[hidden 1]

Is it common after years of use for a gfci to trip when a load hits it? Do they get a nuisance trip easily when covered outlet is exposed to a lot of moisture in the air ? Maybe theres leakage in circuit ,if so how can I test for it?

Mine has a sump pump on it an now the moment it kicks in the gfci trips.Has worked fine for a few years.I dont have other things on the circuit to it .
Is there a possible leak in current or moisture in wiring causing trip?
I temporarily plugged it into a heavy duty extention cord thats not on a gfci to test it an it pumped fine .
It's on 12/2 15amp gfci.20amp on breaker.1/2 hp pump.[not sure the startup draw]
I'm gonna start with the gfci -replace ,but wanted to do some testing also.

Any info is appreciated.

 

[jmon]

I agree with you, replace the gfci and see if that solves the issue. If not, then something else is wrong somewhere.

Maybe rodent chewed through some insulation on wires ?? could be pump? I know you said pump works fine in a nongfci outlet but it still could be the pump causing the issue.

Hope you get it figured out and fixed soon hidden.

 

[hidden 1]

Heres the type,Its a wolverine brass, 1/2 hp.I will try another gfci an run a test.
It was under water when I found out it wasnt on, so the gfci reset had a higher load from the float switch on but popped the reset again an again.
Did that factor anything with the pump on during the reset?

 

[Datawise]

Like anything else, GFCI receptacles do "wear out", but I have found more often then not a tripped GFCI is acting correctly. Unless the receptacle has been exposed to high current repeatedly or subject to harsh conditions, it might be good.

I have found that float switches tend to leak and allow moisture in, this will provide a ground fault often. I would connect something else into the GFCI to see if it trips. Running your pump off a non-gfci will not tell you if you have a suspect pump or switch.

Cheers
John

 

[hidden 1]

With what you said on the float switch[verticle type]would it be a good idea,as testing, to unplug the float piggy back plug an directly plug the main plug in to test.? Temporaily bypassing the float.

 

[hidden 1]

5 amp on the pump.

 

[Datawise]

I think that will tell you if the float is suspect or the pump. It still may be the receptacle; so I would connect some other load to the receptacle and test.

The other option is if you have a GFCI extension cord or power bar. Connect that to a different circuit and then connect your pump to that. If it trips, you know you have a pump / float issue.

Connect something like a three pronged power tool, electric lawn mover, etc. Something that has three prongs and draws a few amps.

If it trips, then it is likely the GFCI. If it does not, then it potentially is the pump (likely the float switch).

I am not sure if it is a requirement to have a GFCI for your sump pump; where I am, the sump pump receptacle is one of the few circuits that is neither GFCI or AFCI protected, just a standard single receptacle.

Cheers
John

 

[rjniles]

Either the GFCI is bad or it is doing its job and the pump has a ground fault. Use the extension cord to plug into a GFCI on another circuit. If that trips the pump is bad.

 

[dmxtothemax]

DITTO !


GFCI can be faulty like anything else,
BUT

Most of the time when a GFCI trips there is valid reason for it,
it may not yet be a full on fault
but instead the beginning of one
like a small leakage to ground,
now all you gotta do is find where the leak is !
:glasses:

 

[seharper]

The first law of GFCI is "MY appliances are awesome, and never have ground faults! That only happens to other people."

 

[hidden 1]

I think it was the gfci.
I put another gfci further out on the next outlet after last gfci an even used a strip with the reset button .an as the float lifted with water it pumped.
I also tested it at startup/load plug in , filled the water above float with it off[like it was before when it tripped it ]an once I plugged it in ,still on strip , with float an all under water ,it pumped..

I guess it was either gfci weak/bad or all the moisture factored it !
Thanks!

 

[Old Thomas]

Older receptacle type GFCIs are not as resistant to motor loads causing a trip as newer ones. Our code does not require a GFCI on a sump pump circuit as long as it is a dedicated circuit and the receptacle only has one spot to plug in (not a duplex receptacle).

 

[rjniles]

Older receptacle type GFCIs are not as resistant to motor loads causing a trip as newer ones. Our code does not require a GFCI on a sump pump circuit as long as it is a dedicated circuit and the receptacle only has one spot to plug in (not a duplex receptacle).

That exemption has been removed from the NEC

 

[Datawise]

Our code does not require a GFCI on a sump pump circuit as long as it is a dedicated circuit and the receptacle only has one spot to plug in (not a duplex receptacle).

Our code is similar, no GFCI or AFCI

Cheers
John

 

[Old Thomas]

That exemption has been removed from the NEC

No change has been adopted by NY. His has been in place for years. It only has to comply with the code in effect when it was installed.

 

[rjniles]

No change has been adopted by NY. His has been in place for years. It only has to comply with the code in effect when it was installed.

That is why I said the provision had been removed from the NEC. Most states have adopted new codes or do not have local exemptions that allow non GFCI simplex receptacles.

Sent from my RCT6A03W13E using Tapatalk

 

[hidden 1]

I did not use a new one ,I had a older spare one that was not wired in,I do plan to put a new one in later..It's off a detached garage an it is required in this set up.
Not if I ran a individual circuit though.
Thanks.

 

[seharper]

Grandfathering applies to the installation, not the parts. If you happened to have a coil of 65-year-old #10 SE cable lying around, you can't wire a new dryer circuit *today* with that.

That said, I regularly raid Habitat for Humanity Store for used conduit and fittings, and carefully selecting used parts that seem to match each other, so the new conduit extension looks like it's been there for 30 years lol. Permit? I'm sure whoever did that work in 1989 pulled a permit, wink!

 

[hidden 1]

That was for the testing ..not planning on getting out for a new one for now ..ty