Originally Posted by
Wendell Swedberg
I interpreted E3802.5, Exception 2 to apply.......therefore, a GFCI is not required for the sump pump...
That's the exception which used to allow for no GFCI protection for the receptacle for refrigerators and freezers, but is no more in the 2008 NEC.
The reasoning behind allowing not GFCI protection for those appliances was that those appliances would block the receptacle, making it not accessible for any other use.
2. A single receptacle or 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.
Although the questions stated only a sump pump was in place, the duplex receptacle implies that two appliances could be installed......
If you were applying that, then with the sump plugged into one receptacle, that would leave the other receptacle available for any other use - which would then require GFCI protection anyway.
Also, Why a 20amp circuit and not a 15 amp circuit?
Because of the portion I underlined "
The total rating of utilization equipment fastened in place, other than lighting fixtures, shall not exceed 50 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating " - using a duplex receptacle with only the sump plugged in leaves the other receptacle available for any other use, thus "
where lighting units, cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place, or both, are also supplied", meaning that your "1189va/120=9.8 amps" is greater than 50% of a 15 amp breaker, thus requiring a 20 amp circuit and protection.