In article 9efhj.50004$8Z1.32051@trnddc05, Tom Horne wrote:
Doug
I'm not trying to troll or be quarrelsome when I say that there is no
exception for sump pumps in the code requirement for all outlets in
unfinished portions of basements to be GFCI protected. If it is an
unfinished basement then the outlet must be GFCI protected.

I disagree:

Article 210.8(A)(5) Exception No. 2: "A single receptacle or a duplex
receptacle for two appliances located within dedicated space for each
appliance that, in normal use, is not easily moved from one place to another
and that is cord-and-plug connected in accordance with 400.7(A)(6), (A)(7), or
(A)(8)."

This would seem to apply to a receptacle supplying a sump pump, which is an
appliance "located within dedicated space", "not easily moved", and
"cord-and-plug connected".


If the GFCI
trips then there is a five milliampere or greater current leak in the
pump, it's cord, or controls. If the pump cannot pass winding integrity
testing then replace it. I can't think of many deadlier scenarios then
somebody on there knees on a conductive concrete floor trying to clear
out the intake of a sump pump while the pump has a case fault.

How hard is it to unplug the pump?

Yes I
know; if the Equipment Grounding Conductor of the circuit is intact and
has a low enough resistance, and the fault is delivering enough current
to trip the circuits Over Current Protective Device (OCPD), and the OCPD
is working properly... The basic theory of personnel safety is that it
should take at least two failures to put someone in jeopardy of serious
injury. The more failures it takes to jeopardize someone the better.

I can't argue with that, but...

Leave the GFCI in the circuit and test it at least monthly.

... if you're going to do that, then you should have a second sump pump that
does not require 120VAC to operate.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.