Electrical question

[Lunatic]

With all the rain we had this year, for the first time since i own the house, 28 years, water found its way into my basement.
I improved several things outside but it didn't correct the problem. The only solution left was to dig a sump pit.
This part is completed and it works great.
here is my question: Pump instructions call for GFCI receptacle. I have receptacle right above the pit but its not GFCI.
Do I need one? In my, maybe ignorant mind on this subject, I question the need for one. Why would I want this receptacle ever tripping? (Forget the codes, I don't care what they say, its my house. )
So do I need one and why?

Thanks in advance

Edited December 9, 2018 by Lunatic

[Tail Chaser]

The ground fault is so you don't get shocked . If you step in to the wet basement and for some reason the outlet is shorted in the water

Edited December 9, 2018 by Tail Chaser

[Greybeard]

Yes. It's close to water and someone could get shocked without it.

[Lunatic]

1 minute ago, Tail Chaser said:

The ground fault is so you don't get shocked . If you step in to see wet basement and for some reason the outlet is shorted in the water

If the outlet shorted wouldn't the breaker trip?

[Greybeard]

I think it also trips the white wire which can be carrying a return flow from another source.  Look up gfi breaker.  It will tell you what I'm not too sure of.

[Tail Chaser]

4 minutes ago, Lunatic said:

If the outlet shorted wouldn't the breaker trip?

Not always. That why people used tho electicute themselves in bathtubs

[Lunatic]

9 minutes ago, Tail Chaser said:

Not always. That why people used tho electicute themselves in bathtubs

OK, thanks

[Lunatic]

Well, can moisture trip the GFCI outlet? If so would it be better to install GFCI breaker at the panel for this outlet?

[Tail Chaser]

Either will work the same. Breaker is way more expensive

[Tail Chaser]

Typically the outlet won't get wet unless the basement fills up. What ever you plug in is usually the problem. Or if you're standing in water and plugging or un plugging

[MikeStaten]

I wouldnt worry about the moisture tripping the gfi outlet.  A bathroom after a hot shower will have a lot more moisture in the air than a basement ever would and there aren't problems with them tripping in bathrooms.  I did the same exact job as you a few years ago and input in a gfi with no issues.  

[Lunatic]

Just now, MikeStaten said:

I wouldnt worry about the moisture tripping the gfi outlet.  A bathroom after a hot shower will have a lot more moisture in the air than a basement ever would and there aren't problems with them tripping in bathrooms.  I did the same exact job as you a few years ago and input in a gfi with no issues.  

Ok thanks everyone. With the outlet only +- 3' above the pit I did worry about tripping due to moisture but what you said makes sense to me. GFIC outlet is cheap enough to get it done.
Thanks

[electric10162]

For 100 years we put sump pumps on regular receptacles. Like in my house, I would use a single receptacle, non GFI, so nothing else can be plugged in.

[Lunatic]

4 minutes ago, electric10162 said:

For 100 years we put sump pumps on regular receptacles. Like in my house, I would use a single receptacle, non GFI, so nothing else can be plugged in.

Is there an advantage of non GFI for this purpose or its just not worth changing to GFI at this point?

[electric10162]

2 hours ago, Lunatic said:

Is there an advantage of non GFI for this purpose or its just not worth changing to GFI at this point?

Advantage is that you won't have a nuisance trip causing your sump pump to fail. The whole idea is to keep the water out of the basement.