back. The float would switch the hot wire to the back side thus energizing the pump when the water reached a certain level.

I cannot imagine why you would have that configuration unless that were the case. Why are there 2 cords??? Why is there a place in the back to piggyback?

The only other systems I have seen have the floats in the hole built into the pump with one cord coming out.

I am curious as to what you have there.

It is completely plausible that I'm an idiot. But when possible, we test all equipment we install, and the pumps cycle on and off normally. Now you have me worried that we did something wrong. I would assume there would be something in the directions stating that it must be connected this way, but I've never found anything like that. I don't know the brand right off, but will definitely look on the next one. Usually those installed by septic tank contractors are hardwired, were as the few that are installed by plumbers here are cord-and-plug. Why would the workings of the float switch control not be mounted internally?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

It is completely plausible that I'm an idiot.

I am sure you are not an idiot there must be some other explanation. I hope.:grin:

Why would the workings of the float switch control not be mounted internally?

I have only seen sump pumps with built in float switches.

The septic pumps I have seen all either have a setup as you described plus an alarm float or they have pump wire, float wires and alarm wires that get connected into a control box.

 

[mbernh001]

Thanks everyone for your replys. It looks like we are not violating any codes by utilizing an outlet dedicated for a sump pump to power our equipment.

 

[brantmacga]

I am sure you are not an idiot there must be some other explanation. I hope.:grin:



I have only seen sump pumps with built in float switches.

The septic pumps I have seen all either have a setup as you described plus an alarm float or they have pump wire, float wires and alarm wires that get connected into a control box.

i think what you're calling a septic pump is what i call a sump pump. are they two different things?? we have a hardwired version and a plug-in version. like i said, ,when the septic contractor install they do the hardwired; when the plumbers install them they're usually the cord-and-plug type, but they are the same thing. the receptacle on the cord-and-plug type is wired off the alarm control box. should i have said this earlier? :-?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

i think what you're calling a septic pump is what i call a sump pump. :-?

A sump pump is usually a small pump in a pit that removes excessive water from places like a basement.

Basically, the septic pump is installed outdoors in a large tank where the sewer lines enter. It then pumps the liquids to a septic field.

 

[jrclen]

Basically, the septic pump is installed outdoors in a large tank where the sewer lines enter. It then pumps the liquids to a septic field.

Oh that kind of sump pump. I didn't realize that either. I was wondering about those two cords and float circuit and stuff. Now I get it. Pretty common around here. Our plumbers install the pumps, floats, and alarm floats in the tank as they have the pit entry training and permits. We electricians make the connections at the panel and the inside alarm box.